20 brilliant books written by LGBTQIA+ writers to add to your bookshelf

Heartstopper has changed the face of YA fiction – and we're obsessed. If you like a cheeky graphic novel, Heartstopper is just the cutest. It's about two boys who fall in love at a Boy's Grammar School in England. Firstly, there's Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker. Then, Nick, a cheerful soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Heartstopper is now a super cool Netflix show that everyone is obsessed with. YAAAAAASSSSS. Currently, there are four volumes in this series.

Not only is this a popular title on TikTok, but Adam Silvera's novel is also a bestseller and there's a reason why, tbh. On September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo and Rufus to give them some bad news: they're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. There's an app for that and it's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure - to live a lifetime in a single day. Sounds so intense. Plus the cover is gorgeous?

Maurice is a young man who has his life as an upper-class aristocrat mapped out for him. However, Maurice is not an ordinary young man: he is gay. If you're looking for a classic, coming-of-age story with gay romance, Maurice is a gentle place to start. E.M. Forster wrote the novel in 1914 but it wasn't until after his death, in 1970, that this book finally saw the light of the day. Wow. How far we've come. It's not too long either, so makes a really nice (and short) read.

Looking for a little craziness and chaos? Dip into this debut from Torrey Peters and you might find your new obsession. Protagonist Reese is a transgender woman living in New York and is surprised by the sudden reappearance of her de-transitioned ex, Ames, who has gotten his boss pregnant after an affair - we know, right? Could the three of them form an unconventional family – and raise this baby together? Detransition, Baby sounds absolutely mental but we're not mad at it.

Are you familiar with Love, Simon? This book is the inspiration for the movie. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is about Simon who is gay, but not out. When a private email falls into the wrong hands, his identity is at risk of getting out. Simon is being blackmailed by classmate Martin and if things get out of hand, his sexuality and secret pen-pal, Blue, will be on everybody's lips.

We like the sound of this one. One Last Stop is an LGBTQ+ rom-com about 23-year-old August who has just moved to the Big Apple. August is convinced that the only way to get through life is to do it alone, despite what movies and books are screaming at her. But, then there's a girl on the train: Jane. Jane is different. She doesn't just look like an old school punk rocker because she's been displaced in time from the 1970s. August does everything she can to save the girl lost in time. Who doesn't love a love story? We do.

Dazzling as ever, Oscar Wilde's most popular work is a great piece of gothic literature. If you're a fan of all things mystery and like things a little spooky, The Picture of Dorian Gray is for you. This novel is about the portrait of Dorian Gray by Basil Hallward; an artist obsessed with Dorian. Later, Dorian expresses wishes to sell his soul and the wish is granted. Whilst Dorian stays young, the portrait is burdened with all of his sins.

Here is another graphic novel. Fun Home: A Family Home Tragicomic is an illustrated autobiography by Alison Bechdel. This special book addresses themes of sexuality, gender roles, dysfunctional family life and mental health. It even inspired the musical Fun Home and we're obsessed. You need to go and listen to the soundtrack. It's hilar. Bechdel spent seven years on it - imagine spending that long on something? Wowsers.

If you're into modern classics, The Color Purple should most definitely be on your list. It's about time you got round to reading this, tbh. Set in the deep American South, this very powerful novel follows the life of young Celie, a young Black girl born into poverty. After being married off to an abusive man, Celie meets a beautiful singer named Shug Avery, who is in charge of her own destiny – and they fall in love. With Shug and other strong women at her side, Celie takes back her life, her children and her destiny.

Truman Capote's Holly Golightly character is really iconic, let's be honest. Even if you haven't seen the film or read this book, when you hear Breakfast at Tiffany's, you're picturing the iconic image of Audrey Hepburn wearing dark elbow-length gloves, and smoking from a cigarette holder. Absolute legend. If you're curious about the story of this infamous character, Capote's book is remarkable.

Here's another bestseller.Angry teen Aristotle and know-it-all Dante meet at the swimming pool but have nothing in common. As they begin to spend more time together, they develop a special friendship. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about the universe, themselves and the kind of people they want to be. Cute.

Written with such wit and warmth, All My Mother's Lovers is a unique story about grief, family and sexuality. Maggie's mother, who never fully accepted her, has died suddenly. Now back at her family home, Maggie discovers five sealed envelopes, each addressed to a mysterious man she's never heard of. Against the wishes of her family, Maggie is determined to hand-deliver the letters and find out what these men meant to her mother, which destroys everything she thought she knew about her parents' marriage. Drama.

Travis Alabanza is one of the Uk's finest queer writers, stunning audiences with Edinburgh Fringe fave Burgerz and most recently Overflow at the Bush Theatre. Travis has recently revealed that their book, None of the Above, is due to be released this year. Iconic. Alabanza enters upon a thought-provoking discussion of non-binary identity and the impact of society's attitudes on their existence. So, get your pre-orders in, huns if you're liking the vibe.

Faye looks at what it means to be transgender in the UK right now and offers a healthier conversation about British trans life. Step up, if you think you could tackle this.

It's the 1980s on the Italian Riviera and Elio, 17, falls for the older Oliver, a postdoctoral scholar completing a manuscript at his family home. Under the heat of the Italian sun, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and romance. It's also been made a popular film, starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet.

If you're a fan of something dark and a little disturbing?Alison Rumfitt's debut is astounding. The book is about Alice, a transgender woman, who spent one night in an abandoned house with her friends Ila and Hannah. Since then, things have not been going well. Alice is living a haunted existence. Alice and Ila, estranged, reunite at the house to rescue Hannah – but the house has other plans for them. Messed up. Editor's favourite.

Looking for something a bit different? Giovanni's Room is a 1956 novel by legendary queer writer James Baldwin. Baldwin's novel focuses on the events in the life of an American man living in Paris and his feelings and frustrations with his relationships with other men in his life, particularly an Italian bartender named Giovanni whom he meets at a Parisian gay bar. Add this to my shopping cart, quick.

Believe it or not, The Hours is the second Pultizer Prize WInner on this list. LGBTQIA+ people are really writing the best fiction. This book is no exception. Cunningham's novel concerns three generations of women affected by the classic novel Mrs Dalloway Virginia Woolf. In the great tradition of this story snatching trophies, the Oscar-winning film adaptation cast iconic actresses Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore in the starring roles. What a cast.

Alongside his other titles such as The Swimming Pool Library, Hollinghurst has cemented himself as a great writer of gay fiction. Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Line of Beauty is a classic, as far as we're concerned. The story surrounds the young gay protagonist, Nick Guest, during the 1980s. The book explores the realities of his sexuality and gay life with the AIDS crisis forming a backdrop to the book's conclusion.

Carol tells the story of Therese, a sales assistant working in a New York department store, who is floored by a beautiful woman in her thirties that walks up to the counter. Bless. Carol is a housewife who is going through a divorce and custody battle. It's not long before they are drawn to one another. Published originally as The Price of Salt in 1952, this story has enchanted the world. Check out its popular film adaptation, which came out in 2015 and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.