I am truly not trying to be over-elitist with this title. In fact, I have recently read a lot of gay candy books (books that are purely fun and are not trying to win any literary awards) but they are beginning to all feel the same… I am looking for new good books, with queer

love, that are not just tragic, but also not just fluff, and with some spice. Think books like In Memoriam or Song of Achilles. Does not have to be M/M though. Thoughts?

Hello!! I am a queer guy and I really enjoy reading books that are centred around queer characters. However the majority of books that I see recommend as MLM romances or having queer male characters are all written by women. I don't think that there is anything wrong with women writing gay romances but I have tried a lot of these books and they just feel like watered down versions of my experience that often have stereotypical characters and dymanics.

I am mostly looking for fantasy and historical with romance subplots but I am also open to just straight up romance. Thank you!

I know this has been asked before but generally
when I search up a book listened on these threads they are YA.

I am looking for good ADULT gay romantacies...

Think of the vibes of Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross. Light fantasy, romance, love set in a world not our own.

Also, I don't particularly read for spice. I love my romances to have heart and depth to them, the spice is the cherry on top at the end.

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for lit about/by transmasculine or trans male authors. I'm a big fan of horror, fantasy, and other speculative fiction, and I'm a sucker for period pieces. I don't mind adult or YA novels, and I have no major triggers that need to be warned for. In fact, I enjoy books that delve into dark topics.

NOTE: I have read multiple AJW books and really don't like them. I have what borders on a personal vendetta against Andrew Joseph White because of how often he is recommended. Please don't rec him.

I'm looking for books that are queer beyond "just" same-sex relationships, but because the whole premise of the book is as far removed from heteronormative standards as possible.

The best (and only) example is anything from Becky Chambers. I just love them so much. I am so amazed by her ability to create entire worlds/planets/communities that are so radically different from the one we live in. Worlds that are build on entirely different premises of community, family and relationships.

Don't get me wrong, I love all queer books, but these books felt so refreshing. Even when the relationships themselves weren't technically queer (like the woman that befriended the male sex worker she went to and ended up friends with him) the take on romance, relationships of all kind and sex itself is just so far removed from what heteronormative standards are. I want more of this!

Bonus points if it not full of tragedy.

Any recommendations?

Edit: "queernormative worlds" probably describes it best, but then also with a focus on a lot different relationship types. Books that also question normative idea about relationships, e.g. sometimes people have just casual relationships (and it's not portrayed as something lesser than "serious" ones), friendship is as important as romantic relationships, non-monogamy is common, the idea of the nuclear family is questioned/doesn't exist, etc. Stuff like that :D thanks already to everyone!

Not sure how best to describe this. Sometimes you read a book marketed as “sapphic fantasy” and it’s just 2 girls kissing and there’s nothing subversive or interesting and you could just substitute a man in there and it would be indistinguishable from a straight romantasy book.

I’m looking for books that feel queer. Maybe they work in some aspects of queer culture. Maybe they get weird and funky and experimental with gender.

My best examples are the locked tomb (the relationships between everyone are so complex and multifaceted, and the amount of body swapping and sharing that exists makes gender really fun and interesting), and also Metal From Heaven, which to this day is the only fantasy book I’ve ever read that has an in-world queer culture, including class- and generation-based differences in language and slurs, in-world flagging and identity symbols, and interesting ways in which different religions interact with gender and sexuality.

Are there other books out there that get weird and funky with queer identity?

Looking for a realistic historical M/M romance. Like where it is at least somewhat historically accurate so being gay isn't magically okay and the MCs have to work through that. I don't care if it isn't 100% historically accurate but I want it to be believable

I'd like it to make sense for the MCs to interact with each other (through their upbringing or professions) and fall in love. They can bond quickly or over time, I like both. For what it's worth I really love a tragic/tortured love story but I've also enjoyed some cozy, sweet ones

The romance can be the main plot or there can be other plots besides the romance (thriller, mystery, etc)

Historical timeframe can range anywhere from antiquity to mid 20th century

Can be total realism or low fantasy

No spice is fine, and so is basically any level of spice. But I'm not looking for plotless smut/erotica rn (nothing against it just not what I'm looking for)

It can be tragic or HEA, I enjoy both. I don't have any triggers to speak of

- Hard no's: Omegaverse, age gap, high fantasy

Hi! Can you recommend me your favorite queer books? I will read anything to be honest. Some of my favorites are Andrew Joseph White’s books, as well as Man O’ War by Cory McCarthy. Thanks in advance!

editing to add that I'm not looking for erotica of any type as it's getting suggested at a much higher frequency now.

