One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (2010)

Short but spooky novel about Jackie and Ann, two schoolgirls, each with their own issues. 

Although this is a short book, it packs a LOT of spooky tableaus into its few pages. Kind of bananas, but well-told.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan (2013)

In this achingly poignant young adult novel, two boys (Harry and Craig) try to break the record for the longest kiss ever. As well as following this story, the novel follows other young contemporary gay men and their relationships (online and off, family and romantic). 

And here's what adds a heartbreaking level to this story: all of their adventures are watched over and commented on by a Greek chorus of gay men who have passed away of AIDS. 

Beautiful, moving, and yes, heartbreaking. Must-read.

I love so much about this novel, I have to share some of my absolute favorite bits:

"We were once like you, only our world wasn't like yours. You have no idea how close to death you came. A generation or two earlier, you might be here with us. We resent you. You astonish us." (p. 2) 

"If you are a teenager now, it is unlikely that you knew us well. We are your shadow uncles, your angel godfathers, your mother's or your grandmother's best friend from college, the author of that book you found in the gay section of the library. We are characters in a Tony Kushner play, or names on a quilt that rarely gets taken out anymore. We are the ghosts of the remaining older generation. You know some of our songs. We do not want to haunt you too somberly. We don't want our legacy to be gravitas. You wouldn't want to live your life like that, and you won't want to be remembered like that, either. Your mistake would be to find our commonality in our dying. The living part mattered more. We taught you how to dance." (p. 3) 

"One of the many horrible things about dying the way we died was the way it robbed us of the outdoor world and trapped us in the indoor world. For every one of us who was able to die peacefully on a deck chair, blanket pulled high, as the wind stirred his hair and the sun warmed his face, there were hundreds of us whose last glimpse of the world was white walls and metal machinery, the tease of a window, the inadequate flowers in a vase, elected representatives from the wilds we had lost. our last breaths were of climate-controlled air. We died under ceilings. Either that wallpaper goes, or I do. It makes us more grateful now for rivers, more grateful for sky." (p. 49)

And more: 

"There is power in saying, 'I am not wrong. Society is wrong.' Because there is no reason that men and women should have separate bathrooms. There is no reason that we should ever have to be ashamed of our bodies or ashamed of our love. We are told to cover ourselves up, hide ourselves away, so that other people can have control over us, can make us follow their rules. It is a bastardization of the concept of morality, this rule of shame. Avery should be able to walk into any restroom, any restaurant, without any fear, without any hesitation." (p. 140) 

"This only makes Ryan smile more. 'I'm sorry,' he says. 'I usually don't like people. So when I do, part of me is really amused and the other part refuses to believe it's happening.'" (p. 150) 

"and he hopes that maybe it'll make people a little less scared of two boys kissing than they were before, and a little more welcoming to the idea that all people are, in fact, born equal, no matter who they kiss or screw, no matter what dreams they have or love they give." (p. 193)

Beautiful. Read it NOW.

George by Alex Gino (2015)

Juvenile novel about George, a young boy who considers himself a girl and his struggle with figuring herself out, telling his family, and desiring to star as Charlotte in the school play of Charlotte's Web. 

I kept bracing for something horrible to happen, and was cheered when it didn't. But Gino depicts the everyday stresses of childhood very well, and very evocatively. The look inside George's head, or as he prefers to think of himself, "Melissa," is unique and well done. 

A definite addition to the new transgender literature.

Fire Shut in My Bones by Charles Blow (2014)

“I looked over at the rusting pistol on the passenger seat. It was a .22 with a long black barrel and a wooden grip. It was the gun my mother had insisted I take with me to college “just in case.” I had grabbed it from beneath my seat when I jumped into the car. I cast glances at it as I drove. I had to convince myself that I was indeed about to use it.”

This memoir, by a columnist for the New York Times, is about growing up poor, African-American and sexually conflicted in a small, segregated town in Louisiana.

Blow shares his rich family history, the vibrant characters and vignettes from his childhood, which felt so out of time I had to keep reminding myself we were born the same year. This mesmerizing, gripping memoir follows him into college and interning for the New York Times, which brings us to the beginning of the book. 

So does he use the gun? Read the book and find out.

