A list of Queer Books to binge on
Summer 2019 was a queer bookfest for me. These recommendations are the best of what I read during my binge. They aren’t listed in order of how good I thought them to be but in the order that I read them. These LGBT books provided me with a month of feelings and characters that I got overly attached to. I hope they bring other people as much emotion, both good and painful, that it has brought me.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Arguably one of the best-written and most heartbreaking books I’ve ever read. It follows Patroclus and his relationship with Achilles during the Trojan War. Their relationship is sweet and sad. Add in a little Greek mythology and the gods being actual characters, (side and minor ones but still…) and you’ve got yourself a book that will take you on an emotional ride.
Buy it here
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Basically queer Harry Potter. The main character Simon Snow is ‘The Chosen One’ but is terrible at it. The guy can’t do magic properly and keeps accidentally getting involved in monumental events that he wants nothing to do with. It’s a hilarious read, the characters are extremely likable, and Simon is very relatable. The book does have serious moments but it’s generally a pretty fun book.
Buy it here
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
It’s more on the serious side of the spectrum. At risk of spoilers, this might be a little vague. But Autoboyography deals with a lot of issues, mainly the one of accepting your sexuality even if those close to you don't. It does end on a happy note, and the relationship between the two main characters, Sebastian and Tanner, is honestly one of the better-written relationships. The relationship feels real and the character development is amazing.
Buy it here
A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Makenzi Lee
Pirates, opera houses, and parties. This is essentially senior trip gone wrong. In period Europe, a guy, his crush, and the younger sister end up in too many messes to count. While it is a lighthearted book in general, it does deal with some heavier issues, mainly about Monty’s relationship with his asshole of a father. The characters' interactions are realistic and the development is done very very well.
Buy it here
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
A world where the day that you’re going to die you get a call letting you know. You don’t know how or when it will happen but it does. On their last day, these two boys Mateo and Rufus meet and try to live the lives that they’ve always wanted to live. It’s an amazing story with brilliant execution, and might give you an existential crisis when you’re done with it.
Buy it here
Simon Vs the Homosapien’s Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This was turned into a movie, and a really good one at that, but the book remains superior, as is always the case. Its a story about coming out, and falling in love. Mainly Simon’s coming out and falling in love. His friendships are wholesome ones and the love that Simon gets restores your faith in humanity. Yes, there are low points, and by that, I mean sad moments, but those, too, are beautiful.
Buy it here