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
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
There are some things you have to consider first before finalizing what book you will read. To know more about these, continue reading.
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.
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.
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.
You can narrow down your options by deciding on what genre you prefer. Listed below are some of your choices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 |
Available Format | Paperback |
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Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
Page Count | 288 |
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 |
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Genre | Psychological Fiction |
Page Count | 288 |
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 |
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Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
Page Count | 304 |
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 |
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Genre | Romance, Coming of Age |
Page Count | 336 |
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 |
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Genre | Young Adult |
Page Count | 529 |
Available Format | Paperback |
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Genre | Romance |
Page Count | 400 |
Available Format | Paperback, eBook, Audiobook |
---|---|
Genre | Dystopian, Science Fiction |
Page Count | 352 |
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 |
Available Format | eBook, Audiobook |
---|---|
Genre | Dark Comedy, Urban Fiction |
Page Count | 320 |
Available Format | eBook, Audiobook |
---|---|
Genre | Fiction |
Page Count | 349 |
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
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
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.
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