List
Danger, Romance, Space, Magic, and Lesbian Librarians Saving the Day
Stories with everything the title says, told through a queer lens.
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Never Been Kissed
2022 by Janovsky, TimothyGet this itemA nicely plotted rom-com that’s perfect for movie buffs, fans of queer romance, and anyone thinking about their own kiss quest. This is the author’s debut, and I loved its sweetness, charm, and relatable characters. Suggested by Sharon.
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All the White Spaces
2022 by Wilkes, AllyGet this itemFinally free of his hated birth name, Jonathan Morgan joins a 1919 Antarctic expedition led by the legendary "Australis" Randall. While Jonathan blossoms in the all-male environment of the ship, dangers both natural and otherworldly wait in "the South"--and survival may depend on trusting a scientist with secrets of his own. Wilkes's debut nods to The Terror, The Thing, and At the Mountains of Madness, but winds up in a place all its own. Suggested by Andrew.
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club
2021 by Lo, MalindaGet this itemA gripping tale of two young women falling in love in 1950's San Francisco, this queer historical fiction book tackles racism, homophobia, and McCarthyism. It is a hopeful story of love and identity. Suggested by Rummanah.
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The Verifiers
2022 by Pek, JaneGet this itemClaudia has been a fan of mysteries since she could read. So, when she is recruited by Veracity, an online-dating detective agency, she's pretty sure she's found her dream job--until she finds herself investigating a death instead of potential matches. I still find myself thinking about this book weeks later and I hope to read more of Pek's work in the future. Suggested by Becca.
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Every Heart a Doorway
2016 by McGuire, SeananGet this itemProbably the most "mainstream" and widely known asexual representation in fiction, Every Heart A Doorway won the Hugo Award for Best Novella in 2017. There’s a little bit of conflation of asexuality and lack of desire to date, but otherwise, it’s a book with great characterization and worldbuilding. If you're looking to read ace fiction, it is a great place to start. Suggested by Becca.
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The Library of the Unwritten
2019 by Hackwith, A. J.Get this itemAssigned to watch the restless characters of books left unfinished by their authors, a head librarian of Hell’s neutral Unwritten Wing tracks an escaped hero before an angel attack reveals the existence of a powerful literary weapon. The characters are almost all queer, with one of the main characters identifying as pan. Suggested by Becca.
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Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience
2019 by Weatherspoon, RebekahGet this itemWhen Sable Everly passes away, she leaves her estate to her niece, Xeni Everly-Wilkins, with one condition: Xeni must marry before she can inherit. And Sable had just the groom in mind: her friend, the ruggedly handsome Scotsman Mason McInroy. Neither Mason nor Xeni imagined that Sable would use her dying breaths to play matchmaker, trapping them in a marriage scheme that comes with more complications than either of them need. Buzzfeed says, "They're both in need of a partner, they're both bi, and they're both hot, so what could possibly go wrong? (Lots of things, it turns out, but that doesn't mean they're not meant to be!)" It's technically the second book in the series, but you don't have to read the first book if you want to skip right to Xeni. Suggested by Becca.
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Love & Other Disasters
2022 by Kelly, AnitaGet this itemCharming and steamy, the book revolves around a reality TV cooking show competition in which two of the contestants fall in love. One of the protagonists is nonbinary, which I really liked for a mainstream romance. Plus, there are a few other characters who are part of the LGBTQIA community. I can only hope that the author is planning more stories. Suggested by Sharon.
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I Kissed Shara Wheeler
2022 by McQuiston, CaseyGet this itemThis book is part mystery and part love story and all fabulous. It’s an absolutely queer delight that I inhaled in one sitting. I've already added this to the towering pile of books I wish existed when I was a teenager but I am so glad has been written now. Suggested by Becca.
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Upright Women Wanted
2020 by Gailey, SarahGet this itemEsther is a stowaway. She's hidden in the librarian's book wagon trying to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her--to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing--what else do you need to know?!? Suggested by Becca.
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The King of Infinite Space
2021 by Faye, LyndsayGet this itemA clever modern retelling of Hamlet with a fun mashup of mystery and light touches of magical realism that includes feminism, queer characters, neurodiversity, and mental health. Suggested by Rummanah.
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You Should See Me in a Crown
2020 by Johnson, LeahGet this itemThis is one of those feel-good books that makes your heart soar. I enjoy coming-of-age novels, and this hits the mark. Liz Lighty prefers to keep to herself; but that all changes when she decides to run for prom queen in her prom-obsessed school. Don’t worry, she has a very good reason, and there is lots of engaging character development and heart. Suggested by Sharon.
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Cosmoknights
2019 by Templer, HannahGet this itemA fabulous, inclusive space adventure in the form of a graphic novel. Pan’s journey of self discovery and the mission to dismantle the patriarchy has never been this fun. I can't wait to continue this adventure! Suggested by Rummanah.
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Heartstopper
2020 by Oseman, AliceGet this itemThis precious and delightful series beautifully captures the fragility of first love and discusses serious topics, while being uplifting and full of joy. It warms my heart that this series exists. It is not to be missed! Suggested by Rummanah.
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