Gay Book reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 153 Reddit reviews across 19 subreddits and 41 posts to rank the best Gay Book brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/AskGaybrosOver30, r/QueerSFF, r/suggestmeabook, r/boykisser, r/askgaybros. Top-rated brands include James Baldwin (4.9/5), Adam Silvera (4.5/5), Benjamin Alire Sáenz (5.0/5).
Stats
Reviews153
Subreddits19
Posts41
Brands90
Products74
153 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
James Baldwin
4.9
(8)
"Some classics: - Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin"
"Giovanni's Room - by J. Baldwin"
"Giovannis room by James Baldwin"
"Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin."
"A beautiful love story."
"Giovanni's Room is probably my favourite book too."
"I'm also half-way through Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin."
#2
Adam Silvera
4.5
(6)
"My favorite of those was "History is All You Left Me.""
"They both Die at the End by Adam Silvera!!"
"Ooooo also anything by Adam Silvera."
"Is a surprisingly uplifting MM romance."
"History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera sounds like you might like it?"
"Anything by Adam Silvera; he usually writes speculative fiction"
#3
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
(5)
"Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe (has a film adaptation on Starz) - Benjamin Alire Saenz."
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe."
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz."
"I really loved this book called _Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe_."
"Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Allier Sáenz"
#4
Eliot Schrefer
5.0
(5)
"The darkness outside us by Elliot Schrefer - sci-fi thriller about gays in space."
"The Darkness Outside of Us is similarly phenomenal (don't be fooled, it isn't a YA Romance! Or ... it is, but it's also a damn good thriller and exploration of what its like to be in space)."
"The darkness outside us by Eliot Schrefer. I promise the cover does NOT do this book justice."
"The darkness outside us - Eliot Scheer."
"The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer and Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell are good gay sci fi."
#5
K.D. Edwards
5.0
(5)
"The Tarot Sequence by KD Edwards fits what you're looking for really well. It's urban fantasy with some excellent world building."
"The Tarot Sequence series by KD Edwards."
"The K.D. Edwards Tarot Sequence is also 100% worth checking out."
"The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) - our world, but magical beings appeared several decades earlier."
"The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards is really good urban fantasy."
#6
Madeline Miller
5.0
(4)
"I’ve been flying through The Song of Achilles. It’s a retelling of the Iliad, the Greek myth of the Trojan War, basically through the lens of a gay romance between Achilles and Patroclus."
"The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a beautifully written book (I've read it twice already) and is also very gay."
"The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller."
"The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller."
#7
Patricia Nell Warren
5.0
(4)
"The Front Runner, Patricia Nell Warren."
"The Frontrunner by Patricia Warren really left a mark back in the day."
"The Frontrunner, by Patricia Nell Warren. It was the first *gay* book I read."
"The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren. It's old (1974), and it features a relationship that might (probably) be considered inappropriate today."
#8
Casey McQuiston
5.0
(4)
"Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston"
"If you want something a little more rom com and fluffy, *Red, White and Royal Blue* by Casey McQuiston is an option."
"Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston."
"For adult: Red, White, and Royal Blue"
#9
Freya Marske
4.7
(3)
"I love A Marvelous Light! Definitely second that rec."
"They're both excellent, but overall I think A Marvelous Light is a stronger series."
"A marvelous light is a little smut heavy but does have full world building and established gay men."
#10
Alexis Hall
4.7
(3)
"Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. This one had me rolling on the floor as the clueless protagonist frets over his famous father, pseudo-job and feckless friends."
"Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall): very fun, great audiobook. 3rd book is coming out at some point."
"For Real by Alexis Hall"
#11
David R. Slayton
4.3
(3)
"White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton (Adam Binder) -- our world, but magic is hidden from non-magical people."
"White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton!"
"White Trash Warlock series by David R Slayton."
#12
E.M. Forster
4.0
(3)
"Some classics: - Maurice by EM Forster"
"It's a bit of a cliché, but I really like Maurice by E.M. Forster."
"Maurice is alright if you can get past the writing style of a 1910s novelist"
#13
Bob Smith
4.0
(3)
"Bob smith is great and underrated. Really helped me in my early 20s"
"Books by Bob Smith were very good for gay life lessons wrapped in humor."
"Way to go Smith comes to mind."
#14
Rainbow Rowell
5.0
(2)
"Carry On by Rainbow Rowell"
"Carry On by Rainbow Rowell"
#15
Bill Konigsberg
5.0
(2)
"Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg."
"Recently read Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg, and enjoyed it."
#16
Fonda Lee
5.0
(2)
"Green Bones Saga is one of my favorite book series. Highly recommend it!"
"Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee - urban fantasy trilogy with good worldbuilding and many interesting characters. One of the MCs is gay."
#17
Simon Jimenez
5.0
(2)
"The Spear Cuts Through Water is universally excellent and well-worth your time. It's the best piece of fantasy I've read (perhaps ever)."
