The Queer Books That Moved Us: A Community-Sourced Reading List

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly

For this issue, we asked you—our readers, our community—to tell us about the queer books that changed your life, shifted your worldview or made you feel truly seen. The result is this list, which is filled with stories that celebrate, challenge and connect us.

“Hungerstone” by Kat Dunn

I related a lot to Lenore’s fight for her right to desire. To desire food, to desire tenderness, to desire queer sex; all the most delicious things that are shunned by the dominant culture.

–Lachlan Woodson

“The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For” by Alison Bechdel

Seeing queer people exist and live normal, simple, messy and such varied lives was very transformative for me. Queer characters of all spectrums exist in this comic anthology with differing values and ideals and beliefs. They are all normalized and celebrated.–Sam Ellis

“Big Swiss” by Jen BeaginI loved the messy lesbian culture—lesbians don’t just have to be good, they’re human. Representation of the full human experience is important. Characters can be unlikable and messy, just like straight people. You don’t have to be a “good gay.”

–Hannah Burns

“The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1”  by Anaïs Nin

Anaïs Nin’s journals are poetry for me when nothing else will scratch a particular itch for raw, sensual vulnerability and beautiful writing. Reading about her falling in love with June Miller was one of the first pieces of literature that pulled me into polyamory and crafting my own relationships outside the lines of societal norms.

–Charles McCaskill

“The Passion” by Jeanette Winterson

I would recommend any books by Jeanette Winterson, but this one has gorgeous, poetic prose.

–Laynie Gibson

“The Traitor Baru Cormorant” by Seth Dickinson

This is an incredibly well-crafted political drama that honestly made me enjoy reading again after a long depression that took me out of it.

–Anonymous

“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by T.J. Klune

This is a heartfelt narrative that highlights the value of asking questions and the importance of giving people—especially children—the space to feel safe, protected and truly themselves. One quote I love sums it up: “Hate is loud, but I think you will learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.”It’s easy to feel defeated when oppressors, bigots and small-minded people pass laws targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. Though they may be loud, it’s up to us to keep going, remember we are not alone, and—together, with courage, love and determination—be the change we want to see in the world.

–Nichole Murphy

“Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman

The “Heartstopper” series has touched so many people, including me. It’s the first story that made me truly embrace my bisexuality. We’re so often told that we shouldn’t speak about our sexuality or celebrate it, but it takes a lot of courage to be yourself and to accept yourself. The queer joy in ‘Heartstopper’ had a huge impact on me. It’s also one of the best representations of bisexuality. A lot of bisexual characters in media are reduced to a character that cheats or sleeps around, which isn’t true at all. Nick’s character was one of the first times I ever saw an honest representation of being bi. That made a huge difference to me.

–Rachel

“Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston

This book affected me most by showing me another world is possible. I liked how it not only represented me with a Mexican American protagonist but that it showed the complexity of growing up torn between worlds. It imagines a world where change is not only possible but embraced as the love of family conquers old traditions and rules. This is the kind of book that I wish I’d read sooner as I was trying to grapple with my sexual identity in high school. It was impactful to see people like me not only enter the halls of power but use their influence to create meaningful change and build a better world.

–Sam Avocado

“Troubled Sleep” by Samantha Dorsett

I am biased because Samantha was a dear friend of mine. Her novel, written 15 years ago, follows someone coming out as transgender, and to my knowledge, is likely the first novel set in Pensacola with transgender and queer folks as main characters. She used to live at 309 Punk House, but she moved to California and died by suicide not long after the book was released. It is kind of hard to come by, but hopefully it will be republished soon. I am sad that Samantha is no longer with us, but I am glad that her writing still exists. If you can find her book, it is worth the read.

Another favorite is “Rubyfruit Jungle” by Rita Mae Brown, which I first heard about from the ’90s queercore band named Team Dresch. One of their songs mentions hiding a copy of it under their pillow to keep away from their parents. It was the first coming-out story I read in a novel, and I really loved it. At the time, it was much harder to find queer novels, but one door leads to another.

–Scott Satterwhite

“A Psalm for the Wild-Built" by Becky Chambers

This was the first book I ever read that had a genderless protagonist, and I loved the dynamic their gender identity introduced to the story. Plus, cute robots and monks serving tea.

–Sydney Robinson

“Marsha” by Tourmaline

Black transgender artist Tourmaline brings Marsha P. Johnson’s revolutionary legacy to life in the first biography of the trans icon, who championed the rights of trans and homeless communities and played a pivotal role in the Stonewall Riots. Without Marsha, we wouldn’t be here today celebrating Pride. Trans women have always been, and will always be, the godmothers of queer liberation and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

–Inweekly staff pick