LGBTQ Literature

From Christopher Isherwood's enduring 20th-century classic Goodbye to Berlin to contemporary titles like Janet Mock's Redefining Realness, the titles in this study guide collection explore a range of ideas, issues, genres, and forms that speak to the LGBTQ community.

A Burning

by Megha Majumdar

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Gender Identity

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Indian Literature, LGBTQ+

A Burning by Megha Majumdar is a contemporary fiction novel that explores issues of tribalism, community, social media, and how we get ahead in a harsh world. Although the book takes place in India, its reflections on hope, humanity, and society are recognizable to all readers. The novel follows the interconnected narratives of Jivan, Lovely, and PT Sir after a terrorist attack in India. Jivan and Lovely’s chapters are narrated in first person with dialect... Read A Burning Summary

A Cup of Water Under My Bed

by Daisy Hernandez

Publication year 2014

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Coming of Age, Race, Sexual Identity, Language, Memory, Immigration

Tags LGBTQ+, Gender & Feminism, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Biography

A Cup of Water Under My Bed is Daisy Hernández’s 2014 coming-of-age story that centers the intersection of race, class, gender, and sexuality. The book received Lambda Literary’s Dr. Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award in 2015. Hernández was also awarded the IPPY Award (Independent Publisher Book Award) for best coming-of-age memoir, and the book was a finalist for the Publishing Triangle Award. This memoir highlights the complicated dynamics that shape race, class, gender, and sexual... Read A Cup of Water Under My Bed Summary

A Dowry of Blood

by S. T. Gibson

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Conflict, Hate & Anger, Marriage, Good & Evil

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic Literature, LGBTQ+, Addiction & Substance Abuse

... Read A Dowry of Blood Summary

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Masculinity, Disability

Tags Coming of Age, Dramatic Literature, Relationships, LGBTQ+, Trauma & Abuse, Depression & Suicide, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness

... Read A Little Life Summary

All Fours

by Miranda July

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Sexual Identity, Aging, Midlife, Future, The Past, Friendship, Marriage, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Art, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, Family

Tags Gender & Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, LGBTQ+, Humor

... Read All Fours Summary

Almost, Maine

by John Cariani

Publication year 2004

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Love, Grief, Guilt

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature, Romance, LGBTQ+

Almost, Maine is a play in two acts, and is comprised of a prologue, a four-scene first act, an interlogue, a four-scene second act (one of which has two different versions one can choose from), and finally an Epilogue. The title refers to an imagined town in Northern Maine, named Almost, that the playwright, John Cariani, writes, “doesn’t quite exist” (11). Each scene consists of at least two main characters, and, aside from the Prologue... Read Almost, Maine Summary

A Map of Home

by Randa Jarrar

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Religion & Spirituality

A Map of Home is a 2008 coming-of-age novel by Randa Jarrar. The novel follows the life of Nidali, a girl of Palestinian, Greek, and Egyptian descent who grows up between Kuwait, Egypt, and the United States. The novel contains three parts, each of which correspond to Nidali’s time in these three different countries. During her childhood, Nidali navigates extreme circumstances, grappling with violence, family conflict, and the backdrop of war, all while exploring her... Read A Map of Home Summary

A Marvellous Light

by Freya Marske

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Appearance & Reality, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Equality, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Edwardian Era

... Read A Marvellous Light Summary

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

by Hank Green

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fame

Tags Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a 2018 novel by American video blogger Hank Green. Told in the first and second person, this speculative fiction follows a young woman after her video of what she believes to be a robot art installation goes viral. Her addiction to attention and the revelation that the Carl is an alien examines the consequences of fame and the nature of humanity when faced with the presence of aliens.Plot Summary While walking... Read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Summary