"The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - very original fantasy book with fairytale-like worldbuilding. Both MCs are gay men and it has a happy ending for them."
#18
TJ Klune
5.0
(2)
"I'd recommend the majority of TJ Klune's books. I loved How to Be a Normal Person or Bear, Otter and the Kid."
"If you like fantasy and laughing out loud."
#19
Becky Albertalli
5.0
(2)
"Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli."
"Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a great book."
#20
Philippe Besson
4.5
(2)
"Lie With Me by Phillipe Besson. Short novel at least semi-autobiographical about a highschool romance in 1984, France."
#21
Doug Henderson
4.5
(2)
"You may enjoy the novel, The Cleveland Heights LGBTQ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Role Playing Club by Doug Henderson."
"You may enjoy the novel, The Cleveland Heights LGBTQ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Role Playing Club."
#22
Alan Downs
4.5
(2)
"This groundbreaking and empowering book examines the impact of growing up and surviving as a gay man in a society still learning to accept all identities."
"The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs. An older book but has largely held up well, has some great insights and lessons."
#23
Douglas Stuart
4.5
(2)
"Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart is a great read."
"Focuses on a young man in Glasgow who finds friendship."
#24
Lynn Flewelling
4.5
(2)
"Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling. Gay MC who trains an apprentice in noble thievery and espionage. There is magic but it’s rare and requires strenuous practice. 7 books total."
"Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. It's not particularly steamy, just a nice relationship developing and then continuing to be nice."
#25
Sweet Tea
4.0
(2)
"I recommend Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South—An Oral History. Lots of compelling stories from men of all ages."
"I’ve read this. It’s good would recommend"
#26
Alan Hollinghurst
4.0
(2)
"Or anything by Alan Hollinghurst."
"It’s not YA, but pretty much anything by Alan Hollinghurst would fit the bill."
#27
E. Lynn Harris
4.0
(2)
"All of E. Lynn Harris’s books."
"I used to read everything by E. Lynn Harris"
#28
Hailey Turner
4.0
(2)
"Soulbound series by Hailey Turner - 7 books. She also has a gay superhero"
"A friend got me into the Soulbound Series by Hailey Turner. It's basically Dresden Files, but instead of being ultra-hetero, it's super gay!"
#29
Julius Eks
4.0
(2)
"There's a good gay plot there too!"
"{{Le Berceau by Julius Eks}} is a pretty great gay book!"
#30
Blades of Furry
4.0
(2)
"It’s not just a book, but a webcomic too! Blades of furry is a great one in my opinion."
"These are on webtoon lol, but Blades of Furry and I Think I Like You are great"
#31
Trip Galey
4.0
(2)
"I second A Market of Dreams and Destiny! Light worldbuilding, but there's some nice depth in there in regards to social classes / industrialization."
"A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey."
#32
Edmund White
4.0
(2)
"For fiction, read the classics Edmund White."
"Has a lot of sex."
#33
Emily Carroll
4.0
(2)
"There’s also the graphic novels by Emily Carroll called “When I Arrived at the Castle”."
"There’s also the graphic novels by Emily Carroll called “A Guest in the House”."
#34
Midnighter & Apollo
5.0
(1)
"I really loved Midnighter & Apollo. Just bought the gay alan scott book, getting to that soon."
#35
DC
5.0
(1)
"Apollo and Midnighter (DC) Imagine if DC had the balls to make Batman and Superman a couple, that's Apollo and Midnighter"
#36
Robert A. Johnson
5.0
(1)
"That book changed my life."
#37
The Angel in the Woods
5.0
(1)
"The Angel in the Woods. (Absolute peak fiction)"
#38
Emma Donahue
5.0
(1)
"Emma Donahue Pull of the Stars. I wept. Such an amazing story. Can't recommend it enough!"
#39
What If It's Us
5.0
(1)
"*What If It's Us* is a great one!"
#40
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey
5.0
(1)
""Check, please! Book 1: #Hockey" is such a great book"
#41
Robert Jones Jr.
5.0
(1)
"The Prophets - Robert Jones Jr."
#42
The Angel in the Forest
5.0
(1)
"The Angel in The Forest on Webtoon. Absolutely fantastic webcomic"
#43
John Green
5.0
(1)
"Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green."
#44
Heartstopper
5.0
(1)
"HEARTSTOPPER!!! IT'S ALSO ON WEBTOON SO WOOOOO"
#45
Cat Sebastian
5.0
(1)
"Cat Sebastian writes wonderful m/m historical romance. My favourite of hers is The Soldier’s Scoundrel."
#46
Brad Townsend
5.0
(1)
"My most recent favorite was a series called The Order by Brad Townsend."
#47
Jay Bell
5.0
(1)
"Is awesome."
#48
Leigh Bardugo
5.0
(1)
"Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo. You have 4 LGBTQ protagonists."
