24 New LGBTQ Books Out in August 2026

Every month, I try to highlight ten of the most exciting new LGBTQ books out this month. And I almost always fail, sneaking a few more titles onto the list. When it comes to the new queer books of August 2026, I completely lost control, because I have 24 to share with you. I couldn’t help it! There are just so many excellent LGBTQ books in all genres out this month—and August isn’t even a big publishing month, for the most part. Highlights of the best new queer books of August include messy sapphic litfic, a trans woman mystery, a gay thriller for fans of Yellowface, a second-chance trans M/M romance on a cruise, a paranormal M/M/F novel with a wraith love interest, a queer apocalyptic novel, a picture book about aromanticism and asexuality, and so much more. Unprecedented Times by Malavika Kannan (August 18)In this Gen Z coming-of-age novel, we follow Rishi, a “burnt-out youth climate activist, she used to want to save the world, but now she just wants to have gay sex.” When the COVID pandemic hits, she ignores online college in favor of forming a farm collective with her friends. As you might expect from a bunch of queer college students in a small space, the relationships betwee...