21 of the Best New LGBTQ Books Out This Week
Including gay romantasy, sapphic YA horror, a history of queer nightlife, and more.
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I feel like every week recently, I’ve been staggering under the weight of all the excellent new releases out, and today is no different! Sorry to your TBR!
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New LGBTQ Releases This Week
All The World Beside by Garrard Conley (M/M Historical Fiction)
In 18th century Massachusetts, Arthur Lyman is enthralled by Reverend Nathaniel Whitfield’s sermons. But as the two men’s bond becomes more passionate, their community — and especially their wives and families — become more unsure about their relationship. Think The Scarlet Letter, but gay!
The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore (M/M Romance)
Teddy is freshly divorced, and his plant business has failed, so he’s preparing to pack up his life and move out of New York City when he meets Cole. Cole is the creator of the VERSTL app, which connects clients and sex workers. He needs a fake boyfriend to court investors (in fake dating romance novel logic), and he’s willing to pay Teddy to play that role. It’s a win-win! There are just two rules: no kissing, and no falling in love. What could go wrong?
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang (M/M Fantasy Romance)
This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year! It follows two men as they’re reincarnated in different times and places — from the court of 4 BCE China to current-day Los Angeles — and they always find and fall for each other. This promises “erotic thrills” and “equal parts mess and swoon.”
Icarus by K. Ancrum (M/M YA Contemporary)
In this retelling of the Icarus myth, Icarus is a thief who has set his sights on the powerful Mr. Black to get revenge for his mother’s death. Keeping safe as an art thief has meant keeping isolated, but when he breaks into the Black mansion, he’s caught by Helios, Mr. Black’s son. Helios won’t turn him in — in exchange for friendship, since he’s been forced to have little contact with the outside world. As the two get closer, Icarus must choose between revenge and his relationship with Helios.
Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis (Sapphic YA Horror)
Temple knows her father is a murderer. He was tried for killing 20 people and found guilty. But she never believed he killed her mother, until he confesses while on death row. Temple goes to the woods to try to recover the body, only to find out it’s become a summer camp for queer horror fans. She joins as a camp counsellor to investigate, but when a copycat killer strikes, she’ll have to protect the camp while tracking down the person playing out a real-life slasher movie.
Out of Left Field by Jonah Newman (Gay YA Graphic Novel)
Jonah has never had any interest in sports — until ninth grade, when he joins the baseball team. And sure, that might be because of a cute teammate. But on the field, he’ll have to deal with the heteronormativity and enforced gender roles that come with the world of sports. Along the way, he finds new friends and allies that help him to feel safe enough to come out.
Long Live Queer Nightlife: How the Closing of Gay Bars Sparked a Revolution by Amin Ghaziani (Queer Nonfiction)
Gay bars might be closing at an alarming rate, but Ghaziani shows that’s not the whole story of queer nightlife. This is an exploration of the underground parties and club nights that have a much more diverse clientele — and how they’re changing the face of queer nightlife.
✨ Paid subscribers can find 14 more LGBTQ books out this week at the end of this post! ✨
For more new releases, check out our New Books newsletter and the New Release Index — you can even filter by queer books!
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Etsy Item of the Day
Do I need a gay goose neon sign?? Because I feel like I need a gay goose neon sign. Perfect for queer fans of the Untitled Goose Game. $278
That's it for me! Until next time, you can find me at my sapphic book blog the Lesbrary. You can hear me on All the Books, and you can also read my Book Riot posts and subscribe to my other Book Riot newsletter, Read Harder.
Happy reading!
Danika
14 More LGBTQ Books Out This Week
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura (Sapphic Fiction)
Cover Story by Rachel Lacey (F/F Romance)
Guardian: Zhen Hun (Novel) Vol. 2 by Priest, illustrated by Ying (M/M Fantasy)
Chlorine by Jade Song, narrated by Catherine Ho (Sapphic Horror) (Audiobook Release)
The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist by Sophie Gonzales (F/F YA Contemporary)
The Feast Makers (Scapegracers #3) by H.A. Clarke (Lesbian, Bisexual, Nonbinary YA Fantasy)
Into the Light by Mark Oshiro (Queer YA Horror) (Paperback Release)
Millie's Big Decision by Ian Eagleton, illustrated by Max Rambaldi (Two Dads Picture Book)
Viscera Objectica by Yugo Limbo (Queer Graphic Novella)
How to Have a Baby Secretly Vol. 1 by Nnad (M/M Manga)
Super Morning Star Vol. 3 by Kara Aomiya (M/M Manga)
Whisper Me a Love Song Vol. 8 by Eku Takeshima (F/F Manga)
Terano-kun & Kumazaki-kun by Yoriko (M/M Manga)
Category Is: Cocktails!: Mixed Drinks Inspired by Legendary Drag Performers by David Dodge and David Orton, illustrated by Cheyne Gallarde (Drag Nonfiction)