Hey! You’re here. Thank you.

Before we get into the gay book goodness, a moment for the horrors of this world and the brave souls out in the streets protecting all of us. I’m talking, of course, about the protestors in Los Angeles. I am talking about the activists on the Freedom Flotilla. I am talking about every person (and dog) putting their heart and body on the line in this fight against genocide and fascism.

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You’ll never convince me that the people bringing baby formula, rice, flour, diapers, and medical supplies to Gaza are the bad guys.

You’ll never convince me that the folks putting their bodies on the line to protect families from masked ICE officers who kidnap mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons in broad daylight are the bad guys.

I know the last few days have felt heavy and scary. You’re not alone. I hope that you can find softness and reminders of kindness wherever you can.

Last week, I gave out queer book recs like it’s my job (it is!!), and this week I’m back with more.

Y’all had so many good recommendation requests I couldn’t fit them all in one newsletter, so what to do you say we get back into it?

Unputdownable Fiction

It’s summer. All I want is a book I can get lost in. The reader who made this request specifically asked for something like The Safekeep. Impossible. That book is one of one. If you’re looking for unputdownable queer fiction and you haven’t picked up The Safekeep, well you know what to do.

Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens // This sapphic western will certainly fill your craving for a gay ass book you just can’t put down. It’s a romp with a lot of heart. The publisher blurb calls it “thrilling, raucous, and gloriously queer,” and I can confirm this is true.

Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith // I haven’t read this one yet, but it is billed as an enthralling, dishy novel about ambition, sexuality, and the rise of a capitalist empire in post-Gilded Age New York. I can dig it!! More dishy, gay historical fiction please.

Happy Romance

If you’re craving a joyful, gay-ass romance this summer, you’re not alone! Here are my suggestions, but I’m going to need all the romance experts to chime in in the comments.

Wherever is Your Heart by Anita Kelly // My romance fairy godmother, Grace, recommended this novella to me and that’s really all you need to know. She doesn’t miss. In case you need more just know this is about two older butches - a bartender at a local queer bar and a long haul trucker who stops at the bar every time she drives through town. The title is a reference to the Brandi Carlile song. What more could you possibly need???

I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram // I loved this rom com about a sommelier and the man he mistakes for Kansas City’s most influential food critic. The two main characters are endlessly loveable, there is lots of wine and Iranian food, and it’s all set in middle America. What’s not to love??

Lesbians!

Say less!!!

Lost & Found by Kathryn Schulz // I’m going to mix it up and give you some non-fiction. This is one of my favorite memoirs in recent years. Kathryn Schulz lost her father and met her wife within one year and this book is her piercing, rich account of these twin experiences of deep loss and surprising love.

Skye Falling by Mia Mckenzie // It’s so rare to find a novel that is not strictly a rom-com but contains a central romance and is truly, actually funny. This novel is about a woman finding her way and finding love in surprising places. It was a delight and a surprise. Plus I am hearing some good buzz about Mckenzie’s new novel, These Heathens, out next week!

Queer Mystery

I am not a mystery/thriller expert so I am once again going to need my fellow readers to come in with the assist and give this reader some tips in the comments. Here are three I would recommend if a customer were to come into the store as ask for queer mystery recs.

The Verifiers by Jane Pek // An investigator for an online dating service gets wrapped up in a mystery when a client goes missing. This debut is the start of a series staring a lesbian who solves crimes. I’m intrigued.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia // The first in a historical mystery series set during the Harlem Renaissance. This series is recommended for fans of character driven mysteries.

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen // This one is billed as Knives Out with a queer historical twist and I’m into it.

Memoirs to Understand the Challenges faces by Queer and Trans Folks

This is a beautiful recommendation request and a challenging one. Of course we know that no one book can tell the whole story of queer life and queer struggle in this moment. That said we know too that books are essential tools for making our worlds bigger. Here are three memoirs that helped me make room for new ideas and ways of thinking and being.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H // This memoir is a coming of age and coming into queerness story in which Lamya H draws on their faith and reading of the Quran to create a kind of road map for queer becoming. Unlike anything I’ve read before or since.

Horse Barbie by Geena Rocero // Much more than your average celebrity memoir, Horse Barbie chronicles Rocero’s journey from life as a young femme performer in the Philippines to her career as a super model and trans rights advocate in the United States. This memoir digs into the challenges Rocero faced not only as a trans woman, but as an immigrant and an Asian woman struggling to “make it” in the ruthless U.S. modeling industry. This one is particularly affecting on audio!

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe // You’ve likely seen this graphic memoir on lists of banned books and believe you me there is a reason they are so scared of this book. It’s a powerful account of a gender play and nonbinary becoming and if you haven’t read it already, I think you should read it now. As always, shout out to the haters for banning this book right onto the bestseller list and the shelves of independent bookstores everywhere.

This is Dunkin’s face when I told him about the freak loser transphobes who want to ban gay books.

He says those losers can go kick rocks. And while we’re at it, Fuck ICE and Free Palestine.

Stay strong out there beauties. Do what you can where you can and be good to yourself while you’re at it.

I love you.

Love,

Rosamond