35 LGBTQ Books Everyone Should Read, Chosen by Queer Authors
We asked 16 queer authors to share the best LGBTQ books they've ever read. Here are their top picks. The post 35 LGBTQ Books Everyone Should Read, Chosen by Queer Authors appeared first on Reader's Digest. Queer authors crown the best LGBTQ books When I was growing up, LGBTQ books weren’t quite as commonplace as they are today. That’s not to say they didn’t exist—Rita Mae Brown, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde and others had been putting pen to paper long before I was able to read. But queer authors didn’t always enjoy bestseller status the way many do today. Their books weren’t embraced by popular culture or turned into movies and TV shows. In fact, some queer authors wouldn’t write about their truths directly, instead tucking them into creative turns of phrase. Fortunately, things change! Today, I can enter any bookstore and find tons of openly LGBTQIA authors—that is, authors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other sexual orientations that are not heterosexual—across all genres. And while there are some unfortunate individuals who keep putting queer writing on banned books lists, the demand for more LGBTQ lit continues to grow each year. From memoirs and coming-out stories to trope-filled romances and teen books with gay and trans leads, we want it all. Whether you’re seeking queer novels, books about queer theory (we suggest starting with the works of Judith Butler and Michael Foucault) or any other book under the literary rainbow, you’ll find titles to love on this list of LGBTQ books recommended by popular and up-and-coming queer authors. Bonus: Through June 30, Bookshop.org is offering 15% off select titles by LGBTQ+ authors with the code Pride24. So read on for the best books to enjoy during Pride Month and all year long, ranging from longtime LGBTQ essentials to fun beach reads, exciting YA books and more. Join the free Reader’s Digest Book Club for great reads, monthly discussions, author Q&As and a community of book lovers.
2021-05-26T16:25:19Z