THE ULTIMATE LGBTQ+ SUMMER READING LIST
Spicing up your summer reading list with LGBTQ+ reads is one delightful way to spend these hotter months. LGBTQ+ books tend to be written by diverse authors who identify somewhere under this umbrella. Reading stories from the perspective of characters you relate to written by people who understand the experience is rewarding. If you are looking for some entertaining queer summer reads, look no further!
LGBTQ+ Young Adult Summer Reads
Sometimes young adult books just hit the spot.
Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
In Rise to the Sun, two girls meet at a music festival, and it changes their lives forever. Olivia was ready for a love-free weekend spent listening to music, and Toni was heading to the festival in hopes of finding a part of herself. The two find much more than they were looking for.
May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor
This book tells the story of Jeremy, a freshly out trans teenager. Instead of turning into a wallflower, he challenges his ex-boyfriend Lukas to see which of them will become Homecoming King. Their back and forth battle becomes more than they were prepared for.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Since coming out in 2020, Felix Ever After has quickly become a hit. Felix Love is a Black, queer, transgender teen who has never fallen in love. After receiving hateful messages, Felix’s plan for revenge surprisingly leads him down the road to love. This book is all about identity, self-discovery, and passion.
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
When Juliet Milagros Palante came out to her family, they were not entirely supportive. She has a plan to gain her mom's approval which involves heading from the Bronx to Portland for the summer. Here she interns for a feminist author while trying to sort out her life. This book won the 2017 Silver IPPY Award for Best LGBTQ Fiction and is worth checking out.
LGBTQ+ Adult Fiction Summer Reads
Escaping into a fictional world of queerness will bring you nothing but a good time!
Detransiton, Baby by Torrey Peters
Detransition, Baby explores the topics of gender, motherhood, and sex through the lives of three unique women. This book tells a fictional tale of the trans experience through three lives intertwined. Don’t hesitate to add this moving national bestseller, penned by a trans writer, to your summer reading list.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
This book tells the story of Gay Uncle Patrick and his niece and nephew. Following the tragic loss of one parent and the sickness of another, Patrick takes over as the kids' caretaker. Patrick tries his best to deal with these new challenges, but this new journey is a handful. The Guncle is funny and heartwarming.
Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon
This gay thriller tells the story of Oliver Park. He is recovering from addiction when he visits Haus, a gay bathhouse. He knows he should not be there, especially considering he already has a partner named Nathan, but he goes anyway. As the night continues, something goes wrong, and Oliver barely gets out of Haus alive. You will have to pick up a copy of Bath Haus to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.
The Prophets explores the lives of two enslaved men, Isaiah and Samuel. They found love in each other on a plantation in the South. As the story goes on, the enslaved people turn against each other and make it clear that they believe the love these two young men share is a sin. Their relationship becomes more complicated as the couple navigates the opinions and actions of others.
Don Juan in the Village by Jane DeLynn
First published in 1990, Don Juan in the Village follows a woman as she travels the world searching for her ideal woman. She hooks up with many unique women, never finding quite what she is hoping for. If you are looking for a book with numerous lesbian relationships, this one is worth picking up.
LGBTQ+ Non-Fiction Summer Reads
Who says you can’t learn a thing or two this summer?
Queer: Words of Change by Coco Romack
This is a compilation of passages and quotes taken from LGBTQ+ activists. If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement, this collection of words is perfect for you.
The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America by Eric Cervini
Many have heard of Stonewall and the fight for gay rights that continued following this moment in history, but not everyone knows what happened before. The Deviant’s War explores this history, with thousands of documents and declassified FBI records.
Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood by Trixie Mattel and Katya
This read might be more fun to flip through than the other nonfiction books mentioned above. If you haven’t heard of these two famous drag queens, you are in for a treat. In this book, the two share their takes on many topics through how-to’s and essays.
