It's cold and miserable out and I want nothing more than to be wrapped up in bed with a hot drink and a good book. Thankfully there's plenty of queer cosy fiction to choose from - from coffee shops to cottagecore, sci-fi, rom-coms and cosy mystery, here's our list of queer cosy fiction to keep you warm on those cold nights in: Someone You Can Build A Nest In John Wiswell Adult horror/monster romance Queer Rep: Queer Women, Asexual Reading Age: 18+ Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth. However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she’s found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don’t think about love that way. Legends & Lattes Travis Baldree Low stakes, high fantasy & coffee Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 17+ A queer and cosy high fantasy novel with low stakes, a double-shot of self-reinvention and sapphic romance. Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve. Under The Whispering Door TJ Klune Death, tea & the afterlife Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead. Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over. But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life. Cubs & Campfires Dylan Drakes Bears, writing & lots of sex Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ Struggling journalism graduate, Luca Torres, never meant to take a vow of celibacy. It was just a dumb idea from a job interview gone wrong. He never thought they’d approve the article. Or make his future career conditional on delivering it. Now, with no choice but to steer clear of temptation for the summer, he takes the most isolated job he can find: a fire lookout in the rural and picturesque mountains of Washington State. However, his goal becomes much harder with the arrival of the husky and flirtatious Artair Osmond, a musician and wilderness enthusiast who takes up camp nearby. Now he must decide what he really desires: the career at the prestigious newspaper, or the big, bearded bear he can’t get out of his head. Board To Death CJ Connor Murder, mystery & boardgames Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ Back in his hometown of Sugar House running his family’s board game shop and cafe, Ben Rosencrantz just can’t seem to get his life to pass go, much less collect $200. At least the town has become more LGBTQ+ friendly than when Ben was a teenager—and that flower shop owner Ezra McCaslin enjoys flirting with him. But despite his usual clientele of gamers, Ben is barely earning enough to keep the store running and stay on top of his father’s medical bills. Then a local toy and game collector named Clive offers him a winning strategy - to purchase a turn-of-the-twentieth-century edition of The Landlord’s Game, the realty and taxation game that inspired Monopoly, at a tenth of the rare edition’s true value. Suspicious of Clive’s shady, low-priced deal, Ben turns the offer down. Then Clive turns up dead in the dumpster behind Ben’s shop and a backpack full of $100 bills appears on his doorstep. Now Ben is the #1 suspect in Clive’s death, and unless he and Ezra can prove his innocence and find the real killer, he’ll go to jail for murder—and no amount of double dice rolls will set him free . . . House Of Frank Kay Synclaire Grief, loss & magic Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 18+ Powerless witch Saika is ready to enact her sister’s final to plant her remains at the famed Ash Gardens. When Saika arrives at the always-stormy sanctuary, she is welcomed by its owner, an enormous, knit-cardiganed mythical beast named Frank, who offers her a role as one of the estate’s caretakers. Overcome with grief, Saika accepts, desperate to put off her final farewell to her sister. But the work requires a witch with intrinsic power, and Saika’s been disconnected from her magic since her sister’s death two years prior. Saika gets by at the sanctuary using a fragment of a fallen star to cast enchantments—while hiding the embarrassing truth about herself. As Saika works harder in avoidance of her pain, she learns more about Frank, the decaying house at Ash Gardens, and the lives of the motley staff, including bickering twin cherubs, a mute ghost, a cantankerous elf, and an irritating half witch, among others. Over time, she rediscovers what it means to love and be wholly loved and how to allow her joy and grief to coexist. The Restaurant At The Edge Of The World Oliver Gerlach Cooking, competition & friendship Queer Rep: Queer Women, Non-Binary Reading Age: 12+ At seventeen, Soup is at a crossroads, eager to make her mark on the world, yet reluctant to leave the restaurant she calls home. The last thing on her to-do list is to overthrow the patriarchy, but when her elven boss snaps at her she begins to see his pattern of abuse, starting in the kitchen. Something's got to give, and the answer is a bet for the restaurant. If Soup wins the cooking competition, she'll claim the business and protect her village. If she loses, she'll have to leave her home and stand by as the food community she loves is razed to the ground. With friends and chosen family rallying around her, Soup has a chance to win. Yet, everyone knows villains don't fight fair and this restaurateur is not going to give up his throne so easily . . . The Teller Of Small Fortunes Julie Leong Family, fortunes & adventure Queer Rep: Aro/Ace, Queer Cast Reading Age: 18+ Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences… Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and - of course - a slightly magical cat. Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in - and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have. The Honey Witch Sydney J. Shields Witches, magic &bees Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 18+ Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So when her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence come with a No one can fall in love with the Honey Witch. When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart. Floating Hotel Grace Curtis Sci-fi, mystery & chosen family Queer Rep: Queer Cast Reading Age: 17+ Welcome to the Grand Abeona home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. All year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury - and an absolute magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such as: Why are there love poems in the lobby inbox? How many Imperial spies are currently on board? What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver’s conference? And perhaps most pertinently— who is driving the ship? Each guest has a secret, every member of staff a universe unto themselves. At the center of these interweaving lives and interlocking mysteries stands Carl, one time stowaway, longtime manager, devoted caretaker to the hotel. It’s the love of his life and the only place he’s ever called home. But as forces beyond Carl’s comprehension converge on the Abeona, he has to face one final when is it time to let go? The Baker & The Bard Fern Haught Mushrooms, magic & adventure Queer Rep: Non-Binary Reading Age: 12+ Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger makes an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley's pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries. Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving only a trail of glowy goo behind. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate. Can't Spell Treason Without Tea Rebecca Thorne Mishap, mystery & murderous queens Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 18+ All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town that boasts more dragons than people, and open the shop of their dreams. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world. Think we've missed something great? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeek Bookshop  or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk  ✌

Everyone loves a night out, but sometimes it’s nice to hang out with people without being drunk in a club at 1am. Birmingham has some amazing queer clubs and bars, but there’s also plenty to do away from the nightlife. Whether you’re new to the city and looking for friends or just want something to do at the weekend (that doesn’t involve downing pints and flashing lights), here’s our list of queer events, clubs and socials that are currently going on in Birmingham right now. QUEER ARTS & CREATIVITY: QUEER AS JOKE (18+) QUEER COMEDY CLUB @QueerAsJoke Birmingham's only LGBTQIA+ Stand Up Comedy night showcases queer comedy from across the UK. Each month join hosts Cycki Brokat, Ellen Degenerate and Gareth Williams for a night of fun, joy and laugh-out-loud comedy Tickets are £10 on the door - Line Up changes monthly. SHOUT QUEER ARTS & CULTURE @Shout_Festival After almost 15 years as an annual festival, SHOUT has recently shifted to a year-round programme of events supporting queer art & culture in Birmingham. They run a bunch of projects that celebrate the work of LGBTQ+ artists and communities across the Midlands. There are parties, gallery exhibitions, historical archives and queer performances throughout the year, and they also offer artist development support through Work In Progress sharing, commissioning, and providing spaces for people to connect. Find out more about upcoming events at https://shoutfestival.co.uk BIRMINGHAM GAYMERS QUEER BOARD GAME CLUB @BirminghamGaymers Birmingham Gaymers is a safe space for LGBTQ+ folk and allies to meet new friends, connect with old ones, eat, drink and of course play board games. The meet-up is pretty informal. Turn up from 1pm, organisers will be on hand to make game suggestions and help you find a group if you need one. If you have something at home you're eager to play, bring it along. Entry is £4 per person to cover the table hire. JOURNEY FILM CLUB QUEER FILM CLUB @JourneyFilmClub Journey Film Club are a non-profit queer film club that prides itself on delivering the best in queer cinema. They meet once a month at Birmingham's LGBT Centre and show a variety of different types of films to suit all tastes. Tickets £1 - includes refreshments HOUSE OF ALLURE (18+) BURLESQUE AND CABARET GROUP @_houseofallure_ House of Allure is Birmingham's newest empowerment presence. Promoting sex appeal, confidence, and fitness through burlesque-based classes and performances, such as heels, burlesque fusion, and traditional burlesque in a safe environment. Follow House of Allure on Instagram for updates about upcoming shows. V.ENUS EVENTS (18+) OPEN MIC-NIGHT @v.enus.events V.enus Events regularly host open mic nights at The Nightingale, although they're currently looking for a new venue. You can expect a variety of performers, from drag to stand-up, burlesque, music and poetry, and they often collaborate with people like @thegaybourhoodevents to shift into more of a club night once the open mic is over. Tickets usually start at £7 - you can follow @ v.enus.events on Instagram for the latest updates. BARDS & BOOK (over 50s) QUEER BOOK CLUB @Birmingham_LGBT Bards & Books is a super-friendly LGBT book club based in Birmingham run by volunteers. Books are chosen by vote each month and meetings are held on the first Monday of the month from 11am to 1pm - with time to socialise too. Membership is available to those over 25 and most of the group are over 50. The group also has an ongoing podcasting project. QUEER ART CLUB BRUM QUEER ART CLUB @QueerArtClubBrum Held at Sons of Rest Building in Handsworth Park, Queer Art Club Brum invites you to bring your own art projects, make some art, meet new people and try out art materials and methods together. It's a community-based event and not-for-profit, so donations of new materials are always welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits are provided too. LIMELIGHT OPEN MIC NIGHT @FruitPunchBrum Limelight Open Mic is a four-hour queer-friendly open mic night held once a month by @FruitPunchBrum  at Cherry Red's Cafe Bar. Showcase your skills, or to simply enjoy a night filled with creativity, laughter and joy - all whilst supporting Birmingham's local artists! The event runs from 6PM-10PM Tickets are £5 on the door. ACTING OUT BRUM (18+) QUEER THEATRE GROUP @Acting.Out.Brum Acting Out is a