The best new LGBTQ books out in September include gay literary fiction from a Man Booker Prize-winning author, a love story between two men in Palestine, the newest book from Ashley Herring Blake, an F/F romance set at a soon-to-be-haunted bed and breakfast, a queer and trans Hamlet retelling, the sequel to Cemetery Boys, and a queer Frankenstein retelling from K. Ancrum—to name just a few.
All Access members can find even more new LGBTQ books out this week as a bonus at the end of this list.
New LGBTQ Books: September 2026
The Disappearers by Marlon James (September 1)
Marlon James is the Man Booker Prize-winning author of A Brief History of Seven Killings. His newest novel follows eight gay men in 1980s in Kingston, Jamaica. They met while rehearsing for a play together. One night, they are the victims of a gay bashing, and one is killed. In the aftermath, some seek revenge and some try to disappear.
The early reviews of this one are effusive, including from The Boston Globe: “Harrowing, hilarious, magnificent …this novel will be read decades from now, pored over in seminars and bookmarked on subway commutes … [James’] defiant queer epic belongs to us all.”
Eden at Dawn by Karim Kattan, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman (September 22)
This love story between two men in Palestine is part literary fiction, part romance, part fairy tale. Isaac and Gabriel meet on the streets of Jerusalem as a 50-day sandstorm blots out the sun. Their tentative romance is narrated by the sky itself, observing as they set out on a road trip, dodging check points to start a life in the West Bank as war rages around them.
Take A Chance, Sasha Sinclair by Ashley Herring Blake (September 29)
Documentarian Sasha Sinclair is trying to make her own name in the industry after the death of her filmmaker parents. The story of Alice Bishop has her attention, bringing her to Blair Mountain, North Carolina. Margot Bishop is haunted by Alice Bishop and the Rose Witch’s legacy. Unsure about making a documentary about the family, Margot is slow to open up to cheerful and charming Sasha. Weaving Alice’s story with Sasha and Margot’s, Take a Chance, Sasha Sinclair is a cozy, sapphic delight. —Courtney Rodgers
With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling (September 8)
If you’re on the hunt for a cozy romance with Halloween vibes, look no further. With All My Haunted Heart delivers a talented (but disgraced) witch, her sexy-baker love interest, and an adorable soon-to-be-haunted bed and breakfast. Sterling’s twist on a haunted house tale is that Pippa needs to use her witchy powers to haunt an ordinary B&B. It was really interesting to see how Pippa thought about the ghosts who would be right for the haunting. Alongside this professional challenge, Pippa, her college bestie Xander, and his childhood bestie (and Pippa’s love interest) Elle create the kind of found family that helps each other navigate traumas (past and present). The book’s treatment of grief and loss is incredibly well done (which makes special sense if you read the author’s note at the end). —Anne Mai Yee Jansen
To see all of the biggest new LGBTQ books of the year so far, check out The Best Queer Books Out in 2026. There are currently just over 100 books on the list, and I will be updating it throughout the year.
Anyone can browse Book Riot collections and click the covers to find the publisher’s description, the Book Riot recommendation, and links for where to purchase the title. All Access members can create their own private and public collections, so if you want to keep track of the new queer releases on your TBR, that’s the best way to do it! Check out our guide on how to use collections, and join All Access for $6 a month to get started. All Access members also get access to our New Release Index and member-only content
A Spell of Heart & Havoc by Kristen Vale (September 15)
I’ll be honest, I’d read this book for the cover alone. Maerryl is a half-dwarf desperate to get the money together to buy a cure for her ill brother, which is how she ends up joining a thieves’ guild and infiltrating a noble family as a bodyguard. It means watching over the spoiled Dove, to her immense irritation. But Dove is hiding a dangerous magic. Despite their mutual animosity, sparks fly as they spend more time together, but their secrets threaten to unravel any chance they have at a real relationship.
Thoughts Be Bloody by Auden Patrick (September 15)
In this queer, trans Hamlet retelling, Horatio Bithersea finds Carson Hamlett cradling the dead body of his father in the Elsinore university library. A year later, Horatio is barely holding it together, trying to keep his life-threatening magic in check. That’s when the ghost of Hamlett’s father curses Hamlett and Horatio until they avenge his death by bringing down Elsinore. Horatio is loyal to the school that has given him everything, including the freedom to live as a trans man, but if he doesn’t obey, he will lose control of his mind and soul. As Hamlett and Horatio work together to learn Elsinore’s secrets, Horatio realizes that Hamlett may be more more of a threat than his undead father.
