We All Belong in Books

We’re just starting June here in my library, which usually means two things: Summer Reading is upon us, and our display and programming spaces take a joyous turn towards the rainbow. While celebrating Pride Month has become quite normal in the library, unfortunately, so have acts of aggression, censorship, and bigotry, both big and small. In the buildings I work in, we regularly have people come through and tear down all our publicity for queer-centered events. Others are seemingly dedicated to ensuring the small pride flag decal we have on our front doors never remains in place for longer than a week. Still more pile on to our social media pages and wage war by slinging insults that – again, sadly – many of us have become accustomed to: ‘pedophile’ and ‘groomer’.

I wish I could find some sort of bookish wisdom to share that would make this behavior make some sort of sense, but the truth is that it has always bewildered me. The folks doing this have likely never knowingly interacted with, spoken to, or loved someone on the 2SLGTBQIA+ spectrum. And yet they spend so much time being angry at their presence. The existence of another human should never be grounds for such aggressive rage, especially when it results in policies and punitive laws that make the simple act of living while queer difficult and dangerous.

It’s because of all these behaviors and laws that it’s more essential than ever that we offer our readers that deeply comforting sense of belonging that can be found in books. I can’t overstress enough the flood of reassurance that comes from reading about a character or experience that mirrors your own. Readers can go from struggling to survive in isolation to being thrown a crucial tether of connection. Like the childhood character Matilda, they can feel “...nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.” (DeVito, 1996).1

Also important is showing worlds where readers’ identities are simply a facet in the normal course of life. Yes, a character may be queer, but things like building a successful coffee shop, kissing a crush in the rain, or unmasking the murderer before they kill again are the drivers of conflict. What a relief it is to enjoy a story without being haunted by the specter of oppression and fear that hovers over us in our current reality.

To that end, I wanted to write a list of books that center and/or are authored by folks in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It was impossible for me to include all my favorite suggestions in every category without taking over this entire publication (I’m clutching and weeping apologies over my collection of F. T. Lukens books as I write. If you’re looking for YA fantasy romps with great side characters in a queer normative world, PLEASE check them out!) so know that there’s so much more out there. I always encourage folks to check trigger warnings, since plotlines can hit very differently based on the person reading. Let this be a springboard for you to discover books to offer your patrons and yourself where you can find that sense of belonging. Happy Pride this month and every month and know that everyone belongs at the library.

Fantasy

The Bruising of Qilwa book cover art show a large hand above the title and a city below. Color scheme is red, purple, and tan/beige with intricate ornate decoration.

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

This novella follows nonbinary Firuz, who has fled their home country to settle in the city-state of Qilwa. When disease infects their new home Firuz must use forbidden magical talents and their connections with newly found family to break through fear, prejudice, and social constraints. Short, but incredibly immersive.

A Taste of Gold and Iron book cover art features a woman and man wearing royal garb.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

A shy Prince and his gruff bodyguard fall in love while attempting to solve a mysterious death at court. This wonderfully built fantasy offers excellent characters and a breathtakingly tender romance. The devotion between these two men had me swooning.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea book cover art shows a couple sitting in chairs before a fireplace with a large floor-to-ceiling bookshelf range and ladder.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

Once you’re finished with Travis Baldree’s cozy books (Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust), Rebecca Thorne’s books should be your first port of call. Powerful mage Kianthe convinces her royal guard girlfriend Reyna to run away and open the bookstore/tea shop of their dreams.

Historical Fiction

The Best Bad Things book cover appears to have the title written in blood with a mirage of a man wearing a red jacket, white pants, and black hat, similar to a jockey.

The Best Bad Things by Katrina Carrasco

In 1880s Port Townsend, Alma Rosales goes undercover as a man to hunt for stolen opium. This book explores dual natures with action packed scenes and a posse of interesting characters. If you’d like to follow Alma on further adventures, the author published her second Alma book, Rough Trade, in April 2024.

Spear book cover art features a boiling pot with steam that transforms into a red figure on a horse.

Spear by Nicola Griffith

This gender-bent retelling of an Arthurian legend boasts spectacular writing and a main character who is outwardly questing for the Holy Grail but is truly seeking their own identity. This is another novella, but every chapter is packed with questing and medieval details.

Fingersmith book cover image is a pair of white gloves in a spotlight.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Fingersmith (thief) Sue and her patron plan to con wealthy gentlewoman Maud Lilly out of her fortune. However, the tables are turned when Sue catches feelings for Maud and is caught in a double cross. Dark, twisty, and Dickensian. If you like the book, check out the Korean movie adaptation titled The Handmaiden.

