make reading more diverse one book at a time

Welcome to the book blog I always said I'd make. When I was in school, my reading options weren't very diverse. There were very few queer books that would hold up to a lot of today's standards and even less content with BIPOC. I made it my mission then to be someone people could go to for book recommendations where they could feel represented. This is my attempt at sharing what books and related diverse resources I've read and collected over the years.

[an-endless-library]

Trans and nonbinary books coming in 2026 (from readwithcharles' instagram)

[transbookoftheday]

Reclaimed by Seth Haddon

Saba Vasili, a scholar of the astral sea, faces a harrowing accusation: an arcane device he designed has malfunctioned and an entire district of the city has been obliterated and a foreign dignitary has been killed. Charged with murder, Saba is incarcerated on the orders of Byrengrad's ruling council, the Triad.

Ambassador Luan Zek of the Rezwyn Empire is dispatched to take custody of the alleged murderer of his countryman. But seeing Saba's pathetic state, Zek questions whether Saba is truly guilty or only the Triad's scapegoat.

With Byrengrad's fate in the balance, Saba and Zek must uncover the truth behind the arcane catastrophe and stop the malfunctioning device that is jeopardizing the fabric of their whole world.

Can one act of compassion save the world?

[queers-reading]

Current read 📚

[transbookoftheday]

Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous by Autumn K. England

STARDEW VALLEY meets STUDIO GHIBLI in a charming cozy fantasy about healing, redemption, and the subtle magic of simple living. Perfect for fans of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea and The Spellshop. Welcome home, weary traveler.

When Oaklin Nettlewood accidentally joined an evil world-ending cult, mind control magic forced them to do unspeakable things. Years later, the realm's heroes have finally saved the day, defeated the villain, and shattered the last remnants of the spell...leaving destruction in their wake. And so, with a spell-damaged memory and whole bushel of trauma, Oaklin escapes to a small farm on the edge of Mossley's Rest and swears an oath: After all the things they were forced to do with their magic, they will never use it again. Ever.

The no-nonsense ghost granny who lives in Oaklin's house has other ideas. As she coaxes Oaklin out of their shell and back into the world, they find companionship (a grumpy horse and a very good dog), friendship (a local bard and magical baker who should just kiss already), and tentative romance (a paladin-librarian who makes Oaklin's heart come alive for the first time in ages.) Magic even seems possible again—though strictly for foraging magical mushrooms and protecting the farm from bugs.

Healing comes in gentle waves, and Oaklin doesn't have to do it alone. So what does it mean when an inquisitor comes to town to hunt former cultists just as Oaklin begins to think that maybe, just maybe, they deserve a happy ending after all?

[pangur-and-grim]

Queer Books and Authors are at a Breaking Point

Authors, agents, publishers: every part of the industry is seeing the strain of five years of escalating anti-LGBTQ censorship.

[pangur-and-grim]

if you'd like to show support, here are some upcoming queer books:

When Life Gives You Corpses is a brilliant YA about a cursed praying mantis who falls for a young witch. Yield Under Great Persuasion is a raunchy, but surprisingly sweet story about two men repairing their relationship. Fabulous Bodies is a horror story about a queer rockstar rising from the dead.

This is Where the Future Bleeds is a fantasy set in a vividly imagined land, where two women (who happen to kiss) are the key to healing the broken sky. You're No Better is a story about a teen struggling in the shadow of his murderous parent. Oil on Canvas is about a woman who finds disturbing paintings in the home of her dead mother.

and then here's a list of 26 queer books by Black authors set to publish this year, and a 10 upcoming books by trans authors. if you want to fight back against queer censorship, use your wallet! or (if that's not an option) you can contact your local library and ask them to stock a copy.

[penelopepennington]

In addition: looking for indie publishers and queer bookshops is a great way to find and support queer authors and stories of so many infinite varieties! (The following suggestions are based on my UK-centric knowledge)

(Some) Queer Presses:

Lurid Editions are "a publishing project committed to intentional and conscientious acts of archival repair". They are "attentive to how marginalised histories are forgotten and remembered, [and] hungry to rediscover overlooked queer books". They've just received funding from Arts Council England to engage queer readers in a project to contribute to the archive!

Cipher Press "We’re really keen on the idea that queer and minority stories are for everybody, and we want to make our books – and the stories they tell - accessible to all" (what an amazing mission statement!)

Anamot Press "Anamot [Անամոթ] means shameless in Armenian. ⁣⁣Anamot Press publishes poetry and prose on intersecting experiences of gender, sexuality, race, migration, class, belonging and loss - with no shame."

(Some) Queer Bookshops

Queer Lit Oh man, I remember when this was just a tiny little shop, and now they're the biggest LGBT+ bookshop in Europe! They do amazing work in donating books about being trans to schools and parliament! They have a pay-it-forward board that will make you sob with its notes of love and support. (You can tell I wish I still lived nearby)

Lighthouse For Scottish friends - "a queer-owned and woman led independent community bookshop. We are an unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, lgbtq+ community space"

Gay's The Word The OG Queer bookshop in the UK. One day I will make my pilgrimage!!

This really is just a tiny snapshot of all the amazing work of celebration and resistance that's being done for Queer literature at the moment. We live in frightening times, but I promise there is still lots of love and joy and hope out there in spaces like these. Support them in whatever way you can!!

