The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 starts this week, so we're taking a look at queer books for the plant gays. From lesbian florists to gay gardeners, botanical horror, garden magic and sentient fungus, here are 15 LGBTQ+ books about plants, flowers and florists: A Botanical Daughter Noah Medlock Gothic Fantasy Queer Rep: Queer Men, Queer Women A captivating tale of two Victorian gentlemen hiding their relationship away in a botanical garden who embark on a Frankenstein-style experiment with unexpected consequences. It is an unusual thing, to live in a botanical garden. But Simon and Gregor are an unusual pair of gentlemen. Hidden away in their glass sanctuary from the disapproving tattle of Victorian London, they are free to follow their own interests without interference. For Simon, this means long hours in the dark basement workshop, working his taxidermical art. Gregor's business is exotic plants – lucrative, but harmless enough. Until his latest acquisition, a strange fungus which shows signs of intellect beyond any plant he's seen, inspires him to attempt a masterwork: true intelligent life from plant matter. Anderson In Bloom Jennifer Dugan Adult Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women Former child star Anderson “Andy” Ducharme is hiding. When she suddenly cut off all ties and left LA six years earlier to work in a flower shop in coastal New England, she wasn’t just running away from toxic relationships, embezzling agents, and all the rest of her Hollywood life; she was running to something… sort of, if you squinted, and if you accepted that what she was running toward was little more than a vacation daydream she had made up with her (in)famous ex, and former costar, Nicole “Nikki” Price. Then Nikki announces her plan to write a tell-all book about growing up in Hollywood and their tumultuous time on the Nik and Andy show, and Andy’s feelings of hurt and betrayal come rushing back. Emboldened by anger (and maybe one too many drinks), Andy does something very she texts her ex for the first time in years. No one’s more shocked than Andy when Nikki actually shows up to her small florist shop, looking for answers. This Poison Heart Kalynn Bayron YA Fantasy Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms with a single touch. When Briseis's aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to leave Brooklyn behind for the summer. Hopefully there, surrounded by plants and flowers, Bri will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they could never have imagined--it comes with a specific set of instructions, an old-school apothecary, and a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world that can only be entered by those who share Bri's unique family lineage. When strangers begin to arrive on their doorstep, asking for tinctures and elixirs, Bri learns she has a surprising talent for creating them. One of the visitors is Marie, a mysterious young woman who Bri befriends, only to find that Marie is keeping dark secrets about the history of the estate and its surrounding community. There is more to Bri's sudden inheritance than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it . . . until a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family. Eat The Ones You Love Sarah Maria Griffin Weird Adult Horror Queer Rep: Queer Women A twisted, tangled story about workplace love-affairs, and plants with a taste for human flesh. During a grocery run to her local shopping center, Shell Pine sees a ‘HELP NEEDED’ sign in a flower shop window. She’s just left her fiancé, lost her job, and moved home to her parents’ house. She has to make a change and bring some good into her life, so she goes inside and takes a chance. Shell realizes right away that flowers are just the good thing she's been looking for, as is Neve, the beautiful florist who wrote the sign asking for help. The thing is, Neve needs help more than Shell could possibly imagine. An orchid growing out of sight in the heart of the mall is watching them closely. His name is Baby, and the beautiful florist belongs to him. He’s young, he’s hungry, and he’ll do just about anything to make sure he can keep growing big and strong. Nothing he eats – nobody he eats – can satisfy him, except the thing he most desires. Neve. He adores her and wants to consume her, and will stop at nothing to eat the one he loves. The Boyfriend Subscription Steven Salvatore Adult Rom-Com Queer Rep: Queer Men After losing his marriage and his beloved retail plant business, Teddy Hughes is ready to drown his sorrows - or would be, if he could afford another beer in his favorite dive bar. He has no choice but to uproot his dreams and leave New York for good. And then a gorgeous stranger walks in with cheekbones that could cut glass and a confidence that leaves Teddy panting. Like the leather harness he wears under his designer suit, Cole Vivien is a mass of contradictions. He’s a successful entrepreneur whose app, VERSTL, allows consumers and sex workers to form real - if temporary - connections. But now Cole is in the unfamiliar position of needing something from someone else. A fake boyfriend can help Cole project a more traditional image for a potential investor. And Teddy—shy, smart and so much hotter than he knows—is perfect for the part. Maybe too perfect. Cole just has two conditions: no kissing and no falling in love. The Great Orchid Heist Eleanor Vendrell Adult Rom-Com/Heist Queer Rep: Queer Women When Phil joins Felborough Botanic Gardens as a volunteer in order to steal the rare Splendid Paradise Orchid, she doesn't bank on falling in love with the hot-headed gardener's assistant Lily... Phil, never Philippa, is getting to breaking point with her dad and their mounting debts from his gambling addiction. So when best friend and bad influence Chaz offers a solution to all of her worries, she knows she will do what it takes. When that solution turns out to be a heist of a rare Orchid due to bloom for the first time in captivity, she obviously thinks he's joking. But Phil's mission is to infiltrate the renowned Felborough Botanic Gardens as a volunteer, befriend the employees for intel, and on the big day make it out with the Orchid. But falling head over heels for Lily, the grumpy head gardener's assistant was not part of the plan, and as the heist approaches, Phil is faced with a steal the orchid and break Lily's heart or lose her house to her dad's gambling problem... Homegrown Magic Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos Fantasy Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women, Non-Binary A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space. Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm. They’re on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of… well, they’re not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure. Margot Greenwillow - talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner - has never felt further from adventure in her life. She’s been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when her childhood friend and former crush, Yael, rides back into her life, she’s shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses. Paradise Rot Jenny Hval Weird Adult Horror Queer Rep: Queer Women A lyrical debut novel from a musician and artist renowned for her sharp sexual and political imagery Jo is in a strange new country for university, and having a more peculiar time than most. A house with no walls, a roommate with no boundaries, and a home that seems ever more alive. Jo’s sensitivity, and all her senses, become increasingly heightened and fraught, as the lines between bodies and plants, and dreaming and wakefulness, blur and mesh. This debut novel from critically acclaimed artist and musician Jenny Hval, presents a heady and hyper-sensual portrayal of sexual awakening and queer desire. A complex, poetic and strange novel about bodies, sexuality and the female gender. Overgrowth Mira Grant Dystopian Sci-Fi Queer Rep: Trans Men Day of the Triffids meets Little Shop of Horrors in this smart, charming, harrowing alien invasion story about being human, by a Hugo-award winning author. Since she was three years old, Anastasia Miller has been telling anyone who would listen that she's an alien disguised as a human being, and that the armada that left her on Earth is coming for her. Since she was three years old, no one has believed her. Now, with an alien signal from the stars being broadcast around the world, humanity is finally starting to realize that it's already been warned, and it may be too late. The invasion is coming, Stasia's biological family is on the way to bring her home, and very few family reunions are willing to cross the gulf of space for just one misplaced child. What happens when you know what's coming and just refuse to listen? Hazelthorn CG Drews YA Gothic Horror Queer Rep: Queer Men Evander has lived like a ghost in the forgotten corners of the Hazelthorn estate ever since he was taken in by his reclusive billionaire guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall, when he was a child. For his safety, Evander has been given three ironclad rules to follow: He can never leave the estate. He can never go into the gardens. And most importantly, he can never again be left alone with Byron's charming, underachieving grandson, Laurie. That last rule has been in place ever since Laurie tried to kill Evander seven years ago, and yet somehow Evander is still obsessed with him. But when Byron suddenly dies, Evander inherits Hazelthorn’s immense gothic mansion and acres of sprawling grounds, along with the entirety of the Lennox-Hall family's vast wealth. There’s just one caveat: He must choose a new guardian from amongst Laurie's scheming, backstabbing relatives to help manage the estate until he turns eighteen. Ophelia After All Racquel Marie YA Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women, Queer Cast Ophelia Rojas knows what she likes: her best friends, Cuban food, rose-gardening, and boys - way too many boys. Her friends and parents make fun of her endless stream of crushes, but Ophelia is a romantic at heart. She couldn't change, even if she wanted to. So when she finds herself thinking more about cute, quiet Talia Sanchez than the loss of a perfect prom with her ex-boyfriend, seeds of doubt take root in Ophelia's firm image of herself. Add to that the impending end of high school and the fracturing of her once-solid friend group, and things are spiraling a little out of control. But the course of love - and sexuality - never did run smooth. As her secrets begin to unravel, Ophelia must make a choice between clinging to the fantasy version of herself she's always imagined or upending everyone's expectations to rediscover who she really is, after all. Late Bloomer Mazey Eddings Adult Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women Winning the lottery has ruined Opal Devlin's’s life. After quitting her dead-end job where she’d earned minimum wage and even less respect, she’s bombarded by people knocking at her door for a handout the second they found out her bank account was overflowing with cash. And Opal can’t seem to stop saying yes. With her tender heart thoroughly abused, Opal decides to protect herself by any means necessary, which to her translates to putting almost all her new money to buying a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina to let the flowers live out their plant destiny while she uses the cabin on the property to start her painting business. But her plans for isolation and self-preservation go hopelessly awry when an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Smith is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states she’s the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and isn’t moving out. The unlikely pair strike up an agreement of co-habitation, and butt-heads at every turn. Can these opposites both live out their dreams and plant roots? Or will their combustible arguing (and growing attraction) burn the whole place down? These Shattered Spires Cassidy Ellis Salter YA Gothic Fantasy Queer Rep: Queer Women, Non-Binary, Queer Cast Entombed beneath a tooth-filled sky, the world rots. Those yet to succumb to the curse of decay inhabit Fourspires Castle, home to arcanists from across the four magical disciplines - blood, bone, stone and botany. The castle is thrown into chaos when the ruler of Fourspires is assassinated. To crown a new ruler, the arcanists and their human familiars are forced to kill or be killed in the Slaughter, a bloody fight for succession at the top of the Fifth Tower. Familiars, both servants and sources of power to arcanists, are forbidden from even speaking. For them, the Slaughter means certain death. When Nixie, a botanical familiar, learns that her fate can be avoided and the rotting curse of Fourspires lifted, she'll stop at nothing to save herself. But she must work with familiars from across the rival disciplines - not easy when one of them is her bone witch ex-girlfriend, Taro - find four magical curse keys and climb the deadly Fifth Tower. With just 48 hours until the Slaughter begins, Nixie and Taro must forge an unlikely alliance with rival familiars Alis and Elliot. Together, the four Wyrdos must battle re-animated skeletons, poisonous and possessed plants, un-dead nuns and the deadliest enemies of all; each other. What Moves The Dead T. Kingfisher Gothic Horror Queer Rep: Non-Binary When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all. Bloom: A Novel Robbie Cough Adult Lit-Fic Queer Rep: Queer Men Morris Warner is withering away. After the sudden death of his husband, Fred, he has shut himself off from the world. No more going to movies with friends, or swims in Lake Michigan, instead preferring the quiet loneliness of his history books and Jeopardy episodes with only the cat to hear his answers. Morris’s stepdaughter, Sloan, feels like she has nowhere to grow. She’s about to get married to the man of her dreams, if only her mother will let her actually plan her own wedding and trust her to build her own life after her father’s death. Jade is drying out. Literally. As a plant in Morris’s home, she and her plant housemates have been slowly wasting away, leaf by falling leaf, since Fred’s death and Morris’s lack of care. She needs to come up with a plan to make her new owner come back to life, no matter what it takes. Do you have a book recommendation you'd add to this list? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk ✌

