Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! We’re bringing you queer historical fiction recs that you simply must five into! Knowing your queer history is important, so try to pick up a book with great queer representation to enjoy throughout the year!
Ellie’s pick:
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins | Waterstones
A sapphic love story set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows trainee astronaut Joan and her fellow candidates – including former pilot Vanessa – as they prepare for their first space flights. Romance blossoms quickly between Joan and Vanessa and both women must decide how much they are willing to risk (at a time when federal law prohibited homosexuality at NASA) for love and a chance at happiness. I listened to the audiobook and was immediately gripped by excellent narration from Kristen Dimercurio and Julia Whelan, who perfectly balanced the characters’ emotions and vulnerability with the narrative’s fast-paced action and immersive historical detail. Joan and Vanessa’s relationship was full of joyous moments, swoon-worthy yearning and refreshing honesty, and the plot kept me hooked until the very end. Highly recommended for fans of Apple TV’s For All Mankind.
Jenna’s pick:
Grief by Andrew Holleran | Waterstones
A Stonewall Book Award-winning novella by the author of one of the most famous post-Stonewall novels (Dancer from the Dance). Grief unfolds in Washington DC in the early 2000s and follows a middle-aged man as he tries to find a life for himself after the extreme loss he experienced during the AIDS epidemic and the more recent death of his mother. The book contemplates the grieving process as well as the function of grief in sustaining connections with loved ones who have passed on. It also brings to the fore the lonely novelty of existing as a middle-aged gay man at this point in history and the sense of survivor’s guilt that affected many in the community. A brilliant read for those seeking an emotionally intelligent reflection on recent history, Grief is about heartbreak, community and human resilience.
Demi’s pick:
Lonely Crowds by Stephanie Wambugu | Waterstones
As the title suggests, this is an isolating read. A scintillating blend of Simone de Beauvoir’s The Inseparables and Laurie Petrou’s Stargazer, Wambugu’s debut explores race, class, artistry and sexuality in 90s New York. The story follows Ruth and Maria who become fast friends and are continuously drawn to each other throughout their lives. This intense and sometimes dark friendship is fascinating to read against the backdrop of a effervescent New York that seeks to consume the women. Prepare to be frustrated by Ruth’s ennui and her inability to be present in her own life; however, there’s something so gripping about her dynamic with Maria that you too will lose yourself in the narrative.
Lisa’s pick:
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin | Waterstones
I was reminded of one of my favourite LGBTQIA+ classics reading Ross Kelly’s brilliant substack ReadsbyRoss which took me back to my 20s, when I first discovered Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City. Set in San Francisco in 1978 – the decade I was born but a lifetime away from life in home counties suburbia where I grew up – the novel is funny, raw and heart-warming in equal measure. Centring mainly around the tenants of 28 Barbary Lane, we are introduced to a diverse cast of queer and straight characters, living together in the apartment block and multiple POV (which I do enjoy in a novel). Whilst it does depict a particular moment in time, the novel was pretty ground breaking in its representation of a host of characters. If you read the first novel and enjoy it, there is a whole series to carry on with too – the later novels go up to 2024 and explore major events, such as the 1980s AIDs epidemic. There is even a TV series from the 90s and then one in 2019, both starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis.
As well as Ross’ Substack, another wonderful resource for discovering new and classic LGBTQIA+ novels is Gays the Word – the UK’s oldest LGBT+ bookshop – and they have even curated this list of Classic LGBTQ Books | Gay’s The Word 4/4 if you aren’t sure where to start.