2022 was a wonderful year for LQBTQIA+ stories. Our selection of highlights includes both local and international releases, and spans everything from WWII mysteries to the perils of global boy band fame.

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Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle

This debut queer romance is both heartfelt and hilarious.

Patch has been deeply and unrequitedly in love with the star of the school’s basketball team for years, but when they are suddenly thrown together due to an unfortunate incident with a bottle of ink, Patch's world shifts and priorities change – for better and for worse.

This is an empowering and queer-positive coming of age story that romantics will adore.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

We loved this queer Mexican American debut set in a conservative, very white Catholic school.

Yamilet is trying to stay in the closet after being outed by her ex-best friend at her last school, but it’s not going to be easy when her new friend, Bo, is openly gay. Also, the fact they are developing feelings for one another is definitely complicating matters.

This story is a real standout for the funny and fresh voice of its protagonist.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

This companion novel to Pet is a moving story exploring using your voice and the power of art.

Bitter has been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school for creative teens. But outside the walls, protestors are fighting against the deep injustices that grip the town. Bitter is torn between staying within the safety of Eucalyptus and standing up and fighting for a better world.

This is an incredibly empowering novel about standing up for what’s right.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell by Tobias Madden

From the author of Anything But Fine comes a sweet contemporary YA that will have you immediately hooked.

Noah is in love with his online best friend who he’s never actually met. So when Noah is given the opportunity to secretly meet his crush, he takes it. But the opportunity will mean he’ll have to join the cast of a local production of Chicago with his self-obsessed mother. He’ll have to sing and dance in front of actual people. And worst of all, he’ll have to lie to his best friend.

This story is perfect for both gamers and theatre fans.

Suitable for ages 14 and up.

The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle

This gorgeous graphic novel, loosely based on the author’s life, is about friendship and discovering your own identity.

When Winifred’s two best friends change schools, she sees it as an opprtunity for reinvention. Before long, she manages to find completely different friends in her art class. Through being with them and working on her own zine, she slowly learns to embrace her own identity and her feelings for a girl at school.

Heartfelt and beautiful, this art-infused story also has tips for making your own zine! 

Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram

This swoon-worthy romance follows an ultra-famous boy band and all the media hype that surrounds them.

For Hunter, life in a boy band is one of control. His management has it, he does not. He is constantly playing by their rules, even when it comes to being the 'perfect queer kid'. When he breaks up from a long-term relationship and starts dating again, the headlines go crazy and he’s forced to grapple with his identity under the spotlight of fame more than ever. 

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

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The Killing Code by Ellie Marney

During WWII a group of young women are working as codebreakers in the US to help the war effort. When Kit, who has secrets of her own, discovers her roommate is only the latest in a spate of missing women, she and her new friends set out to catch the killer.

This is a thrilling historical crime novel filled with intelligent and complicated women. 

Suitable for ages 14 and up.

Cold: A Novel by Mariko Tamaki

Told in shifting perspective, this is the story of a boy who died and a girl who is still alive, and the connection between them. Todd is a ghost, hovering over his body as the police investigate his homicide. Georgia didn’t know him, but she can’t stop thinking about him. Is it because they are both queer or something else?

This mysterious story is both beautiful and spooky. 

Suitable for ages 14 and up.

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown

After a pandemic that has left 99% of the world’s population dead, two teens are brought together after one of them gets caught in a bear trap. On their perilous journey to civilization their feelings for one another grow, even as the world around them is falling apart.

A brilliant white-knuckled adventure story with a hint of romance. 

Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

It’s the end of senior year and Cuban American Ophelia is freaking out about all the change coming her way. She knows she will have to go to college soon and leave her beloved family, friends and garden. But then she meets Puerto Rican Talia and finds herself thinking about her waaay too much.

This is a beautiful coming-of-age story complete with a rich cast of characters.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.