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Some book reviews can inadvertently give spoilers but Rachel was mindful and does not go past what the blurb will already inform you so you need not hesitate to read these recommendations.
All photos are Rachel’s unless stated otherwsie.
I hope this list encourages you to read and hopefully you shall find
a new favourite that also has incredible representation!
*DISCLAIMER* This is a positive representation from my own personal perspective, you are 100% allowed to think I’m wrong and challenge this!
Also, please look after yourselves! Many of these books mention various things that can be triggering so if you do choose to read them make sure you're either in the right headspace or have measures in place in case you're struggling (or both!).Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom Duology by Leigh Bardugo
Good representation for: Healthy relationships, LGBT+ themes, positive disability and different body types
Set in the fantasy world of the Grisha-verse, a group of convicts known as ‘the crows’ set out on a heist to break out a man from the ice court in Fjerda. The second book follows on from the first so if you love the first book you will 100% be reading the next one.
Technically number one on my list is two books but as they are from the same fantasy world and follow the same characters, I’ve decided to include them as one. This duology covers so many different types of representation that I think is incredible and while it is difficult to narrow down, these are my top favourites that won’t contain spoilers.
The first positive representation is healthy relationships. Now, this is not to say the couples in this duology do not have their issues because they do. However, while there is miscommunication and for a particular two they have one of the best haters to lovers storylines with many of their own issues (so much to say about this yet too many spoilers!) the way the relationships are handled, not just romantic but platonic and family relationships is so well written and healthy!
Another incredible aspect of this book is the disability representation. One of the main characters, Kaz, is disabled and has a limp due to a wrongly healed broken leg. The representation of disability in this book is fantastic as while Kaz does some amazing (and at times morally questionable) actions, he is not completely debilitated due to his disability nor does the novel just pretend he is invincible and faces no challenges which is often highly unrealistic for those with disabilities (of all forms). Instead, it shows his leg does affect him and hinders him in some aspects. This is amazing as it allows for those who may not receive much realistic yet positive representation to see themselves in a novel!
A final incredible representation is that another main character Nina is plus-sized. Personally, I have not read many (if any) books with a main character being plus-sized (and also bisexual!). She is accepted in the book as she is and this is amazing for those of this figure who need to be reminded that their body shape and size is natural. Furthermore, Nina’s love of food *especially waffles* is encouraged within this novel, that for people who have or do struggle with balancing a positive body image and love of food is such important representation for everyone!
2. Circe by Madeline Miller
Good representation for: Strong women who are resilient despite oppression
Content/ Trigger warning: Violence, rape, death
This book is about a goddess named ‘Circe’ who does not possess any powers or qualities deemed ‘worthy’ by the gods. She faces a journey of self discovery and in doing so discovers she possesses the power of witchcraft. She is outcasted to an island as the gods are scared of her.
While this book is very male dominated due to it being based in Greek Mythology, the strong female lead Circe is incredible. During the book she faces many men who use and abuse her resulting in her character growing stronger and showing her capability and perseverance.
Despite the taunts and cruelty she faces throughout her life of trials and challenges, it is Circe’s reactions and responses that make this character so powerful. Furthermore, this novel is also written in such a beautiful and poetic way that I feel this book shall stand the test of time and be remembered and adored for years to come.
3. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Good representation for: Mental health
Content/Trigger warning: Suicide, self harm, death and rape (although the rape scene is quite ambiguous in its details so could be read metaphorically).
This was Sylvia Plath’s only novel and observes the narrative of Esther Greenwich who suffers from depression and anxiety, following her declining mental health.
While this book does not have good representation in terms of treatment for mental health or the right form of care for the mentally ill, I feel that as this book was written by someone who did experience depression and eventually committed suicide this book is well-written as it is accurate when describing mental health. This is particularly true using the metaphor of the pressures felt as ‘a bell jar’ hovering above your head.
The writing of this book is poetic and lovely to read. The fragmented narrative and jarring of time also adds to the mental space Esther is in. I also think Esther’s feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood is something many can relate to, regardless if you suffer from mental health illnesses or are just having a bad day.