#49
Kelly Loy Gilbert
5.0
(1)
"*Picture Us in the Light* by Kelly Loy Gilbert is a YA novel featuring a queer Asian teen."
#50
Perry Moore
5.0
(1)
"AND Hero by Perry Moore"
#51
Spencer Thomas
5.0
(1)
"Is really good. Just finished it and recommending to everybody."
#52
Kate Racculia
5.0
(1)
"I loved the book “Bellwether Rhapsody” by Kate Racculia."
#53
Nicole Dennis-Benn
4.0
(1)
"Patsy by Nicole Dennis Benn"
#54
Steve Stewart-Williams
4.0
(1)
"The Ape that Understood the Universe by Steve Stewart-Williams."
#55
Adolfo Caminha
4.0
(1)
"The black man and the cabin boy - by Adolfo Caminha, Brazil, 1895"
#56
Faraway Wanderers
4.0
(1)
"Faraway Wanderers - recently translated from the original Chinese."
#57
Eric Cervini
4.0
(1)
"I’d add The Deviant’s War by Eric Cervini"
#58
Staceyanne Chin
4.0
(1)
"The Other Side of Paradise by Staceyanne Chin. It’s an autobiography. The author is a half Black and half Chinese lesbian who grew up in Jamaica."
#59
KT Hoffman
4.0
(1)
"The Prospects by KT Hoffman"
#60
Michael Warner
4.0
(1)
"The Trouble with Normal (Sex, Politics & the Ethics of Queer Life) by Michael Warner."
#61
Song of Achilles
4.0
(1)
"Song of the Achilles, A lot of people recommend it"
#62
S.J. Himes
4.0
(1)
"Beacon Hill Sorcerer books by SJ Himes - ongoing, six books so far"
#63
Elizabeth A. Lynn
4.0
(1)
"Older titles: if you don't mind SF, Elizabeth A Lynn's A Different Light. Both MCs are fully adult."
#64
Kristin Jacques
4.0
(1)
"A Bargain of Blood and Gold by Kristin Jaques: This is the first of a series involving vampires."
#65
Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood
4.0
(1)
"Check out the books of Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood. They write mostly hockey romance, and it has a lot of sex scenes. But they’re two gay men, husbands, who started writing to celebrate their own romance. Their books feel the most authentic to me in terms of spicy gay romance."
#66
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
4.0
(1)
"Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation - recently translated from the original Chinese."
#67
Lee Welch
4.0
(1)
"I second Lee Welch"
#68
Sasaki and Miyano
4.0
(1)
"Idk any books but there’s this anime called “Sasaki and Miyano” it’s really cute."
#69
Loveless and I Was Born for This
4.0
(1)
"This book is by the same author of heartstopper. Loveless and I Was Born for This"
#70
Cemetery Boys
4.0
(1)
"Cemetery Boys was cute"
#71
Boyfriends
4.0
(1)
"Download webtoons then read boyfriends"
#72
Bloom
4.0
(1)
"Bloom, i liked it"
#73
Paris Daillencourt is about to Crumble
4.0
(1)
"The one that I bought yesterday that’s been on my TBR for a while now is more than just a gay romance is very spicy so it’s called “Paris Daillencourt is about to Crumble” but be warned like I’m talking page one it’s going to be inappropriate"
#74
Wiccan and Hulkling
4.0
(1)
"Anything Wiccan and Hulkling tbh"
#75
The Authority
4.0
(1)
"It's not that gay of a book besides having these two guys in it, but the first volume is just amazing all around"
#76
George M. Johnson
4.0
(1)
"I got gifted “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, but have yet to read it myself."
#77
Michael Thomas Ford
4.0
(1)
#78
Tom Crewe
4.0
(1)
"Is excellent, well researched historical fiction."
#79
Marion Zimmer Bradley
4.0
(1)
"It’s more like a super amazing gay love story through time."
#80
Jean Genet
4.0
(1)
"It's pretty great."
#81
Megan Erickson
4.0
(1)
"I recently read Hard Wired by Megan Erickson, and it was pretty good."
#82
Larry Kramer
4.0
(1)
"It's pretty controversial — but awesome!"
#83
Abigail Roux
4.0
(1)
"Pretty dope."
#84
John Rechy
4.0
(1)
"My favorite gay novel is City of Night by John Rechy."
#85
Ben Fergusson
4.0
(1)
"It’s a kind of coming of age story."
#86
Seán Hewitt
4.0
(1)
"A luminous and haunting memoir."
#87
Jack Donovan
3.0
(1)
"Androphilia by Jack Donovan. Controversial book about the toxic/dark side of gay culture & an alternative to it."
#88
John Green and David Levithan
3.0
(1)
"Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. The main relationship is definitely not a healthy one."
#89
Daniel M. Lavery
3.0
(1)
"Something that may shock and discredit you by Daniel M Lavery"
#90
Chuck Tingle
3.0
(1)
"Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (yes, that Chuck Tingle)"
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