To celebrate the release of season two of SMOGGIE QUEENS, we thought we'd take a look at some of the best queer TV shows available of BBC iPlayer right now. From hilarious gay sitcoms to queer reality tv and sapphic thrillers, here are 12 queer and LGBTQ+ inclusive TV shows available to watch in the UK on the BBC iPlayer right now. (All shows available in the UK at time of publishing.) 1. SMOGGIE QUEENS (2024 - present) Set in the heart of Middlesbrough, SMOGGIE QUEENS is a heartwarming and often surreal northern sit-com following a group of LGBTQ+ friends in their day-to-day lives. It's exaggerated and ridiculous at times, but also a genuinely charming portrayal of life in the north-east of England. If you like your comedy with smatterings of queer joy and found family it's well worth a watch. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women Genre: Sit-Com, Camp Comedy Episode Run Time: 30m 2. I KISSED A BOY/I KISSED A GIRL (2023 - 2026) I KISSED A BOY is a British dating game show where ten single gay men are paired up at an Italian villa and spend several weeks getting to know each other after meeting for the first time with a kiss. It's full of drama, romance and Dannii Minogue - along with some really lovely conversations about queerness and dating. BBC3 also released the spinoff series I KISSED A GIRL in May 2004 - think the same show, but with lesbian couples. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men/Queer Women Genre: Reality TV, Drama, Romance Episode Run Time: 45m 3. WRECK (2022-2024) Queers, cruiseships and campy horror. If you like your horror very queer and a little silly you're bound to love WRECK. It's a horror-comedy-drama following Jamie, who starts working on the cruise ship where his sister, Pippa, disappeared after being chased by a knife-wielding psycho in a duck costume. He’s investigating what happened to her, but the more questions he asks, the more horrifying the answers. It's silly and camp and a little bit very bloody. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women, Trans Women Genre: Horror, Comedy, Drama, Mystery Episode Run Time: 45m 4. VIGIL (2021 - 2003) VIGIL is a gritty British police drama set on a Royal Navy ballistic missile submarine. After a Scottish fishing trawler disappears and a member of the submarine's crew turns up dead, DCI Amy Silva, is sent out to the submarine to find out what happened. Who doesn't love a queer detective drama? LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women Genre: Police Drama, Thriller, Mystery Episode Run Time: 60m 5. SUCH BRAVE GIRLS (2023-2025) SUCH BRAVE GIRLS is another darkly funny British sitcom - this time about trauma, identity, narcissism and a self-sabotaging dysfunctional family. The show follows Josie (a depressed lesbian who doesn't know who she is), her sister Billie (who she has a love/hate relationship with), and their mother Deb (a compulsive liar) as they make terrible life decisions and fight their way through ridiculous situations. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama Episode Run Time: 25m 6. DRAG RACE UK (2019 - present) I feel like at this stage everyone's familiar with Drag Race, but if you haven't watched DRAG RACE UK, I feel like you're missing out. At the time of writing this, the UK version boasts six seasons with a seventh on its way later this year. You can expect plenty of laughs, lots of drama and a little bit of queer education sprinkled in throughout. If you haven't watched DRAG RACE UK yet, now is a perfect time to catch up (season 2 is a personal fave). LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Non-Binary, Queer Women Genre: Reality TV, Competition, Drama Episode Run Time: 50m 7. MR LOVER MAN (2024) Based on the novel of the same name by Bernardine Evaristo, MR LOVER MAN is a beautifully moving and at times comedic drama about a closeted family man. Barry is charming and swarve and hiding a secret - he's been having an affair with his best friend, Morris, for the past 60 years. If you like emotional drama and stories about living as your true self, this one's for you. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men Genre: Drama, Romance Episode Run Time: 30m 8. GENTLEMAN JACK (2019 - 2022) GENTLEMAN JACK follows the life of Anne Lister (a real-life person) as she shakes up her shabby ancestral home, determined to restore its fortunes and find herself a wife. If you love a good historical drama, queer histrorical figures celebrating their queer identity and 1830s lesbains this one's for you. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women Genre: Historical Drama, Romance Episode Run Time: 60m 9. JUICE (2023-2025) If you love weird, surreal British comedy, then JUICE might be just what you're looking for. It follows Jamma, a gay dude with commitment issues and his relationships at work, with his boyfriend and with his family. It's a little bit FLEABAG and a little bit SPACED, perfect for anyone who enjoys cartoonish comedy, chaotic family dynamics or shows where things go from bad to worse. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men Genre: Surreal Comedy, Comedy of Errors, Farcical Episode Run Time: 30m 10. THE JETTY (2024) Small towns, crime, and missing people. THE JETTY is a gritty crime thriller centering a missing person case and a sapphic love affair between two of the main characters. It stars Jenna Coleman as the detective in charge as she tries to connect a fire to a podcaster and an illicit love affair between a man in his 20s and two underage girls. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women, Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Drama Episode Run Time: 60m 11. LOST BOYS AND FAIRIES (2024) If you're into stories about queer parenthood, adoption and growing up differrent, then check out LOST BOYS AND FAIRIES - it's a three-part miniseries following a gay couple on a quest to adopt a child in Cardiff, Wales. It's rather camp in places, emotionally turbulent in others, and a bloody lovely story that's definitely worth a watch. LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Non-Binary Genre: Drama, Mini-Series, Emotional Episode Run Time: 60m 12. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR A GIRL (2025) Chaotic and colourful, raw and heartbreaking, WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR A GIRL is a coming-of-age BBC drama, based on Paris Lee's memoir of the same name. It's set in the East Midlands at the turn of the millennium, and full of themes of survival, identity, finding community, found family, and queer coming-of-age struggles in a small town. Heads up - it's an emotional ride, this one may destroy you. LGBTQ+ rep: Trans Women, Queer Cast Genre: Drama, Coming-Of-Age, Dark Comedy Episode Run Time: 45m Have we missed your favourite new queer TV show on iPlayer? Is there something coming out soon you think we should add to this list? Send us a message @ProudGeekBookshop or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk ✌

There's something very special about science fiction to me. It allows the boundaries of reality to be stretched beyond their limits. It flips so easily from existential dread or a sense of queer utopia... and sometimes there are cool robots. From bad-ass YA romance to books about dystopian futures and cosy queer sci-fi, here's our list of LGBTQ+ books about robots, mechs, and artificial intelligence. World Running Down Dystopian Science Fiction Queer Rep: Trans Men, Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ Valentine Weis is a salvager in the future wastelands of Utah. Wrestling with body dysphoria, he dreams of earning enough money to afford citizenship in Salt Lake City - a utopia where the testosterone and surgery he needs to transition is free, the food is plentiful, and folk are much less likely to be shot full of arrows by salt pirates. But earning that kind of money is a pipe dream, until he meets the exceptionally handsome Osric. Once a powerful AI in Salt Lake City, Osric has been forced into an android body against his will and sent into the wasteland to offer Valentine a job on behalf of his new employer - an escort service seeking to retrieve their stolen androids. The reward is a visa into the city, and a chance at the life Valentine's always dreamed of. But as they attempt to recover the "merchandise", they encounter a problem: the android ladies are becoming self-aware, and have no interest in returning to their old lives. Monk And Robot Cosy Dystopian Science Fiction Queer Rep: Non-Binary & Genderqueer Reading Age: 18+ Becky Chambers' delightful, post-Utopian, Hugo Award-winning series gives us hope for the future. It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They're going to need to ask it a lot. Of Monsters And Mainframes Sci-Fi & Paranormal Horror Queer Rep: Queer Cast Reading Age: 18+ Spaceships aren’t programmed to seek revenge, but for Dracula, Demeter will make an exception. Demeter just wants to do her job: shuttling humans between Earth and Alpha Centauri. Unfortunately, her passengers keep dying - and not from equipment failures, as her AI medical system, Steward, would have her believe. These are paranormal murders, and they began when one nasty, ancient vampire decided to board Demeter and kill all her humans. To keep from getting decommissioned, Demeter must join forces with her own team: A werewolf. An engineer built from the dead. A pharaoh with otherworldly powers. A vampire with a grudge. A fleet of cheerful spider drones. Together, this motley crew will face down the ultimate evil - Dracula. Gearbreakers YA Fantasy Sci-Fi Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 14+ Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose - and falling for each other - in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim. The shadow of Godolia's tyrannical rule is spreading, aided by their giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. War and oppression are everyday constants for the people of the Badlands, who live under the thumb of their cruel Godolia overlords. Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a brash young rebel who specializes in taking down Windups from the inside. When one of her missions goes awry and she finds herself in a Godolia prison, Eris meets Sona Steelcrest, a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot. At first Eris sees Sona as her mortal enemy, but Sona has a secret: She has intentionally infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia from within. Iron Widow YA Sci-Fi Fantasy Queer Rep: Bi Women, Bi Men, Polyamory Reading Age: 14+ The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​ To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. The Prey Of Gods Science Fiction/Fantasy Queer Rep: Queer Men, Trans Women Reading Age: 18+ In South Africa, the future looks promising. Personal robots are making life easier for the working class. The government is harnessing renewable energy to provide infrastructure for the poor. And in the bustling coastal town of Port Elizabeth, the economy is booming thanks to the genetic engineering industry which has found a welcome home there. Yes - the days to come are looking very good for South Africans. That is, if they can survive the present challenges: A new hallucinogenic drug sweeping the country. An emerging AI uprising. And an ancient demigoddess hellbent on regaining her former status by preying on the blood and sweat (but mostly blood) of every human she encounters. The Darkness Outside Us YA Sci-Fi/Romance/Mystery Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 14+ After the first settler on Titan trips her distress signal, neither remaining country on Earth can afford to scramble a rescue of its own, and so two sworn enemies are installed in the same spaceship. Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor, with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: Evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. But nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed—not when he’s rescuing his own sister. In order to survive the ship’s secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust one another… especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive. The Death I Gave Him Sci-Fi Mystery Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ A lyrical, queer sci-fi retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet as a locked-room thriller. Hayden Lichfield’s life is ripped apart when he finds his father murdered in their lab, and the camera logs erased. The killer can only have been after one thing: the Sisyphus Formula the two of them developed together, which might one day reverse death itself. Hoping to lure the killer into the open, Hayden steals the research. In the process, he uncovers a recording his father made in the days before his death, and a dying wish: Avenge me… With the lab on lockdown, Hayden is trapped with four other people - his uncle Charles, lab technician Gabriel Rasmussen, research intern Felicia Xia and their head of security, Felicia’s father Paul - one of whom must be the killer. His only sure ally is the lab’s resident artificial intelligence, Horatio, who has been his dear friend and companion since its creation. In The Lives Of Puppets Sci-Fi/Fantasy Queer Rep: Queer Men Reading Age: 18+ In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots - fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They're a family, hidden and safe. The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled "HAP," he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans. When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio's former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic's assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming. This Is How You Lose The Time War Science Fiction Romance Queer Rep: Queer Women Reading Age: 18+ Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future. Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war. Think we've missed something great? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk ✌