Birmingham-based acting group for the LGBTQ+ community that meets every Thursday at The Old Rep Theatre between 7pm-9pm. From complete newbies to seasoned professionals, they're a diverse and inclusive group who are always welcoming of new members interested in any aspects of production and performance. The team produce and perform at least one play a year, and also perform every month at Up to Scratch at The Old Rep. QUEER SPORTS CLUBS: GAY CITY BOWLERS (18+) QUEER BOWLING CLUB @GayCityBowlers Gay City Bowlers and an LGBTQ+ inclusive ten pin bowling group who host monthly events in Liverpool, Nottingham, Bristol, London, Birmingham and Cardiff. Tickets are £18 and covers 2 games. BIRMINGHAM SWIFTS (18+) QUEER RUNNING CLUB @BirminghamSwifts Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ inclusive running club hosts a main social run on Thursdays and joins a local park run on Saturdays. They also offer group coaching sessions, 121 coaching and wellbeing events throughout the year. The club is free to join with an optional supporter membership of £13. BIRMINGHAM UNICORNS (18+) QUEER CRICKET CLUB @BhamUnicorns Birmingham Unicorns are an LGBTQ+ inclusive cricket club based in south Birmingham, playing friendly fixtures. New players are always welcome and full equipment is available to borrow. Full membership is £35 with concessions at £10. BIRMINGHAM BULLS (18+) QUEER RUGBY CLUB @BrumBullsRFC The Birmingham Bulls are an LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby team that encourages new members to come along regardless of ability. Training is held on Wednesday evenings at Yardley & District Rugby Club. The club is FREE to join for the first month. DEPOT CLIMBING LGBTQ+ NIGHT (18+) QUEER BOULDERING CLUB @DepotBirmingham The Depot Climbing Centre in Birmingham is an indoor bouldering centre that has over 1000 square metres of climbing surfaces graded from V0 to V10. Their LGBTQ+ night is held on Fridays between 7-9pm. Member Entry is £10/Non-Member Entry is £11. BIRMINGHAM BLAZE (18+) QUEER FOOTBALL CLUB @BlazeFC Birmingham Blaze FC is an LGBTQ+ team competing in the local Birmingham leagues as well as nationally and internationally in tournaments. They train on Wednesday evenings and play 11-a-side matches on Sunday mornings in the Festival League . BICYCLE ADVENTURE CLUB QUEER CYCLING CLUB @BicycleAdventureClub The Bicycle Adventure Club is a cycling group that organises non-competitive group rides across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Explore, learn, camp, drink tea, eat cake and have a good time. You can find a list of their upcoming rides on their website here: Ride With Us MOSELEY SHOALS QUEER SWIMMING & WATER POLO CLUB @Moseley_Shoals Moseley Shoals host weekly evening and weekend LGBTQ+ inclusive swimming sessions throughout the year. They also run water polo sessions every fortnight at their Wednesday swim, where they play for fun - suitable both for those who have played before or are completely new to the sport. Your first session is FREE. QUEER SOCIALS & MEETUPS: FRUIT PUNCH QUEER BLACK & POC SOCIAL @FruitPunchBrum Fruit Punch is a Black & POC queer-led collective that hosts several events across Birmingham monthly - their queer black & POC social runs every first Wednesday of the month from 6pm. Join them at The Anchor in Digbeth for a night of fun and games in a space for queer black and POC people to exist. BIRMINGHAM BUTCH BAR BUTCH SOCIAL @BrumButchBar Birmingham Butch Bar is a monthly event (currently held in Digbeth & Stirchley) celebrating butch, dyke, transmasc and gender non-conforming people in Birmingham. They're trans, cis, and non-gender inclusive and put on events at fun and welcoming spaces where people can build connections and friendship, grow as a community and find solidarity through both sober and non-sober events. They also have a WhatsApp group. MIDSBEARS GBTQ+ BEAR SOCIAL @MidsBears MidsBears is a social and networking group whose aim is to provide members of the Bear Community with a wide range of social activities. They host several events throught the year across the Midlands including monthly meetups in Birmingham as well as an annual Bear Weekend usually held in October. THE TRANS TEAROOM TRANS & GENDER DIVERSE SOCIAL @TheTransTearoom The Trans Tearoom is a trans-led community space for gender diverse, non-binary and trans people across the West Midlands to enjoy some coffee, cake and community. Weekly drop-in sessio ns are held every Wednesday between 1pm-4pm, at Carrs Lane Church, not far from Birmingham Moore Street Station. SCSSR (18+) LESBIAN-FOCUSED FLINTA EVENTS & SOCIALS @ SCSSR.Events SCSSR is a social community for LGBTQ+ women, trans and non-binary people that organises regular group meet-ups including hikes, meals, sport events, and nightlife. Socials are held across the West Midlands with a focus on Birmingham and Coventry. You can also join their WhatsApp community here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GqV1VFMuqPtBGes8COMjH7 GOLDEN BABS LGBTQ+ 50s+ SOCIAL @Birmingham_LGBT Golden Babs is a vibrant LGBT+ community initiative held at Birmingham LGBT Centre every Tuesday for those aged 50 and over to gather, connect, and celebrate through enriching activities. They offer coffee mornings, arts and crafts, movies, dance, poetry, music, and engaging workshops. Pop in from 10.30am to 1pm for a weekly dose of joy, diversity, and shared experiences. RAINBOW CONNECTIONS QUEER COFFEE AND CAKE SOCIAL @Rainbow_Connections_Brum Rainbow Connections runs a monthly meetup for coffee and cake on the first Saturday of every month at Boston Tea Party on Corporation Street in the heart of Birmingham. Join them from 2:30 - 4:30pm for a coffee, some cake, and a catch-up - just head past the till and into the lower seating area (you'll see the banner, you can't miss them!). It's free to attend and open to everyone. BIRMINGHAM NONBINARY GROUP NON-BINARY SOCIAL @BirminghamNonBinaryGroup The Birmingham Nonbinary Group is a monthly sober social for anyone who falls outside the gender binary. It's a three-hour hang-out held one Saturday a month at Moseley Hive