Recs if you like Catherine House...

Basically, a huge list of books from all genres featuring sapphic characters, whether bisexual, lesbian, butch, femme, or anything in between.

Includes fiction and nonfiction. Books with spice, and books with very little romance alike. You may find epic lady knights, pirates, ancient vampires or just weird girl adventures, heartbreaking stories or cozy books of found family and queer joy. Memoirs, historical fiction, instruction manuals, maybe even a poem or two.

Welcoming suggestions<3

Books that are atmospheric, emotionally unsettling, beautifully written, a little weird, and linger long after you finish them.

Books where cults are a significant part of the narrative. Some fiction, some non-fiction.

dark academia books with queer and trans MCs

We all love gothic classics, but what is new when it comes to the gothic genre (from the last 20 years or so)?! For fans of Dracula, Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, etc. Please comment with suggestions to add!

When the pursuit of knowledge crosses the line into moral depravity.

This includes book that have either mystery or thrillers as a primary or secondary genre. If you have recommendations to add please comment and I'll happily add them 💕

Dark academia without the magic!

For books filled with elite schools, universities, intellectual obsession, artistic ambition, secrets, rivalry, murder and beautifully dark atmospheres - with little to no fantasy or supernatural elements, and no YA.

i want to read more dark academia books by authors who write about poc, queer, disabled characters

true dark academia that ranges from fantastical/supernatural to psychological literary fiction

Notes in the margins are a must. — Me, a neurotic literature degree holder

All the books chosen by Booksandlala for the Literally Dead Book club.

Forget everything you know about the golden hour. In these halls, knowledge isn't just power—it's a blood sacrifice, a cursed bargain, or a secret that could tear the stars from the sky. Whether you're navigating the lethal corridors of the Scholomance, deciphering the forbidden linguistics of Oxford’s silver-working, or joining a secret society at Yale that deals in the ghosts of the past, this list is for the scholars who prefer their ink black and their magic dangerous.

Inspired by Autostraddle's Queer Books Across America list

cause it’s always september in my heart📖

Gothic books written by Black authors, compiled by Amelie West! Please lmk if you have suggestions :)

Dark academia that isn't The Secret History

Dark Academia