Ever yone loves a night out, but sometimes it’s nice to hang out somewhere that isn't a club at 1am. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a coffee or looking for a queer-friendly space to work; here's our list of the UK and Ireland's LGBTQ+ coffee shops and cafés you should visit if you ever get the chance: Sugar Daddy's Worcester, England Sugar Daddy's is Worcester’s LGBTQ+ café. Opened in 2022 by business partners Andre and Sam, the café is a hub for Worcester's LGBTQ+ community offering events, social meets and support groups as well as delicious coffee and sweet treats. The Cafe is wheelchair accessible. Open: Wed-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm Location: Unit 4, Market Hall The Shambles Worcester WR1 2RD Flamingos Coffee House Leeds, England Situated in Central Arcade in Leeds City Centre, Flamingos is Leeds' premier queer-friendly Coffee House, providing a friendly, safe space for all, 7 days a week. They're one of the UK's only queer sober spaces and put on events throughout the week. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm Location: 10 Central Arcade Leeds LS1 6DX Rainbow Tea Rooms Chester, England The Rainbow Tea Rooms is a café and community space that offers a safe space for everyone, regardless of gender, race and sexual orientation, focusing on the LGBTQ+ community, offering them an extra safe space to eat, drink and meet up. It was created by Chester Pride and generates income for the charity throughout the year. Open: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm,, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm Location: 28 Bridge Street Chester CH1 1NQ, UK YAS BEAN Macclesfield, England YAS BEAN in Macclesfield is run by husbands Mika and Dan who pride themselves on serving excellent coffee which is roasted locally by Kickback Coffee. They offer home made baked goods, grab’n’go breakfasts and lunches - including vegan and gluten free options. Dogs are welcome, but feel free to bring children too if you have to. Open: Mon-Wed 7:30am-3pm, Thurs-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-3:30pm Location: 219 Buxton Road Macclesfield SK10 1NB Flirt Café Bournemouth, England Whether you're just popping in for a quick coffee, or you spend the day working and making the most of the WiFi, Flirt are a super friendly family-run café that host regular events throughout the week in Bournemouth. Open: Sun-Tues 9am-6pm, Wed-Thurs 9am-10pm Location: 21 The Triangle Bournemouth BH2 5RG Over The Rainbow Café York, England Formally Lunar Café, Over The Rainbow Café is located upstairs above The Portal Bookshop, with a downstairs table available for anyone who struggles with steps. The queer cafe serves hot and cold drinks, including shakes, and savoury and sweet food options - including their legendary flag cakes modelled after different LGBTQ+ flags! Although the café is up a flight of stairs, Portal is equipped with a ramp for wheeled access and all efforts will be made to accommodate any other accessibility needs. Open: Every Day 11am-5.30pm Location: 5 Patrick Pool York YO1 8BB Outhouse Café Dublin, Ireland When you purchase a drink or treat from the Outhouse Café, you are helping to provide life-saving services to the queer community in Dublin. That's why we strive to serve you the best coffee, made by the best baristas, at the best coffee shop in town. LGBTQ+ artists often exhibit their work on the walls of the Café. Open: Mon 1pm-8.30pm, Tues-Fri 10am-8.30pm & Sat 12pm- 6pm Location: 105 Capel Street Rotunda Dublin 1 D01 R290 Social Refuge Manchester, England Queer Lit recently moved to their new location on Great Ancoats St and has expanded their LGBTQ+ bookshop to include Social Refuge - a bar, cafe and queer co-working space. It's a truly beautiful space with some excellent coffee. You can also book the venue for private events. Open: Mon-Wed 9am-6pm & Thurs-Sun 9am-11pm Location: 27 Great Ancoats St Ancoats Manchester M4 5AJ The Queer Emporium Cardiff, Wales The Queer Emporium a queer community space, events space and shop based in Cardiff - stocking over 20 local LGBT+ businesses. They offer refreshments that are locally sourced, plant-based and made by LGBTQ+ folks. Access to The Queer Emporium can be via our shop front entrance, which includes a step or via our side entrance, which is level with the ground. There is also a disabled toilet on site. Open: Fri-Tues 11am-6pm & Wed-Thurs 11am-9pm Location: 2 Royal Arcade Cardiff CF10 1AE The Queery Brighton, England The Queery is a volunteer-run co-operative based in Brighton. The space encompasses a queer radical bookshop, a vegan pay-as-you-feel café and a sober community space for the use of the local queer community. You can volunteer at the query Open: Wed-Sun 12pm-6pm Location: 46 George St Kemptown Brighton BN2 1RJ Happy Out Coffee Belfast, Ireland Happy Out Coffee recently found a physical space at The Foundry in City East. Run by queer couple Vic and Alex, the café offers premium quality coffee (responsibly sourced), offers a pay-it-forward scheme, and holds community at its core. Whether it's a cuppa and a brownie at a market, or gourmet coffees and biscotti at a wedding, they've got something for everyone. Open: Mon-Wed 7:30am-6:30pm, Thurs-Fri 7:30am-7:30pm, Sat 8:30am-7:30pm Location: 72 Newtownards R oad Belfast BT4 1GW BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! London, England ​A welcoming spot in the heart of Fitzrovia, London, bringing together a café, bar, bookstore and gallery all in one. With lush interiors, it’s the perfect place to grab a drink, sip a coffee, have a chat, browse queer and gay fine art photography, books, magazines and merch. Brought to you by the team behind the infamous BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! magazines and books. Open: Tues, Thurs & Fri 2-7pm, Wed + Sun: 2-6pm, Sat 2-8pm. Location: 30C Warren Street Fitzrovia London W1T 5NF RIOT Bakery Liverpool, England Riot is back! Formally known as Five, Riot is a punky, queer-friendly bakery based in Garston, Liverpool. They now offer freshly baked savoury goods alongside their cakes and traybakes as well as some great coffee, homemade butter, jams and curds. Same vibe. Just better. Open: Thurs-Sat 9am-3pm Location: Liverpool Greyskull Coffee Hastings, England Greyskull started as a Sunday pop-up with just a coffee machine and an outdoor kitchen, but not long after, they were offered a permanent space at St Andrew's Mews. Run by coffee and BBQ lovers Daniel and Sean, Greyskull offers a selection of speciality coffee, breakfasts, sandwiches and burgers as well as all-day brunch on weekends. They also make their own bacon! Open: Wed-Fri from 8am-3pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun from 9am-4pm Location: St Andrew's Square, Waldegrave Street, Hastings, TN34 1SJ An honourable mention to some of the UK's queer coffee shops and cafés that have closed in recent years: First Out Café Bar - London די ראָזעווע פּאַווע - Pink Peacock - Glasgow Café Bistro - Fleetwood Sol Café - Birmingham The Pod Café - Edinburgh Lunar Café - York Kween Kream - London Kafe Kweer - Edinburgh Have we missed your favourite queer coffee shop off our list? Ping us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk and we'll add it to our blog so more people can find it ✌

Pride season may be over, but there's still a load of LGBTQ+ festivals and events happening across the rest of the calendar year. Whether it's film festivals, queer markets, live theatre or art exhibits, there's something for everyone - so here's our list of queer festivals and markets happening around the UK, this year and beyond. Shout Festival - Birmingham - November Queer Art & Performance Festival SHOUT Festival is Birmingham’s annual festival of queer art & culture, taking place at venues across the city, The festival takes place annually in the Autumn and celebrates the work of LGBTQ+ artists and communities across the Midlands including theatre, comedy, drag shows, workshops, exhibitions and voguing balls. Find out more about upcoming events at https://shoutfestival.co.uk BFI Flare Festival - London - March Queer Film Festival Formerly known as the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (LLGFF), BFI Flare is the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in Europe.  It  takes place every spring in London, England. Organised and run by the British Film Institute, all BFI Flare screenings take place in the BFI Southbank with tickets starting at £5. You can get tickets to screenings at https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare Big Gay Market - Glasgow - Biannually Queer Market Currently Scotland's biggest queer-led market, Big Gay Market runs twice a year, once in summer and once in winter. They offer a safe and accessible space, showcasing local LGBTQ+ artists and traders - so you'll find plenty of queer art, crafts, prints, jewellery, clothing and more. They also provide a quiet hour to shop with no music, smaller crowds and less noise for the first hour. Entry is only £1 with the option to donate more if you wish to help run future BGM events. You can find out more at @biggaymarket.gla Queer Bloomsbury - Lewes - September Queer Art & Philosophy Festival Queer Bloomsbury is a weekend-long event celebrating contemporary queer identities, politics and desires. It brings together emerging and established voices from across the LGBTQ+ community, challenging the status quo and imagining new ways of living - just as the Bloomsbury group did a century ago. Find out more at https://www.charleston.org.uk/festival/queer-bloomsbury-2025/ Outburst Arts Festival - Belfast - November Queer Arts Festival Outburst is a nine-day international art festival in Belfast that showcases the best in new queer performance, literature, film, music, digital creativity, dance and visual arts. It’s a sharing point for artists, thinkers and participants with events including opera, art markets, theatre, film and workshops. Check out upcoming events at this year's festival here: https://outburstarts.com/ Body Movements - London - August Queer Dance & Art Festival Body Movements is a London-based queer dance festival that celebrates queer bodies in club culture, and has a focus on electronic music. From their roots as a DIY, radical queer gathering, sprawling across 15 spaces in hackney wick, Body Movements is now an open-air day festival amongst the trees of Southwark park. Tickets start at £20 (plus booking fee) Take a look at this year's lineup here: https://bodymovements.co.uk/ Pride Comic Art Festival - Bristol - September Queer Comic & Art Festival Pride Comic Art Festival (PRIDE CAF) gives LGBTQA+ artists, writers and creators a place to exhibit and sell their work, and for the general public to discover new comics, zines, art and stories. It's a one-day event and usually includes talks throughout the day along with workshops to help inspire creativity. This event is FREE and open to all ages. Why not get involved in PRIDE CAF by visiting their website here: https://pridecaf.co.uk/ Queer Spirit - Devon - August Queer Spirituality Festival Queer Spirit Festival is a non-profit, grassroots community event, run by volunteers, celebrating the creative magical spirit of LGBTQ+ people. Relax, play and make new friends, absorb the healing energy of nature, share your stories and explore new ideas and practices. The four-day camping festival includes performances, traders, healing workshops, sharing circles and therapy, as well as live music and performances. Learn more about Queer Spirit here: https://queerspirit.net/ Student Pride - London - February Queer Youth Festival National Student Pride is a weekend-long event for students - full of celebration, talks, club events, networking, live performances, a careers fair and an awards ceremony. It's made for students, run by students, and committed to improving the queer student experience across the UK. The daytime festival is open to anyone over the age of 16 - if you are under 16 you can still attend if you are accompanied by an adult. Take a look at this year's lineup and buy tickets here: https://www.studentpride.co.uk/ Queer East - London - April Queer Film & Performance Festival Queer East is a ten-day film festival centering LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia. Launched in 2020 in response to the lack of Asian representation in cinema, onstage, and behind the scenes, the festival takes places across multiple venues across London, exploring notions of what it means to be queer and Asian in the modern world. Find out more and buy tickets to screenings here: https://queereast.org.uk/ LDN Queer Mart - London - Quarterly Queer Market LDN Queer Mart is a very queer, community-focused market event, held at various locations in London throughout the year. Their events offer queer artists and queer-owned small business owners to showcase their work, connect with attendees and other traders, and sell their products to the public. If you're a fan of beautiful art, supporting small businesses, and a general sense of queer joy, this one's definitely worth a visit. Stay up to date, sign up to be a trader , or apply to volunteer by visiting their linktree here: https://linktr.ee/ldnqueermart SQUIFF - Glasgow - October Queer Film Festival SQIFF (Scottish Queer International Film Festival) is a non-profit LGBTQ+ film festival that was set up back in 2015. Since then, SQUIFF has held its annual Film Festival in Glasgow every October, whilst also running events and screenings throughout the year. Their aim is to support marginalised groups within the LGBTQ+ community, provide networking opportunities for queer filmmakers, and build community through queer films. Check out their upcoming events here: https://www.sqiff.org/ Deviants Market - Brighton - Quarterly Kinky Queer Art Market Deviants Market is a new one on the scene. Launching in 2025 and held at Komedia in Brighton, they focus on the kinkier side of queer markets. Expect plenty of jewellery, apparel, art prints, erotica, accessories, and ceramics with a kinky edge. Entry is free, though donations are welcome and they also hold a raffle. Shop small, sexy, queer businesses at a local kink-focused pride market. Check out their upcoming events here: https://linktr.ee/deviantsmarket Homotopia - Liverpool - November Queer Art & Culture Festival Homotopia Festival is the UK’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival. Every November, the Liverpool-based festival runs a month-long series of events and performances showcasing local, national, and international LGBTQIA+ artists and creatives. Events across the city include exhibitions. talks, screenings, live shows, workshops and parties. The festival is taking a break this year, but there's still lots happening the rest of the calendar year which you can find here: https://www.homotopia.net/ Homotopia also offers a 12-month support program for early career artists called QueerCore. The program offers support for LGBTQIA+ artists in the Liverpool City Region to grow, build connections and develop new ideas. Learn more about Queercore here: https://www.homotopia.net/queercore/ The Queer Fringe Festival - Cardiff - June Queer Art & Performance Festival The Queer Fringe Festival launched in 2024. Some of Cardiff's best venues and artists come together for a month of queer fringe events - including theatre, comedy, live music, film, drag, visual art exhibitions, dance, and