Happy Pride Month! In this episode Trevor and Paul share some of our favorite works of LGBTQIA+ literature (and films)—works that have moved us, challenged us, and expanded our sense of the world. We reflect on how queer literature has shaped our understanding over the years and discuss the importance of lifting up these voices—especially in a moment when so many are under threat.
Join us in a heartfelt conversation about storytelling, solidarity, and the power of books to open us up to the lives of others. As two people who don’t speak from within the queer community, we approached this conversation with deep admiration, gratitude, and care, hoping to honor the writers and stories that have meant so much to us.
What are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ books?
We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:
Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro
Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor
Episode 135: William Faulkner
Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor
Episode 155: Naguib Mahfouz
There’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!
Join the Mookse and the Gripes on Discord
Want to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.
We’re also gearing up for our second novella book club, where we'll be reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin at the start of July. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.
Shownotes
Books
The Book of Mutter, by Kate Zambreno
The Light Room, by Kate Zambreno
Drifts, by Kate Zambreno
A House and Its Head, by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot
The Guermantes Way, by Marcel Proust
Manservant and Maidservant, by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Angels in America, by Tony Kushner
The Hours, by Michael Cunningham
Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx
The Song of Achilles, by Madeleine Miller
Circe, by Madeleine Miller
Desert of the Heart, by Jane Rule
The works of David Seders
Bluets, by Maggie Nelson
The Argonauts, by Maggie Nelson
You Better Be Lightning, by Andrea Gibson
A Single Man, by Christopher Isherwood
Hearstopper, by Alice Oseman
The Price of Salt, by Patricia Highsmith
Strangers on a Train, by Patricia Highsmith
Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin
The Line of Beauty, by Alan Holinghurst
Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, by Jeannette Winterson
The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makai
I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makai
All Down Darkness Wide, by Seán Hewitt
The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters
The Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters
Dancer from the Dance, by Andrew Holleran
Films
The Hours, d. Stephen Daldry
Brokeback Mountain, d. Ang Lee
Desert Hearts, d. Donna Deitch
A Single Man, d. Tom Ford
Carole, d. Todd Haynes
Paris Is Burning, d. Jennie Livingston
All About My Mother, d. Pedro Almodóvar
Happy Together, d. Wong Kar Wai
Portrait of a Lady on Fire, d. Céline Sciamma
The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!
A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out!
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