There are so many awesome books out there, and we can’t talk about all of them (or even read them), so I figured I’d take a second to talk about some of the books I haven’t read yet, but definitely want to get to. This list is not comprehensive, but is rather a sample of books that I have saved either in my Kindle app or my Libby app.
Putting together the list brought some of my preferences into sharp relief: I prefer F/F or queer M/F stories to M/M stories, and I love LGBTQ historicals. So if you can’t get enough of M/M contemporaries, you should probably ask Erin for recommendations.
Titles link to the book’s Amazon page.
Ruthless by Kara Lowndes
Kara Lowndes is an indie author whose blog I started following last year because she had the snarkiest Game of Thrones recaps. Since she writes sharp cultural criticism I figured – why not pick up one of her books? Ruthless features a lesbian with mysterious powers, so I bet it’s gonna be gooooood.
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite
A Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics was one of the best books I’ve read in the past year – it was sexy, political, and historically grounded. Plus, it included a bunch of conversations about the philosophies of science and art! Agatha Griffin had a small role – she’s the grumpy engraver whose press puts out the titular Lady’s Guide – and I’m super excited to see what Waite does with her story. The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows releases in July, and I’m stoked that I was able to get an ARC.
Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi
A woman facing chronic health problems and poverty stows onto a ship and falls in love with the captain. IN SPACE. (Have I ever mentioned that I have a soft spot in my heart for science fiction? Because I do.)
A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian
I added A Duke in Disguise after reading a really insightful analysis of the opening passage over at Close Reading Romance (a blog you should definitely check out if you’re interested in in-depth textual analysis because damn). Maybe reading it will rekindle my zest for The Duke Project?
Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles
1920s M/M romance, in the spirit of Golden Age pulp fiction? Count. Me. In. Relevant: Wanted, A Gentleman, also by K.J. Charles, is one of the best romances I’ve ever read, and I generally have little patience for M/M romance.
Hold Me by Courtney Milan
I read Trade Me when it came out a million years ago, and meant to grab the sequel, but just never did. I think it’s time I rectified that oversight.
Have you read any of these? Is there one I should bump to the top of my list? Let me know in the comments!
The Smut Report 