Does quarantine have you bored out of your mind? Are your eyes sore from staring at a screen all day and night? Is your brain in need of some stimulation? Then it sounds like what you need is a good book! Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 great LGBTQ novels to help you out during your quarantine as we ride this coronavirus out. Happy reading!
And guess what, you also don’t have to be gay to enjoy gay literature! Whether you’re simply wanting to look beyond your own experience, or you’re an LGBT youth seeking a character like yourself, the following classic and contemporary coming-of-age LGBT novels chronicle the road to first loves, acceptance, and self-discovery. And that’s something everyone can relate to.
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
David Levithan is known for pioneering the LGBT YA subgenre, including Every Day and his partner novel with John Green, Will Grayson, Will Grayson. But this instant classic was also a National Book Award nominee and a Lambda Award winner. Based on real-life events, Two Boys Kissing tells the tale of Harry and Craig, two teens embarking on a 32-hour kissing marathon in hopes of breaking the Guinness World Record. Their love story also becomes a rallying point for several teens trying find their own places in the world.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
What happens when America’s First Son (of the first Latina female president) falls in love with the Prince of Wales? For starters, lots of sex, lots of DMs, lots of drama, and lots of tabloid fodder. Casey McQuiston’s bestselling gay rom-com is an outrageous escape.
Dive by Stacey Donovan
Teenager Virginia “V” Dunn is down on her luck. Her beloved dog, Lucky, was hit by a car; her best friend is avoiding her; her mother’s drinking problem is escalating; and her father is afflicted with a rare illness. Feeling lonelier than ever, V begins to withdraw from the world. That is, until she meets Jane, a popular new girl at school. Captivating and confident, Jane turns V’s world upside down and takes her mind off of life’s difficulties. When V realizes that her feelings for Jane may be more than friendly, she realizes that the only way forward is to dive in.
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
This coming-of-age story charts a queer Black man in the Midwest who engages in an unexpected encounter with a classmate over the course of a late-summer weekend that has lasting repercussions on their sleepy university town.
Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey
A task force of LGBTQ volunteers are sent to “the most homophobic town in the US” to live and work in the community for two years in an earnest attempt to open hearts and minds, but no one is prepared for what happens next
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
This coming-of-age tale stars Liza and Annie, two teenage girls with very different backgrounds who embark on journeys toward self-discovery. Though Annie is open to coming out, Liza is haunted by her feelings of guilt and fear, and this threatens their relationship. Nancy Garden’s novel was infamously burned in the 90s by a homophobic Kansas school district. Today, it is widely regarded as a landmark work of LGBT lit.
Maurice by E.M. Forster
Though written in 1914, Maurice wasn’t actually published until 1971. Like A Boy’s Own Story, it was quite ahead of its time. In it, E.M. Forster follows the life of its namesake gay hero—beginning with his teenage years—as he struggles to find happiness in a time when men loving men was far from accepted.
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
Gay literature was forever changed the day Mary Ann Singleton first met her transgender landlady, Anna Madrigal, when she moved to San Francisco’s 28 Barbary Lane. What began as serialized stories in the San Francisco Chronicle by writer Armistead Maupin became a 1978 novel. It was followed by a Tales of the City series of books, which chronicled decades of queer life in the Golden Gate City, including the AIDS crisis. Tales of the City was adapted in 1993 into a television miniseries, which starred Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis and you can see all the episodes, including recent ones made on Netflix.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
By night, Liam becomes Luna, using his sister’s clothes and makeup. During the day, he hides his true identity, awaiting the moment he can reveal the person he truly is. But as Luna prepares to make her debut, she fears how her family will react…Julie Anne Peters’ novel is a gorgeous National Book Award finalist that sheds light on the triumphs and fears of transgender teens.
Boy Erased by Garraed Conley
The son of a Baptist minister, Garrard grew up deeply terrified of his sexuality, which his religion strictly forbade. When he’s forcibly outed, he has a choice: attend a twelve-step program meant to “cure” him of his homosexuality, or lose his family, friends, and his beloved religion. But instead of emerging a changed man, Garrard finds a new strength and resilience that will empower anyone who has ever wondered how they can find the power to live as their true selves.
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