Category Archives: Queer Lit

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in sub-zero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food, and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to explore neighbouring exoplanets long suspected to harbour life. Ariadne is one such explorer. On a mission to… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Depressive episode & dissociation
  • Body dysphoria
  • Suicidal ideation & attempted suicide (on-page)
  • Medical procedures discussed
  • Needles
  • Hurricanes & storms
  • Animal death (on-page)

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has finally been accepted into the galactic community, but while this has opened doors for many, those who have not yet left for alien cities fear that their carefully cultivated way of life is under threat. Tessa chose to stay home when her brother Ashby left for the stars, but has to question that decision when her position in the Fleet is threatened. Kip, a reluctant young apprentice, itches for change but doesn’t know where to find it… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Drug use
  • Murder
  • Gun violence mentioned
  • Explosion
  • Plane crash
  • Bullying

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

Lovelace was once merely a ship’s artificial intelligence. When she wakes up in a new body, following a total system shut-down and reboot, she has no memory of what came before. As Lovelace learns to negotiate the universe and discover who she is, she makes friends with Pepper, an excitable engineer, who’s determined to help her learn and grow. Together, Pepper and Lovey will discover that no matter how vast space is, two people can fill it together.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Slavery
  • Child abuse
  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction including body horror & amputation
  • Murder
  • Gun violence
  • Death of a child
  • Kidnapping
  • Animal death & hunting

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain. Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Child abuse recounted
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Panic attacks
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction including hospitalisation, terminal illness and needles
  • Death of a parent
  • Murder
  • Gun violence
  • Torture
  • War themes & discussions of genocide

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

It’s winter in the Catskills and Mitchell’s Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing–maybe even romantic–weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge wood-burning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery. So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity–and all contact with the outside world–the guests settle in and try to make the best of it… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Bury Your Gays trope
  • Gang rape recounted
  • Infidelity
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Attempted suicide
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & gore depiction including dead bodies
  • Death of a wife, fiancée & husband
  • Death of a brother
  • Death of a son
  • Murder & attempted murder by strangulation and poisoning
  • Physical assault
  • Death from a fall
  • Death from exposure to the cold
  • Drowning
  • Military service recounted

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Bury Your Gays trope
  • Gang rape recounted
  • Cheating
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Attempted suicide
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood depiction
  • Dead bodies
  • Death of a wife & husband
  • Death of a fiance
  • Death of a brother
  • Death of a son
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Strangulation
  • Poisoning
  • Physical assault
  • Death from a fall
  • Death from exposure to the cold
  • Drowning
  • Military service recounted

Rake I’d Like to F by Sierra Simone, Joanna Shupe, Eva Leigh, Nicola Davidson, and Adriana Herrera

Rake I’d Like to F… by Sierra Simone, Joanna Shupe, Eva Leigh, Nicola Davidson, and Adriana Herrera

He’s a legend in the raking . . Collects The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind by Sierra Simone, Two Rakes for Mrs Sparkweel by Eva Leigh, A Rake, His Patron & Their Muse by Nicola Davidson, Monsieur X by Adriana Herrera, and Sold to the Duke by Joanna Shupe.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Toxic relationship recounted
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a spouse, parent and sibling recounted
  • Poverty

American Sweethearts by Various

He’s Come Undone: A Romance Anthology by Emma Barry, Olivia Dade, Adrianna Herrera, Ruby Lang, and Cat Sebastian

For him, control is everything…until it shatters, and now he’s come undone.

Collects Appasionata by Emma Barry, Unraveled by Olivia Dade, Caught Looking by Adrianna Herrera, Yes, and…. by Ruby Lang, and Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Appassionata by Emma Barry– Workplace sexism mentioned
– Parental estrangement
– Anxiety
– Depression
Unraveled by Olivia Dade– Domestic violence recounted
Caught Looking by Adriana Herrera– Homomisia mentioned
Yes, And… by Ruby Lang– Parent with Early-Onset Dementia
– Panic attack, on-page
Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian– Homomisia
– Familial disownment
– Smoking

Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera

Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera 

As his twenty-sixth birthday approaches, Desta Joy Walker finds himself in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the one place he’s been actively avoiding most of his life. For Desta, the East African capital encompasses some of the happiest and saddest parts of his life–his first home and the place where his father died. When an unavoidable work obligation lands him there for twelve weeks, he may finally have a chance for the closure he so desperately needs. What Desta never expected was to catch a glimpse of his future as he reconnects with the beautiful country and his family’s past… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Coming out themes
  • Cheating recounted
  • Anxiety & panic attacks, off-page
  • Parent hospitalised for heart disease
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a father recounted

Her Night With Santa by Adriana Herrera

Her Night With Santa by Adriana Herrera 

Being the favourite niece of one of the Kings of the Magi has its perks. For example, borrowing Santa’s secret beach villa for a solo getaway, even if it’s just for one night. And after the year she’s had, Farnaz Castillo is planning to enjoy every second she has in this gorgeous mansion. With a suitcase full of *ahem* all her favourite toys, she’s sure to have a very merry time before she has to join the rest of her family for their annual ski trip.

Being the first woman to command Santa’s sleigh is exhausting work. By the time Christmas Day comes along, Kristina Kringle is usually more than ready for some solitary R&R… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Death of a mother recounted

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera 

Haitian-born professor and activist Patrice Denis is not here for anything that will veer him off the path he’s worked so hard for. One particularly dangerous distraction: Easton Archer. The Assistant District Attorney who last summer gave Patrice some of the most intense nights of his life, and still makes him all but forget they’re from two completely different worlds.

All-around golden boy Easton forged his own path to success, choosing public service over the comforts of his family’s wealth. With local law enforcement unfairly targeting young men of colour, and his career—and conscience—on the line… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism & racial profiling
  • Homomisia
  • Forced outing recounted
  • Parental abandonment
  • Cheating mentioned
  • Heart surgery mentioned
  • Police brutality
  • Immigration & political asylum