The Best Books for LGBTQ History Month

This heartwarming story follows sixty-five-year-old postman Albert Entwistle as he finds his perfect "found family" story.

With his retirement looming, Albert realizes his life is lonely because he has not been living his truth.

As he starts to share his old love story with co-workers, Albert embarks on a journey to find the boy he once loved.

The author, Matt Cain, has had a prolific career as a writer, broadcaster, and a leading commentator on LGBTQIA+ issues.

Through the true stories of past interviews, Cain came across many individuals who had concealed their sexuality until their later years. It is these shared accounts that helped create Albert’s perspective.

Matt Cain participated in an eye-opening interview about the challenges of publishing in the LGBTQ space for our Patreon. It was too good to continue keeping behind our paywall.

I have chosen his interview for our next Book Gang episode to give context to these men's stories. You will also learn more about Matt's inspiring and inventive journey to publishing.

Related- The Best 2023 Book Club Books (Read with the MomAdvice Book Club)

Celebrate today's Book Gang Guest, Jeffrey Dale Lofton. 

Described as a "fictional memoir," this novel includes Lofton's experiences of growing up as a gay boy in the Deep South.

At first, he didn't realize his physical differences, but a comment from a family member changed everything. Now aware of his misshapen chest, he navigates complicated feelings around his appearance.

Later, as Philbet grows older, he finds himself drawn to an older boy, complicating things further in his conservative town. 

Luckily, this story is both heartwarming and hopeful despite these challenges. 

Pete Cross offers an impeccable audiobook performance that enhances Lofton's story even more.  

Listen to Jeffrey Dale Lofton on Book Gang and learn how he wrote this coming-of-age story on his iPhone while commuting to work at the Library of Congress.

Fans of Jeff Zentner will fall in love with this new Southern storyteller.

This historical fiction book was inspired by the life of E.M. Forester and his relationship with a police officer named Bob Buckingham.

In the 1950s, a schoolteacher, a museum curator, and a policeman find themselves entangled in a complicated love triangle.

This tragic story explores the quiet love shared between these two men and what it would be like if speaking your truth resulted in your arrest and the destruction of your life.

The story utilizes journal entries (from his lover) and a manuscript (from his wife) that outline a confession, allowing the reader to explore this story from different points of view.

I recommend reading the book first and then streaming the My Policeman movie on Prime Video, starring Harry Styles.

Set in 1980s New York City, this exhilarating coming-of-age story follows Trey Singleton III, a young gay Black man. 

When Trey leaves his affluent family behind, he begins to navigate a world of activism and self-discovery amid the AIDS crisis. 

Jeffrey Dale Lofton shared that the book's footnotes provide authenticity and a poignant history lesson on early AIDS activism for readers. 

Rashid Newson's work illuminates the marginalized voices often absent from this time in history.

Set in 1914,  two classmates at an all-boys boarding school in the English countryside find love in unexpected places.

Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood grapple with their infatuation for each other amidst the chaos of World War I. 

As they navigate life in the trenches, they also navigate boyhood and sexuality. 

This novel is an incredible examination of LGBTQ identity during wartime. 

The audiobook performance is phenomenal. Pair the audio with the print copy for an immersive wartime experience with newspaper clippings and telegraphs.

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This poetry collection won the  2022 Ballad Spar Prize.

The book offers a coming-of-age novel in poems that embrace both the devastation and celebration of love. 

Written by a non-binary trans poet,  the poems take various forms. Lofton shared that the poem's rhythm is unsteady, much like their experience. 

The poems incorporate complex themes like abuse, self-harm, and neglect.

But it also offers a unique exploration into grief that is both personal and political.

This classic will be a 2024 MomAdvice Book Club pick for Pride Month! 

The story follows David, an American expatriate, grappling with his sexuality and romantic relationships with a man named Giovanni and a woman named Hella.

Set in 1950s Paris, James Baldwin offers a timeless exploration of forbidden love and self-discovery that you will find ahead of its time in many ways.

The novel sheds light on the inner struggles and external pressures faced by men in a time when homosexuality was heavily stigmatized.

Related- Join the MomAdvice Book Club

This novel is one of my favorite coming-of-age stories I've ever read.

The novel chronicles the friendship between June and her Uncle Finn and their shared appreciation for the arts.

But when Finn suddenly passes away due to a "mysterious illness," June finds herself in a world of grief and uncertainty. 

It is where she finds an unexpected connection with someone who also loved her uncle. 

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This novel is one of the best books I've read.

In this beautifully layered story, Cyril becomes dear friends with Julian. The problem is, as Cyril gets older, he realizes his feelings for his best friend are more significant than he realized.

The book chronicles seven decades of challenges, beginning in 1945. The story also explores identity, love, family, and societal change in Ireland.

Through Cyril's journey, the novel offers a poignant and often humorous commentary on the country's evolving attitudes toward sexuality and the lasting impact of personal secrets and societal norms.

In particular, the novel explores the AIDS epidemic in a memorable and impactful way.

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Set against the backdrop of 1970s Uruguay, this historical fiction novel takes you on a powerful journey.

