The books I read whilst growing up, shaped who I am today. As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to be exposed to a diverse range of books, many of which had themes of gender-identity and queer relationships. These books helped me come to terms with my own sexuality and went on to become some of my favourites because of that. I believe that it should be compulsory in all schools to have queer books in their reading lists, but with the growing rate of “banned books” in schools, especially in the US, this is becoming frequently uncommon.
Books have always, and will always be political. Banning books will never be the answer.
Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
I had first come across Brideshead Revisited when watching the 1981 TV adaptation with my parents. The series dragged – each episode an hour long. Understandably, as a teenager, this put me off pretty quickly. However, after stumbling across a copy in the charity shop (which looked a lot thinner and quicker than the series), I gave it another go. The novel follows Charles Ryder, and his experiences and friendships leading up and around WW2. There are strong LGBT themes throughout, which lead to moments of melancholy, hilarity and heartbreak all wrapped up in one. As a novel published in 1945, this is a must read queer classic.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky
The first book I remember reading with queer representation growing up, was The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Written in letters, by our main character Charlie, we’re immersed in a coming of age story, filled with friendship, drama, first dates and mixed tapes. Charlie goes through all the typical teenage experiences, including taking part in an amateur performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The novel also approaches topics around mental health, portraying the complications around loneliness and depression. Wallflower to wallflower, I have always felt connected to this book.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a book that I avoided for a very long time, read in an incredibly short amount of time, and have loved ever since. I tend to avoid books with people on the cover, but I may have to change that rule since reading this book. We follow Evelyn Hugo’s story as she tells it to Monique Grant, a journalist with a dying career. Starting at the beginning of Hugo’s career, we hear about the ins and outs of early Hollywood, the scandals, the romances, and the cover ups. This book proved to me that historical fiction can be diverse, and confirmed that it is even better when it is.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Emily M. Danforth
“When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief they’ll never know that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.”
I mean… what an opening line for a blurb – I probably won’t be able to convince you to read this book, if that didn’t. This was the first book I read growing up with lesbian representation in, and what a heartbreaking one to start with – the story follows Cameron Post as she is sent to a Christian conversion therapy camp. I will say, the book is a little long, with a lull in the middle – but if that puts you off, watch the 2018 film (you’ll cry).
If you haven’t heard of the Heartstopper comics illustrated and written by Alice Oseman, I’ll have to assume you’ve been living under a rock? The comics follow Nick and Charlie through the true British high school experience, whilst navigating coming out, relationships and friendships. This is the most wholesome thing you will ever read. There are currently five volumes, with the sixth and final due to be released soon. You can read them for free on Oseman’s website, or you can get the printed version, both of which include the amazing illustrations alongside them. There is also a very well done Netflix adaptation, filled with an amazing cast and soundtrack, perfect for binge-watching in one go!
Call Me by Your Name, Andre Aciman
Call Me By Your Name is a queer coming of age novel set in Northern Italy 1983. We follow one summer with Elio, seventeen, who falls into a deep romantic obsession with Oliver, twenty-four. Elio’s deepest thoughts and most raw emotions build a picture of heartbreak, desire, and infatuation into existence. It’s not for everyone, but Aciman’s writing creates a rich, poetic world, which will hold onto you until the end.
“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster than we should that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything – what a waste!”
Additionally, the 2017 film featuring Timothee Chalamet has the most amazing soundtrack by Sufjan Stevens!!
Onto a book that Andre Aciman has said inspired Call Me By Your Name, Olivia by Dorothy Bussy. When it was first published in 1949, Bussy used the pseudonym “Olivia” due to the autobiographical theme of the book, which has gone on to be described as ‘a forgotten classic of lesbian literature’. The story follows Olivia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is sent from England to a Parisian finishing school to broaden her education. Soon after her arrival, she finds herself falling under the spell of her beautiful and charismatic teacher, Mademoiselle Julie, who introduces her to art, literature, and fine cuisine. It’s a short book which will immerse you in the rumours and plot twists of being a teenager in that time.
In a Q&A I went to with Andre Aciman, he named this as one of his favourite books of all time, giving it as a book recommendation to absolutely everyone.
The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller
The TikTok sensation The Song of Achilles, is set during the Greek Heroic Age. It is a retelling of the Trojan War as told from the perspective of Patroclus. The novel follows Patroclus’ relationship with Achilles, from their initial meeting to their exploits during the Trojan War.
I can’t remember a thing from reading this book five years ago, but I do remember enjoying it – maybe I should also give it another read…
As always, check the trigger warnings on any of these books before you read them. Many discuss mental health openly.
Leave a Reply