Ha s anyone seen the recent R.F. Kuang controversy? I'm not extensively informed but I do know she introduced an Israeli character in her most recent book Taipei story, I'm not sure how to feel about the author and wether or not to support her, or if it's even her fault at all, would love to hear some opinions on the matter

Although I generally think it is best when an author can explicitly state that a character is neurodivergent, I understand that we have only had terminology that allows this for a few decades — and even that terminology is ever-changing as we understand what neurodivergence more. After reading Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle, whose main character resonates with many neurodivergent readers, I started to wonder about other books with neurodivergent “coded” characters, especially those which were written in times when we did not have terms like autism, ADHD, and OCD.

I’m thinking maybe I’d like to make a list of such books, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for said list?

Who would make your list of best girlfriends?

Book list from all the replies

Galvanized by the recent Lesbian Visibility Week, I wanted to express my love for my favorite Sapphics in fiction and wax poetic about why they are the best sapphic partner ever! I read sapphic romances almost exclusively, and I want to know the favorites of other perusers of sapphic romances.

Of course, they don't have to be lesbians or cis. Anyone who qualifies for the sapphic romance label is eligible!

It doesn't have to be a pure romance either! Romance + {Sci-fi, Fantasy, whatever} works just as well.

Just so long as you are willing to write WHY they are amazing!

This may necessitate mild spoilers, but please refrain from giving up the golden egg in your response!

And please, Book Name + Author Name so others can find the books without ambiguity!

Feel free to gush over in up to 15 entries!

I will start (OH MY GOD I WILL BE HERE ALL DAY!!!)

Caroline Parker

When You Least Expect It by Haley Cass

She was the first character ever, among all the sapphic romances I have listened to (which I began in Oct 2022) that left me in awe.

She is so caring, compassionate, considerate, competent, generous and loving - if someone sat down to design the best person, they couldn't do much better than Caroline!! She supports her family selflessly. She supports Hannah in every way possible: as a lawyer, a woman, a friend, turning every difficult day of Hannah's into something good and memorable. Despite her thinking Hannah is straight and she will not get anything more than friendship.

I was floating, and I have listened to this book soooo many times! All so I can feel Caroline's love for Hannah.

Stephanie Renshaw and Rae Coleman

The Roommate Arrangement By Jae

DO you know how many times I have re-listened to this book! Rhetorical question; I will NEVER stop re-listening to this book!

Steph and Rae care so much for each other, not because of any deep attraction, but simply because they are such good people who care deeply about others. The way Steph helps Rae -- invisibly when in public; helping Rae get out of her shell and the way Rae makes all Steph's bad days good. It is like watching a ping-pong of caring.

Regan Gallagher

The Snowball Effect by Haley Cass

Haley Cass herself wrote the glowing praise for the miracle that is Regan at the end of the book; and I feel exactly the same! Paraphrasing some of it because redundant.

Regan is someone who tries and tries and tries and never let anyone or anything stop her from caring and supporting the people she cares about, and the people they care about! She seemingly effortlessly brings people together despite their history and hurt, puts people at ease and makes them feel safe to be themselves and finds the good in everyone. And she does it all in a light-hearted manner and seamlessly, naturally, never letting anyone feel like she did anything special for them at all. Yet no one can mistreat her or take her affections for granted. She is strong and courageous and speaks up in the face of wrong and did not let the world's opinions break her. Regan is often loud, and she uses her loudness to help people.

Samantha Thompson

Who'd Have Thought by G Benson

Sam! Oh Sam! Sam is honest, clear, direct, non-manipulative, and despite the poker face and flat tone, wears her heart on her sleeve, and expresses her feelings without reservation. She is compassionate and conscientious. Generous of heart and spirit!

Shelby Sutton

Chasing a Brighter Blue by Gerri Hill

Shelby! Shelby is soft and warm and kind and sweet and has steel in her spine. She listened to Regan so patiently and lovingly, and alternative perspective of such wisdom. She makes re-listening to this book again and again so rewarding...!!!

Daria Fitzgerald

Just As You Are by Camille Kellog

Daria cares. That's who she is. She is honest and straight-forward. She helps not just people important to her, but everyone around who ought to be helped. Whether it is recommending deserving people to help further their careers, taking steps on behalf of those who are too unsure of themselves to do it for themselves, fighting tooth and nail to save a magazine, forgiving people for the mistakes they make, visiting and helping injured near-strangers at their home, without being showy or flashy. Daria is quiet, and helps people quietly.

Riley Foster

Love Next Door by Rachael Sommers

Riley naturally slips into the role of a friend to both Kim and her son. She is so easy-going and reassuring in an understated way. She is not shy of taking digs at problematic parents, upended her whole life to look after her sister, and has shaped a happy life despite all the struggles. She appreciates the same in Kim.