digital arts. Run by the team behind The Queer Emporium , the festival is Wales's first queer fringe festival and with so many events happening across the month, you're bound to find time to attend at least a few. You can find their program here: https://queerfringefestival.com/whats-on/ Queer Art Market - Manchester - Quarterly Queer Market Manchester Queer Art Market (MQAM) is a queer art market held quarterly at Feel Good Club that allows LGBTQ+ artists, creatives, and makers in the North West to show off their work. Run by a collective of queer makers and market lovers, their aim is to ensure that the market is accessible to all artists, regardless of financial barriers. If you get a chance to go to one of these events, do. The vibe is lovely, the people are amazing and the art is very very queer. Find out when their next event is here: https://linktr.ee/mcrqueerartmarket Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest - London - September Queer DIY Art & Film Festival Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest has been running in London since 2011 as an entirely volunteer-run organisation. Every autumn, they showcase an eclectic mix of films, arts and events celebrating LGBTIQA+ stories from around the world. From feature films to experimental installations, workshops and lively debates to wild parties, Fringe! hosts a multitude of diverse events to tickle every one of the senses. Learn about this year's week-long festival here: https://www.fringefilmfest.com/ Leeds Queer Film Festival - Leeds - March Queer Film Festival Leeds Queer Film Festival is a DIY festival run by and for the LGBTQ+ community in Leeds. It combines queer cinema with group discussions, workshops, and talks, raising awareness about current issues of relevance to the community, along with other activities, crafts, and food. It's an annual five-day event that runs every spring, perfect for anyone with a love of queer cinema and open discussion. Submissions for next year's festival are currently open and can be found here: https://www.leedsqueerfilmfestival.co.uk/ Mighty Hoopla - London - May Queer Pop Music Festival First held at a Butlins in Bognor Regis, Mighty Hoopla has grown to become Europe's largest pop music festival. It's currently held at Brockwell Park in London and getting bigger and better every year. Expect plenty of pop music, 90's faves and DJ sets from drag queens. This year's lineup included Ciara, Kate Nash, The Vegaboys and Kesha. If you love camp pop, dance classics and 90s R&B, then this one's for you. Sound like fun? Grab yourself tickets for next year's event here: https://mightyhoopla.com/ ​ Queerfest - Norwich - February Queer Art Festival Queerfest is a month-long LGBTQ+ festival held annual in Norwich every February to coincide with LGBT+ History Month. It's a celebration of LGBTQ+ artists, makers, filmmakers, and performers with a whole bunch of film screening, markets, events, workshops and talks. A wonderful place to find new art, new ideas and queer joy. Check out what's on next February, along with a selection of Pride events here: https://queerfestnorwich.uk/ The Coast Is Queer - Brighton - October Queer Book Festival The Coast is Queer is Brighton’s annual festival of LGBTQ+ writing taking place over a long weekend each October. The first of its kind in the UK, the festival creates a space for queer readers, writers and allies to come together in a grassroots celebration of the written word and its ability to illuminate and enrich the life of the LGBTQ+ community. Sign up for their mailing list and stay up to date on the festival here: https://coastisqueer.com/ The Queer Campfire - Multiple Locations - June Queer Camping Festival Running since the summer of 2021, The Queer Campfire was predominantly created as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ women, trans and non-binary people to join together for a weekend of camping somewhere in the middle of the UK. Past locations have included Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and The Vale of Belvoir. Each year the camping festival picks a location and a line-up of diverse queer talent and workshops for you to enjoy, getting back to basics in nature and creating connections. Sound like fun? Grab yourself tickets for next year's event here: https://www.thequeercampfire.co.uk/ The Canny Queer Collective - Newcastle - Quarterly Queer Markets & Live Performances Based in Newcastle, The Canny Queer Collective hosts a quarterly LGBTQ+ fayre featuring local sellers, open-mic performances and live music. The group also host casual events throughout the year, as well as an annual mini music festival in the summer platforming LGBTQ+ artists. Stay up to date with their events here: https://www.instagram.com/cannyqueercollective/ Out & Wild - Devon - June Queer Wellness Festival Although Out & Wild is a relatively new festival (piloted in 2021), it's quickly become the UK’s biggest festival for lesbian, bi, trans and queer women and those who are non-binary. Held annually in Pembrokeshire, the festival focuses on wellness and shared experiences giving the festival a 'Pride in the country' feel. There's plenty to do, with music, comedy, wellness, workouts, spoken word, talks, wild swimming, hikes and workshops. If it sounds like your cup of tea, you can grab yourself camping or non-camping tickets here: https://www.outandwild.co.uk/home QueerSwap - London - Monthly Queer Market & Swap-Meet QueerSwap hosts monthly sustainable swap-meets and socials across London. Whether it's clothes swaps, book swaps, or workshops you're after, why not swing by, meet some new people, and join in the fun? They're a great day out, celebrating LGBTQ+ creatives from London and beyond, full of creativity, community, and all-round good vibes. Take a look at their linktree to learn more about upcoming events: https://linktr.ee/queerswap Have we missed a queer festival or market near you? 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  ✌

This week we're taking a look at queer books that focus on sex, drugs and homosexuals. From thrillers centering chemsex and addiction, to the history of poppers, slutty memoirs and Japanese BDSM, here are 15 LGBTQ+ books with a focus on sex, drugs, addiction and screwing: Note: All of these books are explicit and tackle difficult themes - please check trigger warnings before reading these books. 100 Boyfriends Brontez Purnell Filth, punks & sex stories Queer Rep: Queer Men Transgressive, foulmouthed, and wildly funny, Brontez Purnell's 100 Boyfriends is a filthy, unforgettable, and brutally profound ode to queer love in its most messy of variations. From one-night stands to recurring lovers, Purnell's characters sleep with their co-worker's husbands, expose themselves to racist neighbours, date Satanists, and drink their way out of trouble, all the while fighting - and often losing - the urge to self-sabotage. A horny, punk love song full of imperfect intimacies, 100 Boyfriends takes readers on a riotous journey through dirty warehouses and gentrified bars, from dysfunctional houseshares to desolate farming towns in Alabama. Drawing us into a community of glorious misfits living on the margins of a white supremacist, heteronormative society, iconoclastic storyteller Brontez Purnell gives us an uncompromising vision of desire, desperation, race, loneliness, and queerness that will devastate as much as it entertains. A Game In Yellow Hailey Piper Lesbians, kink & horror Queer Rep: Queer Women Euphoria meets Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke in this latest novel by the Bram Stoker Award–winning author Hailey Piper, following a couple whose search to spice up their sex life leads them down a path of madness. A kink-fixated couple, Carmen and Blanca, have been in a rut. That is until Blanca discovers the enigmatic Smoke in an under-street drug den, who holds pages to a strange play, The King in Yellow. Read too much, and you’ll fall into madness. But read just a little and pull back, and it gives you the adrenaline rush of survivor’s euphoria, leading Carmen to fall into a game of lust at a nightmare’s edge. As the line blurs between the world Carmen knows and the one that she visits after reading from the play, she begins to desire more time in this other world no matter what horrors she brings back with her. Boyslut Zachary Zane Sex, manifesto & polyamory Queer Rep: Bisexual Men A sex and relationship columnist bares it all in a series of essays - part memoir, part manifesto - that explore the author’s coming-of-age and coming out as a bisexual man and move toward embracing and celebrating sex unencumbered by shame As a boy, Zachary Zane sensed that all was not right when images of his therapist naked popped into his head. Without an explanation as to why, a deep sense of shame pervaded these thoughts. Though his therapist assured him a little imagination was nothing to be ashamed of, over the years, society told him otherwise. Boyslut is a series of personal and tantalizing essays that articulate how our society still shames people for the sex that they have and the sexualities that they inhabit. In At The Deep End Kate Davies Toxic relationships & BDSM Queer Rep: Queer Women A fresh, funny, audacious debut novel about a Bridget Jones-like twenty-something who discovers that she may have simply been looking for love — and, ahem, pleasure — in all the wrong places (aka: from men) Julia hasn’t had sex in three years. Her roommate has a boyfriend—and their sex noises are audible through the walls, maybe even throughout the neighborhood. Not to mention, she’s treading water in a dead-end job, her know-it-all therapist gives her advice she doesn’t ask for, and the men she is surrounded by are, to be polite, subpar. Enough is enough. So when Julia gets invited to a warehouse party in a part of town where “trendy people who have lots of sex might go on a Friday night”—she readily accepts. Whom she meets there, however, is surprising: a conceptual artist, also a woman. Nether Realms Tab Kimpton Crazy-horny erotic sci-fi Queer Rep: Trans & Non-Binary From the PRISM and Lambda Award nominated publisher of Nectar & Ambrosia , comes Nether Realms: a Sci-Fi Non-Binary Erotic Comics Anthology. The theme: star-hot sex that explodes beyond our Earthling understanding of body, gender, and self-identity. 15 strange, sexy tales from far across the universe, where each comic has at least one character who goes beyond the gender binary or explores gender in an interesting way. Freed from the tethers of the nethers, or delving into them deeper than ever before, let’s hyper jump into Future Fucking, hand in [robotic] hand. Our mission? To boldly bang where no thems have boinged before. Sluts Michelle Tea Fiction, non-fiction & lots of sex Queer Rep: Queer Cast Boyfriends masquerade as straight bros to have fun on an early internet porn site. Sex on Viagra; sex on acid. A lesbian bar sells out, turning barflies into doms for hire. In Spain, an exchange student lets two young men flip a coin to see who will have her. A stranger on a train. A collegiate lesbian ‘it’ couple. A trans woman bashes back. Post-apocalyptic punk crushes. Slut eras. Whether an insult or badge of honor, an identity or a state of mind, SLUTS engages some of the hottest minds of the moment to riff on the subject, exploring the nature of desire and its cultural consequences, creating a collection bound to become a classic of sex writing. Fruit Fly Josh Silver Addiction, sex work & abusive relationships Queer Rep: Queer Men It’s been seven years since Mallory shot to fame as a literary sensation. But after years of struggling with writer’s block, she’s desperate to resurrect her career before it spirals into obscurity. She needs inspiration to strike - and fast. Enter a young struggling addict sleeping under bridges and trading sex for survival. He’s vulnerable. He’s enigmatic. He’s exactly what Mallory has been looking for. Mallory needs Leo if she wants another bestseller. Authenticity sells, and there’s nothing more authentic than real life. She’s the perfect person to tell Leo’s story. Gay, sad, dark – just what the world needs right now. But as secrets threaten to unravel more than just her career, Mallory must just how far will she go to pen the perfect story? Deep Sniff Adam Zmith A history of poppers & their uses Queer Rep: Queer culture 3, 2, 1... inhale, deep. From the Victorian infirmary and the sex clubs of the 1970s, poppers vapour has released the queer potential inside us all. This is the intriguing story of how poppers wafted out of the lab and into gay bars, corner shops, bedrooms and porn supercuts. Blending historical research with wry observation, Adam Zmith explores the cultural forces and improbable connections behind the power of poppers. What emerges is not just a history of pub raids, viral panics and pecs the size of dinner plates. It is a collection of fresh and provocative ideas about identity, sex, utopia, capitalism, law, freedom and the bodies that we use to experience the world. In   Deep Sniff , what starts as a thoughtful enquiry into poppers becomes a manifesto for pleasure. Herculine Grace Byron Sex, drugs & cults Queer Rep: Trans Women 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, more powerful than any she’s ever encountered. 