I do remember mine. It was Curious Wine by Katherine Forrest, a classic from 1983, though I read it in 2002. It left such a mark on me — a coming out story told in such a tender, positive way. Back then, lesbian books weren't easy to find (even in the early 2000s), let alone in languages other than English (lucky for me, my English was up to the task). Before that, I'd been reading fanfic — first Xena (the alt-uber ones were the best), then Star Trek Voyager, and of course X-Files. (Funny enough I only watched Xena later.)

Still, Curious Wine was a revelation, and it set me on the path to Bella Books, which was the publishing house at the time.

I also remember reading Pages for You by Sylvia Brownrigg — gorgeous prose, but a bittersweet read, since the book ends with the couple breaking up (they do reunite in the sequel, Pages for Her).

And Painted Moon by Karin Kallmaker, another one that stuck with me — a happy ending this time, with more explicit sex scenes (more sensual than graphic, really), all built on a simple but lovely love story (the two women get stranded together in a house during a snowstorm around Thanksgiving).

All of these books (and many more) helped me feel more grounded and more sure of who I was. Sometimes I'm amazed at how much has changed in the publishing world — and even with all the terrible things happening in the world right now, there are definitely some very positive things too.