3 Queer Books to Read in 2022
By Sarah Jackson
Move over 2021, 2022 is here and ready to take centre stage, and let's face it, We are so excited for some new reads to sit in our rooms for hours on end gushing over. If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that books have the power to help us escape everyday life (or pandemic) stresses. Acting as hand-held escapes from reality, books have gotten many of us through the COVID-19 pandemic. But, as the smoke starts to wear off, some of us have been left in a book burnout and find it hard to even make it past the synopsis on the back cover.
But don’t fret! One of our resident Queer Young Adult (or YA for you book nerds) novel lovers and monthly writers, Sarah, has come up with a list of queer books and literature that’ is bound to make even more of a wave in 2022.
Over the past few years, the literature community has seen a rise in Queer-based novels, short stories, and graphic novels. The books featured in this article are not just released in 2022; often now, we see LGBTQ2S+ authors publishing more and more Queer-based books. We are so excited to see what’s next for representation in the Queer literature community. So, here are three of our must-read Queer-based or themed novels for 2022.
1. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
The title can help you infer exactly what to expect; this novel is a tear-jerker. “On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today” (source: www.adamsilvera.com/they-both-die-at-the-end). Unlike some Young Adult novels, They Both Die At The End does not shy away from topics of death and emotional and physical pain, but instead embraces the uncomfortable to produce a beautiful piece of work that focuses on two teenage boys trying to live their last day to the fullest.
If you are in the mood for a heart-wrenching but somehow satisfying piece that tackles a fast and deep love between two young men, this is the book for you. Warning: there will be tears; we advise you to read at your own risk.
2. Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy, and the audience gushes throughout the entire book. “Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?” (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40495957-heartstopper).
If you are looking for a quick and easy read that’s fun, lighthearted, and quirky, Heartstopper is a great outlet for you to live vicariously through the characters for the high school romance you may have never had. We recommend setting a few hours aside for this high-energy graphic novel; it’s definitely worth it!
3. A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt
In his debut memoir, author Billy-Ray Belcourt helps the reader experience their point of view and circumstances of growing up as a Queer individual struggling with race, sexuality, and finding a sense of belonging. “With startling honesty, and in a voice distinctly and assuredly his own, Belcourt situates his life experiences within a constellation of seminal queer texts, among which this book is sure to earn its place” (source: https://billy-raybelcourt.com/a-history-of-my-brief-body).
