6 powerful queer reads to add colour to your bookshelf

A love story, a coming-of-age, a rebellion, a reincarnation—sometimes all in one. These powerful reads by LGBTQIA+ authors span myth, memory, and modern life, offering tender truths and bold fiction across genres. Whether you’re in the mood for a sapphic slow-burn or a myth-laced heist, this list promises colour, courage, and a whole lot of heart.

Icarus by K Ancrum

Critically acclaimed author K Ancrum breathes life into the meet-cute of your fantasies with Greek mythology symbolism. This suspense-romance is built around an art thief named Icarus, and Helios, the son of the wealthy artist he is stealing from. What will he choose—love, or the great escape? Flip a coin till we get there.

Deviants by Santanu Bhattacharya

The book follows the life of three gay men—Sukumar, Mambro, and Vivaan—from different generations of the same family. The author explores gender identity and love under the law during the 70s, 90s, and 2000s while being brutally honest about heartbreaking dissent, the combat of coming out—what it means and if it can cost you everything.

Kari by Amruta Patil

The book, also considered India’s first graphic lesbian novel, follows a queer woman, Kari, who is navigating a big city, mental illness, and relentless heteronormativity. While grappling with the idea of death and loneliness, the novel follows the protagonist’s second attempt at life—a reincarnation. And her biggest source of hope? Angel, a friend dying of cancer.

Queer as folklore: the hidden queer history of myths and monsters by Sacha Coward

Unicorn heads, sequinned mermaid tails, and fairy wings—not just symbols of expression at a Pride march. Queer as Folklore steps up history in queer references rooting back to Gods, myths, and monsters once known to exist. Visual extracts from scriptures and museums are proof of ancient queer existence that validate a sense of self.

The way you want to be loved by Aruni Kashyap

An award-winning, bilingual writer and professor from Assam, Aruni Kashyap narrates 13 short stories on queer experiences from Northeast India. Laced with a dark, humorous tone, you’ll find yourself confronted with some of the biggest truths and the universal need to be loved.

Out of step, into you by Ciera Burch

Black, queer author Ciera Burch is known for her works of fiction—Finch House, Camp Twisted Pine, and Something Kindred. For her fourth, she moves further away from her magic-realism fascination to the sapphic lovers club; childhood friends cum runners turned cross-country team rivals. The book is an exploration of sports fiction and past feelings.

All images: Harpercollins, Penguin Random House, and Amazon.in

This article originally appeared in Cosmopolitan India, May-June 2025 print issue.

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