Queer authors build your TBR list

San Diego isn’t known for its literary scene.

Possibly there is too much good weather to attract the dreary, writerly types galore in Portland and New York City.

The region is far from talentless though, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ authors. After all, the mother of lesbian history Lillian Faderman wrote her many nonfiction books while living here.

Rolando-based author and poet Mac (Marisa) Crane won a LAMBDA Literary Award in speculative fiction for their debut “I Keep my Exoskeletons to Myself” and followed it up in May with “A Sharp Endless Need.”

To create a to-be-read list of LGBTQ+ books, we checked in with two local queer authors about what books they have loved this year or are looking forward to reading once published. Some of them can even be read on the beach while enjoying San Diego’s glorious sun.

Becca Erin Title published “Nothing to Write Home About” this spring, a contemporary rom-com set in the hills of North Carolina where two dueling summer camp directors play too many games of sexy Truth or Dare to not fall for each other. Plus, Title is the owner of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop in La Mesa. Here, she shares her romance genre expertise.

Title: There are so many wonderful queer romances that have come out (no pun intended) or will come out this year.

“The River Has Roots” by Amal El-Mohtar, a fantasy romance novella about a human and a fae, is already one of my favorite books of the year.

“Flight of the Fallen” by Hana Lee completes a duology with Mad Max vibes.

In the world of historical romance, we have books by two of my favorite authors: “A Rare Find” by Joanna Lowell and “Ladies in Hating” by Alexandra Vasti.

In the fall, for cozy/spooky season, we get “The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy” by Roan Parrish and then two fantasy romances from literary powerhouses: “Son of the Morning” by Akwaeke Emezi and “The Isle in the Silver Sea” by Tasha Suri (which is part of a 2025 mini-trend of books about lady knights).

In late 2024, Entangled published Lauren Marie Fleming’s debut novel “Because Fat Girl,” a contemporary Hollywood rom-com where the woman who has always been too much — too fat, too queer, too weird — is just enough for an A-list actor. Xe also founded School for Writers with the aim to diversify publishing.

Fleming: For years, I thought I hated history, until I read “Tipping the Velvet” by Sarah Waters. Turns out, I just hated the erasure of LGBTQ people from those stories. Now, I devour queer and trans historical fiction, loving the reminder that we have found ways to build communities and thrive together. 

Here are three recent novels I love that highlight LGBTQ love and joy throughout the ages:

“The Thrill of the Chase” by Kathryn Nolan (Entangled) – Its own tiny revolution, this book is a thrilling treasure hunt full of mystery, history, and heart pumping bisexual romance.

“Lady Like” by MacKenzie Lee – A delightful sapphic romp through Regency England that will keep you on your toes until the very end. 

“Forget Me Knot” by Emery Lee – This romantasy reimagining of the Japanese Red String of Fate myth will make you believe in the power of queer and trans love.