10 Best LGBT Books in the Philippines 2026
LGBT-themed media have recently gained popularity, highlighted by the rise of critically acclaimed independent films and the warm reception of Boys Love (BL) series. If you want to explore other related media, immerse yourself in the colorful lives and stories of LGBT characters through books!
If you're wondering where to start, you've come to the right place! Here, we will help you choose the best book for you. We've also curated a list of the best LGBT books for you to check out.
Quick List - Top LGBT Books
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How to Choose an LGBT Book - Buying Guide
There are some things you have to consider first before finalizing what book you will read. To know more about these, continue reading.
Decide Between a Physical Copy or an Electronic Copy
First things first, choose between a physical copy or an electronic copy. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Weigh these and decide which one is best suited for your needs.
A Physical Copy Allows for Personalization
For some, nothing beats the musky smell of printed books to get you in the mood to read. Aside from this, they give the advantage of being personalized. For instance, you can write down some personal anecdotes. You can even highlight your favorite quotes and lines from the book.
A physical copy can either be paperback or hardbound. Paperback books are handier and lighter. Price-wise, they are cheaper. However, they can easily get damaged. On the other hand, hardbound books are durable due to their thick covers and spines. They tend to last longer than paperbacks. However, they are more expensive.
The only caveat of having the printed copy is that it can take up space. You need to allot some shelf space for proper storage. It can also be a hassle to bring them anywhere. Plus, it can be difficult to find a copy of the book in physical stores. They are also pricier than e-books.
An Electronic Copy Offers Convenience
Under the category of e-copies are audiobooks. This is ideal for those who prefer listening to reading the book. You can ward away the long hours of commute while listening to audiobooks. The reading experience can also be immersive especially since you can hear the emotions of the characters.
While electronic copies offer favorable benefits, they also have disadvantages. They can strain your eyes especially after exposure to your screen for a long time. They can also disrupt your sleeping cycle because of the blue lights that they emit. Lastly, going digital requires a stable power source and internet connection.
Select a Book According to Your Preferred Genre
You can narrow down your options by deciding on what genre you prefer. Listed below are some of your choices.
Romance Will Make You Feel Warm and Fuzzy
Romance is a very common theme in LGBT books. This highlights the love story of the characters in the book. If you want to vicariously experience the giddiness from falling in love, this is ideal for you.
Most LGBT Romance books focus on emphasizing the freedom to be who you are and love who you love. Experience the kilig with titles like Boy Meets Boy, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and If I Was Your Girl.
Humor Books Will Make You Feel Better
We understand that it can be mentally exhausting to read a book at times. So, if you want something light, comedy is for you. This is perfect for those days when you feel overwhelmed and just need a good pick-me-up.
Dramatic storylines might not be everyone’s cup of tea. And if you’re one of them, you should include Shattered Glass, Almost Like Being in Love, Naked, and Me Talk Pretty One Day on your reading list.
Dramatic Books Will Help Relieve You
In contrast to comedy books, dramatic books will overwhelm you with a lot of feels. They offer an avenue to release your emotions. If you need a good cry, go for dramatic books.
If you feel like you’ve been bottling emotions for a while, reading drama books may offer relief. Books like Escape & Freedom, Love Waits, Before it Stains, and A Heart to Call Home will give you just that.
Coming of Age Books Will Inspire You
Another common genre in LGBT books is the coming of age genre. This tells the life of the character. Common themes are transition from one point in life to another. In LGBT books, you will encounter the characters finding and establishing their identities.
Engross yourself in the chronicles of how LGBT characters traverse life with titles like Will Grayson, Will Grayson, Maurice, Juliet Takes a Breath, and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Their experiences might even end up resonating with you.
Check Out the Plot
Before purchasing a book, you might want to read the book blurb first. Goodreads is one of the best sources for this. If you found the plot interesting or if you think you can relate to it, then go for it! Just make sure that the synopsis is spoiler-free; otherwise, it will rob you of your reading experience.
