The Best Queer Books I’ve Read in 2024 So Far
Next week, I’ll be sharing the results of the Our Queerest Shelves Halfway Check-In Survey, but today, I wanted to chat with you about my answers to the questions about my favourite new and backlist queer books I’ve read in 2024.
And while we’re at it, I’ll also answer some questions from the Halfway Check In Tag circulating on BookTube and BookTok, including how many books I’ve read so far this year, my favourite new author I’ve discovered this year, and my most anticipated 2024 release that comes out in the second half of the year. Let’s get into it!
Bonus content for paid subscribers continues below.
Let’s start off with a simple one: How many books have you read so far this year? I’ve read 61 books, which is ahead of pace for my goal of 100 books for the year. 100 books annually is pretty typical for me, but 2023 was my best reading year to date: I read 132 books. It looks like I might get near that again this year!
Now, the OQS Check-In Survey questions, starting with What’s your favorite new (published in 2024) queer book that you’ve read so far this year? I’ve had a great romance reading year so far, which is a genre I only started reading recently. I’m choosing between several different romances as my favourite read of the year, but I think I’ll go with Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun, which gave me so many neurodivergent and former high school English teacher feelings. You can read my full review at the Lesbrary.
Next up, What’s your favorite backlist (published before 2024) queer book you’ve read so far this year? This one is easy: volumes one and two of The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle by Kent Monkman and Gisele Gordon. This is a queer, Indigenous guide to Turtle Island history, especially in “Canada.” It’s funny, heartbreaking, and educational all at once. I’ve never read history like this, guided through it by a shape-shifting immortal narrator. There are also gorgeous paintings by Monkman (like the one on the cover) throughout. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
What’s the most disappointing book you’ve read this year? This is a question I wouldn’t answer in a public post, but since we’re all friends here: The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller. I was so excited for this queer zombie romp, but I hated the plot twist with one of the characters so much that I took it personally. You can read my full review at the Lesbrary.
What genre have you read most this year? Counting all formats and age categories, general fiction in my most-read genre, followed by romance and fantasy. In terms of format, though, comics comes first, including graphic novels and manga.
Who is a new favourite author that you’ve discovered this year? I think I’ll say Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe, because I liked Thunder Song so much I went back and read her memoir Red Paint, and I really enjoyed that one too, so now I’ll read anything she writes.
What is your most anticipated 2024 release? I’m so excited to read The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean. Queer cozy fantasy with magical creatures?? It sounds so warm and fuzzy! This one is out mid-August.
I’d love to hear your answers to any/all of these, so let’s chat in the comments!
If you’re reading this newsletter online and want new queer books and queer book news in your inbox, sign up for Our Queerest Shelves here.
The comments section is moderated according to our community guidelines. Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers!
The comments section is moderated according to our community guidelines. Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers!
Leave a comment
Become an All Access member to add comments