on Moseley Highstreet. The Venue is fully accessible and has gender-neutral toilets. YARANA SOUTH ASIAN & MIDDLE EASTERN SOCIAL @Birmingham_LGBT Yarana face-to-face support group has been created to help bring South Asian & Middle Eastern LGBTQI+ people together. Events are held every three weeks at the Birmingham LGBT Center on a Saturday, 4pm–6pm. Q HIVE SOBER QUEER SOCIAL @Q_Hive_Bham Q Hive is a queer-led sober event that takes place at The Moseley Hive in Moseley - it's a fully accessible space and hosts a range of events from queer film nights to coffee mornings, as well as boardgame and craft events. Events usually take place on Saturday mornings once a month between 10am-12pm. TRANSMASCULINE BIRMINGHAM (18+) TRANS-MASC SOCIAL www.facebook.com/transmasculinebirmingham Trans Masculine Birmingham (TMB) is a support group for adults 18+ who identify as trans male, transmasculine, non-binary, and/or gender questioning. Meetings include social events and activities, as well as discussions and workshops (topics such as trans admin, healthcare, parenthood, employment, and relationship health). LGBT NATURE CONNECT QUEER NATURE SOCIAL @lgbtnatureconnect The aim of LGBT+ Nature Connect is to help you reconnect with nature through LGBTQ+ friendly guided walks, lessons about nature, and other fun social activities in various pubs and cafes local to the Lickey Hills and Waseley Hills area. Everyone is welcome, even if you’re not part of the LGBTQ+ community, all you need is an open mind and a love for nature! LBTQ+ WOMEN’S SOCIAL LBTQ+ WOMEN'S SOCIAL @Birmingham_LGBT The LBTQ+ Women's Social is a social group for all LBTQ+ women held monthly at the Birmingham LGBT Centre at 4pm. Pop in for refreshments and a chat, in a safe and friendly space. HANGOUT NAKED MIDLANDS (18+) QUEER MEN'S NUDIST SOCIAL @hangoutnakedmidlands Hang Out Naked Midlands is a new social event for GBTQ+ men, where they get together to chat, have a drink and connect socially whilst naked. They're a supportive and friendly group made up of all body types and hold regular hangouts once a month in a warm, friendly venue in the Gay Village. Entry is £7 on the door. Please note - HONM is a completely non-sexual environment at all times. KINK SOCIALS & EVENTS: CLUB SCRITCHES (18+) PET PLAY SOCIAL @ClubScritches Club Scritches is a friendly and inclusive social pet play event held every fourth Saturday of the month at the Eden in Birmingham. The event runs from 1pm-6pm - there are games, a raffle, and a soft play area with a ball pit. It's a safe and non-judgemental event for pet players of all gender expressions with no mandatory dress code; however, be respectful and cover your genitals. Entry is FREE. BIRMINGHAM FETISH MEN (18+) GBTQ+ LEATHER & FETISH SOCIAL @BirminghamFetishMen Birmingham Fetish Men is an inclusive quarterly fetish night for men, those who identify as men, transmasculine, and non-binary people who live in the West Midlands. Alongside their heavier nights focusing on play, they also hold social events featuring cabaret and comedy, as well as wine tastings, dinners and cigar socials during their Birmingham Fetishmen Weekend (held annually in November). Entry for the regular event is £10 in advance or £15 on the door. Please note that this event has a strict dress code, which you can find on their website here: https://birminghamfetish.com/#dress-code BIRMINGHAM BIZARRE BAZAAR (18+) FETISH SOCIAL & MARKET @BirminghamBizarre The Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar is a queer-inclusive monthly alternative market held every third Sunday of the month at The Village Inn and Nightingale Club. Attendees are encouraged to express themselves (particularly when it comes to their clothing) and it's a great place to socialise or do some shopping in the market area. Entry is £7 on the door. TEMPORARY CRUISING ZONE (18+) ALL-GENDER SEX PARTY @TemporaryCruisingZone Temporary Cruising Zone is a members-only, trans ran, all-gender queer sex party based in Birmingham that seeks to provide queer people with a space to express themselves and their desires, flaunt their sexuality and meet new friends and lovers in a welcoming environment. The party runs from 2pm-8pm (last entry 3.30pm) and the entry fee operates on a sliding scale. Pay on arrival: £10-£20 (plus £20 lifetime venue membership on your first visit) Want to add your event to our list? Ping us a message over on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop  or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk  ✌

It's that time of year again: the Trans Rights Readathon is back for 2026. This year, it runs  from the 17th of March to the 31st of March, in the lead-up to Trans Day of Visibility 2026. The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual campaign for readers & book lovers to read more books written by and featuring trans, genderqueer, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and 2Spirit authors and characters. Each year, they create a new Trans Rights Readathon bingo card to help readers read more diversely. This year's bingo card includes nine prompts and we thought it might be a good idea to give you some recommendations for each prompt. From books about trans elders to comics about trans joy, genderqueer adventure and non-binary memoirs, here are a few suggestions of trans books to help you get started on your reading journey this Trans Rights Readathon: If you're taking part in the Trans Rights Readathon this year, feel free to tag @transrightsreadathon  on socials or use the hashtags #trr26  and #transrightsreadathon .  