At the same time, check out the number of pages. If you’re just starting to get yourself out of a reading slump, it’s best to go for a light read that you can finish within a few hours or days. However, if you'd like to go for a lengthy read, that's totally fine too!
Consider Book Reviews
Book reviews are one of the best ways to identify if the book is right for you. Actual copies usually have reviews on the cover or the first pages of the book. There are also sites you can check such as Goodreads, LibraryThing, and What Should I Read Next for reviews and recommendations. Usually, a book that has good reviews is worth your time.
You can also research the author’s previous works, as well as the reviews on these. Highly-acclaimed authors are your best options for a good read. Of course, you can also ask your peers for recommendations. You might have similar tastes, after all. Also, talking about the book is one of the best ways to bond.
10 Best LGBT Books to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Available Format | Genre | Page Count | |||||
1 | Alice Oseman Heartstopper | | Captivating Graphic Novel Series With Endearing Characters | Paperback | Romance, Coming of Age | 288 | |
2 | James Baldwin Giovanni's Room | | Controversial Account of Love and Longing | eBook | Psychological Fiction | 288 | |
3 | Barbara Dee Star-Crossed | | Charming Story About Star-Crossed Lovers | Audiobook | Romance, Coming of Age | 304 | |
4 | Becky Albertalli Simon vs. the Homo sapiens Agenda | | Feel-Good Book About Exploring One’s Identity | Paperback, Audiobook, eBook | Romance, Coming of Age | 336 | |
5 | Benjamin Alire Sáenz Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | | Poetic Narrative of Self-Discovery | Paperback, Audiobook | Young Adult | 529 | |
6 | Taylor Jenkins Reid The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | | Compelling Story of a Cunning and Ambitious Actress | Paperback | Romance | 400 | |
7 | Marisa Crane I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself: A Novel | | Poetic Exploration of Love and Grief Set in a Dystopian Society | Paperback, eBook, Audiobook | Dystopian, Science Fiction | 352 | |
8 | André Aciman Call Me By Your Name | | Tale of Summer Love in Italy | eBook | Romance | 256 | |
9 | Priya Guns Your Driver is Waiting | | Satirical Spinoff of the Classic Film Taxi Driver | eBook, Audiobook | Dark Comedy, Urban Fiction | 320 | |
10 | Chinelo Okparanta Under the Udala Trees | | Poignant Tale of Forbidden Love | eBook, Audiobook | Fiction | 349 | |
Captivating Graphic Novel Series With Endearing Characters
Oseman's storytelling is both heartfelt and poignant, drawing readers into the lives of these relatable characters as they navigate the complexities of growing up and falling in love. Readers and critics alike have lauded the series for its ability to evoke laughter and tears, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a touching exploration of love and identity.
| Available Format | Paperback |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
| Page Count | 288 |
Controversial Account of Love and Longing
This book tells the story of David, a young American in Paris, who is engaged to Hella. Complications arise when he started to notice his desire for Giovanni, an Italian bartender who awakened something in him. In the darkness of a hidden room, David is forced to deal with his true self.
Giovanni’s Room is the oldest book on the list. But don’t let this prevent you from reading this classic! It caught the attention of many readers for its unapologetic take on themes of life, love, and heartbreak. Baldwin was definitely ahead of his time because decades later, this remains an important book that resonates with most of the LGBTQIA+ community.
| Available Format | eBook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Psychological Fiction |
| Page Count | 288 |
Charming Story About Star-Crossed Lovers
Star-Crossed is a story about middle school romance. It couldn’t get any cuter than this! It follows Mattie and how she deals with her feelings and identity, an affirming exploration of friendship and identity that will surely stay with you. It’s meant to empower the youth to be true to themselves, no matter how challenging it is.
