There are countless reasons why we should all read. Whatever the reason, making reading a habit can make our lives better. Without noticing, we may learn to make better decisions, understand ourselves and others, and maintain emotional balance. This matters especially to LGBTQI people who sometimes need to understand themselves and find a sense of inner comfort.
Q Society has put together ten LGBT books worth reading, whether or not you are part of the community. The recommendations draw on our reading experiences and other articles, listed at the end. Unfortunately, some titles have not been translated into Romanian. If we develop a reading culture in Iași and across Romania, especially around LGBT literature, more translations may follow. This is not a ranking: if something appeals to you, pick it up and read it.
Un Spațiu doar al Nostru
“Povești de Dragoste LGBTQ” is an illustrated anthology of twenty queer love stories, coordinated by Luca Istodor. The original article announced its October publication by Hecate.
Cântul lui Ahile — The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller’s first novel, translated into more than forty languages, won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction and became a New York Times bestseller. It tells of the love between Achilles, the demigod regarded as the greatest warrior, and a young prince banished by his father after killing another boy who rejected him because of his appearance.
Portretul lui Dorian Gray — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde’s only completed novel, published in English in 1891, explores how people long for passing things and lose substance in appearances. Life becomes empty when a soul is poisoned by vanity, power, darkness and decay. How often do we risk falling into Gray’s temptations, wanting to be more beautiful, cleverer, and surrounded by people like ourselves?
The novel alludes to the painter Basil Hallward’s homosexuality, while Dorian clearly expresses his priorities: he seeks pleasure rather than happiness. Alongside the censored edition commonly available in bookshops, the original uncensored text contains more homoerotic scenes between Basil and Dorian.
Book link · Uncensored edition
Keeping You a Secret
This book tells a love story between two high-school girls. The author captures a clash of attitudes towards sexuality. Holland’s mother wants her daughter to attend a reputable university, meet a man who will make her happy, find a well-paid job and have a beautiful family. But when Holland meets Cece Goddard and falls in love, the course of her life changes forever.
Jazz pentru iguane
The original article presents this as Romania’s first significant LGBT poetry collection, while noting that its interest extends beyond that literary and social context and the approaching family referendum. Răzvan Andrei, born in Galați, describes himself as a painter, poet, minority prophet and slim-fit gourmet. After theological high school, he studied philosophy and the history and theory of art in Bucharest.
Carol
A chance meeting between two lonely women from different backgrounds becomes a passionate love story in Patricia Highsmith’s cult novel. Therese, a young department-store employee who dreams of a better life, and Carol, a wealthy woman going through a bitter divorce, leave their oppressive routines for travel and unconventional love. Their newly found happiness is shattered when Carol must choose between her daughter and her new lover.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson
This novel entered the New York Times young-fiction bestseller list at number three, becoming the first book with gay characters to reach that list. On a freezing evening in an unexpected corner of Chicago, two teenagers who share the name Will Grayson are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, they discover that life is taking them towards romantic adventures and the most successful musical in their school’s history.
Strigă-mă pe numele tău — Call Me by Your Name
The original article notes the many awards won by Luca Guadagnino’s film adaptation, including the Oscar and BAFTA for James Ivory’s adapted screenplay. Elio, a bright and talented teenager, lives in an Italian village where his father hosts an academic guest each summer. This year’s American visitor, Oliver, is attractive and easy-going. He writes philosophy, swims, dances and flirts with local women. A tentative relationship between the two develops from companionship into passion and love.
We know: we had to include this book. Even if you have seen the film, it is worth reading. Much of the ending is absent from the adaptation, and the small details change the story.
Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality
Like its author, this memoir is brave, powerful and inspiring. It centres on Sarah McBride’s personal story and the acceptance of transgender people. The original article describes her appearance at a US political party convention at age twenty-six and her subsequent election as a senator.
Casa veselă — Fun Home
Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir focuses on her tense relationship with her father, a former English teacher and later funeral-home proprietor. The family nicknames the business “Fun Home”. The book asks what you do when you realise you are gay: hide it and live a repressed life, like Mr Bechdel, or accept your identity and help create a more tolerant, freer world through your own life, like Alison.
Original references
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