While searching for asexual representation in fiction can be an arduous task, the good news is that there are numerous amazing options available. Unlike other queer representations that might jump out at you, asexuality often requires a closer look. Many books feature subtle hints or subtext, making it challenging to identify ace-spec representation solely from the blurb or author bio.
However, for Ace Week this October, we’re excited to celebrate the abundance of great asexual representation in literature.
What’s most impressive is that there are asexual books across various genres, and I was thrilled to discover more than enough options for this must-read list. Although asexuality still lags behind other LGBTQ+ identities in terms of on-page representation, it’s heartening to see queer representation continue to grow.
I’ve taken care to highlight the specific flavors of representation found in each book and noted those containing explicit sex scenes whenever possible. Before I proceed, an important disclaimer: please remember that not all ace-spec individuals are sex-repulsed, and their identity is valid regardless. Some books on this list feature characters who engage in sexual activities, which is a valid expression of their sexuality.
For readers who prefer to avoid such content, I’ll denote those titles with an asterisk. Ultimately, it’s essential to respect the experiences of all individuals within the ace-spectrum and allow others to read what they’re comfortable with.
Young Adult
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
After losing her best friend, her passion for music, and her mother all at once following a tragic car accident claiming her little sister’s life, Rumi Seto finds herself adrift. The emotional weight of her grief threatens to consume her as she’s shipped off to live with her aunt in Hawaii. But the one thing that brought her immense joy – creating music with her sister – is now lost to her.
It isn’t until she starts opening up to a grieving elderly neighbor and the charming surfer boy next door that Rumi begins to grasp that even amidst overwhelming sorrow, life can still be worth living.
Loveless by Alice Oseman
The protagonist of a certain YA novel has a unique story to tell. The author of Heartstopper has also written a charming tale about forging connections and finding love beyond romantic and sexual attraction. Georgia, the main character, has never quite understood why she doesn’t experience the same crushing feelings as her friends do. Her experiences with kissing, dating, and sex have simply never been appealing to her.
It wasn’t until she discovered the A in LGBTQIA during college that everything finally clicked into place for her. Now that she has a deeper understanding of herself, Georgia hopes to live life on her own terms.
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
In a fascinating twist, Noah Ramirez, the driving force behind Meet Cute Diary, has built his blog on the foundation of fictional tales celebrating trans happily ever afters. However, what his readers may not know is that Noah’s own experiences are still deeply buried within his closeted life. The only thing keeping him afloat is Drew, who agrees to participate in a fake relationship after an online troll outs the blog as fabricated.
As they navigate this pretend romance, real emotions begin to emerge, threatening to blur the lines between their fictional love story and reality.
The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath
In this captivating queer historical YA novel, set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-20th-century Norway, a young protagonist finds herself at a crossroads. Faced with an unwanted betrothal, she makes the bold decision to flee the theater with her closest friend and secret love interest. Their only hope for survival lies in entering the village’s prestigious annual horse race – a daunting challenge that requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck.
Forward March by Skye Quinlan
As the storm clouds gather around her father’s Republican presidential campaign, a marching band geek named Harper is struggling to navigate the chaos. Amidst the whirlwind of campaign drama, Harper must confront her own uncertainty about love – specifically, whether she might have a crush on girls.
When a girl swipes right on Harper’s fake dating profile, she begins to question everything, including the risk of opening up her heart and potentially jeopardizing her father’s political aspirations.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
In a world where tales take on a life of their own, Elatsoe, a Lipan Apache girl with an extraordinary gift – the ability to summon the spirits of deceased animals, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her cousin’s untimely demise.
However, in the small town where he resided, there are those who would rather keep their dark secrets buried and aren’t keen on meddling outsiders like Elatsoe prying into their affairs – especially not curious young girls with a knack for asking probing questions. Little do they know, however, that the mysteries they’re trying to conceal are far more chilling than anything Elatsoe could have ever conjured.
Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace
In a gritty world ravaged by corporate wars, Mallory’s life revolves around a popular virtual reality war game that serves as an escape from the harsh realities of everyday existence. As she becomes fixated on the in-game celebrity supersoldiers, she begins to uncover a disturbing truth: these SpecOps operatives aren’t genetically engineered super-soldiers created in a lab as everyone has been led to believe.
Instead, they’re actually kidnapped children who’ve been augmented and brutalized to become the formidable warriors they are today. In a society where corporations hold absolute power, speaking out against them is considered treasonous. But Mallory’s newfound awareness of this dark reality sparks an inner conflict: should she remain silent in the face of oppression or risk everything by exposing the truth?
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
In this captivating sci-fi novella, a team of scientist astronauts embark on a thrilling journey through the cosmos, undergoing transformative changes to survive in the harsh alien environments they encounter. Like author Becky Chambers’ other notable works (such as the Wayfarers series), this story is marked by thought-provoking themes and a diverse cast of characters that include individuals who identify as ace-spec, adding depth and richness to the narrative.
The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong
In the midst of a pleasure moon’s vibrant chaos, Jes – an asexual protagonist with gravity powers – blends in seamlessly among the mixed-species crowd. This anonymity is precisely what allows him to evade those who seek to dissect his abilities for scientific exploitation.
However, when the ruthless crime boss behind the circus where Jes works becomes aware of the bounty on his head, he’s faced with a stark ultimatum: comply with the mobster’s demands or risk being turned over to vivisection enthusiasts. With his friends at the circus, Jes must join forces to take down the powerful crime lord and bring an end to his reign of terror – a feat that might just allow him to finally put down roots in this new home.
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
In the Free Democratic City-State of Qilwa, a nonbinary refugee named Firuz-e Jafari has carved out a new life as a practitioner of blood magic in a healing clinic. But when they stumble upon a mysterious illness that leaves its victims covered in bruises, their world is turned upside down. The discovery sparks a wave of age-old prejudice against blood magic practitioners, with terrifying accusations and repercussions following.
