Looking for reading recommendations for first gay novel.

Hi All
I am a newly minted gay man (it's been with me for a while but I only just accepted myself) and I am interested in reading some gay fiction. Any good recommendations for a newbie?

thanks

Paul x

 

The only gay book I've actually read from start to finish was Giovanni's Room. Depressing but good.

We have a stickied thread on LGBT books here that you can skim through https://forum.emptyclosets.com/index.php?threads/lgbt-books.289494/

 

Do you have a preferred genre? There are literally so many to choose from these days! But honestly...even tho I'm quite older... my favourites recently have been Young Adult queer fiction. For a lot of us, we kinda missed out on the whole high school romance thing because we were too busy being scared, repressed, and/or confused about our sexuality to actually go on proper dates like a "normal" teen. Now I just can't get enough of the recent onslaught of YA fiction - like the coming out/being out experiences through the eyes of the new generation. It soothes my sad inner child and gives me hope for the future!

Jack of Hearts - Lev AC Rosen
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35442720-jack-of-hearts

They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33797105-they-both-die-at-the-end

Camp - Lev AC Rosen
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52695365-camp

Felix Ever After - Kacen Callender
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45359713-felix-ever-after

Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49233093-red-white-royal-blue

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29283884-the-gentleman-s-guide-to-vice-and-virtue

 

Anything by Dennis Cooper.

 

I completely resonate with what Tia Truly said about enjoyed YA Lgbt stories because it explores the narratives that we only dared to dream of! The first lgbt book I picked up was ‘They both die at the end’ (Adam Silvara) it’s an interesting concept, super quick to get into and very addictive - I finished it in 2 days! I highly recommend it

 

Fun Home

It's very depressing but it is written by Alison Bechdel, who is lesbian.

 

Hi HM03, thnx for the recommendation, and the link to the thread, I've had a quick look at it and intend to go back and peruse.

Paul x

 

Hi Tia Truly - thanks for the list, I like the look of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. I love that period, especially when it gets steamy. I also like the look of red white, and royal blue.

Paul x

 

Hi Hey - I get what you are saying, I think it's was my time at school that has done the most damage to me. Looking back now I realise how much I had to deny who I was. It is good that there is plenty of YA fiction about now. I have a teenage trans son and seeing how he has been accepted by his friends has made me realise how far things have come.

Paul x

 

Hi Aspen - another list!!! I am so lucky, you are all great! I looked it over and the two that really got my interest are The Song of Achilles ( I love the classics and anything greek), and The House in the Cerulean Sea, I have them both on my wish list read for some summer reading.

thnx

Paul x

 

Hi sojabohnenfeld. Thanks for the recommendation it looks very challenging, but interesting, and there is a musical adaptation too!

Paul x

 

You're welcome! The Gentleman's Guide is so fun and it's an ongoing series as well. If you like audio books, Christian Coulson does an amazing job as the voice actor/narrator for the audio book.(you can maybe find it on youtube wink wink) Both books have some sexy times, RWRB more so. Happy Reading!