4. Heartstopper: volumes 1-4 by Alice Oseman
Photo credit: Fay Clark
Good representation for: Mental health, LGBT+ themes, healthy relationships
Content/Trigger warning: Self-harm, depression, anxiety, eating disorders
These are a series of graphic novels/comics and while you may not be a usual comic fan these books are a non-miss! They are all so well written and will have you laughing and crying (and crying and crying). They are easy to read so if you struggle with a conventional book but wish you could still experience the joy of reading, this series is for you.
The series follows the friendship turned love story between Nick and Charlie. The first representation I love in this series is the amount of LGBT+ representation there is! Nick is a rugby player and so he defies the stereotype that a gay man must act and dress ‘feminine’ (if we are going by the socially accepted labels) when in fact anyone can be gay (or any other sexuality) no matter how they act or present themselves. Charlie also joins the rugby team which defeats the stereotype that nerds can’t play sport!
Secondly, there is a female character who is trans and it is lovely how everyone in the friendship group is so supportive of her! There is also a lesbian couple who are out and are extremely adorable. The book also deals with mental health- particularly depression, self harm and eating disorders. Not only are they talked about in a realistic yet not too heavy way the series highlights the journey of getting help and that doesn’t mean the mental illnesses will just go away and everything is okay. It also breaks the socially constructed idea that only women can have mental health issues- especially eating disorders and I think this representation of mental health in such a positive and real way is so important.
Another amazing representation is of the healthy relationships in this series. During a usual rom-com when any issues arise, usually the characters are forced to break-up however within this book, these issues are fixed in the most wholesome and respectable way. Furthermore, a really important aspect is when supporting their partner, one character feels it is their responsibility to make everything okay for their partner however the book points out that this is NOT their job. I feel this is also very important for those not only suffering from mental illnesses but also those loving and supporting those suffering too. In the media when a person in a relationship is supporting someone with a mental health illness, it is conveyed that the partner’s sole purpose is to help ‘solve’ or ‘fix’ their issues but this is impossible and unachievable. Instead, this novel highlights that its their job to make their partners day a little brighter and to love them as best they can but it is not their job to ‘fix them’ or to solve their problems because that cannot happen.
5. The vanishing half by Brit Bennett
Good representation for: POC and surrounding issues and LGBT+ themes
This book features a set of twins born in an American town in the 1940’s descended from African Americans who used to be enslaved. The whole town within this book are obsessed with becoming ‘lighter skinned’. The twins are both born as ‘passing’ (this means that people of colour can pass as white) and when they grow up one twin decides to embrace her heritage and the other chooses to ‘pass’, therefore completely altering what their lives are like.
While it is at times a very uncomfortable read due to the obsession of skin colour by many characters, I feel it is a really good insight into what it was and is like for many Black and POC and how the perception of someone’s skin colour can really alter your experiences. Therefore, I think it is good representation for presenting some of the many issues for those who are Black or POC.
Additionally, there is also amazing trans representation where the relationship between the character and their partner is really beautiful and very accepting. It also highlights some issues that many trans people face in a really sensitive way that was amazing to read!
6. Emma by Jane Austen
Good representation for: Strong female lead
While you may not be a classic lover, personally I love Jane Austen. She writes happy love stories with all the different kinds of relationship tropes- what more could you want?- oh yes! A strong minded and witty female lead! This novel follows the eponymous heroine Emma Woodhouse who is 21 years old and loves to matchmake in her village, Hartfield.
However, meddling in other peoples lives ends up with many complications for her. While Austen wrote the character of Emma so that only she may like her, she is one of my favourite characters in the book. She is intelligent, knows her own mind and is not afraid to announce her opinion, even if others disagree with her.
While throughout the book she does learn to have more sensitivity to others feelings and begins to learn from her mistakes, it is a funny book (well at least for an 18th century novel) and I absolutely adore this book.
Also, if reading the book feels very tedious I do recommend watching either the movie starring Anna Taylor-Joy or the BBC mini-series made in 2007 starring Romala Garri as both are incredibly well done (the movie is slightly more eccentric and exaggerated than the book but it adds to the satirical comedy). This book is by far one of my favourites and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
7. Loveless by Alice Oseman
Good representation for: LGBT+ themes especially asexuality and aromantic
This book follows Georgia during her first year at university and her self discovery of being asexual and aromantic. From the author of ‘Heartstopper’, this novel (not a comic this time) is really easy to read and is fast paced so you're able to binge read it.
