In the wee hours of June 28, 1969, patrons at a gay bar in Greenwich Village called the Stonewall Inn said enough is enough and rebelled against yet another erroneous police raid — a mobilizing moment in the struggle for gay rights. Today, cities all across the country celebrate Gay Pride Month, in part to commemorate that pivotal event and to honor the dignity and service of the LGBT community. Since my head is always buried in a book, allow me to celebrate in a literary way by recommending these great LGBT reads.
This post is curated by one of Amazon’s editors, Erin Kodicek. See her profile on Amazon’s Omnivoracious blog, and check her out on LinkedIn.
‘Lust and Wonder’
Lust and Wonder by Augusten Burroughs
Here is a tale many of us can relate to: In our search for true love, we have kissed a few (perhaps dozen) frogs and dated utterly inappropriate people because they were simply too cute to resist, or really good in… social situations. This proves to be ripe fodder for Burroughs’ latest memoir, penned with his signature sardonic aplomb.
‘Mislaid’
Mislaid by Nell Zink
A gay woman and a gay man get married — to each other. What could possibly go wrong? And when things inevitably do go south, the subterfuge said lesbian employs to hide their daughter (yes, they had a couple kids too, because bad choices beget more bad choices) is even more off the wall — in the best way. Nell Zink’s satirical novel hilariously upends preconceived notions of sexuality, race and more.
‘Written on the Body’
Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson
Winterson leaves the gender of one of the protagonists in this tortured, but masterful, love story ambiguous, but I will wager a hundred rainbow flags that it’s a woman. I also highly recommend The Passion (a personal favorite) and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (a crowd favorite, for good reason).
‘If I Was Your Girl’
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
If I Was Your Girl is a tender-hearted novel with a transgender twist. Amanda Hardy is smitten with hunky high schooler, Grant. Problem is, Amanda has yet to tell him… that she used to be Andrew. Will this revelation level the new life she’s worked so hard to create?
‘Tipping the Velvet’
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
A Victorian romp of the highest order, Tipping the Velvet is a euphemism for… well, what eventually happens between a humble oyster girl and the gender-bending music hall phenom she falls for (hint: rhymes with shucking).
‘You Know Me Well’
You Know Me Well by David Levithan and Nina LaCour
Everyone loves a good gay best friend story, and in You Know Me Well, Mark and Kate — both gay — become each other’s best friend. Together, they weather the thorny terrain of falling in love for the first time.
‘Becoming Nicole’
Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt
“Why is it such a big deal to everyone what somebody has in their pants?” Excellent (and timely!) question, posed by an unusually astute transgender girl, the subject of Amy Ellis Nutt’s emotional and illuminating, Becoming Nicole.
‘Bettyville’
Bettyville by George Hodgman
When George Hodgman left Manhattan for Paris to visit his aging mother, he didn’t realize it would be the beginning of an unintended and indeterminate tenure as a caregiver. Did I mention that it’s Paris, Missouri? Not the most hospitable place for someone coming to terms with his sexuality. This moving memoir serves as a poignant cautionary tale about the dangers of leaving difficult things unsaid, and within its pages, Hodgman practices what he preaches.
‘Guapa’
Guapa by Saleem Haddad
Set in a no-name Arab country where homophobia is rampant (and discovery can be deadly), Saleem Haddad’s provocative and culturally astute novel, Guapa, follows the emotional journey of Rasa, whose grandmother outs him when she discovers him in bed with his boyfriend.
‘Modern Lovers’
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
Straub’s latest cleverly acerbic, and insightful, novel focuses on a group of former college friends, including a lesbian couple, who are now impending empty nesters grappling with midlife crisis. Modern Lovers demonstrates that you’re never too old to grow up.
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