Suddenly, April is over, and with temps already blasting into the ’90s for days on end, we can all rest assured that winter is most definitely gone. But here to stay are some seriously sweet queer reads that run the gamut of young adult, comics, Romance, and beyond. The best of April reads feature fashion bloggers and high school grads, superheroines and sentient androids, would-be sleuths and fiercely competitive fencers, and much more to keep you well and truly entertained in the month ahead.
Young Adult
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
With Love, Simon earning rave reviews from moviegoing teens and adults alike, and the book that it inspired it (Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda) still blowing up the bestseller lists, Becky Albertalli is back with a brand new book in the Simon-verse: Leah on the Offbeat! Leah is a bisexual fat girl (and best friend of the eponymous Simon of book one) who loves her body, takes pride in her uniqueness, and can’t get enough drumming and snark. Sure, she doesn’t have it that easy—she feels like she is the only one of her friends not dating, her mom is single and always seems to be struggling financially, and she cannot quite seem to find the confidence in herself to know she is a good artist—but still, she knows that when she finally decides to come out as bisexual, she’ll will be met with love and support. That doesn’t stop her from wanting it to happen in her own time and in her own way, however, and the story is a wonderful take on being yourself and doing your own thing, whatever that looks like. Told through fresh and upbeat prose with a keen eye for pop culture, Becky Albertalli has written a wonderful and validating book about unapologetically loving who you are, in all your quirky glory.
White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Tightly wound mystery combined with nail-biting action are what make this sophomore effort from Caleb Roehrig so very captivating. Still reeling from a bad breakup, Rufus Holt does not expect the boy who broke his heart to show up one night in July wanting to talk out his feelings. He also does not expect his half-sister April to call with an unusual request for help, but when she does, he and the ex, Sebastian, discover her covered in blood next to the body of her boyfriend. Is April the killer? Though the evidence points at her, she swears she’s not and begs Rufus to discover the identity of the real killer before it’s too late. With only one night to discover who did it, Rufus has his work cut out for him. Featuring non-stop twists and turns, far too many secrets, and a brutal killing to unravel, White Rabbit is one of those rare thrillers where you will not know who did it until the bitter end.
Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding
Plus-size fashion and blogging are two of Abby’s favorite things, and while her friends all seem to want to find love and romance, she just wants to focus on her goal of making it in the fashion world. It’s definitely not easy, but things in her life seem to be going exactly as planned when she earns a coveted internship in her chosen field. What’s not in the plan are the unexpected feelings she has for Jordi Perez, a photographer who also happens to be a fellow intern, and her friendship with burger-obsessed athlete Jax, whose mission in life is to eat all the burgers in L.A. Full of fast-paced writing and just the right amount of romance, this is a happy read that will have you rooting for Abby as she comes to terms with what she wants and how best to get it. Plus, the wonderful queer fat girl rep will leave you with a big smile on your face and an urge to read more just like it.
Romance
Evolved by N.R. Walker
Lloyd never thought he would ever be the type to buy a companion, but in the year 2068, owning a SHAUN, or Synthetic Human Android UNit, is the norm. After an ex tells him that he would be better off with an android, Lloyd takes a chance and buys SHAUN, a companion built to fit to his perfect specifications. While Shaun matches him intellectually and physically, Lloyd is still hesitant to interact with him and treat him like a true companion. As time goes on, Lloyd and Shaun slowly begin to develop feelings for one another, and Lloyd is surprised to realize that his particular android has turned into something more than machine—that he’s become an evolved being at risk of being destroyed should anyone find out. With a deft hand, N.R. Walker’s latest focuses on loneliness and the need for companionship as humanity becomes more adept at using machines and as a result, more internalized and isolated. While the premise of an android becoming sentient is not novel, the fact that it occurs in a Romance offers a unique perspective on consent and love, and what that ultimately means for any sort of long lasting relationship.
Blend by Georgia Beers
Lindsey is the general manager of local wine bar Vineyard and hopes to use her business acumen to make it successful. When the bar’s owner takes a much needed—and extended—break, she leaves Lindsey in charge … along with her daughter, Piper, who already has one job and is not in search of another. Now, Lindsey is stuck running a business with the boss’s daughter, her complete opposite in all the ways that count, and it’s a fight to make even a single decision stick. With two opposites like these, readers will most definitely enjoy the slow-burn simmering attraction that keeps them at each other’s throats, and the verbal tug of war that peppers their every interaction. Full of high stakes emotion and blistering seduction, Blend will charm you effortlessly and then scorch your socks off.
Comics
Fence #5 by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad
For those new to C.S. Pacat’s masterful foray into comics, Fence is the story of sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox’s struggle to make it in the world of competitive fencing. His dream is simple: to make the team of Kings Row and ultimately face—and beat—the best fencers of his generation. It’s a lofty goal, but Nicholas is sure he can do it. The comic features a cast of fellow fencers of varying skill levels and considerable backstory, shedding light on the myriad motivations and pitfalls plaguing each of them. In this latest chapter, Pacat’s mastery at tight storytelling and lean dialogue comes into play allowing the visuals to shine and the true nuances of character to be on full display. With each subsequent edition, the story becomes more complex, and Nicholas’s goal grows seemingly further and further away, but with Pacat, the reader is usually guaranteed a story that unravels slowly, with far different outcomes than originally expected.
America: Fast and Fuertona by Gabby Rivera (Author), Joe Quinones (Illustrator), Annie Wu (Illustrator), Jen Bartel (Illustrator)
Still just as much a powder keg of raw talent and in-your-face attitude as in her previous graphic novel, America Chavez is back and better than ever in Gabby Rivera’s America: Fast and Fuertona. Featuring gorgeous, boldly colored artwork and seriously snappy, tongue-in-cheek dialogue, this second America collection crams in a lot to entice readers: a surprising origin story, an opportunity for America to battle supervillain Exterminatrix, a taste of the Midas Corporation and its involvement in America’s life, some brand new superpowered abilities, and so much more. Buy it for the fantastic art, but definitely stick around for the quick, superpower-studded story.
Judith is an avid reader and overly enthusiastic book pusher. In addition to writing for the The Mary Sue, you can also find Judith talking the latest in queer reads on Teen Vogue and HEA USA Today.
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