Although some of us might already have a miles-long “to be read” list of books, there’s a pretty good chance it doesn’t include many trans and nonbinary authors.
The publication of LGBTQ+ books is indeed surging: In 2023, the U.S. publishing industry saw a 200% increase in LGBTQ+ fiction sales, compared to the same period in 2019.
And it is more important than ever to learn directly from trans and nonbinary writers. As these groups face increasingly hostile legislation, book bans, and stigmatization, our readership is a financial and social light in the dark.
To make it a bit easier to find your next read, we’re sharing some of our favorite titles by trans and nonbinary authors.
Remember: Always try to shop from independent bookstores or request these reads from your local library!
By the way, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
9 must-read books by trans and nonbinary authors
Fiction
“Man o’ War” by Cory McCarthy
“Man o’ War” is a novel about an Arab American trans teen who goes on a journey of self-discovery spanning years in a landlocked Midwestern town. A Stonewall Honor Book, this young adult novel is for everyone itching for a story of trans joy and true love.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“The Thirty Names of Night” by Zeyn Joukhadar
“The Thirty Names of Night” is an award-winning piece of literary fiction about a closeted Syrian trans boy whose folkloric quest of art, expression, and queer history helps him find his true name, identity, and community.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“Vagabonds!” by Eloghosa Osunde
“Vagabonds!” is a novel about characters whose existences are outlawed through a lens of myth and fantasy.
Following a wide range of leads, from a lesbian couple to a legendary fashion designer, the book intertwines their stories and challenges social norms with curiosity and imagination.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Nonfiction
“Paper Doll: Notes From A Late Bloomer” by Dylan Mulvaney
“Paper Doll” is the debut memoir of the breakout social media star we all know and love from her “Days of Girlhood” series.
In it, Mulvaney reflects on life pre- and post-gender-transition and provides an ode to queer joy that is sprinkled with her signature wit and humor.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“Make It Count: My Fight to Become the First Transgender Olympic Runner” by CeCé Telfer
“Make It Count” is a moving memoir that tells Telfer’s story of being the first openly trans woman to win an NCAA title.
In it, she grapples with her experience as a “walking controversy” in the sports world while trying to find herself amidst it all.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“Beyond the Gender Binary” by Alok Vaid-Menon
“Beyond the Gender Binary” is an illustrated nonfiction “survival guide” that urges us all not to see gender in black in white. With Vaid-Menon’s iconic humor and creativity, they provide a blueprint for gender that is malleable, expressive, and free.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Poetry
“All the Flowers Kneeling” by Paul Tran
“All the Flowers Kneeling” is a poetry collection that explores sexual violence and intergenerational trauma, while serving as a vessel for the author to redefine their self and find resilience and love in vulnerability.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls” by Kai Cheng Thom
“Falling Back in Love with Being Human” is a series of poems and essays about growing up as a Chinese Canadian transgender girl turned activist, conflict mediator, and spiritual healer.
These writings go on a quest to prove the author’s belief that every human being is intrinsically sacred.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
“Take Me With You” by Andrea Gibson
“Take Me With You” is a quintessential poetry anthology by the late Colorado poet laureate, focusing on themes of love, gender, politics, sexuality, family, and forgiveness.
Divided into three sections, pieces take on forms from one-liners to long-form poems that will leave readers with quotable favorites for years to come.
Shop: Amazon | Bookshop
A version of this article was originally published in The 2025 Pride Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
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