Inclusivity and representation are among the most powerful and positive aspects of literature. However, listeners on the hunt for the best LGBTQIA+ books know that finding stories about queer characters isn’t always easy. So, we’ve put together a series of lists detailing some of the best LGBTQ+ listens available, from lesbian literature to bisexual and transgender stories, from old classics to new books.
We’ve compiled some of the best LGBTQ+ listens from queer authors, from classic to contemporary, from love stories to coming out epics and gender identity deep dives via heartbreak, self-discovery, mental health, homophobia, activism, first times, last nights, trans women and more, across all genres and age categories. Non-fiction and fiction books it is all here. And because we know that authenticity is essential, our selections are all stories focused on gay characters written by gay authors. From new releases to classic coming-of-age stories, here we go!
This hilarious Audible Original comedy podcast pairs Sex and the City icon Cynthia Nixon with SNL’s Bowen Yang, Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, renowned drag queen, actor Bianca Del Rio, and actress Mj Rodriguez (of Pose fame). This action-packed comedy follows the iconic all-queer cast as they embark on a mission for some pretty high calibre fluid: sperm, namely, Barack Obama’s. Also, there’s the sperm of Mark Zuckerberg and Stephen Hawking, to name a few. The US government hid some of the most potent sperm in the world in case of a global catastrophe. And now it’s about time for a sperm bank heist.
Linus Baker works as a case manager in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He takes his job seriously, and he’s a strict rule follower. But when he receives an assignment to determine whether or not six magical (and dangerous) children are likely to bring about the world’s end as we know it, he finds rules and orders going out the window. Linus travels to the orphanage where the children live, cared for by Arthur Parnassus. Arthur would do anything to protect these kids and their secrets—and when the two meet, those secrets come to light. This is a delightful listen about magic and found family, a theme many LGBTQ+ listeners can relate to, and Daniel Henning narrates it.
In best-selling author P.J. Vernon’s sophomore thriller, glamorous couple Oliver and Nathan seem to have it all, from a loving relationship to an impeccably restored Washington, D.C. townhouse. But when Oliver has an illicit encounter at a discreet gay bathhouse, he becomes the victim of a brutal attack and barely escapes with his life. In the traumatic aftermath, he’ll do anything to keep Nathan from finding out his secret—but as the danger moves closer to home, so do the lies. Cunningly crafted, sexy, and scary, this pitch-perfect thriller ratchets up the suspense with a dual POV voiced by narrators Michael Crouch and Daniel Henning.
In this moving memoir, award-winning poet Saeed Jones tells of his childhood in the South and his coming of age as a gay Black man. This memoir covers everything from his contentious relationship with his mother to his travels across the country. It is full of vignettes from his life. At its heart, Jones’s personal story is about the lengths we go to discover who we really are and then fight to be ourselves. Jones narrates his memoir, which is only appropriate—it’s powerful to hear his words in his voice. This is a profoundly impactful true story, beautifully narrated by the man who lived every second of the tale.
If you want a purely escapist romance, try this irresistible story about what happens when the son of the American president falls for the Prince of Wales! Alex Claremont-Diaz is young, good looking, and charming, making him perfect tabloid fodder when his mom is elected president. But when a disagreement with Henry, the Prince of Wales, is leaked to the public, it’s not good for the White House’s image or US and UK relations. So Alex is sent to make up with Henry, with the press in attendance. While their friendship is staged at first, it soon becomes very real, and what’s more, Alex begins to fall for Henry, for better or worse. Narrated by Ramon de Ocampo, this is a must-hear romance that was Audible’s pick as the Best Romance of 2019.
Narrated by its author, poet Ocean Vuong, this award-winning and highly acclaimed autobiographical debut novel tells the story of Little Dog, a Vietnamese-American young man, in the form of a letter to his illiterate mother. He explores his tumultuous childhood with his single mother and grandmother, who are both haunted by events that occurred in Vietnam before Little Dog’s birth. He also explores his upbringing in poverty and his relationship with another boy, a story of first love that makes for an incredible listen. Profound and sensitive, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a title that you won’t want to miss.
An Audible Original production, Owning It was created especially for Pride Month. This collection of uplifting, raw, and hilarious short stories from queer actors, comedians, and personalities is a great listen for anyone coming into their own as a queer person. Each storyteller shares their own unique lived experiences, which turn out to be surprisingly universal. Actress and activist Alexandra Billings and comedian and podcaster Nikki Levy are the perfect hosts for this audio collection, bringing each story to light with thoughtful humour and heart. Owning It is a passionate celebration of LGBTQ+ stories and the remarkable guests who share them.
Wallace is Black, queer, and Southern. He’s pursuing a biochem degree at a Midwestern university. Still, he’s careful not to show too much of himself to his colleagues and friends, and that distance becomes most notable throughout one defining weekend. A series of confrontations has Wallace questioning everything—and exposes some of the undercurrents of hostility and tension among his friend group. This is an influential and critically acclaimed novel about loneliness and navigating an unfamiliar (and often hostile) environment, narrated by beloved performer and audiobook veteran Kevin R. Free. This is a truly impactful listen that you won’t want to miss.
