Recs if you like Cleopatra...

A growing list of books by LGBTQ+ authors of Muslim backgrounds (or from the general SWANA region) and/or focusing on such experiences in the text.

Based on books I have read or keen to do so. Recommendations are welcome

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!

standalone fantasy under 400 pages

This list was generated from a post on pagebound club on Juneteenth in 2026. I opted to not try and make this list comprehensive but just to document the community recs from that day - however, if you have more books to recommend please comment in the forum! Prompts from the original post will be in the comments. Note: prompts asked for books by Black authors, not only those from/books set in the US. See comments section for more discussion.

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🥰

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🥰

Requirements:

1. The Mc(s) is a tricksters or unreliable narrator who spends most of the book lying to, bluffing or otherwise misleading others or themselves.

2. They would continue lying even if they didn’t have to either they can’t help it or enjoy the game too much.

3. This causes situations that get unpredictable, chaotic or even completely ridiculous as the characters dodge or face consequences for their actions.

Fantasies that take inspiration from Africa and/or African Countries (myths, setting, etc.)

a collection of books im interested in which are releasing this year (2026). no particular order

Some gems, some disasters... All selected for the cover. Contents may vary. Read at your own risk. ... *NB: There are different editions out there, but these are specifically the ones available here. ... Most of these I've seen in the book store. I've not read all of these but hopefully will one day. Recommendations are welcome.

Fantasy and sci-fi books where much of the plot is driven by politics

Books that remind me of Florence and the Machines song King. Featuring strong female leads. "I need my golden crown of sorrow . My bloody sword to swing. My empty halls echo with grand self mythology." 🎶🎵

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)

These books are historical fiction from different area and time periods. I did not add WW2 books as they are already highly popular and I wanted to focus on lesser known time periods or countries in the genre. Please suggest similar books.

Middle Eastern authors I adore

This list is for fiction novels steeped in ancient Egyptian history and/or mythology. It is a work in progress. If you have any recommendations for this list, please provide the titles and authors in the comments, and I will be happy to add them. 😊

Books set in Egypt

Name generators my beloveds. Just a list made by someone whose D&D characters were mostly christened with the help of RNG. The one and only criterion: Title is a first/given name (or nickname too)! Some are verified by the book actually containing a character with that name.

A list of what I'm most looking forward to in the second half of 2026, with a focus on mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. If you have any recs, please share, particularly if they are queer! 💖