A Book By A 2SLGBTQ+ Author Who is Also Part of Another Marginalized Group: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2023
2SLGBTQ+ people have always existed in every part of human life, in every part of the world. Our communities are diverse, and it's important to uplift voices from all backgrounds and experiences.
This Reading Challenge category highlights 2SLGBTQ+ identities and how they often intersect with other marginalized groups, such as race, religion, nationality and dis/ability. The following recommendations can bring valuable perspectives to anyone's reading list.
Here's my recommendation for "a book by a 2SLGBTQ+ author who is also part of another marginalized group."
This is a heart-warming collection of essays about Brown's experiences as a Black disabled person. I first picked this book up as "a book celebrating Black joy" (I hope you'll agree that the cover image is beautifully joyous!), and while the focus of these essays is on Blackness and disability, Brown's perspectives are also informed by her bisexuality.
Other categories:
- a book celebrating Black joy
- a book that makes you happy
Staff Recommendations
Here are recommendations from TPL staff for this category.
Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez
An unforgettable and timely dystopian story of a near-future, where "Others" and allies join forces against an oppressive regime. I read this book last year and it was mesmerizing, tragic, brutal and hopeful.
Other categories:
- a book about survival
— Jennifer, Public Service Assistant
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Set in 1950s America and centered around a Chinese immigrant family during the Red Scare, Last Night at the Telegraph deals with some heavy themes, including the main character discovering her sexuality. The book includes a heartwarming romance in the context of racism, homophobia and Chinese culture. I didn't love the ending, but as a whole, the book was fantastic. It also has a companion novel titled A Scatter of Light.
Other categories:
- a book about a historical event you are unfamiliar with
— Cera, Public Service Assistant
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
The author shares experiences as a gender-nonconforming, nonbinary person of colour and child of immigrants. I recommend this book because it helps others understand the experiences and struggles of nonbinary people.
Other categories:
- a book you would recommend to your younger self
All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Matthews
A captivating coming-of-age story about a queer Indian immigrant discovering herself in the American Midwest. The novel is dramatic and deeply relatable, following Sneha as she trudges through her corporate job, stumbles through relationships and learns what it means to be a person beyond her paren'ts' expectations.
Other categories:
- A book about friendship
— Danielle, Librarian
Tell Me How to Be by Neel Patel
The main character Akash is coming to terms with being gay, battling alcoholism, struggling with strong Indian ideals and how his family and community will react to him coming out. The story is an emotional rollercoaster and is loosely based on the author's life and experiences.
— Nisha, Librarian
This memoir, written by a queer hijabi Muslim immigrant, is searing and potent. It focuses on Lamya's upbringing in South Asia and the Middle East, her transition to college life in the US, and questioning gender, identity and faith. She asks herself and her teachers if Allah, who is neither male nor female, might be nonbinary; she moves through friend groups and crushes while navigating people's reactions to the intersection of her faith and gender presentations. It is a profound, moving and hopeful read.
Other categories:
- a book about survival
— Emily, Librarian
Recommendations from the Facebook Group
These are just some of the suggested titles from our Facebook TPL Reading Challenge discussion group. You can read all of the responses in the original post. You do not need a Facebook account to read the suggestions.
- Special Topics in Being a Human by S. Bear Bergman
- Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (and several other of their books!)
- The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
- Don't Get Too Comfortable by David Rakoff
- The Deep by Rivers Solomon
- I Hope We Choose Love by Kai Cheng Tom
- Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai
What would you recommend for "a book by a 2SLGBTQ+ author who is also part of another marginalized group”? Add your suggestions in the comments section below!
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