Five women unite to defy societal norms and seek refuge in each other's arms.

Together, they seek refuge on a remote beach called Cabo Polonio, where they can live freely and be themselves, away from the constraints of a society that suppresses their sexuality.

The novel explores themes of friendship, love, resilience, and the pursuit of personal freedom against the backdrop of political and social turmoil.

Ultimately finding love and hope where they least expected it.

Literary fiction fans will devour this read!

Nick Russo, a determined reporter from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood, navigates a hostile world in the late 1950s New York City. 

His guarded heart unexpectedly finds solace in the presence of Andy Fleming, the newspaper tycoon's reluctant heir. 

Nick and Andy must grapple with societal prejudices as their unlikely friendship deepens into forbidden love.  

They also must make a heart-wrenching choice: to embrace their feelings in the face of adversity or let go.

In the early-2000s, a bookbinder at the Metropolitan Museum of Art stumbles upon a cryptic old love letter.

Hidden in a 1950s pulp novel, the discovery triggers an obsession to uncover the mystery behind these two women's love. It also explores the persisting threats to the LGBTQ community.

This heartfelt debut navigates the complexities of identity love in a modern timeline still reeling from the 9/11 aftermath.

In 1894 London, a married man becomes entangled in an affair with another man while collaborating on a groundbreaking new book.

The book's themes challenge societal norms around homosexuality but begin to coincide with a monumental arrest. 

As Oscar Wilde's arrest rocks their community, they face a publishing dilemma. 

Should they risk everything to publish the book or accept a world unprepared for change? 

A disgraced ex-detective investigates the murder of Irene Lamontaine, the head of a soap empire, in 1952.

Set in the secluded Lavender House, this location offers a haven for openly queer residents. 

As Andy delves deeper into the murder mystery, he makes a surprising discovery. There is a world of love and acceptance that challenges his previous prejudices and identity.

This mystery novel offers a poignant exploration of LGBTQ+ struggles in the 1950s. 

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This historical fiction novel is one of the best book club books you will ever read or discuss.  

In the 1980s, Brian confronts fear and discrimination following his AIDS diagnosis, and his return to a conservative Appalachian hometown paints an unforgettable portrait of a family in crisis.

This compassionate exploration offers shifting viewpoints in their family, offering a journey experience in a small town marked by cruelty. 

The audiobook experience is exquisite, with a multi-cast narration, perfect for LGBTQ History Month.  

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This National Book Award-shortlisted novel intertwines two interconnected stories.

One storyline is set in Chicago during the height of the AIDS epidemic 1980s, following a group of friends affected by the disease and the social and political challenges it presents.

The other storyline takes place in 2015, as one of the characters from the 1980s era searches for her estranged daughter in Paris.

Through poignant storytelling, Makkai brings humanity and compassion to these devastating stories during the AIDS crisis.

This coming-of-age narrative centers on a closeted teenager navigating his sexuality during the onset of the AIDS epidemic.

Micah’s life transforms when he meets C.J., a confident and free-spirited young man. As their friendship deepens, they navigate a world where being true to oneself can be both liberating and scary.

From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, this young adult novel explores the years Konigsberg knows best from his youth.

This young adult historical fiction novel won the National Book Award.

Join Lily Hu, a seventeen-year-old, on a journey of self-discovery. This Booktok book explores queer identity in 1950s San Francisco.

As she navigates her first love with a classmate, their journey leads them to the hidden world of The Telegraph Club. 

In a society where impersonating the opposite gender could lead to arrest, this novel examines the struggles faced by lesbian women.

Do not miss the author's note that is filled with incredible details on the historical setting that Lo discovered while researching for this project.

Jeffrey Dale Lofton recommended this book as a personal and moving account of the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis.

It features personal stories of lost loved ones and photographs that put faces to the names of those affected.

It also showcases the urgent need for LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access. He states that this book’s message will resonate across generations.

The recommended reading age is ages 12 to 17 years old. However, readers of all ages can appreciate this Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

In 1989, in New York City, three young people navigate their identities during the AIDS crisis. 

Reza, Judy, and Art grapple with self-discovery, love, and fear in a world of discrimination. 

Abdi Nazemian's heartfelt narrative offers a tribute to those who lived courageously during a time of fear and loss. 

This Stonewall Honor Book celebrates the enduring power of love and acceptance.

This critically acclaimed nonfiction book meticulously chronicles the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States.

Through extensive research and interviews, Shilts provides a comprehensive account of the medical, political, and social responses to the AIDS crisis.

The book vividly details the initial denial and slow response to the disease and the efforts of scientists, activists, and healthcare professionals to understand and combat it.

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This gripping page-turner explores everyday individuals' grassroots activism and tireless efforts during the AIDS crisis.

This nonfiction book explores their survival strategies, including detailed accounts of their incredible research behind treatments.

More importantly, it offers a fresh lens at the relentless persecution in the face of stigma and discrimination during this time.

As these weary-worn survivors trudge on, the sections on survivor's guilt were incredibly impactful.