I am full on in the Halloween spirit. Sure, there are a few weeks to go, but I’ve been watching scary movies and reading horror novels ever since the first of October came around. So let’s get into some witchy reads!
This week I wanted to highlight the charity Hope In a Box. They supply rural public schools with “curated books with LGBTQ characters, detailed curriculum for these books tied to Common Core State Standards, and extensive training and mentorship on how to cultivate an inclusive classroom.” You can find out more at the Hope In a Box website and support them by donating. You can also buy a box outright for your own classroom.
Bookish Goods
Read More Queer Books Sweater by JazzyDesignsEtsy
It’s sweater weather!! At least, it is here. And what better way to bundle up than with a Read More Queer Books sweatshirt? $26+
New Releases
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner (F/F Romance)
It’s hard to believe this is out today, because I feel like I’ve been hearing people talk about the “MILF book” for years! During Family Weekend, Cassie slips away from the university and into a bar, where she has what is supposed to be a casual fling. Except, whoops, it turns out she hooked up with her friend’s mom.
Nikhil Out Loud by Maulik Pancholy (Gay Middle Grade Contemporary)
Nikhil is a 13-year-old voice actor, the star of Raj Reddy in Outer Space. When his family moves to a small town in Ohio, though, his life turns upside down. He is cast in the school musical because of his experience as an actor, but he can’t sing — and adults are protesting an openly gay star being on stage. To make matters worse, his voice is beginning to change, which means leaving the role of Raj behind him.
When Things Happen Together by Jordan Clayden-Lewis (Gay Fiction)
Daughters of the New Year by E. M. Tran (Lesbian Fiction)
Jade Is a Twisted Green by Tanya Turton (Queer Woman Fiction)
Before All the World by Moriel Rothman-Zecher (Gay Historical Fiction)
Army of Lovers by K.M. Soehnlein (Queer ’80s Historical Fiction)
Pacifique by Sarah L. Taggart (Sapphic Thriller)
Season of Love by Helena Greer (F/F Holiday Romance)
Rain by Joe Hill, David M. Booher, and Zoe Thorogood (Sapphic Horror Graphic Novel)
Black and White: Tough Love at the Office Vol. 1 by Sal Jiang (Yuri Manga)
I’m in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel) Vol. 5 by Inori and Hanagata (Yuri Light Novel)
The Edge of Being by James Brandon (Queer Guy YA Contemporary)
The Other Ones by Fran Hart (M/M YA Halloween Romance UK Release)
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez (Queer YA Fantasy)
Sixteen Souls by Rosie Talbot (Queer YA Fantasy)
A House Unsettled by Trynne Delaney (Queer YA Horror)
Twelfth Grade Night by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm & Jamie Green (Bisexual YA Graphic Novel Retelling of Twelfth Night)
Where the Lost Ones Go by Akemi Dawn Bowman (Sapphic Middle Grade Fantasy)
Something Great by Jeanette Bradley (Nonbinary Picture Book)
Phoenix Gets Greater by Marty Wilson-Trudeau, Phoenix Wilson, and Megan Kyak-Monteith (Two-Spirit Picture Book)
For more new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
It’s October 13th, which is practically October 31st, so of course I’m going with a Halloween-y theme today! And that theme is…witches! There are so many great queer witch books, but here are a couple.
Witchmark by C.L. Polk
Miles is a witch, but that’s been more trouble than help in his life. He enlisted in the war to escape being detected, but there, his witchmark and healing powers are exposed. Now, he has to trust another soldier in order to keep his freedom. This is a magical gas lamp fantasy with an M/M romance.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
Do you want to get punched in the face with Halloween vibes? This is the book for you. It’s like Halloweentown or Hocus Pocus, but as a bisexual F/F adult romance. It takes place in a magical village that doubles as a Halloween tourist trap. There are three women who bond by getting revenge on their mutual ex, a warlock — and then two of them fall for each other. There’s also a magical competition! This is a fun and fluffy seasonal read.
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
Author Meryl Wilsner on Writing MILFs, Age Gaps, and Twisting Tropes
The Family Outing Is a Vivid Memoir of Neglect, Secrets, and the Power of Family
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