Luna

Witching Moon by Poppy Woods

Despite being a celestial, Luna gets the humanity in Alandra and stands up to Alandra's parents for her. She is kind, and senses Alandra's power when no one else does. She is ready to die for Alandra. Also, her attempts to adjust in the modern world are funny.

Leslie Raymond

A Wish Upon a Star By Jeannie Levig

I could feel how caring Leslie was as I listened to the book. It also highlighted to me that the un-thanked job of cooking and cleaning is a vital and straight-forward way to taking care of people. Leslie intuitively recognizes and addresses the needs of the other MCs autistic child, looks after the other MC when the latter is ill, and does it all like it is no big deal. She is rock solid support, good company. calm, and collected, and not afraid of acknowledging and addressing her mistakes.

Sydney MacKenzie

Broken Beyond Repair By Emily Banting

Sydney takes care of Beatrice in every way, befriends Beatrice's child, helping both of them feel seen and cared for, and helping cement their bond. She protects Beatrice against her asshole ex-husband. She is also not afraid of getting physical to protect Beatrice! I love her ability to physically confront and defeat a threat by using their over-confidence against them.

Winter Sullivan

Just a Touch Away by Jae

Winter shows up uninvited but needed. There's an assertiveness to her care—she doesn't wait to be asked, she goes. Winter was willing to give up a multi-million dollar inheritance to protect Hannah's interest. When Hannah leaves to attend to her mother's injury, Winter tracks Hannah down to the hospital and offers her some much needed support, cleans the blood in the house so Hannah's family doesn't come back to a blood soaked house, and consciously moves past the hurt of bad parenting to build a healthy relationship with Hannah.

Rosalyn Thorn

Poppy Jenkins by Clare Ashton

Rosalyn made a huge mistake. She recognized and acknowledged it. She apologized and begged forgiveness. Then she made amends. Lots of amends. Silently, quietly, without letting anyone know. As much as humanly possible it is to make amends, Rosalyn made amends. As much as anyone can earn forgiveness, Rosalyn earned forgiveness. She did the work. Rosalyn helped Poppy without anyone knowing. Rosalyn fought to help the town that ostracized and mistreated her, simply because the town was important to Poppy. Rosalyn stood up to bullies and criminals hurting Poppy, hurting Poppy's beloved town, found the problems plaguing them and used her brains and gumption to correct them. In return, she continued getting scorn and brickbats, even from Poppy. Rosalyn did not let that stop her. Rosalyn persevered. Roslyn made amends.

Angela Norwood

Green Eyed Monster by Rawnie Sabor

Angela! Impatient, blunt, irritable, kind, smart, clever, brave, caring, irreverent, iconoclastic, EFFICIENT Angela! Who can think on her feet, under intense pressure, and has no qualms about facing danger head-on!

I keep falling for a trap - as I’m sure you’ll be able to tell from the post title - I see a book, a romance or fantasy or anything in that vibe, and see what looks like sapphic characters [as implied by the genre choice] and upon closer inspection, I find out its a straight romance.

For example, I keep seeing The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs and despite reading the synopsis I keep thinking the cover is femme/masc sapphic characters and get very disappointed when I remember it’s not gay 😔

I have two questions for you all:

1. Please tell me this happens to other people and it’s not just me seeing/hoping for sapphic love where it isn’t

2. Does anyone have any sapphic book recommendations where from the cover it’s obvious?

[EDIT: For clarity, upon further research The Princess Knight is intended as bi4bi m/f and the author has said that they intend for everyone in this world to be ‘queer until proven straight’ with room for interpretation]

I keep falling for a trap - as I’m sure you’ll be able to tell from the post title - I see a book, a romance or fantasy or anything in that vibe, and see what looks like sapphic characters [as implied by the genre choice] and upon closer inspection, I find out its a straight romance.

For example, I keep seeing The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs and despite reading the synopsis I keep thinking the cover is femme/masc sapphic characters and get very disappointed when I remember it’s not gay 😔

I have two questions for you all:

1. Please tell me this happens to other people and it’s not just me seeing/hoping for sapphic love where it isn’t

2. Does anyone have any sapphic book recommendations where from the cover it’s obvious?

[EDIT: For clarity, upon further research The Princess Knight is intended as bi4bi m/f and the author has said that they intend for everyone in this world to be ‘queer until proven straight’ with room for interpretation]

Hi friends! I'm planning a hiking trip this September to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Acadia National Park in Maine. I'm wondering if anyone has any book recs related to these areas.

I personally love historical fiction, but open to non-fiction or just really good books in those settings.

*Bonus we're flying into Boston and will probably spend at least a little bit of time there. I'd happily accept Boston recs too.

Thank you! -Kaylee