16 Fiction And Non-Fiction LGBTQ+ Books That Are Essential Reading

It's the middle of Pride season, let's get cracking.

We're right at the midpoint of the year; the perfect time to dive in and get lost in a good book? Here’s a selection of some great LGBTQ+ fiction and non-fiction I recommend you pick up!

Fiction

1. Rosewater by Liv Little

Dialogue Books

Liv Little's debut book is the wholesome love story you didn't know you needed. It follows the life of Elsie, a queer Black woman in South London who faces an array of problems that have left her barely holding it together.

2. You Made a Fool of Death with your beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Faber & Faber

Akwaeke Emezi has produced hit after hit, and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is no different. The novel focuses on Feyi, a widow rediscovering herself and trying to find love again. If you like scandalous love affairs and messy drama, this book is for you. 

3. …cake by Babirye Bukilwa

Nick Hern Books

...cake forms part of a trilogy of plays and is the prequel to Babirye’s debut play ...blackbird hour. It tells the story of the tense relationship between 16-year-old Eshe and her mother, Sissy, who struggles with mental illness. …cake is heartbreaking even in the joyful moments and offers a sobering view into generational trauma. 

4. Vagabonds! by Eloghousa Osunde

Fourth Estate

Vagabonds! is a deep dive into Lagos's mystic and spiritual dimensions. With an assortment of characters and storylines, it first reads as a collection of short stories that eventually all comes together. A stark reminder of the consequences of corruption/capitalism and a tribute to those who have been 'othered'. 

5. The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter

Virago

The Passion of New Eve is a dark dystopian novel with distorted primitive ideals on gender, sexuality and race. It follows Eve, who undergoes a forced sex-change operation and re-evaluates everything he once believed about power, gender, and sexual identity.

6. Lákíríboto by Ayodele Olofintuade

Cipher Press

A revenge thriller that will draw you in and have you emotionally invested. Lákíríboto shows us the power of community and the courage of defiant women. Initially published in 2018, Lákíríboto is being republished on the international stage this June!

7. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Recorded Books

A classic and a must-read, Parable of the Sower is the first book in Butler’s unfinished trilogy. Set in 2024 -2027, society has succumbed to climate change and economic crisis, and we follow Lauren as she journeys up North to survive. 

8. James Baldwin Giovanni’s Room

Penguin Classics

Published in the ’50s, Giovanni’s Room tells the story of David’s internal shame and conflicting battle with his sexuality, masculinity and life choices. Giovanni’s Room is dark and harrowing but a great introduction to Badwin’s work. 

Non-Fiction:

9. None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary by Travis Alabanza

Audible Studios

A brutally honest account of their experiences, None of the Above, explores the weight of our words and the constant encounters non-binary, trans people are bombarded with. It forces you to rethink what society has accepted as the norm.  

10. Queer Intentions: A (Personal) Journey through LGBTQ+ Culture by Amelia Abraham

Picador; Main Market edition

A balanced blend of queer theory, history, interviews and personal stories, Queer Intentions truly takes you on a journey. An educational book in accessible language, this is a great book to start learning about queer politics.

11. We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib

riverrun

A coming-of-age and a coming-out story, We Have Always Been Here shares Samra’s journey of finding herself. Born in Pakistan, Samra and her family moved to Canada due to fear of religious persecution which is only the beginning of a rollercoaster of complex experiences.

12. Feminism Interrupted by Lola Olufemi

riverrun

One of my favourite books, Feminism Interrupted, is a collection of 10 essays covering a range of feminist issues. A great introduction to feminist theory and includes a wealth of resources to aid in your learning. 

13. The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison by Hugh Ryan

Bold Type Books

A mix of queer feminist history and prison abolition, The Women’s House of Detention covers a forgotten past. This a reminder of the legal battles queer and transpeople continue to face. 

14. Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

Bold Type Books

A collection of essays that focuses on the various identities Audre Lorde held, Black woman, lesbian, mother, activist and cancer survivor. Includes her classic piece, ‘ The Master Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House.’ Sister Outsider is unapologetically radical and it’s able to inspire or reignite your passion for justice. 

15. Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition by Munroe Bergdorf

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A memoir by trans model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, Transitional tells the story of her experiences and how she overcame the many obstacles thrown at her. Transitional is genuine and relatable as Munroe shares her insights and widsom. 

16. Burning my Roti by Sharan Dhaliwal

Hardie Grant Books

A mix of personal anecdotes, essays and interviews, Burning My Roti covers the South Asian perspective on queerness, cultural identity and beauty standards. Filled with ‘taboo’ and ‘uncomfortable’ conversations, Burning My Roti is for the South Asian queers who need someone that just gets it.