This list is set up in our function as associates of both amazon.com and amazon.uk. we are continously adding more links, but it will take some time until the list is ready.
All books have been read and reviewed by our editors.
The links at the title will lead you to amazon.com, the "buy also in the UK! -link"  leads you to  Amazon.co.uk which is more convinient for readers in europe.

Transgender
Gay
Lesbian
Parenting One book which might be interesting in that context is a collection of real life experiences of siblings, parents, children, aunts, spouses of FTM and MTF, which shows that families can deal positively and master the difficulties that arise if one family member comes out as transgendered. Trans Forming Families: Real Stories...

or go directly to

Search: Books Popular Music Classical Music Video DVD Keywords:

Transgender:
 

Cover

1.Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett Also in Jingo, the Last Continent and the Fifth Elephant transgender is a major element in the new Terry Practchett books. Humorous, intelligent fantasy which  reflects the struggles of coming out, transition and bigotry and gives a good laugh at the same time. Thoroughly recommended to brighten up your day, also a good gift for holidays, birthdays to everyone. Best are Feet of clay and Fifth elephant, but also the others are not bad. In fact Terry has already made it onto the top of Britain's general bestseller lists. (An interview with him is  in the next FTL issue.) Buy it also at amazon.uk.  In Jingo Corporal Nobbs from the City disguises as a woman and we can watch him to experiment with cross-dressing and exploring his female side on Jingo and the Fifth Elephant. A parallel string is the journey of the dwarven women, who are forced by custom to be not distigushable from men, to a proud expression of  femalehood, which is started in Feet of Clay. Suffering gender-biased restrictions and discriminations however do not prevent dwarfs to discrimitate against werewolves. At the same time the City watch is solving crime cases of high politically impact, in a world were equal opportunity policy might encompass  Vampires, Trolls (which own  Si-based-brains), the undead and maybe even Golems. The balance of humor, thoughtful philosophy, fantasy adventure story and  political satire is most likely the foundation of the sucess of these books. 2. Left Hand Side of Darkness - U. Le Guin Compelling novel of the dangerous journey of a star traveling diplomat to the planet "Winter" where he encounters a society which does not know permanent gender and which regards him - who is unable to transform - as a medical freak. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 3. Dawn, Adulthood Rites, Imago by Octavia Buttler. Aliens land on the earth and attempt to merge biologically with humankind. They know a third gender and try to incorporate the humans. Adventure driven novel which explores the positions of both groups who resist that change and those who conform to collaborate with the aliens. Octavia Buttler's multiethnic and racial perspective adds to the depth of the novel. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 4. Shadow dancer - R. Wayne He felt only to be half a man due to his disability. Then the witch provided him with a cure and a curse: everybody who saw him dance would feel compelled to act out his darkest desire and preferably in that very moment. Detailed atmospheric and character descriptions,  romance and adventure with gay/bisexual content. Set in a  fantasy world with large forests, medivial style cities bordering to a desert style realm. Fairly unique worl-building.  Buy it also at amazon.uk. 5. Conqueror's child - Suzy Mc. Carnas. Won the Tipptree award. A boy who has to crossdress as a girl to save his life in a society of separatist women. Savannah, swamps, cities built on the ruins of an old currupt civiliasation, which detroyed itsself in a terrible war. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 6. Shadow man - Melissa Scott What's better - a world where gender identity is characterized by your genital anatomy (and the one of your partner if sexual identity is concerned) or one where your identity is determined by your personality? Intersexed protagonist, gay and gender bending characters and full of thoughtful sociopolitical analysis. A rival to the classic a "left hand side of darkness". May be currently out of print or hard to find. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 7. Halfway human C.T. Gilman Can you envision a world where slave like blands have no gender? Gilman has tried. The result is mixed but can be still recommended. Some rape, some slavery, some space travel, part of the setting in the sociology/anthroposlogy department, of a university - a  science fiction novel. Will the second main character, the sociloogist survive her medling into interplanetary buissenes relationships? Or will she have to sacrifice the bland, whose testimony endangers the reputation of its home-planet? Buy it also at amazon.uk. 8. C.J. Cherryh: A fortress in the eye of time, Fortress of owls, Fortress of Eagles, Fortress Dragons Young Tristen is a magic  being, a shaping, a sihde, and an innocent when he comes into the world of men. This is the tale of his first year that will lead him to manhood - if he can survive the accusations of the priests of his unnaturalness, the dangerous war, and the dark enemy he was conjured up to fight. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 9. The world of Cordwainer Smith is inhabited by FTMs and cat-human hybrids. Besides he's one of the major early writers in the field of Sci-fi. Norstilla the novel and the collection of  short stories are both excellent choices, the hardcover also merits the price. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 10. Transgender Warriors by L. Feinberg No Sci-fi but historical essays and tales about gay and mainly transgender people in history. Analyzing history and religious text a new proud picture of transgender identity is presented. Also good as source book for RPG. Good reference catalogue and pleasant to read. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 11. Weird and sometimes gay and transgender individuals can be found in this short story collection my Neil Gaiman. Also lot's of werewolves and creatures from T. Lovecrafts universe. Funny, intelligent, some sci-fi, some horror. Buy it also at amazon.uk. 12. Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords by G.R.R. Martin. Set to become one of the next classics in epic fantasy, there is a very small fraction on gay, lesbian content and Arja, one of the main protagonists that crossdresses as a boy, to save her life and starts to live as a boy, while partially striving to retain their female identity. The dimension of this work merits comparison with Tolkiens Lord of the Rings. buy via amazon-uk     or   buy via amazon.com 13. Madbond, Mindbond, Godbond by Nancy Springer Crossdressing, gender bending character and the tale of two very close friends. Fantasy. Out of print.

