Reading Best LGBTQIA+ books is important because they offer powerful stories that reflect the real and diverse experiences of people across the gender and sexuality spectrum. These books provide representation for those who may not often see themselves in mainstream media, allowing LGBTQIA+ readers to feel seen, understood, and validated. For others, they open a window into different lives and perspectives, encouraging empathy, acceptance, and a deeper understanding of identity and community. LGBTQIA+ stories cover every genre—from romance to fantasy, memoir to mystery—and often feature fresh narratives that break away from stereotypes and traditional tropes. They remind us that love, struggle, hope, and courage are universal, yet uniquely experienced. By reading these books, we support inclusive storytelling and help amplify the voices of queer authors, creating space for everyone to feel that they belong in the world of literature.
1. Best LGBTQIA+ books Hell Followed with Us
Best LGBTQIA+ books Hell Followed with Us is a 2022 dystopian horror novel by Andrew Joseph White, acclaimed for its raw portrayal of trauma, identity, and resistance. Set in a world ravaged by a plague unleashed by a white evangelical cult known as The Angels, the story follows 16-year-old Benji, a transgender boy who escapes the cult’s abuse and the bioweapon they infected him with. As the virus mutates him into a monstrous “Seraph,” Benji finds refuge with the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center (ALC), a group of queer teens fighting back against the cult’s devastation. Led by Nick, a neurodiverse sharpshooter, the ALC becomes a sanctuary where Benji grapples with his monstrous transformation and the power to fight back. The novel delves into themes of queer identity, religious trauma, and the complexities of found family, offering a visceral and emotionally charged narrative.
2. Best LGBTQIA+ books The story of A Printz Honor Winner
In The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas tells the powerful story of Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old girl who lives in a poor Black neighborhood but attends a wealthy, mostly white prep school. Best LGBTQIA+ books Her life is split between these two very different worlds—until both collide when she witnesses her childhood friend, Khalil, shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop. As national outrage grows and Khalil is labeled a thug or worse, Starr finds herself at the center of a movement. Torn between staying silent to protect her family or speaking up for justice, Starr must find her voice and confront deep-seated racism, inequality, and her own identity. With heartbreaking honesty and gripping emotion, the novel explores themes of police brutality, community, family, and the importance of speaking truth to power. A New York Times bestseller and a Printz Honor winner, The Hate U Give has become a modern classic of young adult literature, inspiring both critical acclaim and real-world conversation about race and justice
3. The story of Read Between the Lines
Books are Rosie Taft’s life. And ever since she took over her mother’s beloved Manhattan bookstore, they’ve become her home too. The only thing missing is her own real-life romance like the ones she loves to read about, and Rosie has an idea of who she might like to sweep her off her feet. She’s struck up a flirty online friendship with lesbian romance author Brie, and what could be more romantic than falling in love with her favorite author?
In Read Between the Lines, Rachel Lacey delivers a charming, queer romantic comedy about unexpected love found in the most ironic of places. Rosie Taft, the proud owner of a struggling Manhattan bookstore, clings to the legacy of her late mother and dreams of romance as sweeping as those in her favorite novels. Online, she shares witty banter and heartfelt messages with her favorite author, Brie—never guessing that Brie is actually Jane Breslin, a reclusive writer who also happens to work for the real estate firm trying to tear down Rosie’s beloved store. When their digital flirtation spills into the real world and their identities are revealed, the women must navigate personal heartbreak, professional conflict, and emotional vulnerability. With sparkling dialogue, queer joy, and heartfelt stakes, Read Between the Lines explores the delicate balance between love and ambition, and the courage it takes to write your own happy ending.
4. The story of Things We Never Got Over
Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.
Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded, runaway bride.
Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin, to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way….With fists and beer. Usually in that order.Naomi Witt arrives in the small, northern Virginia town of Knockemout to help her estranged twin sister, Tina. However, upon her arrival, Naomi discovers that Tina has stolen her car and money, leaving behind her 11-year-old niece, Waylay. With no resources and no plan, Naomi takes on the responsibility of caring for Waylay. She finds work at a local bar owned by the brooding and reclusive Knox Morgan, who has no interest in drama or complications. Despite their initial resistance, Naomi and Knox develop a deep connection as they navigate the challenges of their intertwined lives. The story explores themes of family, trust, and unexpected love in a small-town setting.