AfterElton’s 50 Best Gay Books!

11. Dancer From the Dance by Andrew Holleran

Anthony leaves the Midwest behind to embrace “gay” life in New York City. And boy, does he embrace it! This 1978 novel documents a time of wanton sexual exploration and rampant drug use on Fire Island and beyond, all described in Holleran’s trademark dream-like style. The book was enormously influential: a gay “literary” novel that met with widespread critical and popular success.

12. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

What do you do if you’re a child and have difficulty saying the letter “s”? If you’re humorist David Sedaris, you simply plan to live your entire life without ever saying any word with an “s” in it! What about when you’re an adult and you move to France with your partner, but you seem to be unable to learn French? Once again, why not simply avoid ever speaking French? All of Sedaris’ books got votes in our poll, but AfterElton.com readers preferred this hilarious 2000 collection of essays most of all.

13. Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman

Elio is a young Egyptian man spending a 1980s summer on the Italian Riviera with his family; Oliver is the young American scholar who comes for a visit. As the lazy months slip by, a friendship turns passionate, and the readers of this 2007 novel soon realize they’re witnessing the arrival of a bold new voice in gay literature. Those who haven’t read this book, be forewarned: you may never look at a peach the same way again.