Since you’re staying inside all winter, you might as well celebrate the world’s coziest holiday, Jolabokaflod (“book flood” in English), where the people of Iceland gift books on Christmas Eve and spend the whole night reading. 2020 wasn’t good for almost anything, but it was a great year for books, and here are some to get lost in—preferably with a mug of cocoa—with links to order from our friends at Alley Cat Books in San Francisco and Skylight Books in Los Angeles:

Contributor Kristin Chang’s Bestiary is described by Jennifer Tseng as “a queer, transnational fairy tale whose irresistible heroine is a Taiwanese American baby dyke.”

Our poetry editor MJ Jones interviews Joy Priest in the next issue of the journal, so you should certainly read Horsepower, which The Millions calls “one of the best debuts of the year.”

Nick White calls contributor Zak Salih’s Let’s Get Back to the Party “a love letter to queer friendship and queer love”—um yes, please!

According to contributor Kazim Ali, contributor Ben Garcia’s Thrown in the Throat “has deadly superpowers.”

You can read our poetry editor MJ’s incredible interview with Arhm Choi Wild about their collection, Cut to Bloom, on our blog! These are phenomenal poems of survival and belonging that will bless your bookshelf. 

Speaking of, we have to recommend our own publications—especially our biannual journal, which (along with subscriptions) make incredible gifts! And, while you’re there, make sure to take a look at our sold-out back issues, many of which are now available as free downloadable PDFs.

Here’s wishing you the brightest and coziest of holiday seasons and the queerest new year!