I came upon a question “if I have a queer sense of identity despite the unfolding COVID pandemic directly to maintain and feed.” My reaction is rather simplistic: books. I always discovered a lifelong introvert, not just comfort but certain social proximity in the pages of other people’s histories. Which are the best LGBT books?
The feeling that my relationship with LGBT books has been valid for many years, especially in finding a real relationship with other queer people. All these things are even more true now that we’re all trapped at home. Others don’t feel that far for me with books. The respected literary journal McSweeney published an entire issue packed with queer stories last November. Patrick Cottrell, a curator of the topic, referred to the LGBTQ–thematic trench as “funny and conflicting” in his Whiting Award-winning write.
The last Sunday of June marks the culmination of this extravagant holiday, New York City Pride, known worldwide as Pride Month. In addition, Pride March takes place in various cities in India. In November, Delhi celebrates Pride, and in August, the Mumbai marches normally occur.
Thus, each city celebrates Pride at various times. They all strive for a similar objective: to achieve sexual freedom in society and to eradicate Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes all aspects of queer sexuality. Even though the word “gay,” “lesbian,” or “transgender” is not used explicitly.
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Contents
Why Should We Read LGBTQ Literature?
If you identify yourself as LGBTQ, then no doubt LGBTQ books are definitely for you. But other than that, those who identify themselves as straight must read LGBT fiction books. This is because LGBTQ gives us a changed perspective or lets us see the other side of the world.
No doubt that reading books have tremendous benefit, but other than that, it opens our mind. It helps us to accept those wholeheartedly who are different from us, changing ourselves into better people. Also, it helps us to put an end to the taboos and myths related to a very naturally occurring phenomenon.
Benefits Of Reading LGBTQ Books
There are so many benefits to reading LGBTQ novels or gay books. Not just it gives a wider perception of human behavior and feelings, but it also helps us to understand the world better. Reading this kind of book also creates empathy toward others. And helps us to understand how hard life is for them still in the 21 St century and also makes understand the emergence and urge to change the world and make the world free by not treating them as any taboo.
Top 10 LGBT Books
Let us now look at some of the best LGBTQ books.
Kari — Amruta Patil
The graphic novel by Amruta Patil says Kari, recently single and still breathes life into cosmopolitan Mumbai after her break-up with Ruth.
During men’s dates, Kari hooks up with women in the shower, shaves her whole hair in favor of a friend as she tries to sell shampoos, and responds each time she asks if she is homeless.
LGBT Books Siddharth Dube – No One Else
No One Else, the first gay memoir published in Indian English by a lonely man, describes Siddharth’s story. He sailed through the heated waters of his sexuality from the age of ten on.
As his life unfolds as he struggles with what it is to be comfortable in one’s skin and how you come to embrace yourself for who you are to be a minority community after a privileged life. This is one of the best LGBT books available.
Vasudhendra, Mohanaswamy (tr. Rashi Terdal)
Mohanaswamy’s dangerously frank book on lost love and abuse unites Karnataka and Western world views.
![vasundaram_lgbtq[1]](https://thewhuffiefactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/vasundaram_lgbtq1.jpg)
At the same time, Mohanaswamy struggles with missing a woman’s male friend and wishing the ordinary person to lead an easy life.
A Life Misspent — Suryakant Tripathi Nirala (Tr. Satti Khanna)
A memoir of one of Hindi’s most popular poets, Nirala, talks about Kulli Bhat, a Dalit homo-sexual who has an unusual relationship with him.
A Life Misspent, one of the LGBT books, is a funny and moving experience that crosses the borders of traditional sexuality and caste-based politics.
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Fifty Shades Of Gay — Jeffery Self
It’s Fifty Grey Shades, but all-masculine. Inspired profoundly by FSOG‘s themes and narrative.
![50_shades_of_gay[1]](https://thewhuffiefactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/50_shades_of_gay1.jpg)
The novel weaves a very close story to the original in delicate detail and compelling writing.
