Stories That Call Us Into Courage
Happy National Coming Out Day
October 11 is National Coming Out Day, a celebration of visibility, courage, and the beautiful spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities. Coming out is never a one-time thing—it’s a lifetime of moments, choices, and (sometimes) risks. And one of the safest, most affirming ways I know to explore those moments is through story.
This year, I’m turning to my own TBR stack—books that have been waiting for me, whispering, now is the time. Maybe they’ve been waiting for you, too.
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera, narrated by Gabby Rivera
Read by the author herself, this book has been on my radar forever—and let’s be real, if Roxane Gay says it’s f***ing outstaning, I’m in. Juliet’s story is about queerness, feminism, family, and finding your place in a world that doesn’t always make room for your voice.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson, narrated by Jeanette Winterson
This modern classic blends semi-autobiographical storytelling with sharp wit and lyrical prose. A friend of mine teaches it to middle schoolers (!), which feels like a radical act in itself. Faith, sexuality, and identity collide here, and I know I’ll be wrestling with Winterson’s words long after the last page.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
This National Book Award winner has been sitting on my virtual/audio shelf, giving me side-eye for months. Set in 1950s San Francisco, it follows Lily Hu as she discovers both queer love and the courage to live openly in a world that wants her silent. With Emily Woo Zeller narrating, I can already feel the ache and beauty of this story.
Coming out isn’t only about standing in front of the world—it’s about coming home to yourself. These stories remind us of the bravery in claiming who we are, the communities that rise to meet us when we do, and the joy that comes from living fully in our truth.
On this National Coming Out Day, whether you’re out, questioning, or quietly holding your identity close, know this: you’re not alone. And maybe one of these books will meet you right where you are.
Which book would you add to a Coming Out Day reading list? Drop me your recs—I’d love to expand this stack.