Gay

Anthologies:

Swords of the Rainbow, A drag queen of Elfland and Bending the Landscape (Fantasy, Science Fiction) are four anthologies which consist of only gay/lesbian sci-fi and fantasy.
All make a terrific reading. Most erotic content has Swords of the Rainbow. All fulfill literary criteria and none os cheap porn. Buy them all.
 

1. Shadow dancer - R. Wayne
He felt only to be half a man due to his disability. Then the witch provided him with a cure and a curse: everybody who saw him dance would feel compelled to act out his darkest desire and
preferably in that very moment. Detailed atmospheric and character descriptions,  romance and adventure with gay/bisexual content.

2. The Chosen - R. Pinto
The images of this book will not be easily forgotten. They remind of M. Moorcook's Elrik, but the book is much much better, and you will look forward to the next sequel. A very emphatic
description of a young, gay noble in a slave holding cruel society, who starts to questions its ethics but who is at the same time tempted by its beauty and luxury.

3. A different light - E. Lynn
I did not find a character who was not bi or gay in this novel of a young artist who longs for the stars, even if this desire might cost his life. Nice adventure story in the same
universe as "Sardonic Net".

4. Watchtower, Dancers of Arun and Northern Girl. E-Lynn
The first two book's main characters are gay. Intelligent Fantasy where sexual orientation is generally orientated towards the same gender and no big deal - the main conflict is
the upraise of a martial arts society, the red clan. Absolutely recommend also to everybody interested in Aikido and other related martial arts sports.

5. The vampire Armand Anne Rice
A bestseller set in a mix of present day and italian renaissance. The story of the boy Armand who was stolen from his russian homeland, raped, beaten and finally sold as a slave to
a rich artist, a vampire who promises him to adopt him as his heir. Rich in gay and bisexual content.

6. Tanya Hauff: the quartered sea
A young singer who is selfconcious as his magical ability seems flawed travels over the ocean and is shipwrecked in an exotic country. The sole survivor of his crew. Will he survive
also the political intrigues his feels himself trapped in before his lover can rescue him?

7. Gregg Egan: Teranesia
Science Fiction, this time Gregg Egan tackles the lingo of social scientists, feminists and finally scientists. The sci-fi content is rather unconvincing, but the other points (gay protagonist,
political analysis, humor) make up for it. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

8. Orson Scott Card: Songbird
Finally a book with a gay character by Orson Scott Card. He even got a price of it (Hugo) we think. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

9. Anne Mc. Caffrey: Dragons eye
 Runners, corrupt barons, dragon forts and besides first book of the series with a gay side character. If you collect books about Dragons,
 or Pern or from Anne you should buy it. Also for young readers. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

10. Fionna Patton: The stone prince.
If you are interested in alternative celtic realms set in Britanica, some gay romance this could be for you. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

11. Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords by G.R.R. Martin.
Set to become one of the next classics in epic fantasy, there is a very small fraction on gay, lesbian content and Arja, one of the main protagonists that crossdresses as a boy,
to save her life and starts to live as a boy, while partially striving to retain their female identity. The dimension of this work merits comparison with Tolkiens Lord of the Rings.
buy it also via amazon-uk     or   buy via amazon.com .