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. Diary of a Drag Queen Crystal Rasmussen Filthy, funny, frantic memoir Queer Rep: Non-Binary Life's a drag... Why not be a queen? Stories like the one where you shagged a 79-year-old builder and knocked over his sister's ashes while feeding him a Viagra. Or the time you crashed your car because you were giving a hand job in barely moving traffic and took your eye off the car in front. That's the kind of dinner-party ice-breaker I'm talking about. Northern, working-class and shagging men three times her age, Crystal writes candidly about her search for 'the one'; sleeping with a VIP in an attempt to become a world famous journalist; getting hired and fired by a well-known fashion magazine; being torn between losing weight and gorging on KFC; and her need for constant sexual satisfaction (and where that takes her). Charting her day-to-day adventures over the course of a year, we encounter tucks, twists and sucks, heinous overspending and endless nights spent sprinting from problem to problem in a full face of make-up. This is a place where the previously unspeakable becomes the commendable - a unique portrayal of the queer experience. Solemates Adam Zmith A history of foot fetishes Queer Rep: Queer Culture Why are feet so hot? When Jesus washed his bros' feet, what kind of love was he showing? Why did feet show up in poetry written during a medieval outbreak of gonorrhoea? How did early sexologists convince us that loving feet is deviant? And what did Victorian lesbians make of all this? These are the questions thrusting Adam Zmith into a history of toe-botherers who will guide the reader through the sex archives, the online forums and a millennium of art, with his trademark queer lens. Solemates will bring to light the history of this peculiarly popular kink. From Tarantino films to Bible stories, from Renaissance paintings to OnlyFans, Solemates is the rich and messy tale of our obsession with everything below the ankle, and what it reveals about how we view our bodies and our sex lives. Romeo & Seahorse Nikolaj Tange Lange Sex, drugs & STDs in Berlin Queer Rep: Queer Men Romeo has Hepatitis again. It’s no surprise, and when you haven’t slept for days staying awake is easy. And anyway, there’s the promise of more drugs, more sex. Leaving his boyfriend at home he heads out for hookups, getting abjectly high and pushing his body to grotesque extremes in an urgent but dissociated quest for romance. What follows is a delirious trip through squalid rooms, hospital wards, and nighttime parks, broken by memories of first loves, European travels, and meditations on what it means to be a Romeo. With chaotic chemsex escapades and musings on romantic love, art and belonging, Romeo & Seahorse takes us to places not often explored in fiction. Written in a relentless, frenzied first-person narrative with moments of mind-bending wisdom and poignancy, this is a one-of-a-kind novel about addiction, desire, belonging, and want that’s destined to become a queer classic. The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame Gengoroh Tagame Big bara men & BDSM Queer Rep: Queer Men The often violent, visceral, and always provocative style of Japanese manga legend Gengoroh Tagame, one of the originators of Japanese bear culture, comes to life like never before in  The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame , a new edition of the artist's first English-language collection. Known as "The Tom of Finland of Japan," Tagame is celebrated around the world for his groundbreaking work, noted for its masterfully crafted imagery and unbridled exploration of bondage, lust, passion, and romance. This first English paperback edition includes ten short stories dating from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, with an introduction by celebrated novelist and biographer Edmund White, as well as an essay and new jacket design by acclaimed novelist and graphic designer Chip Kidd. Experienced Kate Young Hot women & casual sex Queer Rep: Queer Women A sexy sapphic romantic comedy about newly-out Bette, who is in love for the first time in her life. Finally, everything makes sense. Until it doesn’t. Bette’s 30th year brought with it an unexpected the reason her dating life had been lackluster was simple. She’s attracted to women. And then she fell for Mei, who’s entirely perfect. Until, out of the blue, Mei suggests they take a break. She wants Bette to do all the exploring she missed out on in her twenties - to plunge into the queer dating scene and return clearer about their future, her desires, and herself. So, reluctantly, Bette sets out on a date hot women and have hot casual sex, before returning to her loving girlfriend. Put that way, maybe it doesn’t sound so bad…Bette’s dating odyssey takes her to unexpected places, some cringingly disastrous, some heady and thrilling. And with her new friend, the gorgeous and self-assured Ruth, as a queer dating guide, Bette can’t possibly fail. Right? The Unsinkable Ship of Fools Jonas Goonface Super horny erotic fantasy Queer Rep: Non-binary, Genderqueer, Polyamory Cum one, cum all! Jump aboard the Ship of Fools for your final ride. An ensorcelled train hurtles through the night, with no stops and no hope for its passengers; everyone is welcome, and no one can leave. Freaks, kooks, misfits, no one is too strange! No bosses! No brakes! Only thrills, mutual support, and carnal bliss. These vagabonds only have each other now, and in a collection of magical erotic encounters, we get to meet them all - a ragtag group of castoffs who must find the answer: Who's driving this thing, and who's ultimately in charge of your fate? The destination of this raucous anarchic locomotive is anyone's guess, but one thing is certain: The journey will be like nothing you've ever seen before! Do you have a book recommendation you'd add to this list? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk ✌

It was pointed out to me this week that there haven't been many recommendations with canonically bi and pansexual characters recently. So, it's time to change that and take a look at what bi & pan books are being released this year. From pansexual superheroes to bisexual horror, queer fantasy and YA romance, here are 20 of our most anticipated queer books coming out in 2025 with bisexual and pansexual characters. Note: some release dates of these books may be pushed back and covers may change. Dream On, Ramona Riley Ashley Herring Blake Contemporary Adult Romance 13 May 2025 A small-town waitress and a Hollywood star’s worlds collide in this new bisexual romance by Ashley Herring Blake. When a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, Ramona Riley wonders if this could be her chance. There’s only one problem - Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood’s favorite wild child - is the star. Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she’s not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she’s just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town—she even works at the town’s café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things. But Dylan soon realizes it’s not just some small-town waitress she’s getting to know—Ramona Riley is someone she’s met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. My Best Friend's Honeymoon Meryl Wilsner Erotic Rom-Com 29 April 2025 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. The Broposal Sonora Reyes Adult Contemporary Romance 12 Feb 2025 A Latinx adult romance debut from Sonora Reyes where two friends enter into a marriage of convenience to save one from deportation - but everything changes when they unexpectedly fall in love. Alejandro (Han for short) has never been in love. He purposefully keeps his heart at arm’s length from anyone who might want it, which he lets his family and friends think is due to commitment-phobia paired with a heavy dose of emotional constipation. Now, though, he's coming to learn that it might have more to do with his fear of looking too deeply inward, whether that be his sexuality or the looming anxiety about being undocumented in an increasingly hostile environment. On the other hand, Han’s roommate and best friend, Kenny, is stuck in a soul-sucking relationship with a woman who wants nothing more than for Kenny to ditch Han and marry her. Kenny can't stand being alone, and has always been afraid of being punished for making the wrong choice, so his girlfriend happily makes most of his decisions for him. But when she forces his hand and makes him choose between their relationship and his best friend, he finally knows without a doubt who the correct choice is. That's What She Said Eleanor Pilcher Adult Contemporary Fiction 08 May 2025 Serena and Beth are best friends who couldn’t be more different - Beth is an avowed demisexual, who lacks confidence in her career and in her chances at a happy relationship due to her sexual orientation. Serena is a free spirit who oozes with confidence, both in her job and her sexual proclivities. And yet, since the moment they met, they knew they were platonic soulmates. So, when Beth decides that she officially wants to take charge of her sex life and explore the things that scare her the most, Serena is more than happy to help. Speed-dating, sex therapy, tantra, a perplexed but ultimately very nice escort—it’s all on Beth’s Sexual Odyssey List. But when Beth’s crush from her old job comes back and Serena’s favorite friend-with-benefits pushes for more than just sex, it throws their whole world into a tailspin. And suddenly, this sexual odyssey is more than a fun gag. It’ll set them down a course that’ll make them so much closer—or end their friendship for good. Homegrown Magic Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos Fantasy Romance 13 March 2025 A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space. Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm. They’re on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of…well, they’re not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure. Margot Greenwillow - talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner - has never felt further from adventure in her life. She’s been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when her childhood friend and former crush, Yael, rides back into her life, she’s shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses. Lucky Day Chuck Tingle Dark Comedy Horror 12 August 2025 After a global disaster prompts thousands of comically unlikely deaths, a bisexual statistics professor - who has convinced herself she might not exist - and an ethically dubious government agent must travel to Las Vegas to unravel the connection between deadly bouts of absurdity and a supernaturally lucky casino. Vera is a survivor of a global catastrophe known as the Low Probability Event, but she definitely isn't thriving. Once a passionate professor of statistics, she no longer finds meaning in anything at all. But when problematic government agent Layne knocks on her door, she's the only one who can help him uncover the connection between deadly spates of absurdity and an improbably lucky casino. What's happening in Vegas isn't staying there, and the world is at risk of another disaster. The Coven Tendency Zoe Hana Mikuta YA Fantasy Horror 01 April 2025 A bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). Just like her mother and her mother’s mother, 18-year-old Vanity Adams is destined to lead a lavish life under the patronship of the Museum, someday taking her place as its premiere necromantic Spectacle and the centerpiece of their weekly soirees thrown for the City’s elite. But until that day, Vanity (and the other young witches of the Museum) is isolated from the outside world and purged of her magic - magic being particularly unstable for teenagers and often leading to antisocial conduct, mood swings, bloodlust, delusions, and, most concerning, a habitual, violent obsession with one another. This Feast of a Life Cynthia So YA Coming-Of-Age 09 January 2025 From the author of If You Still Recognise Me  comes a delicious story of two people brought together by a shared love of food as they figure out themselves and each other. Auden is finding different ways to be themself. The first - using their new chosen name, which feels most authentically them. The second - starting a food blog where they can share their passion for food, through family recipes and the stories behind them. And when the blog brings them Valerie, they discover more than they'd ever expected. It's been over a year since Valerie lost her mum - her beautiful, vibrant mum who loved cooking. Since her mum's death, Valerie and her dad have drifted further and further apart, the kitchen left cold and empty, until Valerie finds Auden's blog. The blog (and its writer) spark something in Valerie. Could she have found a recipe for happiness?and the old magic slumbers. Dead - or waiting for a spark to light it anew . . . And They Were Roommates Page Powars YA Romance 29 May 2025 Romance is the last thing on Charlie’s mind. On his first day at Valentine Academy for Boys, Charlie’s carefully crafted plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student is set in motion. Only to be immediately destroyed. Charlie has been assigned the worst roommate in the world (possibly the universe): Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned. Except, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie. Who knows how long until Jasper realizes the truth? Charlie has one shot at freedom and a dorm room all to himself, but only if he helps Jasper write love letters on behalf of their fellow students first. No problem. Charlie can help Jasper with some silly letters. Tart Becki Jayne Crossley YA Romance 14 August 2025 Smart, sweetly funny & heartwarming, Tart is a must-read exploration of coming out and accepting yourself. Perfect for fans of She Gets the Girl and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Libby's world shatters when a video of her 'cheating' on her popular boyfriend, Dan, goes viral the night he gets into a serious bike accident. Overnight, school friends turn into bullies and the only person who will talk to her is Neha, the new girl everyone else ignores. While Dan is in a coma, oblivious to the drama unfolding around him, Libby and Neha grow closer. But Neha's not ready to admit she's been crushing on Libby for months. And if Libby follows her heart, she'll be making her already messy life a lot messier. The Earl Meets His Match TJ Alexander Historical Romance 11 March 2025 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. But Lord Christopher Eden is no ordinary man… Lord Eden has always preferred the comfortable company of his staff to the prying eyes of the debutantes at the ton’s latest soirée. So, when he receives word that he must find a wife by the end of the Season, or lose his fortune, Christopher knows that he can’t do it alone. Enter the distractingly dashing – if rather stoic – James Harding. As Lord Eden’s mysterious new valet, James must ensure Christopher’s reputation appears as faultless as his cravat. But as sparks fly, and Christopher’s deadline to find love looms, will James find himself vying for the position instead? It's a Love/Skate Relationship Carli J. Corson YA Sports Romance 13 March 2025 A sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between a hotheaded butch lesbain hockey player and the ice princess at the figure skating rink next door. Charlie Porter is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the hockey rink. When she accidentally starts a brawl after a game, she's suspended from school, meaning no hockey this season--and no chance to play in front of college scouts. Alexa Goldstein's pairs skating partner was hurt in the fight, and with only four months until their next competition, pickings for a replacement are slim. So she strikes a deal with Charlie--skate with her at the competition well enough to place, and her Olympian mother will use her formidable connections