Chantel, a self-proclaimed book nerd and lover of LGBTQIA+ literature, shares a selection of acclaimed books featuring queer stories to inspire your next read (and adventure).
Whether you’re searching for your next travel destination, looking to beef up your “Want to Read” list, or on the hunt for a new book to take on your next trip, these essential reads offer adventure and a unique view of life from an LGBTQIA+ perspective.
These stories don’t just highlight destinations; they illuminate the complexities of identity, culture, family, love and belonging within the LGBTQIA+ community. By embracing these books, you’re not just reading about different places – you’re exploring the lives and emotions of characters around the world.
As you prepare for your next adventure, whether it’s a journey abroad or an escape into a great book, these queer narratives can enrich your experience.
Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park
Hit the streets of South Korea in Love in the Big City, a portrayal of millennial alienation intertwined with the vibrant joys of queer living. You’ll follow Young as he moves through his 20s and 30s and navigates life as a young gay man living in Seoul. Awarded in 2022 with the International Booker Prize for its distinctive narrative style and perspective that especially resonates with younger readers, it has made waves in South Korea and is poised for global acclaim.
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
It’s 1914 and the harsh realities of WWI seem far away for Gaunt and Ellwood at their picturesque school in the English countryside. That is until Gaunt’s family convinces him to enlist and he gets sent to the frontlines. Gaunt fears his unrelenting feelings and hopes his time in the trenches can put Ellwood out of his mind – until something changes and everything Gaunt knows comes into question. This story chronicles the devastating horrors of war and the love that defies its chaos. It won the British Book Award for Debut Fiction and was named a “Best Book of the Year” by The New Yorker, NPR and The Washington Post.
Gender Theory by Madeline Docherty
A short yet powerful novel, this book masterfully weaves together themes of friendship, sexuality and self-discovery while also addressing the reality of living with a chronic illness. The protagonist bounces between cities and rural areas in Scotland, Wales and Northern England. At just 186 pages, this book is a quick read, but it packs an emotional punch, offering a striking representation of bisexual girlhood. The journey from unrequited love with a friend, through the pain of a toxic first girlfriend, to seeking comfort in heteronormative relationships is poignantly depicted. This book will linger in your thoughts and is destined to be reread often.
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
Set in Victorian Paris and London, debutantes around the city are hiring clairvoyants to host séances to solve the unexpected deaths of their family members, but there is deception underfoot and a powerful misogynistic association is at the centre of it. Two Queer clairvoyants, one seeking justice for the murder of her sister, and one with a tarnished reputation find themselves in the throes of peril and must get the answers they seek before it’s too late. This historical fiction gem, filled with strong women defying societal constraints, will inspire you to explore the atmospheric streets of these iconic cities.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Set during the Greek Heroic Age, Achilles, deemed “the best of all the Greeks,” is the son of the ruthless sea goddess. Patroclus, an exiled young prince marked by awkwardness and a violent past, forms a powerful bond with Achilles by chance, risking the wrath of the gods. Miller’s deeply poetic prose shines in this novel with quotes that will embed themselves deeply into your soul, enticing you to visit Greece and experience the ancient landscapes and places that inspired her words.
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
Winner of Canada Reads 2020 and the Lambda Literary Award, We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib is a memoir of resilience. Habib recalls their struggle to find safety and identity as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan and later as a refugee in Canada. Facing threats from extremists, racism, and an arranged marriage, Samra sought a place to be themself. This book is a triumphant exploration of queer identity and self-exploration.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
In On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Little Dog writes a heartfelt letter to his mother, who is unable to read. As he approaches his late twenties, he begins to unravel the multifaceted history of their family, which traces back to Vietnam. The letter is more than just a retelling of events; it reveals aspects of his life that have remained hidden from his mother. Through his words, Little Dog seeks to connect with her on a deeper level, sharing his inner world and the emotions he has kept to himself. The narrative is both a confession and a revelation, offering a glimpse into his struggles and desires. Many of Vuong’s feelings and memories are interwoven with Vietnam’s scenery, capturing places like the Mekong River, rice fields, the islands of Ha Long Bay, and more, in the most poignant way.
A Thousand Times Before by Asha Thanki
Asha Thanki weaves a lyrical, multi-generational tale that bridges the past and present, exploring memories and burdens passed down through generations. Spanning from Partition-era India to contemporary America, the women in Ayukta’s family are united by a magical tapestry that allows them to relive the lives of their ancestors – a connection that is both enriching and burdensome. As Ayukta faces the pressure from her wife to start their own family, the weight of this inheritance presses heavily on her. The story blends historical fiction with elements of magical realism to create a rich and emotional narrative. Themes of family, grief, inheritance and belonging are thoughtfully explored throughout. This compelling Queer literature is as much about the past as it is about the choices we make for the future.
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
From the streets of London to the city of Kuala Lumpur, from New York to Cologne, we follow Tom and Ming as they navigate changes in their relationship and social circles following Ming’s transition. Dinan sets you on an emotional rollercoaster with this complex tale of evolving queer relationships in today’s day in age with prose that is both brutally honest and achingly tender. After reading, you’ll feel a compelling urge to explore these cities, each brought to life through the characters’ journeys and experiences.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Follow aging Evelyn as she recounts her rise to fame as America’s movie starlet during Hollywood’s Golden Age, teeming with glamour, romance and deception. Move through the streets of midcentury Los Angeles, from the glittering past of old Hollywood to the harsh realities of today, as Evelyn contends with the meaning – and price – of accepting the truth. A surprising, gut-wrenching twist will leave you reeling.
Queer Africa: Selected stories by Karen Martin, Makhosazana Xaba, Alistair Mackay
This anthology features twenty-five stories selected from two influential collections by MaThoko Books, an imprint of Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA) based in South Africa. It includes contributions from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. The stories capture the diverse and evolving nature of queer identities and expressions in Africa. Each narrative highlights the unique experiences and fluidity within the queer community across different regions. This collection underscores the vibrant and multifaceted nature of African queer life.
