LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations: Fiction & Stories
LGBTQ+ stories can offer representation, recognition and the chance to experience lives and perspectives different from our own. This collection brings together contemporary fiction, romance, fantasy, historical stories and graphic novels featuring LGBTQ+ characters, relationships and experiences.
The Song of Achilles — Madeline Miller
A retelling of the story of Achilles through the eyes of Patroclus, following their relationship from childhood to the Trojan War. A moving story of love, loyalty, fate and loss rooted in Greek mythology.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club — Malinda Lo
Set in 1950s San Francisco, this historical coming-of-age novel follows Lily Hu as she discovers the city’s lesbian community. It explores sexuality alongside family, culture and the experience of growing up Chinese American during the Red Scare.
The House in the Cerulean Sea — TJ Klune
A warm fantasy about a caseworker sent to investigate an unusual orphanage for magical children. Along the way, he begins questioning the rules he has always followed while discovering connection, belonging, found family and love.
One Last Stop — Casey McQuiston
A queer romantic story with an unusual supernatural twist. When August meets Jane on the New York subway, she discovers Jane is somehow displaced in time, turning their developing relationship into a mystery they must solve together.
Heartstopper — Alice Oseman
A graphic novel series following Charlie and Nick as friendship gradually develops into something more. Alongside young love, it explores sexuality, coming out, friendship, acceptance and some of the challenges LGBTQ+ teenagers can experience.
Giovanni’s Room — James Baldwin
A classic novel following an American man in Paris as he struggles with his sexuality and his relationship with Giovanni. An emotionally complex exploration of love, desire, shame, identity and societal expectations.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — Taylor Jenkins Reid
An ageing Hollywood star finally tells the story behind her glamorous public life and seven marriages. Beneath the fame is a story about bisexuality, hidden love, ambition, sacrifice and the difference between public image and private identity.
Cemetery Boys — Aiden Thomas
A supernatural YA story about Yadriel, a gay trans Latino teenager determined to prove himself within his traditional family. When he accidentally summons the wrong ghost, the result is a mixture of mystery, romance, identity and belonging.
Felix Ever After — Kacen Callender
Felix is a Black queer transgender teenager navigating love and self-discovery when someone publicly shares information about him without his consent. The story explores identity, confidence, friendship and the complicated experience of figuring out who you are.
The Priory of the Orange Tree — Samantha Shannon
An expansive fantasy filled with dragons, rival kingdoms, political intrigue and ancient threats. At its heart are powerful women and prominent LGBTQ+ relationships within a much larger adventure.
Under the Udala Trees — Chinelo Okparanta
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, the novel follows Ijeoma as she falls in love with another girl. It explores sexuality, religion, family expectations, prejudice and the search for a life in which she can be herself.
D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding — Chencia C. Higgins
A joyful Black queer romance centred around a reality television show in which contestants must convince their families they are getting married. What begins as part of the competition gradually becomes considerably more real.
The Passing Playbook — Isaac Fitzsimons
A YA story about Spencer, a transgender teenager starting at a new school where he finally gets the opportunity to simply be himself. Football, friendship and first love become complicated when discriminatory rules threaten his place on the team.
The Deep — Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes
A powerful speculative story about an underwater society descended from pregnant African women thrown overboard during the transatlantic slave trade. Through its protagonist Yetu, it explores memory, identity, ancestry, trauma and the weight of carrying a community’s history.
A little note for readers
LGBTQ+ fiction doesn’t have to be one particular kind of story. Some of these books explore discrimination, identity and difficult experiences, while others offer romance, adventure, fantasy, friendship and queer joy. Content and intended age ranges also vary, so readers may wish to check individual books before choosing what feels right for them.
Find a story that speaks to you.
By Gemma Learoyd MNCPS
Therapist & Coach | Space to Breathe Therapy