Nonbinary and Gender Expansive Rep with Diverse Bodies Books by an author or featuring a main character who exists outside of the gender binary. Love, Misha by Askel Aden Genre: YA Fantasy Graphic Novel Reading age: 14+ Can this road trip get any worse? Yes, Mom (Audrey) wanted to spend time with Misha. And yes, she’s never around and they don’t even live together, so this is a rare opportunity. But Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being non-binary and trying to talk to her openly about it. Misha even tries to write how they feel in a letter, but that isn’t going well either. Then a wrong turn down a forest road leads the mother-child duo straight into the Realm of Spirits! Suddenly in peril and without a clue how to return to their world, Misha and Audrey will have to work together to find their way back home. But can they find a way back to each other? It's a great little graphic novel ab out family schism and reconciliation that effortlessly enriches the complex dynamics of mother and child. My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner Genre: Erotic Rom-Com Reading age: 18+ Elsie Hoffman has been engaged to her college boyfriend for a year and a half. Ginny Holtz has been in love with Elsie for almost a decade and a half. When Elsie discovers her fiancé already planned their wedding and honeymoon as a surprise and she’s expected to be in a white dress in seven days, she swiftly realizes she’s let herself become too comfortable with a future she never wanted. She breaks things off, and a week later is on a plane to the Caribbean for her non-refundable honeymoon with her best friend Ginny instead. Ginny thinks it’s high time Elise learned how to speak up for herself. So, they make a deal with her. For the next week, Elsie can have whatever she wants, wherever, however, and whenever she wants it, as long as she asks. They never expected Elsie to want them. Bad Queer by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan Genre: YA Coming-Of-Age Novel In Verse Reading age: 14+ Prema knows exactly who they are. Coming out as non-binary to their queer parents and best friend? A total non-event. Catching feelings for Blessing - the boy in drama club whose smile makes their heart race? That’s trickier. As their final year of school unfolds and the two of them grow closer, Prema starts to question: Does Blessing really see them? Or just a version of them that doesn’t exist? They’d ask their best friend for advice, but she’s busy falling in love too... With gorgeous illustrations throughout, Bad Queer draws us deeply into queer friendship, family secrets, and the necessary act of loving yourself. Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Dean Atta, and Sarah Crossan. A Book About Trans+ Youth or that Imagines the Future Books focusing on trans youth or imagining trans futures. Welcome To St Hell by Lewis Hancox Genre: YA Graphic Memoir Reading age: 14+ Lewis has a few things to say to his younger teen self. He knows she hates her body. He knows she's confused about who to snog. He knows she's really a he and will ultimately realize this... but she's going to go through a whole lot of mess (some of it funny, some of it not funny at all) to get to that point. Lewis is trying to tell her this... but she's refusing to listen. In Welcome To St. Hell, author-illustrator Lewis Hancox takes readers on the hilarious, heartbreaking, and healing path he took to make it past trauma, confusion, hurt, and dubious fashion choices in order to become the man he was meant to be. It's a remarkable, groundbreaking graphic memoir from an unmistakably bold new voice in comics. There's also a second volume for anyone interested in following up of Lewis's life called Escape From St Hell. Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner Genre: YA Paranormal Horror Reading age: 14+ Elsie Hoffman has been engaged to her college boyfriend for a year and a half. Ginny Holtz has been in love with Elsie for almost a decade and a half. When Elsie discovers her fiancé already planned their wedding and honeymoon as a surprise and she’s expected to be in a white dress in seven days, she swiftly realizes she’s let herself become too comfortable with a future she never wanted. She breaks things off, and a week later is on a plane to the Caribbean for her non-refundable honeymoon with her best friend Ginny instead. Ginny thinks it’s high time Elise learned how to speak up for herself. So, they make a deal with her. For the next week, Elsie can have whatever she wants, wherever, however, and whenever she wants it, as long as she asks. They never expected Elsie to want them. Another Kind by Cait May & Trevor Bream Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure Graphic Novel Reading age: 10+ Six kids search for a new place to call home in this middle-grade graphic novel. Tucked away in a government facility nicknamed the Playroom, six not-quite-human kids learn to control their strange and unpredictable abilities. Life is good - or safe, at least - hidden from the prying eyes of a judgmental world. That is, until a security breach forces them out of their home and into the path of the Collector, a mysterious being with leech-like powers. Can the group band together to thwart the Collector's devious plan, or will they wind up the newest addition to his collection? A Trans+ Book someone recommended to you Books by trans authors with trans main characters that I loved and would recommend to you. Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson Genre: Urban Fantasy Reading age: 18+ Her Majesty's Royal Coven follows a topsecret government department of witches and the deadly threat to the nation that they must confront. Hidden among us is a secret coven of witches. They are Her Majesty's Royal Coven. They protect crown and country from magical forces and otherworldly evil. But their greatest enemy will come from within. There are whisperings of a prophecy that will bring the coven to its knees, and five best friends are about to be caught at the centre. Life as a modern witch was never simple... but now it's about to get apocalyptic. Prepare to be bewitched by Juno Dawson's first adult series. A story of ancient prophecies and modern dating, of sacred sisterhood and demonic frenemies. Galaxy The Prettiest Star by Jadzia Axelrod & Jess Taylor Genre: YA Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Reading age: 13+ It takes strength to live as your true self, and one alien princess disguised as a human boy is about to test her power. A vibrant story about gender identity, romance, and shining as bright as the stars. Taylor Barzelay has the perfect life. Good looks, good grades, a starting position on the basketball team, a loving family, even an adorable corgi. Every day in Taylor’s life is perfect. And every day is torture. Taylor is actually the Galaxy Crowned, an alien princess from the planet Cyandii, and one of the few survivors of an intergalactic war. For six long, painful years, Taylor has accepted her duty to remain in hiding as a boy on Earth. That all changes when Taylor meets Metropolis girl Katherine “call me Kat” Silverberg, whose confidence is electrifying. Suddenly, Taylor no longer wants to hide, even if exposing her true identity could attract her greatest enemies. