Best LGBTQ Books

A graphic memoir about a woman's complicated relationship with her father, who was a strict English teacher and director of the local funeral home. After coming out as a lesbian in college, the author discovered her father was also gay. Shortly after, he passed away, leaving her to unravel the mysteries of his life.

Explore the beauty of friendship and family in this lyrical novel by critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Follow the story of two opposites, angry Aristotle and know-it-all Dante, as their unlikely friendship blossoms into something life-changing. Discover the truths they uncover about themselves and the people they want to become in this touching tale of adolescence and self-discovery.

This provocative classic tells the story of a young man in 1950s Paris who struggles with his desires and society's expectations. James Baldwin's powerful narrative explores the mysteries of love and reveals the complexities of the human heart in a highly controversial tale of passion and tragedy.

This memoir is a heart-wrenching, eye-opening, and giggle-inducing reflection on gender and self-acceptance. It follows the author's journey of growing up not sure if they were a boy, a girl, something in between, or all of the above, and dealing with social isolation and bullying. It's a powerful rallying cry for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong and a hilarious guidebook for wearing tacky clip-on earrings in today's world. Get ready to never think about gender - both other people's and your own - the same way again.

Experience a passionate, yet forbidden, summer romance in this critically acclaimed novel. Follow an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera as their unrelenting currents of obsession, fascination, and desire intensify their connection. Will they risk everything for total intimacy, or will their fear of societal judgment keep them apart? André Aciman's debut novel is a frank and heartrending elegy to the power of human passion.

Animal families take on many different shapes and sizes, and this illustrated children's book tells the fictionalized but true story of two male penguins who partnered up and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.

A 16-year-old gay boy named Simon prefers to keep his sexuality and drama under wraps, but when his emails fall into the wrong hands, he's blackmailed into playing wingman for a class clown. Simon's once-tight-knit friend group starts to strain, while Blue, the boy he's been emailing, grows more flirtatious. Simon must navigate his comfort zone and avoid compromising himself or his friendships while trying to connect with an adorable guy he's never met.

Celebrate love and equality with This Day in June. Join the colorful pride parade and experience the joy and unity of the LGBT community in this joy-filled children's book. Winner of multiple awards and recognized on The Advocate's "40 Under 40" list, this remarkable book is an excellent resource for teaching respect and acceptance of all individuals. The book includes a Note to Parents and a Reading Guide filled with facts about LGBT history and culture.

Real Queer America is a powerful and uplifting narrative tour through the surprisingly vibrant queer communities blossoming in red states. Author Samantha Allen takes us on a road trip across the heartland, introducing us to scores of extraordinary LGBT individuals fighting for change and offering a much-needed source of hope and inspiration in these divided times. Capturing profound cultural shifts underway in unexpected places, this book is a treasure trove of uplifting stories and a vision of a stronger, more humane America.

This brave memoir by Carmen Maria Machado offers a unique exploration of the author's experiences in an abusive same-sex relationship. Using inventive storytelling techniques, she delves into the dark subject matter with wit and depth, incorporating horror themes to create an unforgettable and groundbreaking work.