to get Charlie in front of scouts at D-1 schools, even without her team. It seems impossible, and not just because Charlie has never figure skated before. Where Charlie is powerful, Alexa is elegant; where Charlie is quick to blow up, Alexa is cold as ice. But as the frostiness between them starts to thaw, they begin to wonder if they've found a partner for more than just skating. Deadpool Vol. 2 Alyssa Wong Superhero Comic - Graphic Novel 04 February 2025 Love is in the air as Deadpool takes his new romance - non-binary assassin Valentine Vuong - out on the town! Unfortunately, bullets, blades and explosive devices are also in the air - since both of them have enemies who want them dead! What do trained killers do when trained killers try to kill them? Naturally, they try to kill those trained killers first! After all of this, Wade Wilson will need a break. All he wants to do is retire, have a nice time with his daughter and be completely cured of his cancer - is that too much to ask? But when he's captured by the mysterious Horned Emperor, can Deadpool's new paramour (or his giant symbiote dog) save the Merc with a Mouth? Or is he heading for heartbreak?! Love Points to You Alice Lin YA Romance 04 March 2025 A swoony asexual romance between driven, practical Lynda Fan and her rich, arrogant classmate, Angela Wu. When Angela offers Lynda the chance to design characters for her otome game, Lynda discovers things she never knew about herself... or her heart. Sixteen-year-old Lynda Fan has the skills and the drive to get into the Rhode Island School of Design - but not the money. Her parents are too busy paying for her stepsister’s violin lessons to help Lynda get into art school. So when her rich and arrogant classmate, Angela Wu, offers to hire Lynda as a character designer for an otome game - a love story-based video game - she jumps at the opportunity. Lynda isn’t exactly a romantic, but in pursuit of her dreams, she discovers things she never knew about herself while also finding love with every heart she draws. Amelia, If Only Becky Albertalli YA Romance 19 June 2025 Amelia Applebaum isn’t in love with Walter Holland. He just happens to be her favorite moderately famous, chaotically bisexual YouTuber. Who she just happened to invite to prom. (But it’s fine. No, for real. If you delete the post, it didn’t happen.) Okay, maybe her friends are right: She’s slightly parasocially infatuated. But Amelia just knows sparks would fly—if only she could connect with Walter for real. If only he would host a meet and greet. If only it were just a short road trip away. And if only Amelia could talk her best friends into making it the perfect last hurrah before graduation—even her newly single, always-cynical, guitar-toting best friend Natalie. One thing’s for sure: All roads lead to butterflies. Hungry Heart, Volume 1 Jem Milton YA Romance - Graphic Novel 02 January 2025 An endearing queer rom-com that grapples with self-discovery, finding your voice, and the power of acceptance. Laurie, a plucky young food writer, gets his big break interviewing heartthrob chef, Oryan Adjei. Laurie has idolized Oryan since watching him rise to fame in the UK Kitchen Trials back when they were both teens. But Oryan's life is lonelier than it seems from the outside and his career has taken a direction he isn't sure he wants to continue. Laurie seems to get Oryan in a way few others do. Their clumsy first meeting turns into a series of interviews that takes them on a food tour across London, from a coffee shop in a snow flurry to a hole-in-the-wall burger shack and Oryan's own kitchen. Despite their attempts to keep things professional, the two begin to bond over cheesesteaks, flat whites, and stolen hors d'oeuvres. As the pair find themselves in a pressure cooker of celebrity and personal struggles that threatens their chance at romance, will Oryan learn to trust himself and follow his heart? Dead Real Poppy T. Perry YA Zombie Horror/Comedy 03 July 2025 Nora Inkwell is totally, completely, absolutely going to tell her best friend and fellow horror movie superfan, Ruby, that she’s in love with her. It doesn't matter that Baxter from Body Combat wrote on the college wall that Nora's frigid. Or that Ruby is more interested in losing her lesbian v-plates before they start university. And it certainly doesn't matter that Nora's old school friends said that all bisexuals are attention-seeking wannabes! ...It might matter that the entire town has turned into flesh-eating zombies. Guess there's no time like the (deadly, dangerous, zombie-swamped) present to confess your undying  love. Roll For Love MK England YA Romance 24 April 2025 A second-chance queer romance about two teens whose in-world D&D characters fall in love, but in IRL... things are more complicated, perfect for lovers of Ashley Poston and Becky Albertalli. Harper Reid’s summer is not off to a great start.  After the death of her grandpa, she moves across the country, leaving her friends and Dungeons & Dragons group behind. She wasn’t exactly planning to start her senior year on the farm where she spent her childhood summers, but running into Ollie Shifflet - former best friend and first crush - makes things much better. When Harper discovers Ollie and her friends are starting a new D&D campaign, she quickly joins the group. As Harper and Ollie reconnect in the real world, romantic tension begins to build between Harper’s brash barbarian and Ollie’s proud paladin, but it’s all just part of the game... right?  Ollie’s future depends on keeping her bisexuality private while Harper’s dreams include an out-and-proud life in their rural town, but as their feelings continue to grow with each gaming session, their relationship begins threatening everything they’ve worked so hard to build. Chaos King (Book 2) Kacen Callender YA Magical Fantasy 10 April 2025 The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestseller Infinity Alchemist . Ever since he rose up against his father and saved New Anglia from destruction, Ash has been struggling to adapt to his new life. He has nightmares every night, haunted by strange black orbs and his screaming dead mother. Ash is sure she's trying to warn him that the world is still in danger, and becomes determined to find a way to speak to her again - but communicating with the dead isn't easy, even for an alchemist as powerful as Ash. It doesn't help that violent anti-alchemist sentiment is spreading across New Anglia. When Ash is captured by a radical alchemist group, inspired by his father's legacy, he must decide if alchemist rights can be trusted in the hands of the Houses, along with his partners Callum and Ramsay - or if Ash must follow the path his father laid for him, and become the leader of an alchemist revolution. Can Ash keep his relationships together and stop the world from falling apart? Liquid Mariam Rahmani Literary Fiction 15 May 2025 The unnamed Iranian-Indian American narrator of Liquid has always believed herself to be the smartest person in the room. And from an early age, she and her best friend, Adam, have turned their noses up at other people’s riches. But two years after earning a PhD from UCLA, the narrator is no closer to the middle-class comfort promised to her by the prestige of her fancy, scholarship-funded education and the successes of her immigrant parents. Jokingly, Adam suggests she just marry rich. But our protagonist, whose PhD thesis compared Eastern and Western views of marriage in film and literature, takes the idea seriously. She makes a spreadsheet and outlines a 100 dates with people of all genders and a marriage proposal in hand by the official start of the fall semester. What follows is a whirlwind summer packed with martinis sans vermouth with the lazy scion of an Eastside construction empire; board games with a butch producer who owns a house in the hills and a newly dented Porsche; a Venmo request from a “socialist” trust fund babe; and an evening spent dodging the halitosis of a maxillofacial surgeon from Orange County. Think we've missed something great? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekStore  or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk  ✌

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!

It's #LGBTHistoryMonth here in the UK, so what better time to crack open a book and read up on some queer history? From books on queer literature to the history of Section 28, lesbian fashion through the ages and even a few queer graphic memoirs, here are 28 queer history books to read this LGBTQ+ History Month. Book: Outrage: How to Fight for LGBTQ+ Lives  Author: Ellen Jones About: Equality and the discrimination that a lot of queer people face . Outrage: How to Fight for LGBTQ+ Lives  by Ellen Jones focuses largely on equality and the discrimination that a lot of queer people face, with chapters on marriage, education, mental health, sport, ageing and gender affirming care. It’s full of personal stories and practical solutions. Book: Solemates Author: Adam Zmith About: A short history of foot fetishes Solemates by Adam Zmith is a short little history of foot fetishes published by 404 Ink. It looks at art, film, society, fetish and literature, with sections on medieval poetry, Victorian lesbians, online forums and Tarantino films. It's only 100 pages long and available on the Proud Geek website while stock lasts – the publisher is closing down later this year, so it may be a little tricky to get copies after June/July. Book: Forty Lies: A Work of IPSEDIXITISM Authors: David Shenton About: Queer history and memoir through cartoon strips and gay comics Forty Lies by   David Shenton is part history, part graphic memoir, following David’s life as a British cartoonist. This book is awesome, it’s so funny and so charming and full of comics about coming out, boyfriends, queer friendships, sex, love, marriage, grief and pride through the decades – perfect for anyone into queer history or queer comics... or knitting, there are some amazing knitting patterns included in this book too. Book: Shoulder To Shoulder Author: Jake Hall About: A love letter to the pioneers of queer solidarity and coalition Shoulder To Shoulder  by Jake Hall is queer history that focuses largely on the organisations and people who fought for queer rights and equality through the decades. There are sections of the Black Panthers, the Gay Liberation Front, Lesbians and Gays Support The Miners and queer solidarity groups all over the world. It’s a fairly candid approach to queer history and doesn’t feel like super academic, but more like you're having a passionate conversation with a friend. Book: Queer As Folklore Author: Sacha Coward About: The hidden queer history of myths and monsters Queer As Folklore  by Sacha Coward is perfect for queer nerds who love myths, monsters and legends. It covers everything from demon twinks to radical fairies, queer goddesses, lesbian pirates, curses, shapeshifters and so much more, spanning centuries of history and is a great look at queer heroes and villains in storytelling, folklore and fantasy. Book: Unsuitable: A History of Lesbian Fashion Author: Eleanor Madhurst About: The history and politics of lesbian clothing Unsuitable by Eleanor Medhurst looks at the history and politics of lesbian clothing through the ages. It talks about sooo much stuff, from Sappho to Gentleman Jack, top hats, violet tiaras, suffragettes, feminism, drag kings, female husbands, tiktok trends, politics, masculinity, butches, femmes, studs, gender nonconformity and so much more. Book: Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look at Butts in Art Author: Mark Small & Jack Shoulder About: A history of bums in fine art, museums and sculpture Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look at Butts in Art  by Mark Small & Jack Shoulder looks at the history of bums in fine art, museums and sculpture, from Venus de Milo to David Hockney. There are sections on classical art, history, photography, and ceramics, all with historical context and credits included. You can also find Museum Bums on Instagram and Bluesky , where they post daily. Book: Revolutionary Acts: Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain Author: Jason Okundaye About: Queer British history told through interviews with black gay British men REVOLUTIONARY ACTS: Love and Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain by Jason Okundaye is black gay British history told through interviews with an older generation of black gay men - largely based in Brixton. It’s a nice mix of history and personal conversations about nightlife, romance, The BLGC, politics, Justin Fashanu, cruising, loss and resistance. Book: The Queer Bookshelf: A Reader's Guide Author: Layla McCay About: The past, present and future of queer literature The Queer Bookshelf: A Reader’s Guide by Layla McCay dives into the past, present and future of queer literature and the history of queer writers through the centuries. It spans from Ancient Mesopotamia, all the way to the present day and covers everything from lit-fic to scifi, pulp fiction, war, fantasy, queer YA and more. Book: Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s Author: Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell About: A collection of photographs depicting love between M/M couples in a time when being gay was illegal. Loving: A Photographic History Of Men In Love , by Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell, is more of a coffee table book than anything deeply academic. It's a truly lovely collection of vintage photographs of love and intimacy between men at a time when being gay was illegal. The book contains photos from the 1850s all the way to the 1950s, largely sourced from flea markets, family archives, estate sales and auctions and features couples from all over the world. There’s also a second volume of photographs, which came out in 2025. Book: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened Author: Tash Walker & Adam Zmith About: Forgotten logbooks for Britain's LGBTQ+ helpline, Switchboard The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened  by Tash Walker & Adam Zmith is queer history told through a collection of log books from Britain's LGBTQ+ helpline, Switchboard. The log books span from 1974, all the way up to 2003, giving readers a peek into the thoughts, concerns and collective history of everyday queer people at the time and combine real calls with personal stories from the authors growing up through Section 28. There’s also a podcast of the same name that recently started its fouth season to tie in with the book. Book: Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality Author: Dr Julia Shaw About: History, politics and visibility in relation to bisexuality. