books to help diversify your collection and get you started on a POC and queer reading journey. they're honestly so good lmao
a very honest and brutal exploration of love and gender, told through magical realism
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
growing up in a housing estate in Glasgow, Mungo and James are born under different stars—Mungo a Protestant and James a Catholic—and they should be sworn enemies. Yet against all odds, they fall in love as they find sanctuary and dream of escape.
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
a very heart wrenching vampire story, told through the perspective of dracula’s wife
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
for those who like their main character slightly unhinged
Iron Widow #1 - Xiran Jay Zhao
coming-of-age queer love story with incredibly poetic language. a young girl grapples with a deep secret infatuation and the intolerance of small-town Ireland in the '90s.
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
one of the most brilliant and provocative literary figures of the past century; a groundbreaking novel set among the bars and nightclubs of 1950s paris, about love and the fear of love
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
FOR THE YEARNERS (who like sci-fi)
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
a USA Today best-selling novel, and one of the best books of 2019 according to NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, BookPage, Shelf Awareness, BookRiot, and Bustle!
Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #1) by Tamsyn Muir
the length is intimidating, but seems worth it! “High fantasy, dragons, and a royal court hanging in the balance in a brand new world — this will satiate any Game of Thrones fanatic. This book, and its prequel, A Day of Fallen Night, is such a treat....
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
emotional, heartfelt, poc! what more could you want from a fantasy book.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
honestly, one of my favorite books to exist. gives a perspective on queer relationships that is important to address.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
twists and turns and so much juicy gossip lol
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel: Reid, Taylor Jenkins
super sweet in the beginning, and slowly breaks your heart as you get to the end. must read!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
this book would be insane if it was written in 2025 lol. a classic that is actually easy to read and feels worth it in the end.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
so spooky: a women's wife comes back from a scientific sea adventure and just isnt the same person.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
“Imagine Call Me By Your Name set in Communist Poland and you'll get a sense of Jedrowski's moving debut about a consuming love affair amidst a country being torn apart.” — O, The Oprah Magazine
