I want to... read a happy queer story
Full of joy and wit, Still Life is peppered with queer characters just existing and being happy. In the final days of WWII, as the British Army approaches Florence, young Cockney soldier Ulysses Temper meets sexagenarian art historian and sometime spy Evelyn Skinner who teaches the young man about the power of art. After the war, and seeking direction in his life, Ulysses sets up in an inherited Florentine pensione with a remarkable and charming group of friends and visitors. A gentle, funny and charming read, Still Life will warm the cockles of even the most jaded of hearts.
Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
A witty and heartwarming romance novel about the secret relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry of Britain. The book is celebrated for being a joyous queer story, offering a much-needed "happily ever after" for its LGBTQ+ characters. It depicts a largely supportive environment for Alex's bisexuality and Henry's homosexuality, with themes of self-acceptance and love triumphing over societal expectations. It's a refreshing, optimistic story that challenges traditional romance tropes.
Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
A poignant portrayal of siblings Greta & Valdin living their millennial life in Auckland, balancing love, family, work, and study. The characters navigate the complexities of modern existence with relatable authenticity and genuine warmth and feeling and Reilly's endearing and eccentric family provide a heartwarming counterpoint to the pressures of everyday life. Destined to be a classic of New Zealand queer literature.
Tippy Chan, an 11 year old Nancy Drew enthusiast, teams up with her uncle Pike, and his boyfriend, Devon, to solve a murder in their small Southland town. The men are not only central to the plot but are portrayed with warmth, humor, and a healthy, loving relationship. Their presence is unabashedly joyful and contributes significantly to the book's lighthearted and witty tone, despite the darker murder mystery elements and the story celebrates chosen family and the acceptance of different identities within a small community, making it an uplifting and fun read.
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
In this affirming and joyful portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, three extraordinary women, come together to find acceptance, belonging and even a 'happily ever after'. Katrina Nguyen, a young trans runaway and talented violinist; Shizuka Satomi, a violin teacher who made a Faustian bargain and must deliver seven souls to Hell; and Lan Tran, a retired starship captain running a donut shop with her alien family. Queer love and existence is central to this story's hopeful and magical narrative.
Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
A dazzling, maximalist novel where the fate of Earth rests on a washed-up glam rock band, Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes, competing in the Metagalactic Grand Prix – an interspecies musical talent show akin to Eurovision. If humanity comes in last, our species faces extinction. The story follows lead singer Decibel Jones and keyboardist Oort St. Ultraviolet as they navigate bizarre alien cultures and reconcile their past to save humanity. A joyful, unbridled celebration of difference and artistic expression, reflecting a happy, inclusive universe where queerness is simply another vibrant color in the cosmic palette.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Henry "Monty" Montague, a privileged but wild 18th-century English lord, is his Grand Tour of Europe. His father expects him to sober up and prepare for his duties, but Monty, who is openly bisexual (as much as possible for the era), plans one last hedonistic hurrah. Accompanying him are his bookish sister, Felicity, and his secret crush and best friend, Percy. Their planned debaucherous journey takes an unexpected turn when Monty's reckless actions in France lead them into a continent-spanning manhunt. As they flee across Europe, encountering everything from highwaymen to alchemists, Monty is forced to confront his self-destructive tendencies, his feelings for Percy, and the harsh realities faced by Felicity (who desires a career in medicine) and Percy (who is biracial and suffers from a chronic illness). The novel is a witty, adventurous, and ultimately heartwarming coming-of-age story centered on love, acceptance, and found family.
Patrick O'Hara, a once-famous gay sitcom star living a reclusive but fabulous life in Palm Springs. When tragedy strikes his family, Patrick suddenly finds himself the guardian of his young niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant, for the summer. Ill-equipped for childcare and still grieving his own past loss, Patrick navigates the challenges of temporary parenthood with a unique blend of wit, "Guncle Rules," and a surprising amount of heart. The novel is a poignant yet hilarious exploration of found family, processing grief, and learning to love and live again, all through the lens of a wonderfully eccentric and caring uncle.