Spikes, Dice, and Other Variables by Harper Kinsley (September 15)
Riley is about to fail math and become ineligible to be on the volleyball team, so she does the only rational thing: she lies to the math genius in her class and claims to be into the same nerdy game he is so that he’ll tutor her. As they spend time together, she begins to fall for him—which brings up a lot of questions about what she wants in a relationship. (Riley is asexual and her love interest is pansexual.)
My Own Kind of Person by Tim Manley (September 8)
Everyone knows Sean as the funny guy—he even does standup comedy. But the humor is a coping mechanism for his anxiety, and he’s beginning to wonder who he even is underneath the posturing. When he meets quietly confident Elijah, Sean reevaluates a lot of things, from his comedy routine to his sexuality. I’m always glad to see another book with a bisexual guy main character; we need more bi men in books!
Espíritu (Cemetery Boys #2) by Aiden Thomas (September 8)
One of the most-anticipated queer books of 2026 is almost here! This is the sequel to the fan favorite Cemetery Boys, a YA paranormal M/M romance novel about a trans brujo who accidentally summons a ghost. I won’t spoil book one, but I will say that in the sequel, there’s more danger and chaos for Julian and Yadriel. They also meet a nonbinary bruje named Angel who has their own ruthless methods for dealing with restless spirits.
Our Untamed Core by Sonido Reyes (September 22)
In this dystopian YA novel, Temo lives under the thumb of a brutal and archaic rule. He tries to keep his head down, but he does break one rule: hiding that he’s trans. If found, the punishment is entry in a fight-to-the-death tournament that no one ever wins. But when Temo’s boyfriend is arrested and tossed into that very tournament, Temo sees no other way to save him than to enter himself. There’s more to this tournament than fighting, though, and Temo will have to risk far more than his life to save his boyfriend. —Chris M. Arnone
Adam, Mine by K. Ancrum (September 8)
Ancrum has become a force in YA over the last several years, and her latest endeavor is being described as a romantic queer horror thriller that is ultimately a love letter to Frankenstein. I’m sold.
Victor Frankenstein has everything he could ever want, except that money and privilege aren’t enough to prove himself or to change the world. He wants to figure out how to bring people who are sick and dying back to life.
It’s not entirely surprising that no one wants to allow him to try this, but after a drunken bet, Victor has to take things into his own hands. He’s taken a teenage boy from a neighboring village as his monster. That boy, Elias, taken under the dark of night, awakens covered in stitches and scars. His loved ones abandon him. Elias is, however, tethered to Victor, who has set out to find a way to reverse what he’s done to Elias. He’s afraid, and he feels guilty about what he’s done.
The connection Victor and Elias feel includes one another’s joys, pains, regrets, and more. Even though both are looking for answers and ways to end the other’s existence, the bond they feel may lead to something else entirely. —Kelly Jensen
17 More New Queer Books Out This Week: September 1, 2026
As a bonus for All Access members, here are 17 more new queer books out this week, including Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone by Kalynn Bayron and Splendor: Trans Poets by Pascale Bérubé.
The Disappearers by Marlon James (Gay Fiction/Historical Fiction)
Confluence by Alex Turner and Lucian Childs (Gay Historical Fiction)
My Girlfriend is Not the Father by Dana Hawkins (F/F Romance)
As the Snow Gathers by Mere Joyce (M/M Gothic Horror)
Tom Burne Has Left the Chat by Seán Farrelly (Gay YA Contemporary)
The Ending You Deserve by Rebecca Stafford (Sapphic YA Contemporary)
The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder (F/F YA Romantasy)
Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone by Kalynn Bayron (Queer YA Horror)
Your Boyfriend Needs an Exorcist by Justine Pucella Winans (Queer YA Horror)
President of the Anime Club by Stephanie Evangelista Fukuda and Daigo Fukuda (F/F YA Graphic Novel)
Goldie Vance Book One written by Hope Larson and illustrated by Brittney Williams (Sapphic Mystery Middle Grade/YA Graphic Novel) (New edition)
The Shapeshifter’s Guide to Gym Class by Kai Cheng Thom (Trans Allegory Middle Grade Fantasy)
Family Found: A Queer Friendsgiving Celebration, written by Joanna McClintick and illustrated by Keisha Morris (Queer Picture Book)
Splendor: Trans Poets by Pascale Bérubé (Trans Poetry)
Staying Still by Hieu Minh Nguyen (Queer Poetry)
I Think My Therapist Hates Me: A Memoir by Chris Olsen (Gay Memoir)
O Mother by Emerson Whitney (Queer Memoir)
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