Happy Pride Month, readers! We believe there’s no better way to celebrate than by reading books that explore queer identity across all of our favorite genres. These 20 books are just a small sampling of the great work available—meaning you can read these recs and more all year long. Join us in celebrating, and dive in!
The Sons of El Rey by Alex Espinoza
Alex Espinoza’s generational novel follows a family of luchadores, alternating between Ernesto’s rise to fame in Mexico, his son’s desire for community in LA, and his grandson’s exploration of the dark side of West Hollywood.
We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado
In this suspenseful novel, Sol and her wife Alice move into the gated community of their dreams, but the reality turns out to be a nightmare as Sol discovers the journal of a missing resident.
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
This book has low stakes, high heat, and a bodyguard romance—what more could you ask for? Freya Marske returns with a tale of a con artist hired to serve an heir during his arranged marriage.
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska
This YA fantasy features a polyamorous romance between Gisela, a water nymph seeking a kiss from a mortal; Kazik, a spirit hunter attempting to exorcise her; and the man they both fall for.
Navigational Entanglements by Aliette de Bodard
Take a journey to the stars in this space opera, where Việt Nhi and Hạc Cúc—members of rival clans—must reluctantly learn to work together to contain a dangerous creature loose in space.
Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Sixteen years after being sent to conversion camp as kids, seven survivors come together to put an end to the evil buried in the desert around Camp Resolution and save the world.
Rough Pages by Lev AC Rosen
Set in 1950s San Francisco, this mystery features Private Detective Evander “Andy” Mills, who is searching for a missing person and an address book including a secret list of queer readers.
I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
If you’ve been dreaming of a queer rom-com inspired by The Holiday, your Christmas wish is coming true this fall when Bee Tyler and Clover Mills swap houses and find love along the way!
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
In this YA duology closer, three semidioses must contend against gods released from their prisons and monsters in order to find the Sol Stone and return the sun to the sky.
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August
Scout is an Archivist of dead worlds, and when they discover a message from an alien witness to the end of a world, it sends them, their brother, and their cat on a mission to save their home.
Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe
Readers looking for a retelling this winter won’t want to miss Amanda Lee Koe’s reimagining of the Chinese folktale “The Legend of the White Snake” into a novel about secrets and sisterhood.
The Whitewashed Tombs by Kwei Quartey
This mystery transports readers to Ghana and draws from real life as an anti-gay bill results in the death of a queer activist. PI Emma Djan goes undercover to find the killer and seek justice.
Director’s Cut by Carlyn Greenwald
In this contemporary sapphic romance, actress Valeria recovers from her failed shift to film director by shifting into teaching and surprisingly hits it off with her co-professor, Maeve.
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
A trans teen gets wrapped up in a deadly feud with the corrupt local sheriff in this YA Appalachian thriller from the award-winning author of Hell Followed With Us.
Metal from Heaven by August Clarke
August Clarke’s adult fantasy debut is pitched as a political fantasy lesbian revenge tale perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and Gideon the Ninth—that’s all we need to hear to add it to our TBR!
Please Stop Trying to Leave Me by Alana Saab
The lines between fiction and reality blur in this novel about a writer who starts to question everything when therapy sessions reveal the connections between her manuscript and her real life.
I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram
A one-night stand becomes so much more in this contemporary romance where sommelier David agrees to help substitute teacher Farzan with the family bistro he’s just inherited.
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
In this fantasy novel about found family and healing, a witch who lost her powers after the death of her sister takes a job as an estate caretaker and begins to find herself again after being lost to grief.
The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson
A Botanical Toxicology is reluctantly drawn into a criminal case after a man is killed by the poison from a plant toxin that seems to have come from her recently vandalized garden.
Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters
YA readers craving a royal romance should dive into this novel following Prince Jadon, who is sent to America to clean up his image after a viral break-up and falls for a private school classmate.
What’s the last queer book you read and loved?
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