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw looks at bisexuality across the decades. There are sections on politics, gay bars, coming out, religion, education, human rights, asylum seekers, culture, media, monogamy and so much more. It’s a great little resource filled with information. Book: Bad Gays: A Homosexual History Authors: Huw Lemmey & Ben Miller About: Queer villains and evil twinks. Bad Gays: A Homosexual History by Huw Lemmey & Ben Miller is all about queer villains and evil twinks. There are chapters on Frederick the Great, Lawrence of Arabia, Margaret Mead and Ronnie Kray, as well as further reading for each of the twelve chapters – plus there’s the Bad Gays podcast, which this stems from; they upload new episodes twice a week. If you enjoy the podcast, you’re bound to love this book. Book: Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told Author: Jeremy Atherton Lin About: Part memoir, part queer history surrounding marriage laws in the UK & USA Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told  by Jeremy Atherton Lin is part memoir, part queer history surrounding gay marriage laws in the UK & USA. It’s a sweaty, political, moving and intimate story that’s fairly explicit in some places, but genuinely really easy and enjoyable reading that reminds you just how recently marriage equality was achieved. Book: A Little Gay History of Wales Author: Daryl Leeworthy About: Welsh LGBTQ+ life and politics from the Middle Ages to the present A Little Gay History of Wales  by Daryl Leeworthy looks at the queer history of Wales, from the Medieval Ages through to the present day. It covers everything from poetry to politics, bookshops and media, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), education, identity, cottaging, the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), social attitudes, gay bars, and so much more. It covers a lot but doesn’t feel super dense, and if you wanted to learn more about any of the topics, there are plenty of endnotes at the end of each chapter, plus a big ol’ bibliography at the back. Book: They Came to Slay: The Queer Culture of DnD Edited by: Thom James Carter About: A brief history of queerness within Dungeons and Dragons They Came to Slay: The Queer Culture of DnD  by Thom James Carter is a brief and fairly modern history of how Dungeons and Dragons allows people to explore queerness in a safe and friendly environment. It covers the history of D&D, roleplay, homebrews, gender and community, as well as how the game itself can be a powerful tool for many people to explore their own queerness on their own terms. It might not look at the wider landscape of TTRPGs in general, but it's a nice little read on queerness in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. Book: Outrageous!: The Story of Section 28 and Britain's Battle for LGBT Education Author: Paul Baker About: Section 28 and a history of LGBTQ+ education. Outrageous! by Paul Baker is all about Section 28, there are sections on Section 28 itself, LGBTQ+ education in Britain, the Gay Liberation Front, Outrage, Stonewall and political climates both then and now. It’s full of further reading suggestions, and there are also a whole bunch of great photographs and images scattered throughout. Book: Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and Queer Futures Author: Adam Zmith About: Poppers, their history and their use in society, art, medicine and culture. Deep Sniff by Adam Zmith is all about the history of amyl nitrite. It covers their use in society, art, medicine and queer culture. Not really a book that’s for or against them, more just informative and genuinely really interesting. It looks at advertising, masculinity, politics, sex and why they pop up so much in murder mystery novels. Book: The Transgender Issue: An Argument For Justice Author: Shon Faye About: An exploration of what it means to be trans in a transphobic society. The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye is a collection of interviews, essays and lived experiences about being trans in the modern world. There are sections on class, race, civil rights, politics and gender affirming care, as well as the media's modern-day obsession with trans people. I love the way Shon Faye writes; it’s really accessible while also being super informative. Book: Gay Bar: Why We Went Out Edited by: Jeremy Atherton Lin About: Part memoir, part social and cultural history of gay bars Gay Bar: Why We Went Out  by Jeremy Atherton Lin is part memoir, part social history and part cultural history surrounding gay bars through the ages. He covers everything from leather bars to nightclubs, discos to darkrooms with a focus on his own experiences in places like San Francisco, London and LA. I really like the way Jeremy Atherton Lin writes – it feels informal but informative, it’s explicit in places and emotional in others and full of great stories about love, joy, solidarity and expression. Book: How Queer Bookshops Changed The World Author: AJ West About: The history of LGBTQ+ bookshops around the world How Queer Bookshops Changed The World  by AJ West comes out in May and looks at the history of LGBTQ+ bookshops around the world - from Shakespeare and Company in Paris to Gay’s the Word in London. It looks at the connections these bookshops have to queer liberation, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, the AIDS crisis, book bans and Section 28, as well as how these bookshops became spaces of sanctuary for so many through the ages. Book: Trans Britain: Our Journey From The Shadows Author: Christine Burns About: Trans history, rights and activism in Britain since the 1930s. Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows , edited by Christine Burns, is a collection of 25 essays by a whole bunch of different people, from activists to film-makers, parents, musicians and priests, all sharing their own personal stories and experiences, surrounding trans history, rights and activism in Britain since the 1930s. It’s emotional and informative and very, very good reading. Book: Sensible Footwear: A Girl's Guide Author: Kate Charlesworth About: A graphic history of lesbian life from the 1950s to the present day. Sensible Footwear: A Girl's Guide  by Kate Charlesworth is a wonderful graphic novel that’s part memoir and part history, following Kate’s own life as a lesbian growing up from the 1950s to the present day. It’s full of comics and cartoons about coming out, Section 28, the Gay Liberation Front and gay rights through the years. So if you love graphic novels, queer history or lesbian memoirs, then this book is one to add to your bookshelf. Book: Queer X Design Author: Andy Campbell About: LGBTQ+ design, symbols, logos, and graphic art over the past 50 years. Queer X Design by Andy Campbell is full of queer symbols, banners, logos, and graphic art from the past 50 years and is a perfect book for any queer art nerd looking to discover some queer history. From Keith Harring to pink triangles, Diane DiMassa to rainbow flags, Gay Semiotics by Hal Fischer and the AIDS quilt, it’s a great starting point for anyone interested in queer history and design. Book: Queercore: How To Punk A Revolution Edited by: Liam Warfield, Walter Crasshole & Yony Leyser About: An oral history of the Queercore movement from the people who lived it. Queercore: How to Punk a Revolution is essentially a transcript of the Queercore documentary by Yony Leyser, and explores the history of the Queercore movement and the people who lived it. It’s full of interviews from people like John Waters, G.B. Jones and Bruce LaBruce, as well as posters, photos and zines and a whole bunch of film and music recommendations to sink your teeth into. Book: Fabulosa! The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language Author: Paul Baker About: The history of Polari and the people who used it. Fabulosa! The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language by Paul Baker is queer history about Polari (the secret gay language used in 1950s Britain) and the people who spoke it. The book covers everything from what Polari is, where it came from and its use in stuff like Round The Horne; there are sections on identity, rights, and liberation, as well as famous faces like Kenneth Williams and Quentin Crisp. Plus, there's a really lovely little glossary of Polari in the back for anyone interested in learning a few words or phrases. Book: Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime Author: Alex Espinoza About: The history of cruising and the political/cultural forces behind it. Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime by Alex Espinoza is part historical research, part oral history and part personal experience exploring the politics and culture of cruising. There are sections on the Greeks, Oscar Wilde, The Hankey Code, address books, Molly Houses, cruising in Russia and Grindr hookups – it’s a really fun and interesting book about a subject that honestly doesn’t get written about all that much. It’s not super dense, but it is fairly explicit in places. Book: Thank You For Calling the Lesbian Line Author: Elizabeth Lovatt About: Lesbian history, historical fiction and memoir from the 1990s to the modern day Thank You For Calling the Lesbian Line  by Elizabeth Lovatt is part lesbian history, part historical fiction and part memoir. It’s funny and warm and uses real logbook entries from London’s Lesbian Line to wonder what happened to the women who called the line back in the 90s. It covers everything from crushes, breakups, sex, marriage and loneliness and is a great look at the lives of queer women who called the lesbian like back 30 years ago. Think we've missed something great? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeek Bookshop  or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk  ✌

It's 2026 and comics are getting gayer and gayer every year!! As usual, we're taking a look at some of the incredible queer graphic novels being released later this year. From sapphic romance to trans superheroes and magical queer fantasy, here are 20 of our most anticipated LGBTQ+ graphic novels coming out in 2026. Note: some release dates of these books may be pushed back and covers may change. Buuza!! Vol. 1 Shazleen Khan Genre: YA Romance Queer Rep: Queer Men, Trans Men, Demisexual Men, Queer Cast 25 June 2026 On New Year's Eve 1997, in the bustling city of Salwa, Zach, a down-on-his-luck phone operator, receives a misdialed call from a distressed man named Zhen which sparks an undeniable connection. Zach is thrown into a search for his mystery man that stretches across multiple cities and a tangled web of exes, missed connections, and frenemies. Set in the vibrant, low-fantasy realm of Dawlat Al-Harir - an eclectic melting pot inspired by Silk Road history and rich Asian and African Islamic cultures - BUUZA!! is a queer YA romance that features a uniquely dynamic blend of magical realism and political drama, with a richly diverse cast and an intricate plot that explores themes of identity, family, and transformation. This story will take readers on a captivating journey through a world where the divine and mundane collide in the most unexpected ways. Punk’n Heads Dave Baker & Nicole Goux Genre: Coming-Of-Age Queer Rep: Queer Women 07 April 2026 Nicole Goux and Dave Baker join forces for a raucous and revealing new graphic novel about making music, making mistakes, facing your past, and choosing your future. This band plays together, lives together...and unfortunately two of them are sleeping together. Whatever, I'm sure it's fine. Now put on your punk'n mask and let's rock! Hannah Lipsky isn't sure what's happening. She dreamed of becoming a fine art painter, but after breaking up with her girlfriend, she's suddenly dropped out of art school, moved into a flophouse, and gotten roped into singing in a campy horror-punk band. With costumes. To make things even more complicated, she might be hooking up with her housemate/bandmate/high school crush, Jerry. Wherever this is leading, it's going to be messy. Encore! Miles Toriko Burks Genre: YA Romance Queer Rep: Trans Men, Queer Men, Queer Cast 18 June 2026 In this queer rom-com graphic novel for fans of  Heartstopper  and  Bloom,  two ex-best childhood friends reconnect again in high school only to discover they might be something more than friends.  Senior year is in full swing, and Clay’s determined to have a good year filled with friends, theater dreams, and newfound confidence. But when his ex–best friend, Aron, suddenly reappears in his life - and his theater class - it throws a wrench in all of Clay’s plans. Annoyingly, the two are paired up during an improv exercise, and being vulnerable together onstage swirls up all sorts of old, complicated feelings. Even more annoyingly, Aron is acting like there’s nothing weird or confusing about being back in each other’s orbits again. Which is ironic, since Aron was the one who ghosted Clay in the first place. As their class assignment continues and they spend more and more time together, Clay isn’t sure he can keep his old feelings buried. But can he trust Aron again, after everything they’ve been through? Leo Rising Archie Bongiovanni Genre: Adult Coming-Of-Age Comedy Queer Rep: Trans & Non-Binary, Queer Women 19 February 2026 Lesbian influencer. Lifelong Alaskan. Part-time owl researcher. Leo Rising follows self-proclaimed “celesbian” Laura on a hilarious and heart-wrenching exploration of queer spaces, sexuality, and fame. After years of struggling for acceptance, Laura knows exactly who she is - or does she? By day, Laura thrives as the Internet’s lesbian bestie, a role model for thousands of followers worldwide, while working part-time at the Alaska Bird Observatory. But when an old friend returns to town and introduces Laura to queer parties and sex apps she’s never experienced, she starts questioning her gender and sexuality simultaneously. Seeking answers, Laura creates Leo, a secret trans identity. As Leo’s encounters become more and more steamy, Laura’s divergent identities collapse with real-world consequences. The Demon of Beausoleil Mari Costa Genre: Adult Paranormal Adventure Queer Rep: Queer Men, Queer Cast 27 January 2026 A half-demon socialite-turned-exorcist and his disgruntled bodyguard have no trouble facing down the hordes of darkness - but facing their feelings for each other? Well, now that’s a whole different story... Helianthes is a Cambion - a child born touched by demons. Horned, clawed, and tailed, Helianthes - Hell for short - is a devil-may-care exorcist whose devil-may-care attitude has succeeded in