The team at independent bookstore, The Book Cow in Kingston, are passionate about ensuring all members of the community are represented in their collection. They know readers will always come back to books when they’re able to find something they identify with – whether it be their age, sexuality, culture or values.

Since the 1970s, Young Adult fiction has been steadily increasing in popularity, the booming industry is targeted at those aged 12-18.  However, it isn’t just those on the edge of adulthood who pick up the novels; readers of all ages can find something to enjoy in the stories. Depending on the age of the reader, YA fiction can speak to nostalgia, current experiences, and excitement about the future.

The Book Cow says that while YA is designed to capture the emotions and experiences of teenagers, people of all ages love the genre due to the focus on coming of age, friendships, first loves, self-discovery, and lots of intense emotions.

Despite the common misconception, it is not all witches and brooms like those seen in Harry Potter or the deadly matches featured in the Hunger Games. YA is appealing because it shows real-life situations and experiences that mirror that of the targeted readership, such as high school life or first love. They can be a kind of guide to help navigate those difficult teenage years; sometimes a reader just needs to know someone has gone through a similar situation.  

In recent years, there has been a rise in gender-diverse characters and those who are in relationships that differ from the boy-girl love stories we are used to. In these stories, LGBTQIA+ characters are being fleshed out further than the tropes of how queer characters have traditionally been portrayed. They are now the main characters of the stories, with inner monologues that explore the complexities of their relationships, ideas and feelings. The rise is being pushed by the success of stories like Love, Simon which was adapted into a hit film in 2018; now the taboo subject of same-sex relationships is getting its moment in the sun.

The Book Cow believes the rise in the representation of diverse relationships in YA fiction reflects the shifting values and views of society. The somewhat recent legislation on same-sex marriage and an increased focus on discrimination based on sexual preferences are just two of the milestones that have played a part in the evolution of the genre.

The team says stories that display more than one form of love are important for readers to be able to properly connect to a book in a way they might not have been able to before.

Not everyone feels the same way about the increase in LGBTIQ+ books on the market, unfortunately, with many people taking issue with them. Queer-themed books, along with those written by People of Colour make up a significant portion of banned books in the United States.

Banning books has rarely worked well for communities, says The Book Cow. They have one message for those who may have an issue with themes in queer-targeted young adult fiction: don’t read it.

Looking for a queer-focused YA novel? The team at The Book Cow have selected three of their favourites available in store.  

• The Lesbana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes follows a young queer Mexican American girl as she navigates life at a new, rich, predominantly white, Catholic school all while falling in love.

• Heart Stopper Volume One by Alice Oseman, now a successful Netflix series, follows Charlie as he falls for Nick, who may or may not have feelings back. The story explores themes of love, loyalty and mental illness.

• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas sees Yadriel determined to become a real brujoafter his traditional Latinx family refuses to accept his gender. He performs a ritual and accidentally summons the spirit of the school’s bad boy.

To learn more about The Book Cow at Kingston or to shop their collection online, head to bookcow.com.au

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