Recs if you like A Prince Among Pirates...

Books with queer pirates, sailors, mermaids, sirens, and other ocean-related creatures (selkies & co are also welcome!) across age groups. Features erotica 🔞

Recommendations welcome!

✦ I have not read all of these books - if you notice anything that seems to be mis-labeled/mis-placed on this list, please let me know! ✦

Fantasy books with queer rep

We should all be reading queer, all year, but this list is full of upcoming queer books of all makes and models coming out in 2026. If you have a rec to add, just please keep in mind we’re looking for 2026 releases!

Romance books to read for the aesthetic (usually cartoon covers because I’m trash for character art)

the sea cares not for those who sail it, yet sail they do

No just pirate books! This list includes any tale that takes place (mostly) on a ship at sea.

SWANA authors are authors from South West Asia and North Africa. They currently make up <1% of the trad publishing industry. This list is here to introduce you to their stories.

NOTE: if you find an author who doesn’t belong on this list, please comment & I will remove the book(s) ASAP.

As always, lists are forever evolving🥰

A curated list of 2026 debuts, all with LGBTQIA+ representation

a lot of what i read is what i see talked about, books at the top of search results, books face out at bookshops, etc. i never really stopped to consider how many of those books were written by white authors, so i have set a task to be more conscious of the cultural and ethnic diversity in my reading and thought to make a list to keep track of what i’ve read and what i want to read.

please feel free to comment any recommendations!

Every year we get more and more queer books in more and more diverse genres and I for one would like to roll around in all of them from sheer joy 🙂‍↕️ since I can’t do that here is a list to metaphorically roll around in instead.

Disclaimer: all books had 2026 releases at the time of adding. The publishing industry does change things around though.

I’ve not read all so if some are misplaced, let me know!! Also, recommendations are welcomed!

Nothing better than a quick standalone romance between something long and serious 😏 In other words, if you’re already committed to six series but still need more excitement in your life 🤭

If you simply prefer to spend every night with another magical being that’s perfectly fine too 🤭💖

Romantasy standalones from YA to Dark Romance

Be the trend setter of your book club or bookish friend group by getting to know the authors of next year’s publication cycle. These books are all by new talent in the publishing world from both the Big 5 and small, traditional publishers.

Be sure to also check out these authors on social media for ARC opportunities, and show these authors some love by requesting a purchase with your local library, or pre-ordering a copy yourself!

Look, we all need some pirate romances in our lives sometimes. Here’s a list of romances where at least one character sails the high seas. As always, open to recs.

This includes books coming out by SWANA* authors in Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Lit-Fic and more!

*SWANA: South West Asia or North Africa (decolonial term for MENA or Middle East & North Africa)

Women, men, and an urgent need to get your shit together…

Wanting to read something new in fantasy or romance that isn’t going to make you wait around in agony for a sequel? I’ve got you.

queer people being queer in historical fiction

Warning: Contains buried treasure, questionable life choices, and an unhealthy number of parrots. Read at your own arrrisk.