4 Must-Read Queer Books by Black Authors

Thirsty: A Novel is about a young girl struggling with self-discovery and her unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Blake Brenner had a dream of joining the mysterious and exclusive sorority, Serena Society. Blake has much to prove to be accepted, but that is not the case when it comes to her girlfriend, Ella, the daughter of a Serena alumnus. As pledging gets intense, Blake uses alcohol to build her confidence. The more bold, funny, and unstoppable she becomes when she drinks, the more the Serenas love it, and Ella ensures it is the right thing to do. This book is about self-discovery, the lengths you can go through to be seen, and the consequences that come with it. Jas Hammonds is best known for her Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent for her debut book, We Deserve Monuments, in 2023.

Khadijah Upton is starting her dream job as an athletic trainer for the Atlanta Canons. A night of celebration turns into a one-night stand with a stranger who she finds out is basketball star Shae Harris. As much as Khadijah wants to forget the steamy one-night encounter, Shae will not let her. This story is about blurring the lines of personal and professional, which are not supposed to mix. Shae is all about living life to the fullest, which makes it harder for Khadijah to resist her as she reveals more about herself. Will Khadijah be able to fight the temptation, or will she take the risk of a relationship with Shae? Meka James is known for her adult contemporary and erotic romance books. She has been writing books since 2014 and has a few series, such as Love on Madison Island and Healed Heart.

Frederick Smith is a born and raised Detroit author known for his books In Case You Forgot and Play It Forward. He recently released his new book, One and Done, in June 2024. One and Done is a story about a one-chance encounter between two individuals that could become their one chance at love. Dr. Taylor James is a university administrator in San Francisco in an accreditation process that can set him up for his ultimate career goal as the first openly queer university president in the US. Then you have Dustin McMillan, who is a consultant and project manager, nervous about heading back home and possibly falling back into old routines with a toxic ex-boyfriend. The two cross paths one day at a bar, with Dustin trying to get Taylor's attention, and he turns him down. Little did Taylor know they would reencounter each other in a professional setting.

Keith F. Miller, Jr. is an award-winning educator, artist, and researcher who studies healing literacies and their role in supporting BIPOC communities in healing, growing, and thriving through trauma. Togetha (Pritty 2) is the sequel to Pritty. Togetha leaves off where Jay and Leroy are trying to protect their city. They team up with an unlikely ally, Will, who is Jay’s once-upon-a-time crush. Because the Black Diamonds are not able to protect the city of Savannah as they once did before, it is up to the trio to come together and find the evidence to take down and expose the Bainbridge family. While working together, feelings between Jay and Will start to blossom again, and the secrets Jay and Leroy are hiding from each other can tear their love apart.