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure Reading age: 13+ As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all - they will be sacrificed to Sol. Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials… or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya - daughter of Tierra, the god of earth - is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and… Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival. A Book About Trans Elders or Trans History Books by or about trans elders, like a memoir or biography, or a trans history book. Calling My Deadname Home by Avi Ben-Zeev Genre: Memoir - Non-Fiction Reading age: 18+ In this extraordinarily compelling trans memoir, Avi, a bearish trans man and Psychology Professor, navigates sex and dating in a phallic-centric universe of men who love men. But something is missing. To become the man he aspires to be, he needs to reconnect with Talia, his hyper-feminine straight female past, and invite her back in. This memoir explores what it means to come home to oneself with brutal honesty, humour, and self-compassion, going well beyond gender. From growing up in a working-class right-wing Israeli family and barely finishing high school to pro-Palestinian activism and escaping compulsory military service by faking madness, to attaining a PhD from Yale-a triumph after poor schooling. Told in three episodes, early transition, later transition and Talia's story, this memoir tackles contemporary gender and social issues. At its heart is a universal theme: to become who we already are, we must integrate the past into the present. Trans Britain edited by Christine Burns Genre: Trans History & Essays - Non-Fiction Reading age: 18+ Over the last five years, transgender people have seemed to burst into the public eye: Time declared 2014 a 'trans tipping point', while American Vogue named 2015 'the year of trans visibility'. From our television screens to the ballot box, transgender people have suddenly become part of the zeitgeist. This apparently overnight emergence, though, is just the latest stage in a long and varied history. The renown of Paris Lees and Hari Nef has its roots in the efforts of those who struggled for equality before them, but were met with indifference - and often outright hostility - from mainstream society. Trans Britain chronicles this journey in the words of those who were there to witness a marginalised community grow into the visible phenomenon we recognise today: activists, film-makers, broadcasters, parents, an actress, a rock musician and a priest, among many others. Here is everything you always wanted to know about the background of the trans community, but never knew how to ask. Before We Were Trans by Kit Heyam Genre: Trans History - Non-fiction Reading age: 18+ Today’s narratives about trans people tend to feature individuals with stable gender identities that fit neatly into the categories of male or female. Those stories, while important, fail to account for the complex realities of many trans people’s lives.   Before We Were Trans  illuminates the stories of people across the globe, from antiquity to the present, whose experiences of gender have defied binary categories. Blending historical analysis with sharp cultural criticism, trans historian and activist Kit Heyam offers a new, radically inclusive trans history, chronicling expressions of trans experience that are often overlooked, like gender-nonconforming fashion and wartime stage performance.  Before We Were Trans  transports us from Renaissance Venice to seventeenth-century Angola, from Edo Japan to early America, and looks to the past to uncover new horizons for possible trans futures.   Trans+ Book Featuring Joy/Love/Resistance Books focusing on trans joy, love or resistance by or about trans people. The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill Genre: Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy Reading age: 18+ A poignant and enchanting novel about a magical bookstore that transports a trans man through time and brings him face-to-face with his teenage self, offering him the chance of a lifetime to examine his life and identity to find a new beginning. When Darby finds himself unemployed and in need of a fresh start, he moves back to the small Illinois town he left behind. But Oak Falls has changed almost as much as he has since he left. One thing is familiar: In Between Books, Darby’s refuge growing up and eventual high school job. When he walks into the bookstore now, Darby feels an eerie sense of déjà vu - everything is exactly the same. Even the newspapers are dated 2009. And behind the register is a teen who looks a lot like Darby did at sixteen... who just might give Darby the opportunity to change his own present for the better—if he can figure out how before his connection to the past vanishes forever. Transmogrify edited by G Haron Davis Genre: YA Fantasy Anthology Reading age: 14+ Perfect for fans of All Out and Cemetery Boys, this anthology claims a seat at the table of fantasy literature for trans and gender-nonconforming stories. Transness is as varied and colorful as magic can be. In Transmogrify!, you’ll embark on fourteen different adventures alongside unforgettable characters who embody many different genders and expressions and experiences - because magic is for everyone, and that is cause for celebration. It's a great little collection of fourteen fantastical tales of trans magic. Featuring stories from people like AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy, G. Haron Davis, Mason Deaver, Jonathan Lenore Kastin, Emery Lee, Saundra Mitchell, Cam Montgomery, Ash Nouveau, Sonora Reyes, Renee Reynolds, Dove Salvatierra, Ayida Shonibar, Francesca Tacchi and Nik Traxler. A Lady For A Duke by Alexis Hall Genre: Adult Historical Romance Reading age: 18+ When Viola Caroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become. As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again. Transfemme/Transwoman Rep with multiple trans characters Books with a trans author or main character who identifies as a trans woman or on the feminine side of the trans experience. Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin Genre: Adult Dystopian Horror Reading age: 18+ An explosive post-apocalyptic novel that follows trans women and men on a grotesque journey of survival. Beth and Fran spend their days travelling the ravaged New England coast, hunting feral men and harvesting their organs in a gruesome effort to ensure they'll never face the same fate. Robbie lives by his gun and one hard-learned motto: other people aren't safe. After a brutal accident entwines the three of them, this found family of survivors must navigate murderous TERFs, a sociopathic billionaire bunker brat, and awkward relationship dynamics - all while outrunning packs of feral men, and their own demons. Manhunt is a timely, powerful response to every gender-based apocalypse story that failed to consider the existence of transgender and non-binary people, from a powerful new voice in horror. A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton Genre: Adult Lit-Fic Reading age: 18+ It is 1998; Lilith, Sash, and Abraxa are teenagers, and they are making Saga of the Sorceress, a game that will change everything, if only for the three of them. 18 years later, Saga of the Sorceress still exists only on the scattered drives of its creators. Lilith might be the first trans woman to ever work as an Assistant Loan Underwriter at Dollarwise Investments in Brooklyn. Sash is in Brooklyn as well, working as a research assistant and part-time webcam dominatrix. Neither knows that the other is there, or that Abraxa, the third member of Invocation LLC, is just across the Hudson River, sleeping on the floor of a friend’s grandparents’ Jersey City home. They have never met in person, and have been out of touch for years, but none have forgotten the sorceress, or her quest, still far from finished. Herculine by Grace Byron Genre: Adult Horror Reading age: 18+ Herculine’s narrator has demons. Sure, her life includes several hallmarks of the typical trans girl sob story - conversion therapy, a string of shitty low-paying jobs, and even shittier exes - but she also regularly debates sleep paralysis demons that turn to mist soon after she wakes and carries vials of holy oil in her purse. Nothing, though, prepares her for the new malevolent force stalking her through the streets of New York City. Desperate to escape this ancient evil, she flees to rural Indiana, where her ex-girlfriend started an all-trans girl commune in the middle of the woods. The secluded camp, named after 19th-century intersex memoirist Herculine Barbin, is a scrappy operation, but the shared sense of community among the girls is a welcome balm to the narrator’s growing isolation and paranoia. Still, something isn’t quite right at Herculine. Girls stop talking as soon as she enters the room, everyone seems to share a common secret, and the books lining the walls of the library harbor strange cryptograms. Soon what once looked like an escape becomes a trap all its own. Transmasc/Trans Man Rep by a BIPOC Author Books with a trans author or main character who identifies as a trans man or on the masculine side of the trans experience. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy Reading age: 14+ A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. Boys Run The Riot by Keito Gaku Genre: YA Slice-Of-Life Manga Reading age: 14+ A transgender teen named Ryuu finds an escape from the expectations and anxieties of his daily life in the world of street fashion. High schooler Ryuu knows he's transgender. But he doesn't have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can't tell his best friend, who he's secretly got a crush on, and he can't tell his mom, who's constantly asking why Ryuu is always dressing like a boy. He certainly can't tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully. The only time Ryuu feels at ease is when he's wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryuu sees an unexpected sight: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class is shopping for the same clothes that Ryuu loves. And Jin offers Ryuu a proposal: to start their own brand and create apparel to help everyone feel comfortable in their skin. Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender Genre: YA Magical Fantasy Reading age: 13+ Only an elite few are legally permitted to study the science of magic - so when Ash is rejected by Lancaster College of Alchemic Science, he takes a job as the school’s groundskeeper instead, forced to learn alchemy in secret. When he’s discovered by the condescending and brilliant apprentice Ramsay Thorne, Ash is sure he's about to be arrested - but instead of calling the reds, Ramsay surprises Ash by making him an offer: Ramsay will keep Ash's secret if he helps her find the legendary Book of Source, a sacred text that gives its reader extraordinary power. As Ash and Ramsay work together and their feelings for each other grow, Ash discovers their mission is more dangerous than he imagined, pitting them against influential and powerful alchemists—Ash’s estranged father included. Ash’s journey takes him through the cities and wilds across New Anglia, forcing him to discover his own definition of true power and how far he and other alchemists will go to seize it. 2Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Indigenous Gender Expansive Rep Books by an author or featuring a main character who holds a gender identity outside of the gender