It is also very accurate discussing freshers and the first year of university experience. In particular, it explores the pressures everyone faces to fit in and make hundreds of friends, suggesting perhaps the peer pressure to go to certain socials are not for everyone (aka the very huge drinking culture in the UK) and shows that if these are not for you, that’s okay- you just have to find other ones that fit you best!
The representation of sexuality is amazing in this book and also the explanations of sexualities and identities is really well done for those who are new to these terms. This book also tackles the bigotry faced by members within the LGBT+ community by family, friends AND fellow members which I think is something important to address as often many LGBT+ members are ostracised from the community as some don’t view their identities or sexualities as ‘real’ and so making the community as accepting and inclusive as possible is so important!
One big thing I adore in this book is how it redefines what ‘love’ is. While it does explore romantic love, ultimately it focuses on the importance of friends and the love within friendships and the power of this love being just as important, if not more important than romantic love. I think this representation of love is really well done as it shows that romantic gestures and declarations of love are for friendships too and that friendships are integral to all of our lives, even if romantic relationships are not and teaches us to cherish our friends, regardless if we are asexual, aromantic, gay, bisexual, pansexual, straight or otherwise.
8. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Good representation for: ‘Thriving’ relationship
Content/trigger warning: Rape, murder, violence
Another book by Madeline Miller based on Greek mythology that follows the narrative of Patroclus, the son of a king who is disowned and given away. Achilles takes a liking to him and this begins a beautiful love story. If you are a lover of Greek mythology you probably know how this story will end but if you don’t, there’s a reason why someone’s fatal flaw is also known as their ‘Achilles heel’.
The representation of Patroclus’ and Achilles’ relationship while not necessarily ‘healthy’, I do think there is something really unique and special between them. From when they are young boys their love for one another grows into a beautiful love between two adults which is one of my favourite things about this book. Despite the chaos and pain surrounding them, they stay grounded in their love and respect for one another. Both cherish their relationship and from this they work together to make it work no matter what they face (and due to a large portion of the book taking place during the Trojan war, it’s a lot!).
9. Red, White and Royally Blue by Casey McQuinston
Good representation for: Mexican heritage, LGBT+ themes (no bi-erasure), positive coming out
This book is about the Prince of the UK, Henry and the President of the USA’s son, Alex who have a haters to lovers relationship. Personally, I just love the idea of this book and while unrealistic, strongly wish for this to happen in real life.
While the book is just all together hilarious and seriously fun, it does also explore some amazing representation. The character Alex is established as bisexual and I think it’s amazing once he does realise he’s attracted to men, does not completely disregard his previous attraction to women. Many movies, TV shows and books I have come across do this, resulting in bi-erasure and so it’s incredible this book does not conform to the stereotypes. This representation is so important because bisexuality is 100% real and is not ‘just a phase’. It’s a real sexuality and so I think its amazing that this is highlighted in the book.
Furthermore, Alex is also from a Mexican heritage and so the representation in terms of a bisexual Latino man is incredibly well done and shows anyone can be bisexual. Overall, this is an amazing book!
10. Simon vs the Homosapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Good representation for: LGBT+ themes, diverse character cast
This is a book that follows the journey of 16 year old Simon Spiel (who is still very much in the closet) who has been emailing the anonymous ‘Blue’. However, his emails fall into the wrong hands and this results in being blackmailed to help Martin get a girlfriend or else his personal emails- and his sexuality- will be revealed to everyone.
This book is an amazing coming out novel and also highlights the quite frankly absurdity of the whole ‘coming-out’ process as “Why is straight the default?”. This book is funny and relatable but also heart-breaking and highlights the struggles of being a teenager alongside the struggles with your own sexual identity.
Alongside the hilarious and relatable protagonist Simon, his friendship group has Nick and Abby who are both Black and many more Black or POC characters within the novel which is great for adding more representation. Also this book alongside reconsidering LBGT+ themes and the coming-out process, it also begins a discussion on race that was an unexpected but really valuable insight.
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