12. Flights of Fantasy by Garry Boven 4 short stories combining airborne themes and fantasy/sciencce fiction. Partly Erotic, partly action driven and particularly the first story about the
doctor and his winged lover  won't be easily forgotten. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

13. Samuel Delany: .... Another books with lot's of winged characters. An army occupies a peaceful country until its inhabitants short novel, partially strong stuff. One of the best short novels by the famous black author. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

14. Daragon's winter - E. Lynn
True to the title most of the story happen's in winter. Two brothers fight for magic which seems to be the one's birthright and unjustly denied to the younger. Azil, friend of both and lover
of the eldest, finds himself torn between love and duty and the fear what he could unleash if he would not prevent his lover's plan to transform himself into a shape-changing dragon-lord.
A poetic tale of love and betrayal. And a realistic tale of justice and  the temptations of power.

15. The Dispossed - U. le Guin
More anthropologically oriented this novel describes the journey of a man grown up on a "socialist utopian" planet who rejects his invention and who finds asylum in a capitalist society.
I was told that there was a gay character in it, but have to admit I have not read it yet, as it is not very fast paced. I plan to do that later. (the Editor)
 

Lesbian

Anthologies: Bending the Landscape (Fantasy, Science Fiction) are two anthologies which consist of only gay/lesbian sci-fi and fantasy. 50% lesbian content.

1. Northern Girl. E. Lynn, E. Lynn

 Intelligent Fantasy where sexual orientation is generally orientated towards the same gender and no big deal - the main conflict is
the upraise of a martial arts society, the red clan. Absolutely recommend also to everybody interested in Aikido and other related martial arts sports. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

2. Holdfast novels by Suzy Mc. Carnas

Separatist female and male societies struggle for dominance and independence. Lot's of gay and lesbian content as these societies regard heterosexuality as
abnormal. Seen mostly from the female perspective. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

3. Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords by G.R.R. Martin.
Set to become one of the next classics in epic fantasy, there is a very small fraction on gay, lesbian content and Arja, one of the main protagonists that crossdresses as a boy,
to save her life and starts to live as a boy, while partially striving to retain their female identity. The dimension of this work merits comparison with Tolkiens Lord of the Rings.
Also one of the other main protagonists has a lesbian encounter in the third sequel.
buy via amazon-uk     or   buy via amazon.com

4. Sister Dark - Sister Light by Jane Yolen
Reaching adulthood the women of the sisterhood reach into the mirror and crossing the barriers of time and space reach for her shadow companion, her lover and partner.
Lesbian of course. Buy it also at amazon.uk.

5. Darkover - Marion Zimmer Bradley
The  The Broken Chain, Thendara house , City of Sorcery . Darkover novels which are however more fantasy than science-fiction, who center around the guild of the
renunciates: Magda Lorne, an agent for the federation, who grew up on a Darkover, medieval planet,  seeks entry into lesbian dominated sisterhood, falls in love
and seeks for a coexistence of the magic technology of laran with the scientific driven technology of the off-worlders. The Forbidden Tower  is losely connected to the metioned books.
Buy it also at amazon.uk.

6. The telling Ursula Le Guin
A novel about the healing powers of sharing stories, the clash of cultures and lesbian love. A crossover of science-fiction and fantasy, set in the Hainish Cycle, a series of books which
belong to a universe with a benign state federation, created by the author, where earth is merely one of many planets. U. Le Guin writes intelligent, sociocritical, feminist science-fiction
which never fails both to entertain and to provoke thought. This books is no exemption, it has however a slower pace than her early novels. Buy it also at amazon.uk.
 
 

or go directly to Amazon.com science-fiction and fantasy