Happiness, Like Water by Chinelo Okparanta (2013)

A collection of short stories centering around Nigerian women as they build lives out of hope, faith, and doubt, following such characters as a young woman faced with a dangerous decision to save her mother and a woman in love with another despite the penalties. The ten stories range from being set in Port Harcourt to people dreaming of America to being set in America.

Okparanta’s writing is spare and lyrical--the stories are very readable. Her settings are vividly evoked from power outages to big oil to immigrant life in America. One of the most chilling stories evokes a girl and her mother trying to escape domestic violence, but are turned down for their lack of a visa. Beautifully depicts both the Nigerian experience and the experience of Nigerian immigrants. The author was born in Nigeria and moved to America when she was around 10 or so.

 Lovely dedication: “For home.”

High Season by Jon Loomis (2007)

Funny and suspenseful mystery novel starring Frank Coffin, a homicide detective from Baltimore who saw one too many crime scenes and fled for the beach town of Provincetown. However, a series of murders are livening up the town considerably, which is already lively due to its wild and varied gay population. The best elements of this novel are the vivid and unique setting of P-town, the affectionate portrayal of the gay community, and the well-drawn, often eccentric characters. Great female characters, including Frank's girlfriend, a yoga instructor who can take care of herself, as well as Frank's partner Lola. Also, there's a light, dry humor that runs through the entire book that is most enjoyable.  Here's a fascinating description of the "tall ships" in town:

"The straight cross-dressers were harder to figure out--the just plain transvestites everyone in town called tall ships. The tall ships tended to be large men who strode up and down Commercial Street in plus-sized tweed skirts, support hose, and pumpkin-colored lipstick; craggy-faced and lonely-looking men with dispirited wigs and five o'clock shadows poking through pancake makeup."

Later, Frank is showing the photo of the cross-dressing reverend who was found murdered: 

"Oh my God," the drag queen in the sequined dress said. "Look at that sad little outfit. It's just heartbreaking."

Good fun!

Absolutely, Positively Not by David LaRochelle (2005)

Funny and charming novel about a teenage boy coming to terms with his homosexuality. Yay for light and funny gay teen lit! Better than those scarring books where the poor gay kid is victimized, terrorized and humiliated (for example, Annie on My Mind - an acclaimed gay teen novel).  See also David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy for fun gay YA lit.

Armistead Maupin - Adored Author

I freaking love Tales of the City.  Originally published in serial form in the SF Chronicle, these six books follow the adventures of a group of friends from the 1970s through the 1980s. Incredibly addictive.  The first book was wonderfully adapted into a tv series, with great casting.  I love the Maupin continues to write about these characters, most recently in Michael Tolliver Lives and Mary Ann in Autumn.  I could read about these characters forever.  I also loved The Night Listener, an excellent novel involving a writer and a sick boy who corresponds with him. Extremely suspenseful and heartrending. (However, not very light.)

The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson by Robert Hofler (2005)

Subtitled The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson.  Painstakingly researched and exceedingly well-documented biography of the Hollywood agent who discovered, among others, Rock Hudson, Troy Donohue, Tab Hunter, John Saxon, etc. Fascinating look at old-school Hollywood, as well as Rock Hudson's personal story.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (2003)

Set in an alternate universe where gay is completely unremarkable, Paul becomes the first openly gay third-grade school president and helps form his school's first gay-straight alliance (mostly to help the straight kids learn to dress and dance). Paul is now in high school, where the quarterback and the head cheerleader is the same person--a drag queen named Infinite Darlene--and where he meets cute new boy Noah. Hilarious and very sweet.

The Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley (1987)

Endearing and funny tale of a complicated straight woman – gay man relationship. Stephen McCauley has a gift for great characters and complicated relationships, as well being blessed with a knack for a great turn of phrase. 

Other great McCauley novels are Alternatives to Sex and True Enough.

Tab Hunter Confidential by Tab Hunter with Eddie Muller (2005)

A smooth, engaging autobiography with an incredibly natural and humble tone. The story follows Tab from his youth, to his life as a teen idol, to life as a working actor, to cult classic and elder statesman, sort of. He delves fully and realistically into all parts of his life, including his romances with women, and his homosexuality, and describes all of his affairs with admirable discretion. A lovely look at old Hollywood.