Books for Young LGBT Folks and Anyone Who Wants to Understand Them

First loves, family problems, compelling discoveries, self-realization, and acceptance during adolescence to adult years are among the things found in this collection of books.

BY Clea Kim

January 31 2013 5:00 AM ET UPDATED: January 31 2013 5:04 PM ET

Vertigo by Kristina Dunker (AmazonCrossing, $14.95)

Sixteen-year-old Eva is in love. She has plans for a romantic getaway to a country house with her boyfriend, Julian. But her plans change drastically when her train is delayed and she is unable to pick up Julian. She is stranded alone late at night and witnesses a group of teenagers beating a young boy. Eva flees the scene unnoticed but ends up losing her diary, an extremely personal book of her deepest, darkest secrets that includes her visits to a psychotherapist. During her journey she meets a stranger who seems to know too much about her, which has her questioning if he is who she believes he is. This captivating new novel perfectly captures the intense range of emotions of adolescents.