I’ve spent the last decade deeply entrenched in fandom and having pretty much all of my reading material coming from AO3 – the most recent books I’ve actually finished are the Foxhole Court series a couple years back.
I’ve missed reading actual books more and more recently, and I’m looking to try to get back into the swing of things – so I want to start off with something “easy”.
My first thought was trying to approach it from that fandom perspective, so I’m basically looking for books that feel like they would have a tumblr following (or actually do have a tumblr following), big bonus points for explicit queer themes or at least some queer shipping potential (some books that have passed through my periphery in the recent years are Raven Boys and Song of Achilles).
I don’t necessarily want a straight up romance novel, but I’m happy with romance being included. Fantasy is always a plus, horror is a no-go. I cannot commit to a 20 book long series that spans decades, 4-5 books in a series is probably the most I can deal with. YA is probably the best bet, but something that’s actually still readable and enjoyable for someone in their 20s.
I generally read for the characters, and dynamics between them, so something that’s all politics and worldbuilding and zero plot and drama will probably not appeal to me. Big fan of found family tropes.
I would very much appreciate some suggestions for books to read, so I can dust off my unused collection of beautiful bookmarks.
by xlogophile
4 Comments
“Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses” maybe, it has a millennial/Gen Z style
“Legends and Lattes” is like an original coffee shop AU
“In Other Lands” by Sarah Reese Brennan was originally published online chapter by chapter as a web novel, and is great if you can get past the line editing issues!
All of these have some kind of important queer rep. I hope you can find something you can enjoy!
Song of Achilles is so amazing. If you like ancient history and/or historical fiction at all then I think it’s a great place to start. Miller’s prose is breathtaking.
I’m going to suggest a sf series, The Murderbot Diaries, that begins with All Systems Red [(link to excerpt)](https://reactormag.com/excerpts-martha-wells-all-systems-red/).
Aside from the fact I adore this series, I think it’ll be an especially good match for you due to your mention of queer themes (pov is asexual), found family (like whoa), length commitment (series is primarily made of novella-length works), and ‘easy’ (by which I mean instantly gripping and immersive).
As extra fun bonus, after reading that first novella come back and enjoy [this specific Yuletide treat](https://archiveofourown.org/works/13036839).
Not a serie but the only book on the top of my head
The house in the Cerulean sea by TJ Klune.
Only because I re started reading books instead of mostly fanfic with this book lol and because it’s a great story, family found, lots of feelings and a great world, queer for the main couple, although the story isn’t mainly about that, the writing is fluid without being simple. One of his rare books not written in 1st pov.