alienating those closest to him - all save for his long-suffering bodyguard, Elias, who sees him as less a strange, mythical being and more just a... nuisance. Together, the two venture into the streets of this psuedo-remix of Victorian London to exorcise demons (and maybe cause a little mischief on the way). But as Hell becomes increasingly drawn to his enigmatic bodyguard - and as Elias becomes increasingly aware of his feelings for his trouble of a charge - the two find themselves faced with a growing, chaotic dark that might threaten everything they’ve been working toward... Worst Man Brandt&Stein Genre: Romantic Comedy Queer Rep: Queer Men 25 August 2026 White Lotus meets Glass Onion. Welcome to Paradise, prepare for trouble. On a remote island, far from the distractions of the internet and modern life, we gather here today to celebrate the union of Domino McElligott and Battista Lovely... unless Radcliffe Raleigh can stop it! A professional 'Worst Man', Rad is hired by the Mother of the Bride, the merciless tech mogul Valentina McElligott. With the price of failure being his life and less than 32 hours till "I do", Rad's ready to pull out every trick in his arsenal to stop the wedding and save his skin - until he meets Best Man and beef cake, Chris Kafka. Determined to keep the Best Man close for... uh... purely professional reasons, Rad quickly realizes he may be on the wrong side of the aisle and the only 'mistake' needing to be rectified is of his own making. But with sick guests, a ruined dress, and the smell of a conspiracy wafting from the vol-au-vents, is it too late for Radcliffe to get the ceremony back on track? The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All, Vol. 3 Sumiko Arai Genre: Yuri Manga Queer Rep: Queer Women 15 January 2026 Volume three of Sumino Arai's green uri manga - The Guy She Was Interested in Wan't A Guy At All - is finally out! With Aya’s encouragement and inspiration from a music festival they attend together, Mitsuki begins to pursue her passion for music in earnest! But when a certain video of her singing goes viral on social media, Mitsuki ends up becoming somewhat of a celebrity at school - and her newfound fame brings difficulties for both her and Aya... Harder Than It Looks: Real Hero Shit, Vol. 2  Kendra Wells Genre: Adult Fantasy Adventure Queer Rep: Queer Men, Non-Binary 14 July 2026 WANTED: Preferably alive! You miss a couple letters from your mom and suddenly there's a bounty on your friends' heads. Eugene needs to get back to the Kingdom of Marble,  fast , or else Michel, Hocus, and Ani are going to be facing the business end of a dungeon. Along the way, Hocus and Ani detour to the garrison where he grew up, and discover some skeletons don't stay buried forever, while Eugene takes Michel out for a night they won't soon remember that spirals dangerously out of control. The clock is ticking, and our heroes are realizing that this shit is a little more real than they thought. Dogs on Dates Luke Healy Genre: Romance Comic Queer Rep: Queer Men 18 June 2026 A shaggy-dog graphic novel love story to melt the coldest of hearts. If you can't believe in a cute, funny boy who was nice to you once... what can you believe in? Meet Bernie and Brad, two single dogs getting by in Dog City. Bernie has just dropped out of university and Brad, working for an environmental charity, is trying not to have a meltdown about the melting ice caps. When the pair crash into one another's lives, they em(bark) on a series of dates - new food spots, terrible films, nights in and mishaps a plenty - as they realise that maybe it's not just about meeting the right match, but whether you can then make it work. Funny, anxious, and heartwarming, this is the story of two dogs trying to find hope in love, and in each other. Love Me to Death, Volume 1 Toonimated Genre: YA Fantasy Romance Queer Rep: Bisexual Men, Polyamory 12 March 2026 A graphic novel romantasy about the love triangle between a necromancer, a resurrected bride, and her very-much-alive groom. In the city of San Guadario, necromancy has been banned for one hundred years. Every aspect of life, from buying food to getting married, requires a signature written in one's own blood. If a necromancer were to sign, their identity would be revealed by the magic that courses through their veins. As a necromancer, Victor and his cute one-eyed cat must live a discreet life, constantly on the run. Everything changes when the wealthiest patron in San Guadario hires Victor to resurrect his recently deceased, and impossibly beautiful, bride. The catch? Victor must perform an ancient ritual which eternally binds himself to this bride. After he brings her back to life, Victor finds himself magically entangled with the bride and groom and caught in the middle of more romance than he knows what to do with. Bytchcraft Aaron Reese & Lema Carril Genre: Witchy Urban Fantasy Queer rep: Queer Cast 20 January 2026 Adriyel of the All-Seeing Eye, a pretentious oracle who speaks with the gods. Michele of Mother Earth's Flesh, a nature wytch with a tender heart. Em of the Living Hellfire, an emo necromancer with a sharp tongue. These three friends are bound together through magick and blood as a queer coven in New York, each following their own magickal path under the watchful eye of their spectral coven matriarch, MTHR. When the coven accidentally sends all of New York into a supernatural eclipse and sends the magick of the city into imbalance, their presence is revealed to a religious zealot and their angelic beast of retribution. Not only that, they soon discover they are at the center of an ancient prophecy, and all of wytchkind hangs in the balance! Now, each of them must face the secrets of the past, present, and future in order to save the magick. Created by the late Aaron Reese, Bytchcraft is a love letter to queer friendship, Black Magick, and the found families that sustain us. Enter the magickal world of Bytchcraft and remember - God Save the Wytch. The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Volume 3 James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal & Isaac Goodhart Genre: Supernatural Adventure Queer Rep: Queer Men 10 February 2026 A new school year begins for Christopher Chaos and his friends as he finds himself divided from his mentor, Adam Frankenstein, and searching for answers outside of any textbook. But when Dr. Henry Jekyll arrives in New Briar City with a mysterious hunter on his trail called "Helbound," a strange case develops that only Christopher can solve! Will the Monster Club survive their latest foe or will they be torn apart - piece by bloody piece? Tiny Onion Studios and Dark Horse Comics present a line of upcoming creator-owned work from the mind of James Tynion IV across a broad spectrum of his interests, from non-fiction supernatural encounters to high concept coming-of-age monster comics. Collects the Dark Horse Comics series The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos: Children of the Night #1–#4. Bitter Pill : Randy Shilts and the Dawn of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Clement Xavier & Heloise Chochois Genre: Graphic Biography & Queer History Queer Rep: Queer Men 14 May 2026 A deadly mystery and one reporter’s fight to expose the truth during the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic. With hospital beds filling up, the clock was ticking... What would it take to wake up the nation? A masterful and eye-opening historical account San Francisco, 1980. Randy Shilts - biographer of Harvey Milk and the first openly gay journalist hired by the mainstream media - receives a disturbing call at the San Francisco Chronicle. The caller, a Los Angeles patient, is being treated for what seems to be a rare form of skin cancer. As Shilts investigates, he uncovers a troubling illness that appears to affect only homosexual men, with early cases linked to a Castro-district bathhouse. And a meeting with an infectious disease researcher confirms his worst fears - the so-called “gay cancer” is far more widespread and complex than anyone realizes. Forbidden from reporting on it directly, Shilts turns to sensationalist fake news to force action against the unfolding HIV/AIDS epidemic. Arcana: The Lost Heirs Sam Prentice-Jones Genre: YA Witchy Fantasy Queer Rep: Queer Cast 29 January 2026 James, Daphne, Koko, and Sonny have all grown up surrounded by magic in the Arcana, an organization of witches that protects the magical world, run by the mysterious and secretive Majors. Eli Jones, however, didn’t even know other witches existed... until he stumbled into James. As James introduces Eli to the world of the Arcana, he finds the family he never had, and a blossoming romance with James. The five new friends soon realize that sinister things are afoot and everything may not be what it seems at the Arcana. When the group delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the deaths of their parents and the Major’s rise to power, they discover that they’re at the center of a curse - one they’ve just unwittingly set into motion. As the friends search for answers, they’ll have to confront the cursed legacy that links them in hopes of freeing their futures. Red and the Wolves Cherry Zong Genre: Dark Fantasy Retelling Queer Rep: Queer Women 12 February 2026 Red , a fiercely loyal hunter, has dedicated her life to protecting her witch Grand Mother. Monsters have been roaming the forest that they call home, bringing forth a mysterious illness that has devastated the land and chased every living soul away. Until Red stumbles upon an injured wolf-girl named Sil. Red is cautiously optimistic to befriend someone new, but the more their relationship deepens, the more she begins to uncover the sinister truths behind everything she’s ever known. Red must make the difficult decision of who to defend, before catastrophe consumes them all. This graphic novel that's an apocalyptic fantasy meets queer love story turns the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairytale on its head. Les Normaux Volume 2 Janine Janssen & S. Al Sabado Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Romance Queer Rep: Queer Men, Demisexual Men 15 January 2026 Boy moves to new city. Boy meets vampire. They kiss, then become friends. But both would like something more… The second volume of LES NORMAUX - the global Webtoon phenomenon about friendship, love and magic.  Magic and mayhem collide in supernatural Paris as Sébastien, a young wizard, comes to terms with his demisexuality and explores his growing feelings for his neighbor Elia - a hot supermodel vampire. Join Elia, Sébastien and their assorted crew of wonderful friends, as they navigate the ins and outs of dating and relationships in this modern and para normal  love story. Galaxy 2: As The World Falls Down Jadzia Axelrod & Rye Hickman Genre: Action, Romance & Superheroes Queer Rep: Trans Women, Queer Women 05 May 2026 More romance, more action, and more queer joy as Taylor faces her biggest fear: the Vane. Taylor Barzelay is finally living as her authentic self, a purple alien space princess with blue hair and superpowers. With a loving girlfriend, Kat, and an adorable talking corgi that doubles as a bodyguard, Taylor should feel more at home on Earth than ever. So why doesn't she? As Kat plans for life after high school, Taylor begins to wonder what the future holds for her. Despite dealing with bigots in her hometown, protecting her friend Nia Nal from an evil alien aunt, and honing her powers more than ever before, Taylor still isn't sure she can claim her identity as the superhero Galaxy. When the Vane, an alien race that destroyed her home planet, finally arrive on Earth in search of Taylor, her biggest fear becomes reality. If Superman can't even handle this threat, what chance does Taylor have to save her best friend, the love of her life, and the entire world?! Will she cast aside any doubt in time to become the hero she was always destined to be? The Lost Daughter Of Sparta Felicia Day & Rowan McColl Genre: YA Historical Fiction Queer Rep: Queer Women 26 March 2026 Helen of Troy. Clytemnestra. Timandra. Three sisters, infamously cursed by the goddess Aphrodite to betray their husbands, are known the world over. But few know about the fourth sister: Philonoe. Lost to historical record, all we know from ancient texts is that she avoided the curse placed on her family, and was granted immortality by the goddess Artemis. But why and how did this happen? Now, Felicia Day is determined to bring Philonoe to vivid life and fill in the missing pieces with this graphic novel retelling. Her story is a traditional hero’s journey with a feminist twist. Born as both a Spartan princess and with a wine-stain birthmark on her face, Philonoe is destined for a different fate than her sisters. Her remarkable but overlooked life is finally revealed in this clever and engaging graphic novel that is perfect for fans of The Palace of Eros and Lore Olympus. Heartstopper Volume 6 Alice Oseman Genre: YA Romance Queer Rep: Queer Men, Queer Cast 02 July 2026 The final installment in the bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel series about life, love, and everything that happens in between. Everyone in school knows Nick and Charlie. Everyone knows they're going to be together forever. But Charlie's busy with his bid to become head boy. And while Nick is preparing to leave for uni, he's starting to wonder who he'll be... without Charlie. Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, underage drinking, and sexual references. Ace of Hearts: Lessons in Love from an Asexual Girl Cooklin Genre: Graphic Memoir Queer Rep: Asexual Women 19 February 2026 What does love look like when you are not interested in sex? Growing up, Caitlin Cook knew the recipe for social success from watching television and reading books: two best friends, two enemies, and a boyfriend. So she arranged her life accordingly: making friends and dreaming of the boys she met in school. But she felt that inside, something was wrong with her. Because though she wanted to get close to people, every time she experimented with sex, she just felt bored. This graphic novel follows Caitlin Cook, who is asexual but does not yet fully realize it. From evangelical purity politics to the footloose college campus, Caitlin navigates different worlds each with their own sexual orthodoxies, and clumsily attempts to fit into each of them. A thoughtful and immersive coming-of-age memoir about one girl's struggle to figure out and then claim her asexual identity. Think we've missed something great? Send us a message on Instagram @ProudGeekBookshop  or email us at contact@proud-geek.co.uk  ✌