10 Queer Books You Have To Read

By Mia Timlin

For as long as I’ve loved reading, I’ve also harbored a love of forcing whatever it is that I’m reading onto the people around me, whether they want it or not. Depending on who you are, this either makes me a fantastic bookish resource, or an absolute pain to be around. 

I honestly think that the root of this tendency of mine comes from the fashion in which I read. When I start a book, I absolutely throw myself completely into it, and relish nothing more than that feeling. When I’m passionate about a book, it’s because I want someone to live in that world with me, even if it’s just for a moment. Is there anything more delicious than that moment of connecting with someone over that one line that was just so perfectly written it had you doubled over in laughter, repeating it to yourself over and over as you walk through the grocery store, self-medicating with YA romance for months in the hopes of filling the ache of devastation left in your stomach, etc.?

I think that connection is what makes books, and especially the representation they bring forward, so vital. Through books we find community and a place we can always go to see reflections of ourselves when they seem to be missing from the “real world.” With all that being said, I’ve done the impossible task of narrowing down the countless queer books I’ve read and loved to 10 that are sticking out to me right now. I hope you read some of them—they’re super important right now.

One Last Stop

Casey McQuiston

I decided to kick this list off with “One Last Stop” for a couple reasons. The first is that Casey McQuiston is in every sense of the word a master at what they do. Every last page is dripping in heartfelt wit and the sense that these characters encompass and exist in a world that is very much real and lived in. Only Casey McQuiston can write a story about time-traveling lesbian from the ‘70s on a magic subway train and make me forget it’s fiction. I know that this book has by no means been slept on, especially if you’ve spent any time in the realm of contemporary queer literature (partially in thanks to the smash hit that was McQuiston’s debut, “Red, White and Royal Blue”), but it’s so beautifully written and is a shining example of the perfectly-formulated ensemble casts and found families McQuiston portrays like no one else.

A Lady for a Duke

Alexis Hall

For the last several years, I have devoured anything and everything Alexis Hall has produced, so when I saw that he had written a regency-era trans romance, I obviously had to get my hands on it as fast as humanly possible. Needless to say, there was not a moment of disappointment throughout the entire book, which is impressive as it is what many would consider to be quite long. Despite the length, reading this book feels like looking at an oil painting, and Hall writes with a stunning character detail reminiscent of authors like Austen, the Brontes and Hawthorne. As much as I love Alexis Hall, his endings have a tendency to fizzle for me, and I’m happy to report that this time around, he nailed it. This story is one of trans identity, friendship, romance and family, and is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year. 

You Should See Me in a Crown

Leah Johnson

“You Should See Me in a Crown” is another book that has received a level of fully-deserved hype that queer books don’t get nearly as often as they should. Leah Johnson strikes the impressive balance between the lovely and the ugly by using the lovable lead Liz to tackle issues of poverty, grief, identity struggle and marginalization. At the same time, the book is so full of love and joy, and Johnson brings the relationships between her characters alive in a way that feels so special to the world she’s created. This story takes the classic race to the prom queen crown scenario, and gives it a depth Disney Channel Original Movies can only dream of. I seriously can’t think of a better book sell—you should read it.

Greedy: Notes from a Bisexual Who Wants too Much

Jen Winston

I’ve read a lot of personal essays and creative nonfiction on the topic of sexuality and bisexuality in particular, but Jen Winston has a writing voice that speaks to that greedy little monster living inside of us all. As a reader, I’ve never loved narrators who are too perfect, and this memoir really embraces that messiness with a sense of humor and insight in a style that can be described in no other way than downright charming. Lovingly dubbed the “bi-ble” in certain corners of BookTok, the entire memoir feels like having a conversation with the author and takes an introspective and entertaining exploration into their personal experience with bisexuality and gender identity.

Trigger warning: This work contains discussion of the author’s experience with sexual assault. If this could be triggering for you please proceed with caution.

The Black Flamingo

Dean Atta

I’ve always loved a poetry collection, and if you’ve never really gotten into the genre this is a great place to start. The language is absolutely beautiful and delivers a complete journey, beginning with a coming-of-age narrative that develops into an account of someone exploring their identity while navigating the UK drag scene. Dean Atta is widely known and recognized for his poetry, and his ability to convey nuance and emotion through verse serves this story so incredibly well. If you’re a fan of poetry, read this book. If you’re not a fan of poetry, read it anyway—Atta is a standout at what he does.

The Guncle

Steven Rowley

There are not enough words in the English language for how much I adored this book. If you’re a fan of emotional rollercoasters that leave you thinking, “Wait, am I supposed to be laughing or crying right now?” and wit-filled personal and dramatic soliloquies, this is your book. Steven Rowley brings all of the dark situational humor of a recluse actor, grieving over the loss of two of the most important people in his life, suddenly left with the responsibility of his young niece and nephew. This book is fabulously funny and gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and a shoo-in for your Favorite Books Shelf.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Talia Hibbert

“Take a Hint, Dani Brown” is the second installment of the Brown Sisters collection by Talia Hibbert, but can be read as a stand-alone. (Though I highly recommend the entire series; Hibbert is uber talented and delivers in each one of these books.) Dani Brown is the motivated, witchy, bisexual lead of this romatic comedy that gives you everything you want from a fake-dating trope. I will rave about Hibbert’s writing until everyone has gone home and I’m standing in the dark obsessing over a book to myself, but really the best way to discover how amazing she is is to just read the book.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Malinda Lo

Historical fictions really took the cake for me this year, because this one, based around the lesbian bar scene of San Fransico Chinatown in the ‘50s, truly was phenomenal. Everything from the writing to the setting to the relationships were perfectly placed, and there’s nothing I love more than a deep dive into parts of history that aren’t often explored this way in literature. Based off of Lo’s contribution to the anthology “All Out: The No-Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages,” “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” is perfect for anyone who loves gorgeously told queer love stories told through historical fiction.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Benjamin Alire Saenz

Set in El Paso, Texas, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” tells the story of two Mexican-American teens coming of age and the friendship between them. This is another example of queer literature that has gained some mainstream traction; its always beautiful and often brutally realistic narrative voice no doubt aiding its rise in popularity. This book comes with a plethora of bonus content including a sequel (“Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World”), an unreleased movie that’s already received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an audiobook read by Lin Manuel Miranda.

Proud

Compiled and edited by Juno Dawson

This anthology is by far one of the best I’ve ever read. It’s made up of short stories and poetry, making it perfect for readers who maybe don’t have enough time on their hands to read an entire novel. “Proud” delivers everything from comedy to romance to “Pride and Prejudice” retellings, and each and every piece has a distinct voice. There’s so much representation present in this one book, and it’s truly just a joy to read.