This week, some books featuring LGBTQ+ characters!

Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda

Goodreads rating: 4.32

Sixteen-year-old Simon Spier is in the process of figuring out who he is and his place in the world. When an email to Blue ends up in the wrong hands, his life and relationships are put in jeopardy and become all kinds of complicated.

This is one of that put-everything-down-and-forget-about-homework-until-you-finish-this-book sort of book. All the characters are complex which make them extremely relatable. Plus, the friendships and romance are so heart-touching. There’s also a movie although I’m not sure if it’s been released in Thailand yet.

The Art of Being Normal

Goodreads rating: 4.17

David’s biggest secret is he wants to be a girl. He’s known it ever since he was eight years old and made that slip-up, resulting in him being teased by everyone in his class. When Leo joins Eden Park School as a new student, all he wants is to be invisible. There are too many painful secrets stirring inside of him. In time, the boys learn that they have much more in common than they previously thought.

This book gives a startling perspective about the issues students from the LGBTQ+ community face, not just at school but by society as a whole. (I am well aware that adults may go through similar situations but this book is about children.) The messages in this book are really thought-provoking and relevant to our world today.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Goodreads rating: 3.82

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is the story of two angsty teenage boys named Will Grayson (no surprise there) who, much like most of us, are trying to figure out life. All that the first Will Grayson wants is to be unnoticed. The second Will Grayson, on the other hand, just desires something good to hold onto. When their paths cross, their lives hurtle in the most unimaginable of directions.

I’m not a fan of John Green. All of his books sound the same with the same old characters and plot. I did, however, enjoy this book. I think Levithan really brings a fresh voice to the story. Some parts are quite cringe-worthy but overall, it’s an enjoyable read.