Feel-Good Queer Literature
By Mya Tran
Recently, I’ve been writing about and researching a lot of depressing things in my free time. It’s my own fault, I elected to be aware of some of the darkness in our world. But now I am looking for a lot of healing media. So welcome to my abbreviated list of feel-good queer literature! All of these are queer books by authors who are queer (these books also happen to be actively sitting on my bookshelf).
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care
Starting off with my most recent read: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake (she/her). I found this at my local bookstore and immediately went home and read them. Delilah Green is heartwarming and hopeful, it speaks to second chances and warm, small-town vibes. It’s a beautiful sapphic story with a largely queer cast and reality show type drama. The book follows up and coming New York photographer Delilah Green as she travels back to her small hometown for her estranged step-sister’s sudden wedding. It’s there that she clashes with former high school classmate and childhood enemy, Claire Sutherland. Claire is now a single-mom to an eleven year-old and bookstore owner, who’s trying to heal from her broken heart while handling being a bridesmaid, mom, and business owner all at once. Read this book for the classic black cat and golden retriver pairing, family drama and healing, and plenty of scenanigans. If you miss seeing Delilah and Claire, don’t worry. They appear again in sequels Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail and Iris Kelly Doesn’t Fall.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler
Continuing the sapphic book train is I Kissed Shara Wheeler. A perfect read for high school seniors, Casey McQuiston (they/them) writes a fun, mysterious narrative of finding yourself and also finding love. Think Looking for Alaska, but if it was very, very gay. This is a great read for members of the LGBTQ+ community who grew up in or live in the South, as it takes place in Alabama, on the cusp of graduation. I Kissed Shara Wheeler follows Chloe Green, a high school senior and the odd-one-out at Willowgrove Christian Academy. When popular girl and academic rival Shara Wheeler goes missing, Chloe bands together with two unlikely partners to figure out where she went, and who she really is. The thing they all have in common? They’ve all kissed Shara! Coming in at one of the most bisexual books I’ve ever read, this story encapsulates the feeling of being a headstrong and confident queer teenager and the stress of trying to figure out if a girl really likes you or not. Want a heart racing mystery and a lovable cast? Look no further.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
Looking for more bisexuals, pirates, a heist, and childhood friends to lovers? Check out The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. Written by Mackenzi Lee (she/her), this wild adventure follows Henry Montague as he travels across Europe before he is confined to his role as heir to his fathers title. This hilarious historical romance speaks true to the modern queer experience as well. Not only is it well researched, but it features disabled main characters, a woman who just wants to study science, and the strain of having an unaccepting family. This one is one for the queer people who feel like “disasters”, and long for that happy ending. Follow Monty and his friends as they take on 1700s England, their own feelings, and the harrowing queer experiance of being in love with your best friend. And when you’re done? Check out the sequels, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks to see more of Monty and find out who trouble his siblings get up to.
The Other Merlin
If you like fantasy, mythology, and have a bone to pick with the patriarchy, pick up The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider (she/her). A retelling of the classic King Arthur tales, this ongoing trilogy follows openly queeer Emry Merlin as she takes her brother’s place as court magician and befriends the young, nerdy, and charming Prince Arthur. This is a book filled with casual and acknowledged queer characters in the medieval times. More bisexuals in literature should be allowed to conjure fireballs and brandish swords, I think. I’m still waiting on the edge of my seat for the final book, so join me in the adventures of the young Merlin and knights of the Round Table as they take on monsters and magic and crushes in the royal court.
I had the luxury of being able to shop local, and I would recommend doing so if you’re able! However, if you’re unable, all of these are available in libraries and larger bookstores, such as Barnes and Noble, Amazon Books, and so on! Happy reading, and I hope these stories warm your heart.
About the Author:
Mya Tran is an incoming junior at Butler University, in Indianapolis, IN. They are currently studying English on the creative writing track and German. Growing up in a small college town with limited queer role models, Tran has spent her life with her nose in the books, looking for someone to relate to.
