7 of the Best New Queer Books Out This Week

At 96 years old, Isaac Dahl sits down to write his autobiography, and he does it by telling the story of 12 pivotal days in his life, like the day he survived an avalanche with his sister by hiding under an upside-down bathtub, or the days he spent with the loves of his life. Beginning in 1920s Utah, this part historical fiction, part contemporary story follows a gay man’s life over almost a century.

One of my favorite YA books I’ve ever read is Feed by M. T. Anderson, so I’m very excited to pick up a queer adult book by this author! Set in 1087 Italy, this follows treasure hunter Tyun as he tries to pull off a heist to steal the bones of Saint Nicholas to deliver them to Brother Nicephorus, who believes the holy relic weeps a healing liquid that will cure the city of Bari of the plague. It promises to be a “swashbuckling saga, a medieval novel noir, a meditation on the miraculous, and a monastic meet-cute.”

Julien Boire has a plan to get out of his small Pennsylvania hometown. He’s about to start an advanced wine course that will help him become a master sommelier. All he needs to do is manage his OCD, partly by keeping clear of any distractions — like the new hire at the restaurant, Greg, who’s a charming TikTok mixologist. Greg and Julien work together to plan happy hour events, and despite both of them being determined not to date, they start up a no-strings-attached sex pact. But despite his best efforts, Julien is starting to hope for exactly what they promised they wouldn’t have together: a real relationship.

This is the fourth of five books in this historical fantasy danmei/Boys’ Love series. Mo Xi and Gu Mang were once both commanders in the army. They were best friends and secret lovers until Gu Mang betrayed them and joined the opposing side. When he returns to the empire defeated, Mo Xi finds he can’t go through with executing the traitor. Subsequent volumes deal with murder mysteries, lost memories, the Time Mirror, a demon infested island, and more.

Phoebe has been living August 6th in a loop for a month, repeating the same day beat-for-beat while she waits for a doctor’s appointment the next day that never comes. Then Jess comes crashing into her life — literally, in a minor car crash — and is stuck in the loop with her. Jess convinces her to take advantage of the consequences-free element of their predicament, going on adventures together. But as Phoebe falls for them — again, because she’s had a crush on Jess since childhood — she worries that the only reason Jess is paying attention to her is the time loop. And if they do ever get out of this loop, will Phoebe’s doctor take her chronic pain seriously? This stars two queer disabled Jewish teenagers, and it’s a Reese Witherspoon Book Club LitUp Pick!