Rainbow Recommendations From Your Friendly Neighborhood Bookstores

One of the greatest acts of resistance and joy is reading, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ literature. You don’t need an English degree to know the power of a deeply resonant story that makes you feel seen. No matter how many of our stories are banned, we’ll be here anyway: living, breathing, adventuring, fighting fascism, falling in love (or not), being cozy, learning our history and crying over poetry. For all that magic and more, here are some queer books highly recommended by your trusty local bookstores:

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Reviewed by Orion Enceladus and Raelle Westwind, Legendarium Books

The Everlasting is a subtle book with many stories in one: two people living many lives and a romance between a towering lady knight and a small historian man. The book shows us how to find ourselves amidst the tangled web of propaganda that our fascist society threads through our culture. Owen is obsessed with Una Everlasting, the knight whose story is the rock upon which Owen’s nation is built. He finds himself thrown back through time to quest with Una herself — tasked with correcting her and perfecting her legend — all to inspire his nation to fight a never-ending war. Through life after life with each other, they slowly remember their true selves and their love for each other. This is truly a book for our time: an epic about the power of how mythology can keep a nation enthralled to fascism can be reclaimed through the strength of community, healing and love.

Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
Reviewed by Annie Pagett, 1974 Bookstore

I am happy to share with you my recent favorite book, Seasons of Glass and Iron, a short story fantasy collection by Amal El-Mohtar, which features reimagined fairy tales, speculative fiction and beautiful lyrical poetry that is centered on queer love, women’s friendships, solidarity and bonds. You do not want to skip the prologue in this gorgeous book, where El-Mohtar shares her 15-year retrospective journey of these stories and the connections made, particularly about women and the celebration and love for them. Absolutely gorgeous! It will warm your heart, make you smile, make you mad, make you cry and bring cognizant awareness and empathy to the consequences of senseless wars. Hugs!

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch
Reviewed by Kenzie Lombard, Lovebound Library

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch was one of my top reads of 2025. This book has the perfect ratio of plot dedicated to them being both enemies and lovers. Sebastian and Thio’s banter is top-notch, and the evolution of their relationship feels very well-paced and authentic. Raasch’s books always have a great mix of humor and heart, but she really outdid herself with Sebastian and Thio’s story. I almost never cry when reading, but there were a few moments in the last quarter of this book that had me teary-eyed. Overall, however, the vibe of the book is very romcom-y and is full of queer joy and romance. This book is the first in a set of D&D-inspired, interconnected standalones. So if you love it, be sure to check out The Fake Divination Offense when it comes out on May 19!

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
Reviewed by Megan Andrus, The Pumpkin Cottage

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva is the kind of cozy fantasy that leaves you with all the warm fuzzies. It’s charming and funny, with just the right amount of sass, sweetness and cottagecore magic. The romance feels sweet and genuine, and underneath all the cozy vibes is a really sweet story about acceptance, community and finding joy in unexpected places. Honestly, it just made me happy to read.

How Queer Bookshops Changed the World by A.J. West
Reviewed by Kaitlyn Mahoney, Under the Umbrella

Bookstores are a place of refuge for many, and for the queer community, their role has been especially profound. How Queer Bookshops Changed the World is a celebration and loving tribute to the impact queer bookstores have made throughout the years. With a mix of thoroughly researched history, anecdotes and witty storytelling, the book shows how queer bookstores have acted as community connectors, health information centers, publishing houses, safe havens and celebrations of queer joy — acknowledging their continued importance. Both intimate and expansive in scope, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in queer history as well as anyone interested in the global impact books and bookshops have on culture. We recommend this book as an homage to the resilience of those who came before us and as a lesson in how we can continue to grow and evolve.

Rainbow Letters by Gary M. Watts
Reviewed by Apollo Frenzel, Weller Book Works

After acquiring an interest in both Western and LDS history, I wondered why a religion focused on love and community would exclude people trying to chase those exact things. This is what Gary M. Watts grapples with in Rainbow Letters. Watts’ struggle with faith and the love for his son highlights just how stuck the Church is in its ways. When Craig was ex-communicated for coming out to his bishop, Watts was heartbroken. What followed was a series of letters written to church leaders, pleading to have compassion for the queer members of the Church. Some responses cite doctrine to justify bigotry, some share Watts’ frustrations and some don’t respond at all. The Church provides a strong community for its members. There are many queer members who deserve that platform and all the love that comes with it. That’s why Watts is still fighting for his son today.

Read about other local bookstores:
Marissa’s Books: A Treasure Trove for Bookworms of All Ages
A Little of a Lot at Central Book Exchange

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