Horror

A Dowry of Blood book cover art features a woman wearing gown and pearl necklaces with her eyes crossed out in a swipe of blood.

A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson

This follows the story of Constanta, once a medieval peasant on the brink of death, transformed into a vampire by a version of Dracula. After Dracula’s death (at her hands), Constanta sifts through her long, bloody existence trying to find meaning and begin the journey towards freedom.

The Woods all Black book cover features the title in yellow amidst a dark forest with outlines of eyes.

The Woods all Black by Lee Mandelo

Trans nurse Leslie is sent deep into the backwoods of Appalachia to tend to the locals of Spar Creek. When Leslie is brutalized by an overzealous preacher and his flock, something monstrous is called out of the woods. A visceral ode to the wages of intolerance with the gruesome joy of meting out justice when no one else will do so.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In book cover art is red and black with white lettering. It depicts a spooky shadow character within which another character resides. Skulls, tentacles, and flames all around.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

Shape changing monster Shesheshen falls in love with sweet noblewoman Homily and must navigate the dangers of humanity, monster hunters, and...gulp...dating. A weird, heartfelt, and delightfully gory combination of horror and love story.

Mystery

Dead Dead Girls book cover art features a flapper girl smoking a cigarette in a booth next to a fern.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia

Louise Lovie Lloyd flees her memories by drowning herself in jazz, drinking, and dancing in 1920s Harlem. When she discovers the body of a young Black dancer outside of her place of employment, Louise is coerced into using her smarts to catch the killer. Excellent atmospheric details with a sleuth to root for.

Blood Sisters book cover features a woman standing in a Western backdrop with one hand on her holster. looking off to the side.

Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie

Syd Walker is called away from her work as an archaeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs when she learns that her sister has gone missing. Syd embarks on a one-woman crusade to find her. Cherokee experience, Two-Spirit protagonist, and a thrilling plot? Sign me up.

Lavender House book cover features a lavender and gold decorative wallpaper.

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

In 1950s San Francisco, Evander "Andy" Mills is drummed out of the police after being caught at a gay nightclub. He’s hired to investigate the death of a wealthy soap maker by interviewing her surviving ‘family’ at a luxurious, secluded estate. Queer take on a country house mystery.

Romance

Role Playing book cover art shows a man and woman cuddling on the couch. He is wearing a flannel shirt. She is wearing a white sweater and holding a mug.

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Two 50-ish nerds make a connection through an online gaming community. When they meet in-person, both sparks and surprises fly. Cute as can be romance with established adults and a bisexual/demisexual lead.

We Could Be So Good book cover features the title in white neon lettering with a silhouette of a couple kissing in front of an outside apartment staircase.

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

Two very different men work for a 1950s newspaper while slowly falling in love. Sebastian includes plenty of period details while never forgetting to celebrate queer joy, domestic coziness, and found family.

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics book cover features two women in gowns holding each other intimately.

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Desperate to utilize her scientific prowess, Lucy is overjoyed when she’s hired by widow Catherine St. Day to translate a work on astronomy. The women bond over science and their electric chemistry. Regency fans (hello, Bridgerton!) will not want to miss this lovely romance.

Science Fiction

This is How You Lose the Time War book cover art features a cardinal and bluejay against a light blue background.

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Time-traveling agents on opposite sides of a war fall in love through a series of letters and clues they leave scattered across space. This book is having a moment and rightfully so, given the emotionally powerful prose and imaginative storyline.

The Mimicking of Known Successes book cover art shows a silhouette of two people against a planetary backdrop.

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

Detective Mossa is called to investigate the suspicious death of a scholar on the planet Jupiter. This brings Mossa back into the orbit of her ex-lover, Pleiti, and the two women must work together to solve the case. Sweet rekindling romance with an interesting combo of classic mystery and sci-fi future.

Light from Uncommon Stars book cover art features a coy fish amidst a starry ocean.

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Supernaturally talented violinist Shizuka tries to protect her latest student from an infernal bargain. Meanwhile, donut shop owner and intergalactic refugee Lan Tran romances Shizuka with promises of freedom and adventure. A wonderfully unique story.

Smiling woman with sunkissed cheeks and brown hair up in a bun looks directly at the camera. She is wearing a floral print jacket with a yellow, button-up shirt.

I am an adult services librarian at King County Library System who lives and works in South King County. I adore talking about books to anyone who will listen and regularly contribute to KCLS’ BookMatch and booklist services. My favorite reads tend towards fantasy, romance, and narrative nonfiction, although any book has the possibility to become a new favorite.