Maybe it’s because I read a lot of books pre-publication, when there aren’t a ton of reviews available, but I keep having the wonderful but slightly puzzling experience of the surprise! it’s queer! book. These are books I’ve picked up despite thinking they weren’t queer at all. Often the queer themes and characters aren’t mentioned in the publisher’s summary. Or because they aren’t just about queer people, they don’t show up on queer book lists or get a ton of attention in the many queer bookish circles I run in. There’s something undeniably delightful about realizing I’ve stumbled on a queer book without meaning to. But more often not, I don’t want to be surprised. I just want to know! So let me do you this public service. Here are eight marvelous books that are beautifully, if sometimes quietly, queer. You’re welcome. Looking for more lowkey queer books? Check out these queer books without romances! Some of them are indeed very queer, but some of them aren’t at all focused on the characters’ sexuality. And if you’re looking for the opposite — i.e. books that are very queer very fast — there are plenty of those on this list of books where you don’t have to wait for the gay.