LGBT Books My Magical Palace — Kunal Mukherjee
My Magical Palace, a tale of an Indian close in love with an American man who sees sanskari women suited for marriage arrangement, threads India and America together. This is the modern world and an old one.
The novel, founded in San Francisco in the 1970s, deals with recognition and respect. It is of one another and the concept of achieving and keeping peace and unity internally rather than complacency.
The Exiles — Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla
The Exiles have three points of view, one man’s wife and one man’s male lover. A distinct tale from the ones on this list. The novel lyrically describes the bliss, damnation, and glory of passion and its subsequent death.
But, unfortunately, there is no recovery, either mentally or mentally, from the seizures of passion and heartbreak.
The Dancing Boy — Ishani Kar-Purkayastha
This is one of the best LGBT books and is the story of a little boy who loves to wear saris and maquilas, mocked and misunderstood by his mum, who has found friendship in the most unexpected spot.
![the_dancing_boy_lgbtq[1]](https://thewhuffiefactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/the_dancing_boy_lgbtq1.jpg)
He quickly learns to embrace himself and, importantly, to accept friendship as he enters his neighborhood.
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LGBT Books Selection Day — Aravind Adiga
On Selection Day, Manjunath Kumar, 14, loses to external and internal stresses. He knows what people want him to be. But he doesn’t know if he truly is or who he wants to be. Orderly when a boy starts to understand Radha’s competitor, as private and secure as is not Manju.
![selection_day_arvind_adiga[1]](https://thewhuffiefactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/selection_day_arvind_adiga1.jpg)
All of this in the world of Manju starts to change, and he faces decisions that call himself and his sense of the world around him into question. He plays cricket, though not just as well as his older brother Radha.
Lihaaf (The Quilt) — Ismat Chughtai
This is one of the earliest short stories of same-sex love … or is it? Lihaaf tells us the story of a madam who liked to be massaged by her female servant, always under a quilt. A Muslim woman in mid-twentieth century Hindustan wrote that.
In addition, This story also brought Chughtai under trial for obscenity and promoting homosexuality. Still, she has let off due to a simple technicality. Nowhere in the story is there homoerotic love, only its implications. So the onus is on the reader to construe what happens under the quilt.
FAQs
There are so many best LGBTQ books that one can also read LGBTQ books for adults are also available there. There are so many classics written in the LGBTQ community you should read. The house in the cerulean sea is also something you can choose to read. Other than that, Song of Achilles is one of the famous LGBTQ books that one should consider reading this pride month.
There are so many factors that make a book LGBTQ book. Even having a supporting role in the book who identifies themselves as LGBTQ. They often counted LGBTQ as an LGBTQ book, but for an actual LGBT book, it must be centered on gay issues or have the main character identified as gay. The story can take any turn, depending on the author's choice.
The song of Achilles is a renowned novel and is often counted as one of the most popular gay classics since the beginning. The main character, also known as the protagonist, was of the same sex. And they were also in a relationship. This same-sex relationship of the protagonist undoubtedly makes it one of the LGBTQ novels.
Yes. It is. There's wit, tenderness, consciousness, and humor in this fantasy novel about a person finding himself, finding his place in the world, and finding his family. In addition to being a love story for LGBTQ people, The House in the Cerulean Sea is also a gentle, sweet novel. What should I read for pride?
What makes a book LGBTQ?
Is Song of Achilles LGBT?
Is the house in the cerulean sea LGBT?
Conclusion
So, this was my list of LGBT books, and I hope this article was helpful to you in choosing the book you want to read. We’re living in 2023; it’s really important to know about the LGBTQ + community as an ally. Give these books a try, and let me know how you like them. Also, I await your feedback, as I need some motivation to keep going!
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Founder of TheWhuffieFactor. Marketing Professional / Avid book lover. When not absorbed in the latest rib tickling thriller, Tara loves food, but cooks very badly, enjoys random interactions with strangers, and otherwise spends far too much time reading. She lives in the USA, with her sister and an adorable dog, Basket.