Episode 108: From Our Shelves with Pride: LGBTQIA+ Reads We Love

Happy Pride Month! In this episode Trevor and Paul share some of our favorite works of LGBTQIA+ literature (and films)—works that have moved us, challenged us, and expanded our sense of the world. We reflect on how queer literature has shaped our understanding over the years and discuss the importance of lifting up these voices—especially in a moment when so many are under threat.

Join us in a heartfelt conversation about storytelling, solidarity, and the power of books to open us up to the lives of others. As two people who don’t speak from within the queer community, we approached this conversation with deep admiration, gratitude, and care, hoping to honor the writers and stories that have meant so much to us.

What are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ books?

We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:

* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro

* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor

* Episode 135: William Faulkner

* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor

* Episode 155: Naguib Mahfouz

There’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!

Join the Mookse and the Gripes on Discord

Want to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.

We’re also gearing up for our second novella book club, where we'll be reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin at the start of July. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.

Shownotes

Books

* The Book of Mutter, by Kate Zambreno

* The Light Room, by Kate Zambreno

* Drifts, by Kate Zambreno

* A House and Its Head, by Ivy Compton-Burnett

* Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot

* The Guermantes Way, by Marcel Proust

* Manservant and Maidservant, by Ivy Compton-Burnett

* Angels in America, by Tony Kushner

* The Hours, by Michael Cunningham

* Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx

* The Song of Achilles, by Madeleine Miller

* Circe, by Madeleine Miller

* Desert of the Heart, by Jane Rule

* The works of David Seders

* Bluets, by Maggie Nelson

* The Argonauts, by Maggie Nelson

* You Better Be Lightning, by Andrea Gibson

* A Single Man, by Christopher Isherwood

* Hearstopper, by Alice Oseman

* The Price of Salt, by Patricia Highsmith

* Strangers on a Train, by Patricia Highsmith

* Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin

* The Line of Beauty, by Alan Holinghurst

* Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel

* Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, by Jeannette Winterson

* The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makai

* I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makai

* All Down Darkness Wide, by Seán Hewitt

* The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters

* The Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters

* Dancer from the Dance, by Andrew Holleran

Films

* The Hours, d. Stephen Daldry

* Brokeback Mountain, d. Ang Lee

* Desert Hearts, d. Donna Deitch

* A Single Man, d. Tom Ford

* Carole, d. Todd Haynes

* Paris Is Burning, d. Jennie Livingston

* All About My Mother, d. Pedro Almodóvar

* Happy Together, d. Wong Kar Wai

* Portrait of a Lady on Fire, d. Céline Sciamma

The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!

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