PinkNews lists LGBTQ+ books 2026

PinkNews published a new 2026 LGBTQ+ books roundup on May 18, adding another early-year marker for readers, booksellers and libraries building next year’s lists. The article, written by Emily Maskell, said 2026 will bring releases from “exciting debut authors and beloved returning writers,” and singled out titles ranging from romance and history to horror and graphic fiction. Among the books PinkNews highlighted were Alice Oseman’s *Heartstopper* Volume Six, Edward Schmit’s *The Open Era* and Samantha Josephs’ *Carrying*. ### Which books did PinkNews put at the center of its 2026 list? PinkNews’ May 18 article named *Heartstopper*, *The Open Era* and *Carrying* among the standout LGBTQ+ titles coming in 2026. The roundup also referenced Harry Tanner’s *The Queer Thing About Sin: Why the West Came to Hate Queer Love*, Julián Delgado Lopera’s *Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You*, Sonia Feldman’s *Girl’s Girl* and Samantha Allen’s *Puck*. (thepinknews.com) Emily Maskell’s article described the mix as broad in genre and audience, moving from “sweet romances” to “historical reexaminations” and sports stories. The article presented the list as a reading guide rather than a ranked chart, with short descriptions for each title and publication timing where available. ### What is new about Heartstopper in 2026? Alice Oseman’s website says *Heartstopper Volume Six* is the final installment in the graphic novel series about Nick and Charlie. (thepinknews.com) The official page also links the book to the upcoming Netflix film *Heartstopper Forever*, framing the volume as the last print chapter before the screen adaptation arrives. PinkNews had already reported in September 2025 that Oseman confirmed a 2026 release date for the sixth volume. (thepinknews.com) Retail and author-page listings now show the book scheduled for July 2026, with U.S. and U.K. dates listed across bookselling pages. ### Why is The Open Era getting attention? Penguin Random House describes Edward Schmit’s *The Open Era* as his debut novel, and Schmit’s own website calls it a queer tennis romance coming in summer 2026. (aliceoseman.com) Bookseller listings show a June 2, 2026 release date for the title. PinkNews included the novel in a year when queer sports fiction is drawing wider notice across publishing lists. (thepinknews.com) The article’s selection of *The Open Era* alongside *Heartstopper* and other established franchises suggests the roundup mixed first-time authors with proven names, though PinkNews did not provide sales projections or ordering guidance for libraries. ### What is Carrying, and why does it stand out? (penguinrandomhouse.com) Penguin Random House says Samantha Josephs’ *Carrying* is a horror debut about a stealth trans woman who discovers she is “seemingly—impossibly—pregnant.” The publisher’s description presents the book as both comic and harrowing, placing it in a part of queer publishing that extends beyond romance and coming-of-age fiction. PinkNews’ decision to feature *Carrying* alongside romance, literary fiction and history titles widened the scope of its list. (thepinknews.com) The article’s framing showed 2026 LGBTQ+ publishing as cross-genre, with horror and nonfiction appearing next to young adult and commercial fiction. ### What else does the PinkNews roundup show about the 2026 pipeline? PinkNews published another 2026 LGBTQ+ books list on January 2 under the headline “15 captivating LGBTQ+ books we can’t wait to read in 2026,” indicating the outlet has been revisiting the year’s release calendar as more titles firm up. (penguinrandomhouse.com) Other book media, including Book Riot, have also assembled anticipated queer-books lists for 2026. (thepinknews.com) Publisher pages cited in PinkNews’ May 18 article show that several of the featured books already have firm on-sale dates. *The Queer Thing About Sin* is listed for May 21, *Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You* for May 26, *Girl’s Girl* for June 2, *Puck* for June 2, *The Open Era* for June 2, and *Heartstopper Volume Six* for July 2026, according to PinkNews and publisher or retail listings. (thepinknews.com) May 18 is the publication date of PinkNews’ latest roundup, and the article remains available on the outlet’s books section for readers tracking 2026 releases. June 2 is the listed release date for *The Open Era*, while July 2026 is the current publication window shown for *Heartstopper Volume Six* on author and retail pages. (thepinknews.com)