So, as you might have heard about it, June is Pride Month!!!! In India, it is still a crime and it is really sad that there’s not a lot of politicians who want to change that. However, there’s been a lot of changes over the last few decades about the matter. Not enough to repeal the law but enough that people are taking note of it, in a good way. All this does not change the fact that there are still people who belong to the LGBTQIA community in the country and aren’t able to be themselves openly without fear and I am hoping at least some of them get to read these books to get some sense of hope for the future.
I know, I started with a heavy topic but it needed to be said. I, myself, am part of the LGBTQIA and I only recently got to know that there is a place for me, frankly. It’s a tough journey from realisation to the acceptance of who I am. My family still doesn’t understand but they have mostly resigned themselves to it? Oh well. Ever since I came to know more about LGBTQIA on an international level, I realised that there were many, many books on the topic, both fiction and non-fiction.
I have, since then, tried to read anything I could get my hands on. There hasn’t been any book based on asexuality so far so I am kinda out of luck in that area as I identify as asexual and aromantic but hey, I have heard there are some books out there in the world.
Anywho! I bring some book recs and some books that are on my TBR list ever since I joined bookish community. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This book was perhaps my very first foray into anything remotely LGBTQIA and I am truly glad that I stumbled onto this when I did. This was exactly the book I had needed to read, if I am being honest. I mean, what better book than this one where you are wondering about yourself and trying to understand it all? This book is a must read for those who are still coming to terms with their identity or trying to understand what it really means when you are LGBTQIA.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Given my love for Greek mythology and having just devoured Homer’s Iliad, I was extremely lucky when I picked up this book. While there are many, many scholars who do not think Achilles and Patroclus were anything but really close friends, I have my opinions about it. However, Miller’s take on the Iliad was such a mind-blowing concept for me, with the entire book in Patroclus’ point of view. This remains one of my all time favourites and it’s not going to change any time soon. If you wanna fall in love and sob your heart out then this is the book for you.
Simon vs the Homo sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
A truly adorable book with some really relatable characters, I loved the way the author set up the book and everything seemed as if it could really happen, you know? It is a perfect example where coming out is made to look like it’s not something out of the ordinary but at the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. I loved the entire plot as well as characters and the overall tone of the book.
Prince of Mirrors by Alan Robert Clark
I am so glad that the publishers at NetGalley approved me because apparently, this book isn’t going to be available in India? At least, it’s not available yet. I am really glad because it’s a really good book, ok? A historical fiction about the life of Prince Albert Victor and his friendship with Jem Stephens. This book is wonderfully written and deals with so many things! I can’t recommend this book enough if you are a fan of historical fiction.
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
This is a sort of sequel to Simon vs? But it’s more than that? I loved this book because it showed Leah’s inner turmoil and the whole book was just so easy to devour. I mean, at times, I wanted to shake Leah and other times, I was uncomfortable reading it because some of Leah’s personality traits are eerily similar to mine and it made it hard to continue sometimes but overall, a really good book to read. Also, it didn’t hurt to read more about Simon! He’s a fluffball, I swear to god!
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
I have a special place in my heart for this series, it is so freaking atmospheric and lovely. At its core, this series tells a story of friendship and a Welsh king but there are LGBTQIA aspects to the books as well and I love all my children in this series, ok? If you haven’t for some reason picked up this series yet, go and do it, I assure you, you will like it.
Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman
This book! I am sure you all are pretty sick of looking at anything even remotely related to this book by now. The book didn’t have a big presence in my life before the film but now that I have read it, I assure you, this is a really good book to have and to read. This is the kind of book which is either loved by readers or hated by them. I fall into the first category but even if you hate it after reading, I feel it’s worth giving a try.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Oh boy! This book! A bisexual lead character who thoroughly enjoys having fun, a biracial love interest, a badass girl, pirates and all of this set in the 1700s? What else do you need? But seriously, this book is a delight, give it a try.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Oh god! This book wrecked me. It really, really did. It should come with trigger warnings because there are many instances where one can be triggered however all that said, this book is so good. I only recently read it for the Pride month and I couldn’t put it down. I cried and I was sad but there was hope at the end of the book. I couldn’t recommend it enough if you asked me.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
I am currently reading it and I admit, it’s a slow read but so far, I am really liking it. This book is a bit different than what I am used to when it comes to historical fiction or even LGBTQIA but not in a bad way at all. I am loving his writing style so far. Here’s to hoping I will love the heck out of it by the end of it.
Leigh Bardugo’s writing has enchanted me and I am in love with the way she presents her characters and the sheer improvement in this duology is frankly alarming. This book introduces us to the places away from the places in the Grisha trilogy and every character is so thoroughly fleshed out. I am recommending it not only because of it’s LGBTQIA links but just as a bloody good book.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
I am currently reading this one, too! And so far I am loving the heck out of it. I am almost scared to finish the book though because well, I don’t want to be parted from the characters so soon. There are so many good things to be said about this duology but for now, just take my word for it if you haven’t read it yet for some reason.
Now, these are the ones that are on my list of LGBTQIA books. I have yet to read these but I have heard some awesome good things about it. Some of the books on this list, I wasn’t even aware were LGBTQIA? I mean, I was going to read some of them because many, many people have raved about the series? I am sure that there are some I might have forgotten because I am a mere human, I have my limitations. If you have read any of these books and have feels about it, please, share them here! Also, if you have even more recs, please, do not hesitate to pile them to my TBR! I mean, I am gonna read them all. At some point in my life. Hopefully.
I like having options, ok?
Overall, I think these books should be enough to carry you a while if you haven’t gotten around to them yet? I am sure I will be adding more to the list as the time passes. I mean, as a bookworm, I am honour-bound, aren’t I?
bookwormmuse 