Underrated LGBTQ+ Books to Add to Your Reading List
By Christine Kinori
Queer books explore love, resilience, identity, and the struggles of the queer people through the fictional lenses mirroring everyday experiences. While some books make it to the shelves in the local library, some remain hidden, and they are still treasures. Here are some underrated LGBTQ+ books you can add to your reading list today.
Hostile Takeover by Lucy Lennox
First published in 2021, this MM romance standalone novel is by the best-selling author Lucy Lennox. It can be described as a slow-burn enemy to lover’s troupe following the story of Ellison York, born into wealth, and Grey Blackwood, born poor but worked up to become a venture capitalist. After a humiliating event while in college, Grey returns for revenge and a hostile takeover.
What If It Is Us Series by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
This series has two books, What If It’s Us and Here’s to Us, published in 2018 and 2021, respectively. The book follows the spontaneous love of Arthur and Ben after a meet-cute at the post office. It is a mirror of everyday life and relationships that shows that love is not as smooth but can somehow work even when the first, second, or third date does not, and separation is imminent. However, if it was meant to be, they somehow find their way back into each other’s arms.
Holding Up the Sky by Rebecca Alasdair
This book has it all, including strong themes of loss, struggling with grief, and how we sometimes build a shell around ourselves, showing the outside world, we are living the best life while we are downing in anxiety, tension, and mental health issues. Carter is the reflection of this sham personality until he meets Remy, who makes him want to fight for true happiness and a future he never knew he wanted. The book will leave a profound impact long after the last page.
The Long Run by James Acker
Sometimes, not just the dreams and ambitions of a better future propel us forward. When we are lost and unsure of what we want in life, it takes a strong, undeniable love to give us a reason to try harder. This story in Long Run is about two boys, Sebastian and Sandro. Sebastian has no clue what he wants in life, while Sandro cannot wait to leave his troublesome family and never look back. When life brings them together at a party, they find a love they are ready to risk everything to keep.
Invitation To the Blues by Roan Parrish
The book is not the fluffy kind of romance, but Roan Parrish does a fantastic job exploring heavy themes of feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, depression, and even attempted suicide. The romance between Jude and Faron is wholesome and will keep you hooked. The side characters are well-written and will make you invested in them all, adding more positive props to this story.
Our Evenings by Alan Holinghurst
The book follows the rich history of a fictional character, David Win, for 75 years in the UK. Born to a single mother and a father he has never met; Dave’s talents get him favor from a wealthy family that sponsors his education through high school in the UK to Oxford. It follows Dave’s career as he fights through racism as a half-Burmese guy but also homophobia and discrimination as a gay man. The story is well-written, beautiful, and moving, and it will feel all too real, so you cannot help but keep reading through to the last page.
Twittering Birds Never Fly by Kou Yoneda
This Japanese MM manga story is one of those mafia stories you must add to your list. The story is unique, and the graphics will keep you invested in power dynamics, emotional vulnerability, and the forbidden irresistible attraction between a mafia boss and his subordinate. You will fall in love with the domineering, deviant and masochist Yashiro and his transformations after he meets Doumeki, his new bodyguard. The English edition of this Manga is in volume 8.
The City and The Pillar by Gore Vidal
This is a classic LGBTQ+ novel following the story of Jim Willard as he navigates through a life of self-discovery, fleeting relationships, and unrequited love. The book is a classic representation of the challenges faced by the queer community as they strive to live authentic lives in a society that demands conformity. The powerful storytelling is awe-inspiring as it does not compromise on its authentic portrayal of gay relationships.
About the Author:
Christine claims to have somewhat unhealthy addiction to TV and reading, as it is a fun way to keep herself occupied during the long journeys for her travel writing. She is also a believer of letting people be their beautiful selves. To her, love is love and it is the greatest gift we have as humans.
