It’s almost October! In this week’s new releases, I have two takes on books to add to your seasonal TBR: an M/M Halloween romance that’s as sweet as trick-or-treating, or a blood-drenched gothic sapphic horror novel…or both!
For today’s featured charity or nonprofit, I wanted to highlight the Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline for trans people that also gives microgrants to help trans people change legal documentation to reflect their gender. You can find out more at their website, and you can help out at their donation page.
Bookish Goods
Queer Pride Favorites Bookshelf Mug by HangryCreates
I love the variety of LGBTQ books represented on this mug! Set your day off right with drinking your morning coffee from a queer books mug. $18
New Releases
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson (Sapphic Gothic Horror)
If you’re looking for a queer gothic horror novel for your October TBR, here’s a perfect candidate. Marion makes a desperate decision to try to escape poverty by signing up to be a bloodmaid for the elites. She quickly catches the eye of the notorious Countess Lisavet, which may prove deadly.
The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish (M/M Halloween Romance)
Just look at this cover!! Here is another take on a seasonal read: a comforting Halloween romance. Zachary is his neighborhood’s reigning Halloween decorating champion. Bram, his new neighbor, is determined to steal his crown. Then the competition turns to prank wars, and then to something else entirely… This looks so cute I can barely stand it.
Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin, translated by Jamie Chang (Queer Fiction)
The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr (Queer Historical Fiction)
We’re Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2021 edited by L. D. Lewis and Charles Payseur (Queer SFF Anthology)
The Tide That Binds Us by Alexis C. Maness (Sapphic Mermaid Fantasy)
Lark Ascending by Silas House (Gay Sci FI)
The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang (Nonbinary Sci Fi)
Lark and Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender (Nonbinary YA Contemporary)
How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy (Sapphic YA Fantasy)
My Name Is Magic by Xan van Rooyen (Nonbinary YA Fantasy)
Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker & Nicole Goux (Lesbian YA Graphic Novel)
The Trouble With Robots by Michelle Mohrweis (Bisexual Middle Grade Contemporary)
Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (M/M Fantasy Light Novel)
Love is an Illusion! Vol. 1 by Fargo (M/M Manga)
I’m in Love with the Villainess (Manga), Vol. 3 by Inori and Aonoshimo (F/F Yuri Fantasy Manga)
Cats and Sugar Bowls by Yukiko (F/F Manga Erotica)
For more new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
In honor of the cover reveal for the new Nico di Angelo book by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro (scroll down!) I thought I’d share some YA fantasy series that get gay in the sequel. (Yes, I know the Rick Riordan book are middle grade, but close enough.)
The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce
Coincidentally, it was Mark Oshiro who got me reading Tamora Pierce. They were reading all of Pierce’s books in order, reacting to each chapter, and I decided to come along for the ride. The Will of the Empress would be the 26th book I read of hers, the ninth set in the Emelan world with the same characters, but it was the only one I owned before starting the project. Because I knew there was a lesbian main character. I spent eight books guessing which of the three girls would come out by the end of the series, which was another layer of delight to reading a series I loved. While this could technically stand alone, I recommend starting with Sandry’s book, the first Emelan/Circle of Magic story.
Court of Lions by Somaiya Daud
In the first book in the series, Mirage, we follow Amani’s journey entering the court as Princess Maram’s body double. We only see glimpses of Maram, who is hated by her kingdom. In the sequel, this antivillain gets her own point of view — and a sapphic romance.
As always, if there’s a topic you’d like queer books recommendations for, let me know on Twitter and it might be my next Riot Rec!
All the Links Fit to Click
This is not a drill! The new Nico di Angelo book has a title, cover, and release date! It’s called The Sun and the Star, it’s co-authored by the incredible Mark Oshiro, and it will be out May 2, 2023. Check out the gorgeous (and gay) cover!
LGBTQ Reads shared tons of new bisexual books for Bi Visibility Day, with links to previous years’ lists!
‘We’re seeing a relaunch of an old story’: Exploring the movement to ban books with LGBTQ characters
That’s it for me this week! Until next time, you can find me at my sapphic book blog, the Lesbrary, as well as on Twitter @danikaellis. You can also hear me on All the Books or you can read my Book Riot posts.
Happy reading!
Danika