Queer Book Recommendations Based on Your Favorite TV Series

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As any fan knows, it can be hard to move on when you’ve just finished binge-watching your favorite show. So if you’re looking for something new, or just want to read a book that feels like a familiar show, here are four book recommendations based on your favorite queer TV series!

  1. Our Flag Means Death / The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
    Both Our Flag Means Death and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue take place during the Golden Age of Piracy and follow men born into nobility who leave their lives of comfort for adventure at sea. Our Flag Means Death, HBO’s newly released romantic comedy, loosely follows the real life of The Gentleman Pirate, Stede Bonnet, and his adventures with the infamous Blackbeard. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue tells the story of Monty, a roguish young man as he begins his Grand Tour of Europe. While traveling across the continent, Monty, his sister Felicity, and his best friend/long-time crush Percy, find themselves thrown into a grand adventure that changes their lives forever.
    Whether your favorite thing about Our Flag Means Death was the thrilling adventure, the witty humor, or the queer romance, you can find all these elements in The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.
  2. Elite / Ace of Spades
    Elite and Ace of Spades both follow the story of minority characters as they attempt to fit in at an elite private school. Elite centers around three working-class teens who face conflict with the wealthy students after their enrollment at a private school. The main characters of Ace of Spades, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, face similar conflicts when they are selected as class Prefects and begin to receive anonymous messages threatening to expose their secrets. Elite and Ace of Spades have many similar themes in the main conflict and are both full of suspense and mystery.
  3. Young Royals / Red, White & Royal Blue
    If you loved Young Royals, the next book for you is Red, White & Royal Blue. Both feature a young royal coming to terms with his sexuality while falling for a boy they can’t be with. Red, White & Royal Blue follows the perspective of Alex, the First Son of the United States, as he falls for Prince Henry of England. This book is the perfect rom-com to fill a Young Royals shaped void.
  4. Pose / We Are Lost and Found
    Pose and We Are Lost and Found both show a glimpse into the vibrant queer community and culture of New York City in the ’80s, amongst the rising crisis of AIDS. We Are Lost and Found follows Michael, a closeted teen who finds escape from his father, school, and the increasing threat of AIDS, at The Echo. Here he meets Gabriel and begins to find himself. While both Pose and We Are Lost and Found are highly entertaining, they also highlight the realities of being queer in the ’80s and celebrate the people who lived it.
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 LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations

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If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, you’re probably eager to get your hands on any piece of queer media you can; if you’re not part of the community, maybe you’re looking to broaden the scope of your reading experiences. There are so many queer books out there, but it can be hard to keep up with new releases and titles that have already been published. We have put together a list of LGBTQ+ reads to add to your TBR list, whether you’re reading by yourself or with a book club.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is a very popular retelling of the Iliad, focusing on the story of Achilles and Patroclus, told from the latter’s point of view. This book follows the two from childhood to the Trojan War, chronicling their growth and their romantic relationship. It is a very touching read, and it’s perfect for fans of Greek mythology.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe follows two lonely teenage boys who meet one another during the summer and become fast friends. Over time, and over a distance, the two discover romantic feelings for each other. This beloved novel has a sequel that was just published too!

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This is the sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, and it is a highly-anticipated sequel to boot. Having just been released, this book is on many a TBR list, but early reviews are giving it a glowing recommendation.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys went viral thanks to TikTok, and it’s for good reason. Sixteen-year-old trans boy Yadriel is on a mission to prove to his traditional family that he is a man by way of a brujo ceremony. Typically performed as a family celebration, Yadriel invites his cousin/best friend, Maritza, to attempt to summon their murdered cousin to set his soul free. Yadriel mistakenly summons the ghost of newly-dead high school bad boy Julian Diaz, and he refuses to leave Yadriel alone until the pair finds out what happened to the murdered boy. The longer the two spend together, however, the less they want to leave.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Cynical August moves to New York City where she waits tables at a twenty-four-hour diner and lives with way too many people. She has given up on romance and is determined to live the rest of her life alone. One day, she meets Jane on the subway and is stopped in her tracks. Slowly but surely, August begins to believe in love and the impossible.

While not an exhaustive list, I hope you’ve found a book (or two, or five) to add to your list. Happy reading, and enjoy these highly-praised queer love stories!