binary, and which exists outside of Western definitions of transness and/or queerness. The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon Genre: YA Dystopian Adventure Reading age: 10+ One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it. With their parents gone and their supplies running low, grieving step-sisters Millie and Rose leave home with their infant half-brother in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder - who Millie knows in her gut is still alive, even if Rose isn't so sure. Along the way, they meet a group of other surviving kids calling themselves the Lost Boys and their lone adult leader, who reluctantly agree to help them brave the hostile wasteland to make it to Millie's grandma safely. But the landscape isn't the only threat - there's also the Hive, a villainous group that has spent the last year hoarding supplies and living in luxury... and will do anything to keep it that way. Expertly balancing heartbreak and hope, The Flicker is both a thrilling survival story and a tender exploration of Indigenous ideas of identity and found family. Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto Genre: Science Fiction/Crime Thriller Reading age: 16+ Edie is done with crime. Eight years behind bars changes a person - costs them too much time with too many of the people who need them most. And it's all Angel's fault. She sold Edie out in what should have been the greatest moment of their lives. Instead, Edie was shipped off to the icy prison planet spinning far below the soaring skybridges and neon catacombs of Kepler space station - of home - to spend the best part of a decade alone. But then a chance for early parole appears out of nowhere and Edie steps into the pallid sunlight to find none other than Angel waiting - and she has an offer. One last job. One last deal. One last target. The trillionaire tech god they failed to bring down last time. There's just one thing Edie needs to do - trust Angel again - which also happens to be the last thing Edie wants to do. What could possibly go all hammajang about this plan? Love After The End edited by Joshua Whitehead Genre: Speculative Fiction Anthology Reading age: 15+ This exciting and groundbreaking fiction anthology showcases a number of new and emerging 2SQ (Two-Spirit and queer Indigenous) writers from across Turtle Island. These visionary authors show how queer Indigenous communities can bloom and thrive through utopian narratives that detail the vivacity and strength of 2SQness throughout its plight in the maw of settler colonialism’s histories. Here, readers will discover bio-engineered AI rats, transplanted trees in space, the rise of a 2SQ resistance camp, a primer on how to survive Indigiqueerly, virtual reality applications, motherships at sea, and the very bending of space-time continuums queered through NDN time. Love after the End demonstrates the imaginatively queer Two-Spirit futurisms we have all been dreaming of since 1492. Intersectional Trans+ Rep Outside Your Own Experience Books by an author or featuring a main character who falls under the trans umbrella and also holds another intersectional identity. Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H Genre: Memoir - Non-Fiction Reading age: 16+ When Lamya is fourteen, she decides to disappear. It seems easier to ease herself out of sight than to grapple with the difficulty of taking shape in a world that doesn't fit. She is a queer teenager growing up in a Muslim household, a South Asian in a Middle Eastern country. But during her Quran class, she reads a passage about Maryam, and suddenly everything shifts: if Maryam was never touched by any man, could Maryam be... like Lamya? Written with deep intelligence and a fierce humour, Hijab Butch Blues follows Lamya as she travels to the United States, as she comes out, and as she navigates the complexities of the immigration system - and the queer dating scene. At each step, she turns to her faith to make sense of her life, weaving stories from the Quran together with her own experiences: Musa leading his people to freedom; Allah, who is neither male nor female; and Nuh, who built an ark, just as Lamya is finally able to become the architect of her own story. Lunar Boy by Jes & Cin Wibowo Genre: YA Science Fiction Graphic Novel Reading age: 10+ A heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who discovers a home in the most unlikely places, from debut twin creators Jes and Cin Wibowo. Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn't belong. He hasn't since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship - their home - to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he's weird, he has a crush on his pen pal who might not like him back, and his stepfamily doesn't seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can't even talk to his mom about how he's feeling because she's so busy. In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. None Of The Above by Travis Alabanza Genre: Memoir - Non-Fiction Reading age: 18+ In None of the Above, Travis Alabanza examines seven phrases people have directed at them about their gender identity. These phrases have stayed with them over the years. Some are deceptively innocuous, some deliberately loaded or offensive, some celebratory; sentences that have impacted them for better and for worse; sentences that speak to the broader issues raised by a world that insists that gender must be a binary. Through these seven phrases, which include some of their most transformative experiences as a Black, mixed race, non binary person, Travis Alabanza turns a mirror back on society, giving us reason to question the very framework in which we live and the ways we treat each other. ‘When you are someone that falls outside of categories in so many ways, a lot of things are said to you. And I have had a lot of things said to me.’ Hopefully there's something in this list that's new to you. If you're taking part in the Trans Rights Readathon this year, feel free to tag @transrightsreadathon on socials or use the hashtags #trr26 and #transrightsreadathon Happy reading!