Memoirs and Essays from the LGBTQ+ Community

Sometimes an excellent book flies under the radar, and that is definitely the case with Dinner on Monster Island. In her short collection of essays, queer Singaporean author Tania De Rozario shares her experience growing up as a fat, biracial girl during a time when Singapore required children with a “high” BMI to participate in food restriction and extra exercise. Much of the collection follows De Rozario as she begins her journey of self-acceptance, embracing her body and sexuality as they are and not as what society tells her they should be. This often means De Rozario is working through her relationships with her disapproving or estranged family members. These moments are written with so much heart and longing for the kind of relationships that will never be because her family doesn’t accept her as she is.

In their memoir Sissy, Jacob Tobia shares the story of their growing up years navigating the difficulties of being gender queer in a society that only sees the gender binary of man and woman. In their witty narrative voice, Tobia shares the insights and life lessons they have learned along the way, delivering inspirational quotes along with their hilarious anecdotes. Tobia’s audiobook narration is spectacular, making the whole experience feel like a performance.

Samra Habib grew up as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan, eventually fleeing violence against people from their sect and finding refuge in Canada. At first, Habib thought that all their problems might be solved. But in their new country, they faced racism and Islamophobia. As they grew up, they realized they weren’t exactly straight, complicating matters further. Habib writes their memoir with no fear of presenting themself as a messy, flawed human being. They work through their sexuality and faith throughout their story, eventually coming to a place that works for them. Their story doesn’t end wrapped up in a pretty bow. It’s untidy, glorious in its imperfections. This is a queer memoir unlike anything I’ve ever read and definitely worth your time.