Our library only has a small portion of the books written by, for, and about LGBTQIA+ people, so it makes sense that you may want to search for more.Thankfully, the internet makes finding these texts relatively easy if you know where to look. If you have found an author in our collection you really enjoy reading, you might look up what else they have written or books they have written recommendation blurbs for. Alternatively, the authors who have written reviews for your beloved author's books might also be a good place to start!
None of these work for you? There are also websites that specifically focus on LGBTQIA+ book recommendations. Trans Reads is a website that specifically recommends books about gender diversity and non-conformity. They tend to have free versions of the texts available on the website, so this is a great place to learn more about Trans, non-binary, and genderqueer experiences without having to worry about your pocketbook. LGBTQ Reads also has recommendations for queer books, with curated lists of books based on identity, genre, or other aspects of the text such as year/place published or original langauge. Check out their list of ebooks available for under $5! Concerned about accessibility? They also have recommendations for books in translation or books available in braille, as a large print text, or as audiobooks!
Another great place to check for queer book recommendations is queer book award lists! There are lots of book awards focusing on honoring LGBTQIA+ and feminist authors, and they typically publish a running list of every book to have won their award. To get started, check out Lambda Literary Awards, which has a list of every finalist and winner of their book prizes since 1988. Additionally, the American Library Association sponsers the Stonewall Book Awards, which annually recognizes the best LGBTQIA+ books published.
Finally, an amazing place to look for popular LGBTQIA+ literature is on banned book lists! While these books often don't have quite as much queer or feminist content as the people who ban them swear they have, some of these books deliver beautifully on the promised queerness. The ALA has information on book bans, including lists of the most challenged books from the previous year, all available on their website!
Find a book you think our community library should have? Leave us a recommendation on our feedback form and the next time we are purchasing books for the library, we will take a look!
There are lots of places to get queer books!
Libraries often have LGBTQIA+ book displays, particularly in Pride Month. Look up public libraries in your area, apply for a free library card, and support your local library! On campus? The Princeton Public Library—located within easy walking distance of campus—makes getting a library card really easy, and all students regardless of citizenship or residency status are eligible for a library card! If you're looking for more academic sources, our Gender & Sexuality Studies librarian Sara Howard can help you find what you're looking for. Additionally, you can browse the GSS Reference Section on Firestone's first floor or explore the HQ sections of the stacks located on Firestone B floor.
If you're looking to purchase LGBTQIA+ or feminist books, there are a handful of publishers that specialize in these topics. Their websites can also be a good place to look for book recommendations. Arsenal Pulp Press focuses on books relating to queer, Trans, and BIPOC experiences across a range of genres. While not explicitly LGBTQIA+, Verso Books focusing on publishing books considered too radical for other publishers, which often includes LGBTQIA+ books. They also frequently have sales or free ebooks.
Finally, there are many bookstores across the United States that specialize in LGBTQIA+ materials. Just a train ride away in New York City, Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore sells books on topics including LGBTQIA+ liberation, disability justice, incarceration, and sex work. They also carry a range of fiction and poetry, and serve the local community as a site for mutual aid. Located within The Center in NYC, the Bureau of General Services-Queer Division is another bookstore that focuses entirely on LGBTQIA+ books. In Philadelphia, Giovanni's Room is a non-profit selling books and donating the proceeds to local organizations that support folks living with HIV/AIDS.