[elizmanderson]

this queer author is so very tired but I have a queer cozy fantasy that's out now (left) and a queer cozy horror that releases in July (right), both adult

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits is about an old man cursed with immortality, loss, grief, and the meaning of home

The Lord of the Wood is about a man having a queer awakening in an enchanted forest, the sister who comes after him, and realizing worth doesn't lie in usefulness

[beauvandalen]

sunshine X grumpy time!🥰🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🫶 Read the book 'Android Affection' by Beau Van Dalen! 💕

[styrofauxm]

Me: I'm going to read a little before bed...but what should I read? Not the non-fiction I'm currently reading that's for sure.

Me: oh! My Friends! I know Fredrik Backman tends to get to me but surely the first couple chapters will be fine!

Me: *7 pages in* no one touch me

[clockworkbee]

When Fredrik Backman said, ‘Nothing weighs more than someone else’s belief in you,’ but then also added, ‘The world is full of miracles, but none greater than how far a young person can be carried by someone else’s belief in them.’

[dumbweichei]

Me right now,

[firefly-foibles]

“Be gentle with yourself. Don’t compartmentalize this so much that you get lost in the boxes you locked yourself in. Trust that you can handle more. That you can handle real.” -Orok Monroe

[xiaq]

Guys this book is stupidly good and the audiobook reader is perfection. I’m adding chores to my list so I can keep listening while I work.

[theinternetarchive]

I just want to let you guys know Cornell's entire library is open access (no permissions required) and there are (shocker) many books...

[uhhhhmanda]

76,474 books at time of reblog!!!

[inthereellife]

There's also audio options! So every book can be read aloud to you if that's more your speed!

[justsomeguycore]

hate when christian’s call the bible “the good book.” it’s not that good you should try harrow the ninth

[shreddinthemarart]

I am enduring the Alectopause as best I can, but I can get these two out of my mind. For Harrow's design I wanted to explore some type of headpiece and landed on a pelvis. I like how it accentuates her silhouette and carries with it birth imagery. Which I think suits her nicely as the Reverend Daughter.

[leebrontide]

Behold me and my work, as it is trans day of visibility

I have two very queer books and a novella out.

The first book is currently free. The second is three whole dollars. Also available wherever you buy paper books. Audiobooks (also with trans narrators) in progress.

Secondhand Origin Stories

An outsider with superheroic ambitions

A near-invincible teen with infamous powers

A prodigy with treasonous technology

A frail girl with a family legacy

A supervillian with mysterious motives

And a family fractured by secrets

Names in Their Blood

Long awaited reunions and the need for the US's only full hospital for genetically altered people bring the Sentinels- and their family- to rural Minnesota. But when they realize that not only have altereds been going missing from the area, but the federal bureau that should have sent that mission to them has kept it quiet, they need to figure out who they can trust- and fast- or thousands could die.

I also have a free monthly newsletter where I talk about real and fictional science, history, writing, queerness, and psychology. Signing up for this is how you get access to the novella. You can check out the archive and subscribe if you like.

And, I have a fully hand-animated book "trailer" for Secondhand Origin Stories coming out at the end of next month. I drew it myself! It's got voice acting and even music made by @plottwiststudios

Sneak Peek:

[kay-claire]

The Trans Rights Readathon has organised a free ebook event for the Trans Day of Visibility! List of participating books here.

[medicalmechanicas]

Trans resources

Just wanted to share some of the trans healthcare resources I've accumulated considering the state of things The Gender Dysphoria Bible - defines and describes a lot of the ways dysphoria manifests, available in several languages

Am I trans?

Masculinizing HRT 101

Feminizing HRT 101

Transfeminine Science - compilation of clinical studies and research focused on feminizing HRT

Hudson's FTM Resource Guide - the OG transmasc resource, last updated in 2017 ;-;

A Beginner's Guide to Microdosing Testosterone During Your Transition - personal essay and primer on low dose testosterone from a nonbinary perspective

(US) Map of HRT informed consent providers

(US) Name and gender marker change guide by state

DIY HRT resources, be safe out there y'all

HRT Homebrew - A structured DIY MtF hormone guide - goes over making a variety of feminizing HRT with many different route options

HRT Cafe - transfem focused resource listing online pharmacies shipping worldwide, some of the linked pharmacies also offer testosterone!

The Transgender Herb Garden: An MtF guide to disconnecting one's self from big pharma - zine of one woman's experience growing herbs as her sole form of HRT

(US, most states) Own Your Labs Blood Testing Services - A la carte labwork to check your levels

[brownbitchshit]

I think we as a fandom don't talk about enough how Ilya is a lover but Shane is a protector! Like yes they both are Loverboys and carers but Shane is ferally protective of Ilya since day 1.

Ilya couldn’t understand what the reporter is saying, Shane stepped up to answer for him.

He felt something was off with Ilya in Sochi, kept checking up on him.

After Sochi when Shane realized how dangerous Russia is for Ilya, he tried to convince Ilya to not go back by asking if it's safe, if he has to go back.

When Ilya opened up about his father, Shane climbed up on his lap and hugged him. In that entire episode he kept checking up on Ilya to see if he is okay, if everything back home is okay.

When they get to the cottage, Shane is taking his bag, making his food, making sure he is taken care of. When Ilya talks about the danger of having a Russian passport and marrying Svetlana, Shane is the one who stays up all night to make them 10 years plan.

When his mom questions Ilya's loyalty to Boston Shane defends him.

This isnt the end. In TLG, Shane defends Ilya to Hayden and JJ.

When the near plane crash happens Shane proposes to show Ilya that he is 100% sure about them.

Most importantly when the Commissioner threatens Ilya and Shane to destroy their career, Shane snaps and says he chooses Ilya.

Shane is constantly making sure of Ilya's wellbeing, planning things for him, defending and choosing him everytime. Ilya is 100% Shane's baby and Shane is an overprotective mother hen which I think is beautiful.