Top 20 Books About Asexuality Updated 04 /2024

This month is Pride Month, so enjoy yourself! Like me, you may be compiling a rainbow of books to display on your bookstagram, or you may be adding as many LGBTQ+ titles to your TBR as possible. No worries; it happens to everyone.)

Recent young adult literature has provided excellent opportunities for diverse characters to be well-represented. Asexuality is a less-common form of queer identity, and I'm fortunate to be able to use my position to raise awareness about it. I've always been a fan of young adult literature, but until recently, I couldn't find a novel that truly reflected me.

Asexuality can be defined as a person who does not find themselves attracted to anyone.

Here are five books with a wide range of asexual characters... and thank you, as well.

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

Tolstoy's "Tash Hearts Tolstoy" is the only asexual novel I can recommend. This was one of the first books I read following my emancipation, and it is still one of my favorites. It's all about the people you care about: your loved ones, your close friends, your romantic interests, your sense of self, and, of course, your chances of going viral on YouTube. Things that aren't too far-fetched.

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

For those who enjoy YA literature and romantic comedies, Let's Talk About Love is a great choice.

From sexuality to racism to mental health, this #ownvoices story features an openly bisexual biromantic asexual protagonist. Then there's the fact that it's set in college, which is a great bonus.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

I read Radio Silence last year and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. A significant supporting character in this book is demisexual, and I was astonished to see that identify on the page in a YA novel for the first time in my life. Even if this work does not represent the #ownvoices of asexuality, it is a significant step toward the inclusion of all ace-spectrum identities.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

This book is ideal if you don't like YA contemporary. You'll be enthralled by the narrative of an asexual girl who goes to a home for youngsters with unusual powers that allow them to go to other realms within our own. Every Heart A Doorway also features a broad cast of characters and is a memorable story despite its short length (around 200 pages). The author, Seanan McGuire, is asexual, hence this book is #ownvoices.

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Before I Let Go is a dark YA current novel that I recommend to anybody who enjoys a good story. Corey, the book's protagonist, is an asexual woman who visits her hometown following a tragic event involving her best friend, Kyra. Author Marieke Nijkamp is an asexual woman and her story is a work of #ownvoices literature..

 

In my seventeen years, I've discovered that the internet is the ideal way to meet new people and explore fresh perspectives. Because of social media, I might not have come across the term "asexual," and I certainly wouldn't be recommending these books to you right now. As long as we readers keep pushing for more varied literature, everyone will be able to choose a book that makes them feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves.

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

A biromantic asexual main character (who is more comfortable with one of those identities than the other) is the focus of this #OwnVoices narrative. In his slumber, Kamai can peer into the souls of others. There is an eerie black door that hovers over her soulwalking throughout It is only after her mother's death that she decides to open the door—and the repercussions are terrible. The following material carries a trigger warning: attempts at self-harm and abuse of one's emotions.

Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee

This is Lee's third book in the Sidekick Squad series, and it centers on Emma Robledo, a Latina superhero rebel leader. Emma isn't a superhero, but that doesn't mean she's powerless. With a main character who is still trying to understand out where she belongs on the aro-ace spectrum, Emma's tale has more depth than the others.

The Bone People by Keri Hulme

In adult and literary fiction, asexual books are more difficult to come by. As a result, Hulme's 1984 Booker Prize–winning novel is even more important. Asexual literature didn't have a vocabulary in those days, but the representation is there. Self-exiled in her New Zealand tower, Kerewin Holmes is a recluse artist whose solitude is disturbed when she is visited by the volatile Joe and his adopted son Simon. All of Kerewin's qualities are replicated in the author, including her whiteness and aversion to sex. The following material carries a Mature audience advisory: abuse of children.

Sea Foam and Silence by Lynn E. O’Connacht

The Little Mermaid is reimagined in verse in this #OwnVoices narrative, which features asexual and aromantic characters as its protagonists. In comparison to the classic tale of the silent sea creature and her human suitor, this sweet love story is far stranger and more intriguing. If you're a fan of twisted fairy tales, you might enjoy O'Connacht's recent sapphic and asexual retelling of King Thrushbeard, The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion.

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

He's an aromantic and asexual writer who has an extensive body of work dedicated to ace and gay characters. (She keeps track of all the aro and ace titles!) The City of Spires series is a great place to begin, and this first novel is no exception. Queerness and politics collide in these high fantasy novels set in the volatile city of Isandor. Asexual aromantic characters and a gray asexual characters are included in this portrayal of queerness. Warnings about abuse and racism throughout the text.

The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz

Surely you've heard of the "robot" character trope. It's a refreshing change of pace from the usual sci-fi tales. Although the word "sexual" is not used, Clara Gutierrez describes herself as an asexual AI programmer. It's been hundreds of years since her "master," a fully sentient robot, died that Sal has been running the tea store in question. Clara's visit sets the two of them up for success. As the two get to know each other, they also get to know themselves better.

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

As college student Alice discovers in this swoon-worthy contemporary New Adult romance, stories about coming of age pair nicely with characters who are coming to grips with their sexuality. Alice has vowed never to date again after her relationship ended due to their shared asexuality. While working at the library with Takumi, she begins to develop feelings for him. Beautiful portrayal of a young Black woman who is biromantic and asexual.

Thaw by Elyse Springer

Springer's Seasons of Love series continues with Thaw, but the stories are self-contained and can be read out of order. When Abigail, a librarian, and Gabrielle, a supermodel, happen to meet while dancing, sparks fly. Abby, on the other hand, is concerned that revealing her asexuality to Gabrielle could terminate their blossoming relationship. An #OwnVoices author has thoughtfully constructed an ace-positive romance.

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