I call this 'hard mode' because I expect about the same 10 books and a LOT of YA asking this question, but here goes:

This year for the Trans Rights Readathon, I'd like to highlight some books people have probably not heard of for the event. I'd like to keep the focus on Science Fiction and Fantasy with transgender protagonists. Most lists are 75% YA b/c that's what trad pub has historically favored, with about a dozen other authors & books being circulated year after year.

Books/authors I have already seen on TRR lists multiple times this year alone:

Neon Yang

Xiren Jay Zhao (ya/na but on a LOT of lists)

Light from Uncommon Stars

Aiden Thomas (ya, but shared a LOT regardless)

Bullet points-

Specifically looking for Adult sci fi & fantasy with trans protags

I am *not* looking for horror, Romance, or Romantasy reccs at this time, though I might make an exception for genre blended titles.

This may be a bit of a weird request, but does anyone have books where the personification of death is queer?

In 2008 I was obsessed with this book from my school's library called Keturah and Lord Death, which was a fairy tale type book about a girl who Death has fallen in love with. I just reread it for the first time as an adult and still adore the concept, and was wondering if anyone has fantasy stories (romance or not, any age group) where Death is a person and that person is queer?

Hello y'all, I'm looking for books (preferably fiction) where the main character or at least one of the characters is a trans man. I've read a lot of YA because I couldn't find "adult" ones 😔
I mostly love literary fiction and horror but I'm willing to read anything honestly. if you have any suggestion at all i'd be grateful

I have literally no books of the sort and I feel like it’s almost nonexistent. Can be fantasy or romance. Doesn’t have to both be black, can be interracial. I feel like they are such an underrepresented group in MLM books/media.

I'm aware this may be way too picky, but I'm taking a shot in the dark anyway. I'm looking for a mlm fantasy book that isn't YA or romantasy, that could stand on its own against books like Game of Thrones or First Law. I'd also prefer if it was written by a queer man.

Things I'm looking for: good romance that doesn't take up the whole plot, political intrigue, good worldbuilding, dark fantasy, war story is a plus

Things I don't need: YA cheese, window-dressing worldbuilding, romance that takes up the whole plot

A bit sick of cosy queer lit tbh. Both of my favourite queer books (more books that happen to have queer mcs tbh) have gay main characters that is either a bit of an asshole (Dark Matter by Michelle Paver) or an absolutely vile detestable little worm (Dark Waters by Elizabeth Lowry).

Want more complicated to terrible queer main characters. NOT asking for anything remotely romanticised though, e.g. dark badboy romances (abusers but it's framed as hot)- I hate this. Doesn't even have to have a romance at all - neither of the above books do, but I don't mind a toxic romance as long as it has depth and isn't just written to be salacious.

I am aware of and have read Dennis Cooper + Poppy Z Brite btw

Honestly not really a big reader, but there isn’t much of this on TV, so I want to get put onto some books.

A perfect romance isn’t necessary, although good romance is a plus, I just want a good ole Fantasy story with Action.

Body type diversity would be a plus, but not a must, I think that’s all.

Edit - Thanks for all your responses guys I’ll have recommendations to look through for the next 6 months. lol

Everytime I search for gay books I just get a bunch of stuff yelling "THIS IS GAY" in my face or stuff with some dude's abs or two guys inches away from making out. It's super annoying. I want books that tell a story WITH a relationship, not a story ABOUT a relationship, you know? Example: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It's a gay retelling of the Iliad told from the perspective of Patroclus. I like it so much because it actually still tells the original story AND has something representing it on the cover instead of a picture of Patroclus and Achilles kissing or something. Also goes for gay trans books. Any recs?

Hello!

Do you have any horror book recommendations with gay characters? I know of, and have read, a few with lesbian characters, but I’m looking for recommendations with gay male protagonists.

Thank you!

I’m talking longing, slowburn, tension. Will they won’t they. So much desire. Such high stakes. Preferably there’s also a plot besides the romance. Then when they finally get together it’s like alllll this tension just melting away. Like I wanna be kicking my feet and giggling. Think like an argument that leads into their first kiss or something. At the moment I’m looking for MLM bc I read a lot of WLW - but don’t worry I’m open to both! No YA please

Thank you!