Bisexuality is often overlooked in the literary world, much in children’s books. That is why this book is a must-read for all. Despite it being meant for kids, even adults can learn something from the characters. After all, the themes of identity and love are universal across all ages.
| Available Format | Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
| Page Count | 304 |
Feel-Good Book About Exploring One’s Identity
The titular character, Simon, is a sixteen-year-old who is trying to figure out who he is. Accompanying him through this journey is Blue, someone with whom he’s in constant communication. His world turned upside down when their correspondence got into the wrong hands, threatening to expose his identity.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is your go-to book if you want something light. The themes of identity, love, and sexuality were told in a manner that will leave you with a smile on your face. Simon’s character is endearingly quirky, and you will end up caring for him deeply. Readers’ consensus shows that this novel is a fun read.
| Available Format | Paperback, Audiobook, eBook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
| Page Count | 336 |
Benjamin Alire SáenzAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Poetic Narrative of Self-Discovery
This book tells the story of two teenagers, Aristotle and Dante, who spent the summer together in El Paso, Texas. Aristotle is guarded and is struggling to belong. Dante is emotional and open-hearted. This is a moving account of two young people and their time together that sprouted friendships and budded into something more.
Sáenz’s literary strength lies in his ability to tell the story of the characters in a touching manner, while at the same time, handling themes of self-discovery in an endearing manner. Thus, it is very easy to care about the characters and their stories that will tug at your heartstrings at the right moments. Despite this being a young adult book, adults will surely enjoy its magic.
| Available Format | Paperback, Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Young Adult |
| Page Count | 529 |
Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Compelling Story of a Cunning and Ambitious Actress
Taylor Jenkins Reid's manner of writing is evocative and immersive, transporting readers to the glamour and intrigue of old Hollywood. Reid also shines in creating complex characters, particularly Evelyn Hugo, who is a multifaceted and unforgettable protagonist. This bestseller is a must-read for those who enjoy tales of love, ambition, and the hidden truths of fame.
| Available Format | Paperback |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance |
| Page Count | 400 |
Marisa CraneI Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself: A Novel
Poetic Exploration of Love and Grief Set in a Dystopian Society
Despite the seemingly dark theme, readers found the book interesting, especially with the inclusion of wry pop quizzes and word searches. On top of that, Melissa Broder's literary prowess lies in her ability to write well-rounded characters that will get you hooked. This is best for those who like a thought-provoking and candid read.
| Available Format | Paperback, eBook, Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Dystopian, Science Fiction |
| Page Count | 352 |
Tale of Summer Love in Italy
This is the story of how Elio met Oliver. The latter is a 24-year-old American student who stays with the former’s family in Italy to do some research about his manuscript. Over the course of summer, romance blossomed between the two.
This is not your typical boy meets boy story. Aciman tells the story in a poetic manner that you will be so engrossed in the story unfolding before you. You may find it hard to detach from the characters. You may even find yourself just staring at nowhere, letting the emotions overwhelm you after finishing the book.
| Available Format | eBook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance |
| Page Count | 256 |
Satirical Spinoff of the Classic Film Taxi Driver
The character of Damani may remind you of a certain character in the iconic 1970s movie 'Taxi Driver.' That's because Priya Guns wrote the book as a gender-flipped spinoff of the film. Readers enjoy the perspective of a queer woman through Guns' descriptive writing as she navigates city life amidst civil unrest.
| Available Format | eBook, Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Dark Comedy, Urban Fiction |
| Page Count | 320 |
Poignant Tale of Forbidden Love
Readers enjoy the novel's rich cultural insights and its unflinching portrayal of the LGBTQ+ experience in a conservative Nigerian society. It's a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work that challenges societal norms while celebrating the universal themes of love and acceptance.
| Available Format | eBook, Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fiction |
| Page Count | 349 |
What to Read Next
Looking for more books to explore? We got you covered! Here are some of the books we highly recommend from different genres.
Author: J Ausa
How We hose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more
Top 5 LGBT Books
No. 1: Alice Oseman｜Heartstopper
No. 2: James Baldwin｜Giovanni's Room
No. 3: Barbara Dee｜Star-Crossed
No. 4: Becky Albertalli｜Simon vs. the Homo sapiens Agenda
No. 5: Benjamin Alire Sáenz｜Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.