Best gay / lesbian books
Discover the best gay and lesbian books in our curated reading list, featuring iconic LGBTQ+ fiction like Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters, Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown, and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Explore must-read lesbian novels and queer classics that celebrate diverse voices and unforgettable stories.
Book
Tipping the Velvet
by Sarah Waters
“Erotic and absorbing…Written with startling power.”—The New York Times Book Review Nan King, an oyster girl, is captivated by the music hall phenomenon Kitty Butler, a male impersonator extraordinaire treading the boards in Canterbury. Through a friend at the box office, Nan manages to visit all her shows and finally meet her heroine. Soon after, she becomes Kitty's dresser and the two head for the bright lights of Leicester Square where they begin a glittering career as music-hall stars in an all-singing and dancing double act. At the same time, behind closed doors, they admit their attraction to each other and their affair begins.
Book
Rubyfruit Jungle
by Rita Mae Brown
Classic modern American novel orig. pub. 1973. Celebrates lesbian sexuality.