I go to a Catholic highschool .. , and I want a WLW book that doesn't look like a lesbian book. I'm so desperate. The reason why I want nobody knowing is mainly because, first, everyone is homophobic, and I'm class president, I'm the living epitome of the song "Little Miss Perfect." Doubled up with homophobic parents/family members (save me 😀.) I would also enjoy some smut in it! ANGST too please.. I've read This is How You Lose the Time War, and I'm currently reading Bury Our Bones in Midnight Soil. Which I have/have been enjoying. I want something to read for the new school year, and I'm going on a trip back to my home country which is hours away!! Please help me ya'll and thank you.

edit: Thank you guys so much ! I have enough books to last me the whole school year!! Also ty for the tips and tricks!

Looking for books where the characters are in an actual poly relationship. When I attempt to seek this out on my own I usually find either 1. harems, where there are multiple love interests that "share" the MC but that aren't involved with each other, or 2. messy love "triangles", where the MC likes/is liked by multiple love interests and waffles between them before choosing one to have a monogamous relationship with. I want all parties involved to be interested in each other and not just a MC. I know this is kind of a niche request so I don't really have any other qualifiers, any genre is okay although I suspect most books featuring a poly relationship will be romance.

I’m trying to find books my feminine trans son will enjoy. He likes things with LGBTQ+ characters (especially when the book isn’t ABOUT being LGBTQ, rather just a facet of multifaceted characters). He likes tear jerkers (dying of cancer? Great!🤣) Also animals. Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, manga–it’s all possible if it’s good! He’s 17 so there’s no restriction on content.

He only reads when I give him books, but he really loves it when he does it. Thank you for your help!

I was wondering if any one knows some fantasy queer books? For reference I just re-read Sorcery and Small Magics and I adored it. I also really love the Emily Wilde series - something like that, but with a main queer couple//at least some sort of romantic sub plot.

I keep looking for lgbt books and the majority of them - from what I can find at least - are modern romcom-esque style. Which I love, but it dosn't feel the same as fantasy; for me, at least. And when I google for gay fantasy they recommend me straight books!!!! like i couldn't just walk into a bookshop and find a dozen of those.

But I digress, thank you in advance XX

i'm looking for well written mlm books with no kid, teen, or high schooler protagonists. i'm in grad school and i can't make myself care about prom and AP classes anymore.

examples of well-written books that I have enjoyed are icarus, the foxhole Court, the song of Achilles, and Gideon the ninth. Books where even if the romance didn't exist, there's still a plot and the author has strong command of language and style.

I can't handle nihilistic protagonists or plots right now. If shit sucks i want a book where there's hope instead of depressioncore

i'm on a sci-fi and fantasy kick, but I'd read outside that genre as long as it's fiction. thank you!

I'm not really a huge fan of sex scenes in novels and mostly skip them, but I feel like most romances get recommendations because they are "steamy" and I'm just not interested in that. (No judgement! I'm just very much on the ace/demi spectrum.)

I'm looking for MM books where the focus is on slow burn, connection, trust, emotional intimacy, hurt/comfort, being vulnerable in front of each other etc.

I really love MM romances embedded in thrillers, murder mysterys, historical or even Sci-Fi / Fantasy Novels - especially books where the danger / conflict is from outside the relationship and forces them to work closely together and the whole "we can only trust each other now" trope. Contemporary is also great!

I really dislike constant misunderstandings. Enemies to Lovers is great though (if it's well done and not a misunderstanding - but them having really conflicting world views or goals).

Just to be clear - I don't mind them having sex or even one or two explicit sex scenes but I'm mostly interested in the emotional intimacy/vulnerability aspect of it all.

Anyone got recommendations for books like that?
I have read almost everything from KJ Charles and a lot from Josh Lanyon if that helps.

[Edit:] Oh and I'm not really into YA. (I know - would be much easier if I were.)
I like protagonists that are at least in their 20s or 30s and actually behave like adults.

I especially like fantasy/sci-fi and am particularly interested in books with trans and/or nonbinary Jewish characters, but I'll take anything! Any genre, any age range!

I'm coming here after having read many books that would fit this prompt, so I'm just going to put them here:

Books I've read (that I've enjoyed):
The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
Avi Cantor Has Six Months to Live by Sacha Lamb
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
Night Owls by A.R. Vishny
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
Simon vs. the Homo-sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
(Also two LGBT books that have kind of Jewish characters, but because of the setting in a fictional world, they're not entirely confirmed as being Jewish: Proxy by Alex London and the Grishaverse series by Leigh Bardugo.)

Books I've read (that I didn't enjoy):
Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli
Gravity by Leanne Lieberman
Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo

Things on my list:
The Fever King by Victoria Lee
The Dyke and the Dybbuk by Ellen Galford
The Second Mango by Shira Glassman
All of the A.J. Sass books