Joseph Jarrett

            After writing that post expressing how it feels to work my sexuality into my creativity, I think it’s only fair that we have a little fun. I told you all about my three favorite books of all time, but this list is a little different. Today, we are going to dive into my Top Ten LGBTQ+ Books. Let’s flip some pages!

10 – Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman

            One of the most iconic and gut-wrenching novels of the modern world, Call Me by Your Name encompasses every gay man’s biggest dream and worst nightmare. Who wouldn’t love a summer in the Italian country with a gorgeous doctoral student? But the part where he is only with you temporarily and is not going to prioritize you does sting a ton. This tragic love story is one for the ages.

9 – They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

            Two sad love stories in a row, huh? What kind of person does that make me? The idea behind They Both Die at the End is so unique and so freaky that you can’t help but love it. Mateo is an especially relatable character to me. His attitude and final actions remind me a lot of myself, so naturally this book got to me.

8 – Miss Memory Lane by Colton Haynes

            This was the second memoir I ever cried while reading. The first being The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Two very different vibes here. Colton unleashes some of the most brutal and vulnerable writings I have ever seen by a public figure, and I have to applaud him for it. The bravery and pain he must have felt while writing this is palpable with every page.

7 – Master of Mayhem by Saxon James

            Let me go on record and say that just because a book falls under the smut category does not mean it cannot be amazing. Because I had so much fun reading this sequel story. Were the sex scenes between these fraternity brothers hot? Absolutely. But was the relationship between Robbie and Brandon also adorable and made me smile? Absolutely. Take the hater energy away from here, please and thank you.

6 – Winging It with You by Chip Pons

            If you want a fun read, look no further than this one. If you love romance, The Amazing Race, and incredible vibes, you may just want to read Winging It with You. Theo is a good candidate for dream man material. I’m also heavily biased because I wanted a pilot boyfriend so badly when I was a flight attendant. The adventure aspect adds excitement to a sweet love story, making this a balanced act.

5 – Modern Kinship: A Queer Guide to Christian Marriage by David Khalaf

            This book was recommended to me by a guy I matched with on Tinder while on an overnight in Oklahoma City. Little did I know that he would recommend to me one of the most inspiring books I’d ever read. Being a Christian and a homosexual can be very difficult and polarizing, but David Khalaf helped me bring myself to a good center point. He restored some kind of hope in me that I had lost long before I read the book. There’s something to be said about that kind of work.

4 – The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas DiDomizio

            I’m going to make this one really short and simple. I love golf. I love golfers. I love gay men. I love big coastal houses where people have giant, lavish parties. This book has all of these things, so naturally, I loved it.

3 – XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual’s Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness by Cody Rigsby

            Of all the gay men memoirs that I have read, none have kept me drawn in and entertained like this one. Oh, my lanta! The man you are, Cody Rigsby. In his account, Rigsby manages to beautifully balance his eccentric humor with the deep travesties he calls his memories. After reading it on paper, I listened to the audiobook edition, which he narrated himself, and it made the stories so much more intense and richer. I highly recommend this to literally everyone, not just the gays.

2 – Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

            Now, I have to pay tribute to the book that started it all for me. When I read this book at age seventeen, I thought it was an absolute masterpiece. When I reread it at age twenty-three, I still thought it was an absolute masterpiece. The high school experience genuinely sucks for everyone, but it is especially hard when you’re a closeted gay kid. Lord knows that the struggle is more than real. Trying to find a way to live your truth while you’re so young is such a battle. It’s a battle that I am glad I survived. This book gave me courage, which I’m sure it did for many other young gays like me.

1 – Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

            The greatest love story of all time. Screw Romeo and Juliet, we got Alex and Henry in this generation. These two take star-crossed lovers to a whole new level. I love an enemies-to-lovers trope, but when you add in the titles of First Son and Prince of England, it makes it a million times more entertaining. I consider Henry to be one of the most relatable characters ever imagined. The pain and anxiety he felt while trying to hide his true self was so heartbreaking but so real. The boy just wanted to be creative and have a hot husband. That’s what I want too, babes. And then there’s Alex. The one you never imagined to be a true romantic but was. I adore this story with all of my being. And while I have my issues with the movie adaptation, they did a pretty damn good job with that too. While this is not my number one book of all time, it’s definitely in the top three for me.

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            There you have it, folks. What LGBTQ+ novels or memoirs have you read that you want to see in some Top Ten lists? While I spend a lot of time writing, I love a good story, especially if it’s super relatable or super dreamy. We all deserve a whimsical sensation every once in a while. Send all of your recommendations, please!