20 Best LGBTQ Books to Read
for Pride Month
Hey there, book readers!
June is celebrated as pride month, and so the best time to celebrate queer love. I thought it would also be the best time to share a list of books with LGBTQ+ characters. Since, like me, if you decide to celebrate it by reading about queer characters and their unique stories, then you have a ready list of recommendations.
If you’re new to the queer world, welcome, it’s a magical box of stories offering some romances, some classics, some graphic novels, and even some heart-wrenching memoirs. If you’re a seasoned LGBTQ reader, I’m sure my list has some offerings for you, too.
So let’s jump in.
Unique Book Recommendations to help you find your next read
Best Short Novels with LGBTQ+ characters
1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray is classic gay literature. An author believed to be gay himself has written it. Oscar Wilde was an iconic writer of his time. The story goes that Dorian Gray’s portrait ages with time and his crimes. But he on the other hand remains eternally young. What happens when you become a vain person unable to distinguish the good and the bad on a moral compass? The subject has been very delicately explored in the book, and that makes it a timeless piece of literature.
2. Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar
A gay novel by an Indian author where a brother and sister in a family, fall for the same man. Their tenant, turning their lives upside down. The novel talks about love, specifically gay love from an Indian societal perspective and also talks about losing loved ones. It makes us think.
3. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Kitchen is a translated Japanese novel that has a few short stories talking about love and its many shades. We have Mikage, a young woman who has recently lost her grandmother. Mikage finds comfort with Yuichi, a friend, and his transgender mother, Eriko. The book talks about coping with loss and identity through the medium of cooking and emphasizes the importance of found family.
4. Elevation by Stephen King
A thought-provoking novella about a man with a mysterious condition. It also talks about his friendship with a lesbian couple. The story takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, and follows Scott Carey, a man who mysteriously begins losing weight on the scale without any visible change in his appearance. As Scott's weight drops, he forms an unlikely friendship with a lesbian couple and becomes involved in a local dispute over LGBTQ+ rights. Elevation is a short, heart-warming novella.
5. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
This beautiful fantasy novella, about the Chinese empire talks of a Rabbit who is a maid and falls for the Empress. The captivating world-building gives the animal folk-tale a mystic aura and talks about the transfer of power through a queer perspective.
Best LGBTQ Graphic Novels
6. Kari by Amruta Patil
Kari was a ground-breaking novel for its depiction of lesbian love in Indian society. It is set in Mumbai depicting a girl who is recovering from a recent breakup. The honest and heart-touching illustrations depict the struggles people with LGBTQ relations go through in a conservative society.
7. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
A heart-warming graphic novel about two best friends, Deja and Josiah. They work at a pumpkin patch, and it is their last Halloween season. Deja's bisexuality is an intimate element of the story, adding a layer of representation. Deja and Josiah embark on their final adventure before graduation.
8. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
This graphic novel series follows the sweet romance between Charlie and Nick. They are two British high school boys. The pretty illustrations and honest dialogues between the characters capture the joys and struggles of coming out and finding love as a teenager. Osman's cute artwork and relatable characters make "Heartstopper" a favorite among YA readers. The author also discusses vital themes like coming out, acceptance, and mental health.
9. Taproot by Keezy Young
"Taproot" by Keezy Young is a unique and beautiful illustrated graphic novel with many elements like romance, supernatural, and LGBTQ+ themes. The story discusses Hamal, a gardener who can see and communicate with ghosts, and Blue, a ghost who is hopelessly in love with him. Hamal is newly discovering his feelings and learning to accept his identity. But he must also confront a malevolent spirit threatening their peaceful town.
Best LGBTQ Fiction Books
10. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo is an aging Hollywood starlet. She reveals her glamorous and scandalous life. But she also talks about her secret love affair with a woman. This fascinating novel celebrates bisexuality. It also discusses the courage it takes to live a realistic life in the face of societal pressures.
11. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
This novel is a beautiful retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. It is a coming-of-age love story set during the Trojan War. The intimacy between the main characters makes this a memorable story. It is worth reading again and again.
12. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Color Purple has won the Pulitzer Prize. It talks about the lives of African-American women. We have Celie, an African woman who has been abused and oppressed since childhood. But eventually she finds her way to independence and freedom. The author writes about her relationship with other women, her sister and her lover very well. It shows readers the compassion and love members of the queer community offer each other.
13. Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
This novel tells the story of Mungo, a young Scottish boy. He grows up in a tough place. Older men in the community brutalise him. But eventually he falls in love with another boy. The story is raw and heartfelt. It shows the challenges of queer youth in hard times.
14. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
"The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw is a book of short stories about Black women. It looks at their desires and their relationships with faith and sexuality. The author shows us the lives of queer women in the Black church through connected stories. The book shows how race, religion, and sexuality intersect. The book is a powerful and deep look at the strength and flexibility of Black queer women.
This book is a happy, and funny romantic comedy. We have an over-top-situation in the plot. The son of the President of the United States falls in love with the Prince of Wales. Alex, the First Son, and Henry, the Prince, go from haters to lovers. They begin a secret romance that interferes with their personal and public lives. The witty dialogue and charming characters make this book a great read.
16. Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Arthur Less is a gay writer. Arthur has decided to go on a worldwide trip in order to avoid his ex’s wedding. The book is hilarious at times and touching at some moments, but, has a happy ending. "Less" is another Pulitzer-winning gay book on the list.
17. The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner
The book is set in a women’s prison. The novel has many characters, but one of the lead characters is transgender. All of the women are struggling in their own way with life behind bars. The harsh realities of their life are in stark contrast to our lives, and reading about these makes it an interesting read.
An old man, Linus, a disciplinarian is on to his next project. He is a Case Worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He looks after the well-being of orphan children. Only this time his wards are very special and very troublesome, and they live on a secret island. A warm and happy story about found family. Linus also discovers his inclinations and finds love.
Best LGBTQ Non-Fiction Books
19. Eleven Ways to Love: Essays by Various Authors
This anthology features stories from various LGBTQ authors. Each story talks about different facets of love and identity. The voices in the stories are diverse and seem heartfelt. They offer a celebration of the many ways love can show itself in our lives.
20. Monstrous by Sarah Meyer
This is the memoir of a Korean-American girl born in South Korea. She is adopted at birth by a white couple. She struggled very much as a child due to racist bullying. Identity crisis, and mental health issues also developed due to living in a small, orthodox community. The graphics are elaborate and so close to perfection with the facial expressions. I loved reading this book.
These unique stories are sure to offer a glimpse into different experiences life has to offer. No matter what, celebrate you for being you. Everyone deserves love. Happy reading!
This post contains affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.