If you’re looking for a fun, high-stakes sci-fi action novel, hit play on Bonds of Brass, narrated by James Fouhey. It tells the story of Ettian, whose life is thrown into upheaval when the Umber Empire invades his world. With few options, he becomes a student at an Umber academy and studies hard to become the best pilot in the school. He also meets his roommate, Gal; a young man Ettian grows to love. But when a group of fellow students attacks Gal one day, his secret comes to light: Gal is the heir to the Umber Empire. Ettian saves him but then faces a devastating choice: Should he stand with his best friend or fight the evil empire?
In this eye-opening oral history, E. Patrick Johnson explores what being gay, Black, and Southern means. He collects more than 60 stories of gay Black men from and living in the Southern states, examining various aspects of their lives to illuminate the challenges they face, the culture they’ve created, and how they navigate through life. This is an important listen that examines stereotypes often associated with gay culture and reveals how these men live, find connections and community, and celebrate their identities. At 26 hours long, it’s no light listen, but it is an essential one, narrated by Johnson himself.
In this beautiful novel narrated by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda, Aristotle is an angry teen with many questions and a brother in prison. Dante is unlike anyone he’s ever met. When the two meet at a swimming pool one summer, they strike up a friendship that allows them to help each other through their awkward, painful teen years. But their relationship goes deeper than friendship and might mean something much more—if they can find the courage to face their feelings and live their truth. This novel has won multiple awards, including a Printz Honor, the Stonewall Book Award, a Lambda Literary Award, and the Pura Belpré Award.
While its title sounds grim, check out Adam Silvera’s speculative novel about chance discoveries, making each day count, and finding love where you least expect it. Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio have received some bad news: They’re going to die sometime today. Although it’s a surprise, they waste no time trying to make their last day count and connect on an app meant to unite people who want a friend on their last day on Earth. A memorable, life-changing day of connection and living life to its fullest, with a fantastic cast including Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymond, and Bahni Turpin.
In this romantic comedy, a best seller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, author Arthur Less is on the verge of turning 50 when he gets a truly awful piece of mail: a wedding invitation from his ex-boyfriend. Unwilling to say no outright, Arthur pretends that he’s too busy to attend and then accepts a series of dubious literary invites from all over the world as a valid excuse to run away from his past. Travelling from Paris to Berlin to Morocco to India, Arthur turns 50 while away from home and discovers love, second chances, and finally faces up to what he’s most afraid of. Robert Petkoff narrates Less.
Narrated by Anna Pacquin, Rubyfruit Jungle is one of the best lesbian books of all time. It stands to reason that this adaptation is one of the best lesbian audiobooks, and that assumption is correct. Pacquin’s narration of Rita Mae Brown’s compelling story is immensely impactful from the first second to the last, as young Molly Bolt struggles to stay true to herself in a tough 1950s America. Molly’s life practically jumps out of the speakers throughout, an inspiration to all. A lesbian romance novel with a difference, Rubyfruit Jungle is a stunning listen that will hook you from start to finish.
LGBTQ books don’t come much more seminal than this. Published in 1984, Audre Lorde’s iconic Sister Outsider is a vitriolic collection of essays, speeches, letters, and more that showcase the American writer at her energetic best. Audre Lorde was a beacon of power in the fight for non-binary, LGBT rights, and more, and Sister Outsider is an absolute must-listen for anyone looking to get to know her extensive body of work. The collection is tremendously narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner, adding another layer of charm and character to the iconic words of a true firebrand. Sister Outsider also contains The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House, one of the essential pieces of work out there. A must-read and now a must-listen.
Stunningly narrated by author Gabby Rivera, Juliet Takes a Breath is an absolute must for any LGBTQ+ listening list this year and a must for any listening list of any kind. The story of a young woman from the Bronx, Juliet Takes a Breath is a coming-out story with a difference. Equal parts fun and impactful, Juliet Takes a Breath isn’t afraid to take an alternative route to the truth, subverting expectations at every step. A tremendous listen, this is as good an example of life’s unpredictability as you are going to find in the corridors of LGBTQ+ literary history. Gabby Rivera’s fabulous narration deserves a second mention, and it fills her story with energy and verve from the get-go. One of the best books going.
Make no mistake about it, Torrey Peters is a star on the rise. Detransition, Baby is her first novel, but this story of a trans woman in New York City quickly became one of the must-read books of its time, making a star out of Torrey Peters in the process. Reese might be living a previously unimaginable life for a trans woman in New York City, but the lack of a child soon proves too big a hole to ignore. A phone call from a familiar voice changes everything, setting in motion a chain of events that will test Reese’s resolve and then some. Brilliantly narrated by Renata Friedman, Detransition, Baby runs an emotional gauntlet, somehow managing to be heartwarming, hilarious and intense at the same time. A book club must, Detransition, Baby is a stunning audiobook.
To wrap up our list of the best LGBTQ+ books, we have Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, which is brilliantly narrated by the author, Jeanette Winterson. Jeanette is a significant name in LGBTQ+ fiction books, and Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is arguably her most important work. A coming-of-age and coming-out novel, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, bubbles with discovery and intrigue from the beginning and is filled with tumult and triumph. Growing up as a lesbian in a devoutly Catholic family must not have been easy, and Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a tale worth celebrating.
