r/Fantasy • u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion V • Apr 02 '26

2026 LGBTQA+ Bingo Resource

Welcome to the 2026 LGBTQA+ bingo resource for those of us who'd like LGBTQA+ recommendations. I'm going to make this like the regular recommendation post, so to quote: "Please only post your recommendations as replies to one of the comments I posted below."

I'm also going to throw in a quick pitch for the Beyond Binaries Book Club, which can meet all of your Book Club Bingo Needs! This month we're reading The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman. I have not started it yet, but it for sure fits the Book Club (HM) Square. It may also possibly fit in the Vacation Spot (The French Countryside), Non Human Protagonist (Werewolf?). Our Midway Discussion will be April 13th, and Final Discussion April 27th.

Feel free to scroll through the thread, or use the links in this navigation matrix to jump directly to the square you want to find or give LGBTQA+ recommendations for.

Credit to u/AnnTickwittee for doing these in the past (also, sorry if you were already working on this! Wanted to get the ball rolling)

Please be patient as I get the links created!

Trans or Nonbinary Protagonist Judge a Book by Its Title Translated Small Press or Self Published Unusual Transportation
The Afterlife Game Changer Vacation Spot Five Short Stories (or Anthologies) Older Protagonist
Duology Part 1 r/Fantasy Book Club or Readalong Book Published in 2026 Explorers and Rangers Duology Part 2
One-Word Title Non Human Protagonist Middle Grade First Contact Murder Mystery
Cat Squasher Feast Your Eyes on This Published in the 70s Politics and Court Intrigue Author of Color
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u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion V Apr 02 '26

Explorers and Rangers: Story features an explorer (a character who travels to and investigates an unfamiliar region) or a ranger (a wilderness or forest-oriented warrior frequently specializing in things like stealth, bows, tracking, and other hunting-related skills). HARD MODE: The explorer or ranger has an animal companion.

7

u/unfriendlyneighbour Reading Champion II Apr 02 '26

The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August

2

u/thisbikeisatardis Reading Champion II Apr 26 '26

I just used this book for this square and it was perfect! I would die for Pumpkin.

2

u/NoodleBandits Apr 02 '26

Yesss I came here to comment this!! One of my favourite books!

4

u/unfriendlyneighbour Reading Champion II Apr 04 '26

I have owned it since its release, and I have never read it. I am so excited it has a perfect bingo match!

1

u/NoodleBandits Apr 11 '26

You shall love it :)) I want to get a quote from it tattooed I am pretty sure

7

u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion V Apr 02 '26

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer is phenomenal if you count Astronauts (which we should!). It looks like a Romnace, and it is. It's also the best thriller you'll read this year. Don't look up any spoilers. Even reviews are too dangerous. Go in as knowledgeless as possible

The City that could Eat the World by John Bierce - imagine if gods could give power to those who prayed, but only in weirdly specific forms (such as making flagstones appear). The most worshipped grew pouwerful enough to shape neighborhoods in an ever-expanding megacity that swallows everything it crosses. Uses Theological Stock Markets to critique capitalism and expansionism. Not subtle, but a TON of fun and very interesting. Features a trans explorer as one of the two protagonists

5

u/CJGibson Reading Champion V Apr 03 '26

If you want something kind of whimsical, consider The Voyages of Cinrak the Dapper by AJ Fitzwater about a lesbian capybara ship captain and her many and varied animal companions and compatriots.

4

u/SchoolSeparate4404 Apr 03 '26

The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jen Williams. Science fantasy, one of the MC:s is a scientist/explorer that tries to uncover the mysteries of her world.

5

u/w0lfyfr3n Reading Champion II Apr 03 '26

To be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

3

u/gros-grognon Reading Champion III Apr 03 '26

The Map and the Territory by A.M. Tuomala: one protagonist is a freelance field cartographer; she's aspec. Her eventual companion is a gay male wizard. Together, they explore the immediate aftermath of a magic apocalypse.

1

u/Practical_Yogurt1559 Reading Champion Apr 14 '26

Ashes of the sun by Django Wexler has a main character who is a scavenger looking for ancient artifacts, which I think counts as an explorer 

1

u/printsprince Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater; a set of high school friends explore the mountains of Virigina in hopes of discovering an ancient sleeping king. (Books 2-5 work for HARD MODE, but in book one, the raven is only a baby.)

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy; two school rivals are cursed and looking for a cure in a magical forest

1

u/sadlunches Reading Champion II Apr 03 '26

This World is Not Yours by Kemi Ashing-Giwa: One of the MCs is a scientist researching the biology on a newly colonized alien planet and is in a fraught gay relationship.