Too Queer for the East. Too Muslim for the West.
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
created by NasIsReading
last updated April, 2026
Comments
Oooh this is fantastic! Hijab Butch Blues works for well here too if youâre looking for recs!
I was coming to suggest exactly this!
This definitely looks like it belongs on here (and on my personal lists too haha)! Thanks đ€©
What a cool list topic, love to see it! â€ïž
Hmmm. I think Like a Bird would fit great here. Itâs by Fariha RĂłisĂn
I think Iâve seen some of her poetry work online before but I didnât know they had a novel! Do you know if the book explores religion or queerness? I cant find hints in the description and trying to avoid spoilers đ«Ł
It definitely explores both. The MCâs parents make a lot of decisions based on religion/perception which drives the story forward and while our MC isnât queer, other important characters are. And Fariha is as well, which is why I thought her book fit well!
Also, I discovered sheâs a poet while reading the book because the prose is beautiful and I was like, there is no way this is her FIRST book. And turns out, as you said, itâs her first novel and she did so well.
Ok you have definitely got my interest haha!! Thanks for the recommendation :)
Yay! đ youâre welcome!!
how delicious ! donât mind if i do.
What a great list!!
immediate save, thank you for this!! đ
Appreciate this list of recs!
what a cool list concept! not sure if SWANA includes Nigeria, but if so The Death of Vivek Oji might be a good addition. the author is non-binary, main plot explores gender and sexuality. no muslim rep from what I remember though.
Thanks!!! Also, great book recommendation!! Itâs actually saved on one of my lists but I didnât include it here as it wouldnât fit the theme of intersectionality between Muslim/SWANA and queerness. Itâs definitely one I have in mind if I ever get around to making a similar concept list for African identity and queerness as that also something I like reading about
Ahh such a great list! I have some more suggestions, if you don't mind, but totally understand if they don't all fit your vision!
- "The Foghorn Echoes" by Danny Ramadan
- "Medusa of the Roses" by Navid Sinaki
- "Just Another Epic Love Poem" by Parisa Akhbari
- "What I Know About You" by Ăric Chacour
- "This Arab Is Queer: An Anthology by LGBTQ+ Arab Writers" Elias Jahshan
- "A Tale of Two Omars: A Memoir of Family, Revolution, and Coming Out During the Arab Spring" by Omar Sharif Jr.
