kpopwinemom

Apparently the last time I logged in to make a post was to do a 2024, Wrapped. I don't actually know if I had intended to do listening or a year in review because we are now 8 months into 2025 and I never did it.

This is a post I drafted on Tumblr because people were talking about struggling to find lesbian characters they bonded with. I also don't have any lesbian blorbos...sad and terrible, actually, but I did scrub my brain for all the lesbian and sapphic books I actually generally enjoyed.

These aren't all five star reads, but for the most part I mostly enjoyed them, even if I think they could be better.

This is a multi-genre reclist of books with sapphic characters I've generally enjoyed. The criteria was: did I like the book, was the main character sapphic, and was being sapphic a significant part of the book? So books like Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant did not make the cut, because the sapphic characters were just a small part of an ensemble cast, and a small part of the overall plot

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Contemporary literature. A woman learns about herself while training to become an astronaut in the 80s space shuttle program, told in two timelines, the past while she is in training and the present when something has gone horribly wrong during a shuttle test.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

Fantasy/Contemporary Literature. Three lesbian vampires in three time periods as their lives intersect and come apart, very interview with a vampire but better written and sapphic. Toxic lesbian vampires at their best!

The Dead Take The A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey

Horror/Fantasy. Julie Crews is a disaster of a mage, and deals with horrible clients and horrible cases. When her best friend shows up in need of help, she can't turn her down. Meanwhile, her ex is trying to end the world through his job on Wall Street. Gory, unhinged, and a wild and entertaining romp.

Stop Me If You've Heard This One by Kristen Arnett

Contemporary Literature. A lesbian clown in Orlando tries to keep the art of clowning alive and paying the bills in a town that is overrun by tourists, and where clowning is falling out of favor. Deranged, unhinged, and SO SO real. The stickiness of Florida seeps through the pages.

When Katie Met Cassidy by Camille Perri

Romance novel. Katie is dumped unceremoniously by her male fiance, she meets Cassidy, and sparks fly. I remember NOTHING of this novel, just that I enjoyed it. Contemporary romance.

Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald

Romance novel. Luna Roth has just come out as bi. She's also trying to get her film industry career really moving. When she meets A List actress Valeria, she has the opportunity to do both...but her queer mentor and BFF Romy, doesn't seem too thrilled. SO fun and charming!

Di-Curious by Erin Branch

Romance Novel. June is a c-list Dungeons and Dragons influencer. Nova is her childhood BFF. When June is forced to get her childhood DND team back together to keep her career afloat, Nova is weirdly cold to her. I loved the characters in this, but plot and pacing needed work. Also wild takes about the actual play industry, but honestly the characters are delightful enough for me to keep and recommend the book.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

Fantasy. Lorelai and Sylvia have never gotten along, but now someone is killing people on the expedition they're on, and they can't trust anyone but each other. Plotting and pacing issues, but a fun and charming read all the same. The sex at the end is DELICIOUS.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Contemporary romance, contemporary literature. August is starting her new life in NYC. But there's a girl on the train who is drawing her attention... and might have been trapped their for decades.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Y/A. Perfect Southern Princess Shara Wheeler has vanished, but apparently she wants Chloe Green, queer school rebel, to help find her. But to do that, Chloe will have to unravel why Shara felt the need to vanish in the first place.

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Y/A. Imogen is the perfect ally. Right? RIGHT? When she goes to visit her newly out BFF at her new university, she meets Tessa, and realizes that might not actually be the case. Delightful coming of age story about queer femmes, and how you don't need to fit the mold to be yourself.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

Fantasy. Closeted medium Jess has had to temporarily move back to Malaysia. Now that she's home, the ghost of her grandmother has decided she needs to help her placate a God. She does all this while missing her girlfriend. Page turning fantasy.

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

Horror/Scifi. Gyre lied to get this cave diving job, because she needs the money to get off planet. Em is her guide and navigator, and cannot be trusted. This creepy novel takes all the horror of space and all the horror of cave diving and combines it into one. Absolute page turner, with terrifying body modifications combined with the horror of not being able to trust the only person you have.

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Scifi. A violinist who made a deal with the devil meets an alien refugee, mom of four, who makes donuts. Absolutely darling page turner, with a wide and diverse cast of characters.

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

Romance. The tabloids assume movie star Jo is dating her personal assistant, the much younger Emma. Obviously, this isn't true, but they can't say much of anything. Meanwhile, they now have to spend more time together then ever, and they really do seem to be getting closer. The celebrity/normie romance of your dreams!!!! This is so steamy and fun.