Looking for an interesting new read, with lots of LGBT+ representation? With everything from YA fiction to anthologies, here’s a collection of 10 books published this year that will captivate you.
10 LGBT+ Books from 2021
- Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World- Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- The Split- Laura Kay
- Coming Up for Air: What I Learned from Sport, Fame and Fatherhood- Tom Daley
- Queer: A Collection of LGBTQ Writing from Ancient Times to Yesterday- Frank Wynne
- Felix Ever After- Kacen Callender
- Afterlove- Tanya Byrne
- Gay Bar: Why We Went Out- Jeremy Atherton Lin
- The Story of Silence- Alex Myers
- We Can Do Better Than This: 35 Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights- Amelia Abraham
- Far Out: Recent Queer Science Fiction and Fantasy- Paula Guran
Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World- Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The sequel to the bestselling YA novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World, has arrived not a moment too soon for fans of the first book, who have been waiting 9 years for the continuation of Ari and Dante’s story. In the original book, set in 1980s Texas, Ari and Dante find each other and fall in love, and in Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World, they must try to build a lasting relationship and find their way in a world that is often hostile.
The Split- Laura Kay
After a brutal break-up with her girlfriend, Ally must pick up the pieces and move on with her life, with the help of her old friend Jeremy and her ex’s cat, Malcolm. Ally and Jeremy decide to take on a half-marathon to win back their respective exes and enlist fitness trainer Jo to whip them into shape. Will Ally and Jeremy’s plan work?- well, you’ll just have to read it and find out!
Coming Up for Air: What I Learned from Sport, Fame and Fatherhood- Tom Daley
This Sunday Times bestseller offers an intimate and inspiring look into the life of one of the UK’s most beloved athletes. In his personable and candid memoir, Tom Daley explores his experiences, from competing in the Olympics to reclaiming the narrative about his sexuality. A must-read for anyone who admires Tom Daley and his successes.
Queer: A Collection of LGBTQ Writing from Ancient Times to Yesterday- Frank Wynne
Frank Wynne has collected a myriad of writings that explore the different perspectives of the queer experience. From Sappho to Oscar Wilde to Alison Bechdel, this anthology is an expression of the wide range of voices who have spoken about gender and sexuality throughout human history.
Felix Ever After- Kacen Callender
Felix is a transgender teen searching for love. After planning revenge on an anonymous student who is harassing him online, Felix gets caught in a love triangle and begins a journey of self-discovery. This moving YA story about empowerment, exploration of trans identity, and acceptance will capture the heart of anyone looking not just for a good LGBT+ story, but a good story in general.
Afterlove- Tanya Byrne
Ash has just died (is it a spoiler if the book starts with it?) and is set to become a Reaper, harvesting souls as part of an ultra-cool girl reaper group. But she can’t bear to leave behind Poppy, her first love- as the book cover says, not even death will tear them apart. This is the quirky, lesbian YA love story of your dreams. It’s to die for!
Gay Bar: Why We Went Out- Jeremy Atherton Lin
In Gay Bar: Why We Went Out, Lin tells the story both of his youth as a gay man, finding love in Soho and of the colourful and wild gay bars in London, San Francisco, and Los Angeles that have started to disappear in recent years. Part history and part memoir, this book explores and celebrates these spaces where queer people gathered and felt safe to express themselves.
The Story of Silence- Alex Myers
In a kingdom where women aren’t allowed to inherit, a girl child is sent away to be raised as a boy, in order to preserve the possessions of the child’s family. The child is called Silence. Silence must embark on a quest to become a knight, escape the Medieval restrictions of gender, and find out what it means to be Silence. Fantasy, dragons, non-binary knights- what more could you ask for?
We Can Do Better Than This: 35 Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights- Amelia Abraham
We Can Do Better Than This explores the vital question of achieving LGBTQ+ acceptance all over the world. The 35 writers that have contributed to this book hail from a variety of different countries, and explore the different issues that affect queer people, how to overcome these challenges, and create a better future for LGBTQ+ people all over the world. From stigma to education to representation, no issue is off the table.
Far Out: Recent Queer Science Fiction and Fantasy- Paula Guran
This collection of science fiction and fantasy stories from the last decade shows how speculative fiction can be used to explore themes of queer identity, with a refreshing variety of themes and tones, from light and whimsical to heavy and contemplative. With over 20 short stories from a diverse range of authors, there is bound to be one that speaks to you.
Abbie is a content creator, who is passionate about disability and queer rights. She also enjoys reading, watching films, and art.