As Firuz navigates this treacherous landscape to uncover the truth about the disease and ensure their own survival, they must also confront the cycle of prejudice that has haunted them for so long. With determination and resilience, Firuz sets out to create a fresh start not just for themselves, but for their newfound family as well.
Adult Romance
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun*
In the latest installment of the popular reality TV show Ever After, Charlie, a demisexual protagonist, joins the cast as a contestant seeking to revamp his image after being ousted from the tech company he co-founded. Dev, the show’s producer, is driven by a passion for creating happily ever afters that are more than just scripted fairy tales.
When Charlie’s social awkwardness and anxiety begin to disrupt the production of the new season, Dev takes it upon himself to help his new charge feel at ease in front of the camera. As they work together, Charlie and Dev find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, a development that neither had anticipated. Their blossoming romance serves as a poignant reminder that true love can strike when we least expect it.
Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed
This heartwarming novel tells the story of a demisexual protagonist at its core, as it brings together two lovable characters – two fat, queer women of color (one Black and one Persian-Arab) who navigate their love story with minimal conflict. The narrative is filled with positive representations, featuring anxiety struggles and a sweet, low-angst romance that culminates in a joyful happy ending.
That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert AOC*
Talia Hibbert’s romance novel features a demisexual blacksmith protagonist who unexpectedly falls for an older, divorced author. This captivating tale begins with Rae, a character unwilling to attend an awards ceremony alone while her ex-husband flaunts his new marriage. Enter Zach Davis, Rae’s sizzling new best friend, notorious for casual hookups but secretly craving the emotional connection that eludes him.
Zach agrees to be Rae’s date and fake boyfriend, sparking a pretend relationship that may just be the beginning of something genuine.
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
The author of ‘Let’s Talk About Love’ and ‘If It Makes You Happy’ brings their signature touch to adult fiction with this charming asexual romance. Joy, still pining for her best friend Malcolm, finds herself on a weekend getaway where she’ll have one last chance to confess her feelings. However, things take an unexpected turn when she meets Fox, who proposes a bold plan: pretend to date Joy to make Malcolm jealous.
For the first time, Joy isn’t relegated to the role of third wheel, and Fox’s presence brings her a sense of belonging and joy. As Joy experiences these new feelings, she can’t help but wonder if she’s been searching for love in all the wrong places until now.
Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky
The story revolves around Wren Roland, a demisexual protagonist who finds himself in a peculiar situation. After a night out and some questionable decision-making, Wren sends an email to every guy he’s almost kissed – but hasn’t actually shared a kiss with yet. As if this wasn’t awkward enough, his former best friend and one of the recipients is set to work alongside him at their beloved local drive-in movie theater for the summer.
With months of potential humiliation ahead of him, Wren must confront whether his long-held feelings for his high school friend will finally be rekindled or if he’ll have to face a summer of cringe-worthy moments.
Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh (October 25, 2022)
In the midst of a reality dating show, where the expectations are clear and the stakes are high, two contestants, Ejiro Odavwaro and Obiora Anozie, embark on a journey that defies the norms. While Ejiro is genuinely seeking love among the twenty-eight other bachelors vying for the attention of the bachelorette, Obiora’s motivations are far more self-serving – he’s hoping to score a free vacation out of the experience.
However, as fate would have it, their initial expectations are turned upside down when they find themselves falling for each other.
Nonfiction
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
In my journey to explore nonfiction books on asexuality, I stumbled upon this particular publication that left a lasting impression. Chen’s work is remarkable for its ability to bridge the gap between her personal experiences as an asexual individual and in-depth research on the topic, incorporating accounts from others who identify as ace-spec.
The end result is a comprehensive and accessible exploration of what sexual attraction entails and the realities of navigating the world without this fundamental aspect. This book serves as a valuable resource for both individuals seeking to better understand themselves within the ace spectrum and those looking to broaden their understanding of asexuality in general.
Ace Voices: What it Means to Be Asexual, Aromantic, Demi or Grey-Ace by Eris Young
In the recently compiled series of interviews, members of the Ace community share their unique perspectives on what it means to be part of the Ace spectrum. Eris Young has brought together a diverse range of voices, exploring topics such as dating and intimacy, sexuality, and identity within the context of being black, queer, or multi-partnered and ace.
This comprehensive book is a testament to the power of self-representation, offering a platform for Aces to share their stories, experiences, and insights with fellow community members.
Asexual Erotics by Ela Przbylo
This thought-provoking book reimagines the concept of intimacy from the vantage point of asexuality. By drawing parallels with Audre Lorde’s work, Przbylo proposes an innovative framework for discussing eroticism that transcends traditional notions of sex and sexuality. Dubbed ‘asexual erotics,’ this perspective challenges readers to reconsider what it means to be intimate beyond the confines of sexual expression.
The author also poses a crucial question: is there an alternative to compulsory sexuality, and if so, how can we dismantle its pervasive influence? To answer these queries, Przbylo delves into a diverse array of feminist, queer, and anti-racism movements, ultimately demonstrating that compulsory sexuality is detrimental to individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or lack thereof.
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown
Sherronda J. Brown’s thought-provoking exploration of asexuality within the framework of Black feminism injects a vital intersectional perspective on compulsory sexuality and sex-obsessed culture. She contends that the pervasive notion that everyone desires sexual activity to lead a fulfilling life is deeply entwined with various systems, including capitalism, race, gender, and queerness.
This insightful analysis is an indispensable read for individuals interested in exploring the intersections of race and sexuality in America, particularly those who identify as ace-spec, queer, or curious.