The Queer Bookshelf : A Reader’s Guide

We are in the middle of a vibrant renaissance of queer writing. But LGBTQ+ writers, characters and readers have been here since the beginning - quietly, defiantly, and persistently telling their stories - if you know where to look.

The Queer Bookshelf is your guide to this essential queer history, and to its contemporary flourishing. Drawing on the author’s own journey as a queer reader and book club host, and packed with recommendations from authors, booksellers, and book lovers around the world, The Queer Bookshelf is a celebration of the books that have helped generations of LGBTQ+ people find themselves on the page.

From literary fiction to memoir, to crime, fantasy, and young adult, and even cowboy romance, The Queer Bookshelf is a warm, entertaining companion for anyone beginning or deepening their own queer reading adventure.

“The Queer Bookshelf is a joyful compendium of our literary heritage, and I’m honoured my own books are featured. It’s a fun way to fill the holes in my intellectual armour about the many courageous writers who wrote about the love that dared not speak its name long before me. My one caveat- my reading list is now a doozy!”

- Vincent Virga, author of A Comfortable Corner and The Gaywick Quartet

“If you’re looking for a friendly guide to welcoming you into the diverse world of queer literature, look no further than The Queer Bookshelf.”

- Dean Atta

“Whatever the law might say, our stories matter- on and off the page. This guide is a hopeful starting point for any reader curious about LGBTQ+ stories. It will have you building another shelf, in your imagination if not in your home.”

- Damian Barr, author of The Two Roberts