Culture
Pride On The Page: Our Top 10 LGBTQ+ Books
From histories to whodunnits and new-gen agony uncles, discover some of our favourite reads that centre the queer community
Beyond the flags and parades, there are many ways to celebrate Pride – and sitting down with a good book is a great (and fun!) way to do so. Support new storytellers, learn more about LGBTQ+ history, or simply enjoy fascinating characters and authentic representation with these excellent reads for Pride Month and beyond.
¡Hola Papi! by John Paul Brammer
When it debuted in digital magazine Into in 2017, Brammer’s ¡Hola Papi! advice column was intended to be a satirical spin on the agony-aunt form, but it quickly gained renown for offering playful yet thoughtful responses. The experience of providing advice, often on topics he felt ill-prepared to speak about, eventually inspired Brammer’s book of the same name. A memoir structured around the questions the author himself has grappled with over the years, it addresses nuanced questions of sexuality, race and more with the same trenchant wittiness as his column. For more of the same, Brammer continues to provide excellent and hilarious counsel, sharing his reflections via his Substack newsletter.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Set in 1950s Paris, this iconic novel is renowned for its powerful depiction of the intense yet ill-fated affair between David, the story’s tormented American lead, and Italian bartender Giovanni. It is unveiled in the opening paragraphs that David’s lover has been condemned to death, before flashing back over their time together. The writing by prominent author and activist James Baldwin is brilliant as ever, shining especially in its exploration of the protagonist’s internal shame and conflict as he flits between the city’s underground gay scene and the life of tradition that awaits him back in the US.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
Loosely inspired by the real-life assassination of Sri Lankan journalist Richard de Zoysa, this novel follows war photographer Maali Almeida, who wakes up dead – and, by the power of the mysterious bureaucratic entity that manages the hereafter, is given one week to solve his own murder. Part thriller, part whodunnit – with a potent dose of magical realism thrown in – the heart of the text lies in his relationship with DD, a story revealed in snippets as Maali watches his former lover struggle to come to terms with his unexpected departure.
All the Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks
A chance encounter with a neglected AIDS patient at an Arkansas hospital in 1986 was a turning point for Coker Burks, marking the start of her transformation into a key player in the informal care networks springing up nationwide to address the health crisis. Burks cared for many victims in their final days, procured medicine for others, and ensured dignified burials for those estranged from or abandoned by their loved ones. In doing so, she found a new community, even as her small, conservative town gradually cast her out. Burks’ sunny spirit, irrepressible humour and deep inner strength beam throughout it all, abetted by ghostwriter Kevin Carr O’Leary.
Sounds Like Fun by Bryan Moriarty
This warm-hearted tale addresses the complexities of modern dating, following the charming Eoin – a protagonist you can’t help but root for – as he hesitantly embarks on an open relationship with his long-term boyfriend. Dealing with career stagnation, troubled love lives and the pitfalls of housesharing, many twenty-somethings will see themselves reflected in the experiences of Eoin and his friends. Ultimately, it’s an uplifting coming-of-age story and a perfect summer read.
The Stonewall Reader by the New York Public Library and Jason Baumann
Though the fight for rights did not begin or end with the 1969 Stonewall uprising, it has come to be seen as a watershed moment for the LGBTQ community. Published 50 years after the tide-turning event, this enlightening anthology saw the New York Public Library delve deep into its archives to unearth testimonials, articles from LGBTQ publications and even diaries written in the decade surrounding the unrest. It provides precious and ever-relevant insight into queer life in the city in the 1960s and ‘70s, bolstered by interviews and first-person writings from luminaries including Audre Lorde and Miss Major, as well as others on the front lines.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
Struggling with disordered eating and her complicated relationship with her calorie-counting mother, Rachel lives a measured life of obsessive ritual until Miriam, an Orthodox Jewish woman working at her family’s frozen yoghurt shop, captivates her attention with her open, unapologetic love of food. The main character’s long-suppressed appetites begin to reawaken in this imaginative tale when their friendship takes a romantic turn, and the pair’s closeness becomes a catalyst for Rachel to break through her self-imposed restrictions.
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Widely considered a cult classic among an LGBTQ readership, this 1993 Bildungsroman charts the journey of Jess Goldberg from isolated working-class child to adult butch through bar culture, lesbian relationships and explorations of gender identity. While unflinching depictions of violence and emotional turmoil make it a challenging read at times, the final message remains one of hope; this pioneering text lent a voice to the marginalised groups it depicted upon its release. Shortly before passing away in 2014, Feinberg recovered the rights to the text and made it available for free in digital format, ensuring its availability for a new generation.
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
This debut novel from the British-Malaysian writer – who lists Baldwin and Ottessa Moshfegh among her inspirations – delivers the inner monologues of Tom, an awkward near-graduate, and Ming, a sharp, confident young playwright. The future of their budding romance suddenly becomes uncertain when Ming announces her intent to transition. The twin narrations offer insight into their unique experiences as a gay man coming to terms with his sexuality and a trans woman early in their journey, as well as their efforts to understand one another.
Love in Exile by Shon Faye
British journalist, broadcaster and essayist Shon Faye grew up quietly believing that love was not on the cards for her – a feeling not unfamiliar to many on today’s dating scene, whether heterosexual or queer. This follow-up to 2021’s The Transgender Issue sets out to examine the reasons why, exploring the politics of love and urging a decentring of traditional romance in the wider society. A vulnerable yet hope-filled work that proposes romantic love beyond the narrow ideals that frequently dominate popular culture, Love in Exile offers an optimistic vision that prioritises friendship and a rethinking of love for the benefit of all.
[Image at the top: Getty Images]
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