I came out on National Coming Out Day in 2012. Actually, to be fair, I came out the day after. I think I was inspired by the beauty of the day and I finally came to terms with the fact that I’d been hiding my bisexuality for awhile. Its been seven years now and I am confident and proud in my sexuality. National Coming Out Day means a lot to me.

Before I go further, I do want to make it clear – don’t ever, ever, ever out anyone ever. The entire idea of National Coming Out Day is to encourage those READY to come out to come out. You never do anyone favors by outing them without their permission; often times you can cause harm. It is always the choice of the person. Always

But if you want to still celebrate today – here are a list of some of my favorite LGBTQ books to check out. If only there were more…

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Leah is one of my absolute favorite books of all time because I love that Leah is bisexual. As someone who is bisexual, I just feel like there are not enough books with bisexual main characters. Plus its a fantastic sequel to Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I’m excited they’re doing a Love Simon tv show on Disney+ but I’m sad it won’t have Leah and Abby in it.

Read My Full Review Here.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

There are so many reasons this book is perfect. One, I love that both of the characters are already out. Don’t get me wrong, I love coming out stories but there is something refreshing about two girls falling in love without the awkward, oh yeah, I’m gay thing. Plus there such wonderful diversity in this novel. PLUS its basically a Rory/Paris fan fiction and I’m here for that.

Read My Full Review Here.

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

The story is a princess who is gay and falls in love with her roommate at a boarding school. Its amazing. Everything about this story is fun and light and perfect. I loved Royals but Her Royal Highness is even better.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

I originally got this book in my OwlCrate when I was still getting it. I loved the cover but I didn’t even know what it was about. Then I read the synopsis and then the book and I fell in love. Two very different princesses from two very different kingdoms fall in love, even though one of them is supposed to marry the other’s brother. Its delicious and scandalous and full of forbidden romance and forbidden magic and I can’t speak highly enough of this book.

Read My Full Review here.

What If It’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli

Told in dual point of views about two boys falling in love over a summer in New York City, this is a beautiful gay romance and a romance with the city of New York, which admittedly, I’ve never been to. Every time I think of this book, I think of what a wonderful romance it is and how it has an ending I never expected but really super appreciated.

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian

What is great about this book is that its a fantastic coming out story in a period where it was scary to be a gay man. I think it might be easy-ish to write a novel about a fictional gay character NOW but Abdi writes a story based in his own and its so real and I think it can inspiring to those of who struggle with being LGBTQ in the current climate – its nice to know that the fight has never stopped and that its going to keep going.

Read My Full Review Here.

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

I ended up reading this book on a whim because the main character shared a name with someone I know. It ended up being one of my favorite LGBTQ books I’ve ever read. I love that the main character is bisexual. I love that the love interest is someone genuinely struggling with his sexuality because of his religion. Its such a hard, emotional story to read but I think it can be really easy to relate and I’m still full of so much love for this book.

Read My Full Review Here.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

I love that the main character is bisexual but she doesn’t know it. I love that more and more visibility is happening for bi characters. Ramona is so sure she’s lesbian and that she only likes girls until she falls in love with a child best friend, a male best friend, and it really throws her for a loop. Its THAT confusing to realize you’re bisexual. The story itself is also amazing but watching Ramona try to figure herself out felt familiar and I appreciated that.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

I have no idea what its like to be anything other than a girl, to feel anything other than the feeling that I am a girl. But I imagine that Jeff does an excellent job at getting into the head of someone who just doesn’t know. Gender dysphoria isn’t talked about enough – hell, its not even written about enough and this book is beautiful. I was with Riley the entire way and it didn’t matter if they were a girl or boy as long as they were themselves.

Read My Full Review here.

The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen

Technically this isn’t YA, its NA but it features two young male characters in college so I thought it was still fitting to be on this list. Graham literally does everything he can to hide his sexuality, including drinking until he can’t feel and hooking up with girls until his teen crush comes to his college and he’s forced to face his own sexuality. Its a fun, sexy romance but it is also emotional and hard to see to Graham struggle to come to terms with who he really is. I think its also refreshing to see older characters struggling with their sexuality – it shows you don’t have to have everything figured out by the time you graduate high school.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

This is one of the most fun gay romances I’ve read and because Simon and Baz are basically a Harry and Draco fan fiction and that is my LIFE, I love every moment of it. If you’re looking for a gay romance that doesn’t have to be so…dramatic and coming out or any of that, just a romance that is fun and you can relate to because its two guys instead of the standard girl/guy, this book is totally the right one.

Read My Full Review Here.

Rapture Practice by Aaron Hartzler

This book is the true story of Aaron Hartzler growing up in a very religious and conservative family and figuring out he’s gay in the middle of all of that. Its funny, its emotional, its inspiring and it made Aaron one of my favorite authors, hands down. He’s a brilliant guy and it comes across in the novel. He writes about everything in his life with such love, even those who didn’t always agree with who he was as a person and I think that’s what makes it such a great book. Its SO full of love.

Read My Full Review Here.

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Happy Coming Out Day to everyone! Remember, no one can make you come out except yourself and you should always feel ready and comfortable to do it. And know that you are never alone, that there are people like you all over the world, me included. It may take time but be proud of who you are, whoever you are, whoever you love.

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