21 LGBTQ-Authored Books You Should Read & Queer-Owned Bookstores You Should Browse
“Now you wanna talk about reading? Let's talk about reading."–Venus Xtravaganza, Paris is Burning
“Now you wanna talk about reading? Let's talk about reading."–Venus Xtravaganza, Paris is Burning
Books
Dapperq Style: Ungendering Fashion
By Anita Dolce Vita
From the editor-in-chief of leading queer style magazine dapperQ, a bold, beautiful, and inclusive collection that encourages everyone to be comfortable expressing their own personal style however they choose.
Saved by the Bellini: & Other 90s-Inspired Cocktails
By John Debary
Whether you were born in the '90s or are longing for them, this themed cocktail book by acclaimed bartender John deBary is the perfect '90s nostalgia gift for yourself or anyone else. Plus, it features a foreword by Saved by the Bell star Tiffani Thiessen, certifying Saved by the Bellini as a true testament to the decade!
Perfectly Queer: Facing Big Fears, Living Hard Truths, and Loving Myself Fully Out of the Closet
By Jillian Abby
This humorous, heartwarming memoir follows a wife and mother's journey of self-discovery and acceptance as she comes out as a lesbian in her late 30s.
The Black Queen
By Jumata Emill
Nova Albright was going to be the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High--but now she's dead. Murdered on coronation night. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and The Other Black Girl will love this unputdownable thriller.
Pageboy: A Memoir
By Elliot Page
NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK by Salon, The Week, Elle, Bustle, and more.
Full of intimate stories, from chasing down secret love affairs to battling body image and struggling with familial strife, Pageboy is a love letter to the power of being seen. With this evocative and lyrical debut, Oscar-nominated star Elliot Page captures the universal human experience of searching for ourselves and our place in this complicated world.
We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film
By Tre'vell Anderson
A groundbreaking look at the history of transgender representation in TV and film, by an of-the-moment and in-demand culture reporter.
When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era
By Donovan X. Ramsey
A kaleidoscopic account of the crack cocaine era and a community's ultimate resilience, told through a cast of characters whose lives illuminate the dramatic rise and fall of the epidemic
Twilight Man: Love and Ruin in the Shadows of Hollywood and the Clark Empire
By Liz Brown
The unbelievable true story of Harrison Post--the enigmatic lover of one of the richest men in 1920s Hollywood--and the battle for a family fortune.
Money Magic: Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances
By Jessie Susannah Karnatz aka The Money Witch
This fun-to-read guide to personal finance features a combination of practical advice and mystical rituals designed to help you manifest your money goals.
Ruby
By C. de Lériger
A new private detective for a new age. When former drag queen and jewel thief, Star, decides to make big changes to her life, her world is turned upside-down after the murder of a close friend and co-conspirator, Ruby. Star works full time as a contract writer (Greg), but her biggest passion is working as a crime-solving detective (Stacie). Thinking on her heels, she uses her former connections and street-gained experiences to right wrongs in an attempt to make amends. The loss of Ruby drags Star back into a world that paints a target on her back. Now, solving this mystery seems to be her only way out.
The Cod Father Part II: A Coming Out Story
By Reynold Rod
The Cod Father is loved by all the fry in his family. So when he tells the story of his long lost love, Rain Bow, Shelly and the Blowfishes dive into action.
This story explains that family should love you as you are. We should all be more compassionate and caring towards each other's differences. Shelly, Who, Tea, & Duh are swimming examples of what it means to be an ally! Even if all they do is LOVE The Cod Father UNCONDITIONALLY!
Bookstores
Tubby and Coos
Local, Queer-Owned Traveling Independent Book Shop in New Orleans
Sour Cherry Comics
Lesbian-owned comic book store in San Francisco
All She Wrote Books
An intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer indie bookstore that celebrates and amplifies underrepresented voices, spanning across all genres in Somerville, MA.
Shop now Use code QUEERENCY for 10% off your purchase!
Under the Umbrella Bookstore
Queer little bookstore / safe, sober, and accessible space for queers in Utah
Shop now Use code QUEERENCY for 5% off your purchase in June
Book Woman Austin
The only feminist bookstore in Texas. Established 1975 . Queer-Owned and Queer and Trans Run. Located on Tonkawa, Comanche and Apache land (Austin, TX)
Bettie's Pages
Books, Vintage, & More is a retail space designed to inspire community in Lowell, MI.
Dreamers & Make-Believers Books
Baltimore's newest community bookstore, comic book shop, and coffeehouse!
Dreamers & Make-Believers Books
Small independent LGBTQIA+ shop based in the U.K. - lovers of all things geeky and queer.
ShopQueer.co
ShopQueer.co is an independent, LGBTQ+ owned bookshop that splits its profits with queer authors
