Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Starting off with a classic, this is Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about her tumultuous and enigmatic relationship with her father during her childhood and early adulthood. Alison explores her own coming of age story, grappling with her sexuality and mental health while reflecting on what secrets she suspects her father to have hidden.
The New Life by Tom Crewe
In 1890s London, two men fall in love and decide to argue for their love in a book about the legalisation of homosexuality. Their plan is halted, though, by the highly publicised arrest and subsequent trial of Oscar Wilde. Tom Crewe’s daring debut depicts love in the tension between freedom and the law.
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
Ling Ling Huang’s debut novel brings together two disparate worlds fascinated with beauty: classical music and the contemporary beauty and wellness industry. But underneath all the lotions and potions something horrible lurks.
Pageboy by Elliot Page
After he shot to stardom through the cult classic film Juno, actor Elliot Page had to put the truth of himself aside and succumb to the pressure of success. Years later, he now reflects on that time, his difficult childhood and his journey of self-discovery in this intimate memoir.
The Roots of Chaos series by Samantha Shannon
Imagine a vast and spectacular realm full of dragons and mages ruled over by, not a kingdom but, a queendom. Samantha Shannon turns epic fantasy tropes on their heads with this sprawling queer romantasy that has captured the imagination of millions of readers worldwide.
Iris by Fiona Kelly McGregor
Much has been written about the infamous Razorhurst era of Sydney’s history but this historical fiction novel by Fiona Kelly McGregor introduces a new character in the midst of Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh’s sort: the industrious, determined and murderous Iris Webber.
Clean by Scott-Patrick Mitchell
With decades of spoken word poetry experience under their belt, Scott-Patrick Mitchell’s debut poetry collection brings the oral and rhythmic qualities of language to the page. Exploring the methamphetamine crisis in Australia through addiction and recovery, these poems are precarious, daring and tender.
Mrs S by K Patrick
An Australian woman arrives at an elite English boarding school as the new matron and is immediately unsettled by this unusual world of privilege and power struggles. Until she gets drawn into the orbit of the headmaster’s wife, Mrs S. In the heat of summer, the two begin a passionate and intense affair that threatens the tenants of this up-right world.
Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella
Many of us have struggled with that slippery transition from teenage years into adulthood but most of us didn’t have the added difficulty of a monthly werewolf cycle. Unfortunately for Jim, his handle on the situation only worsens as he accidentally slips into committing a murder or two. With the help of were-mentor Tyler, Jim has to sort his life out and maintain the balance between his human and werewolf sides.
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
It’s a Romeo and Juliet story in the making when Protestant Mungo and Catholic James meet, but their working-class Glaswegian lives mean threats of violence encroach on every side. The two struggle to maintain their love and friendship in the face of an oppressive ideal of masculinity and strength.
Close to the Knives by David Wojnarowicz
Described as “scathing, sexy, sublimely humorous”, this collection of essays from artist, writer and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz provides a visceral and provocative picture of New York City during the 70s and 80s. Challenging notions of politics, society and aesthetics, David’s voice is strikingly original.
The Dark Rise trilogy by C.S. Pacat
Centuries ago, the world was ruled by magic and rocked by battles between Light and Dark; a world that only the Stewards remember. But now, the Dark King is poised to return and everyone must re-assume their positions and fall-in behind an unlikely leader: 16-year-old dock boy Will.
Dish by Rhys Nicholson
Bringing together a range of Rhys Nicholson’s interests, Dish is part self-help, part memoir, part cookbook and all entertaining. Think of it like sitting down to have a chat with your therapist, your best friend, your mum and your subconscious over a cup of tea.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
If you loved the raw, murderous ambition of Lady Macbeth, what do you have to say about two Lady Macbeths in competing realms? Meet Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, and her rival’s courtesan Madam Zhang. This battle for the throne is a bloody battle of revenge, betrayal and lethal political manoeuvring.
The In-Between by Christos Tsiolkas
After establishing himself as a writer of grit and heady testosterone with works like Loaded and Merciless Gods, Christos Tsiolkas takes a tender turn in this new novel towards the depiction of a delicate relationship between two middle-aged men. Families, egos and complicated past relationships intertwine in a heartfelt story of forgiveness and fresh starts.
Non-Essential Work by Omar Sakr
With this provocative title that recalls the tenuous position of artists and their work in the world, Omar Sakr’s latest poetry collection explores love, loss, time and rest from a widely celebrated contemporary voice.
The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist by Sophie Gonzales
Who hasn’t wished that the dashing hero on your TV screen would just walk into your life and sweep you off your feet? Anyone else? Lucky Ivy has had her dreams come true when Weston appears out of her fanfiction imagination and declares himself her soulmate. But is he really?