This Queer Book Saved My Life
@thisqueerbook.com
2024 GLAAD Media Award nominee for Outstanding Podcast. LGBTQ guests share the queer books that saved their lives. Posts by Exe. Producer Jim Pounds. Unless signed by host @jpderboghossian. Listen: podfollow.com/thisqueerbook
Bobbie Smith brought his extraordinary life story to a discussion of the book, Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton. Although a friend, I had never heard Bobbie's full story which is remarkable. He is a recovering Mormon and yes, his last name is significant. A must listen!
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
Coming Out with Bobbie Smith
Props designer Bobbie Smith shares the queer book that saved his life: Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton.
thisqueerbook.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Bobbie Smith brought his extraordinary life story to a discussion of the book, Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton. Although a friend, I had never heard Bobbie's full story which is remarkable. He is a recovering Mormon and yes, his last name is significant. A must listen!
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
Neil Laird brought us the incredible story of The Satyricon by Caius Petronius Arbiter around 99 AD. It is part of our remarkable history that has been kept from us. Denied. Straight Washed. Personally, I felt proud to have this new insight. I'm hungry for more !
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
The Satyricon with Neil Laird
Filmmaker and author Neil Laird shares the queer book that saved his life: The Satyricon by Petronius.
thisqueerbook.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Neil Laird brought us the incredible story of The Satyricon by Caius Petronius Arbiter around 99 AD. It is part of our remarkable history that has been kept from us. Denied. Straight Washed. Personally, I felt proud to have this new insight. I'm hungry for more !
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
AJ Writer gave us this great episode about Casey McQuiston's book, One Last Stop. I think most people know another of Casey's books, Red White & Royal Blue. It was a really good conversation. I wish Casey had been able to join. Please recommend to your Trans friends
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
One Last Stop with AJ Writer
Aj Writer shares the queer book that saved their life: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston.
thisqueerbook.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:38 PM
AJ Writer gave us this great episode about Casey McQuiston's book, One Last Stop. I think most people know another of Casey's books, Red White & Royal Blue. It was a really good conversation. I wish Casey had been able to join. Please recommend to your Trans friends
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
Robin Jeffrey brought us the science fiction classic Stars in My Pocket-Samuel Delaney. Robin is a well know author in her own right & you can tell from this convo that John appreciates sci fi as well. This book was published in 1984. Recommend to a fan of the genre
thisqueerbook.com/stars-in-my-...
thisqueerbook.com/stars-in-my-...
Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand with Robin Jeffrey
Today we meet Robin Jeffrey and we’re talking about the book that saved her life: Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand by Samuel R. Delaney.
thisqueerbook.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Robin Jeffrey brought us the science fiction classic Stars in My Pocket-Samuel Delaney. Robin is a well know author in her own right & you can tell from this convo that John appreciates sci fi as well. This book was published in 1984. Recommend to a fan of the genre
thisqueerbook.com/stars-in-my-...
thisqueerbook.com/stars-in-my-...
More listeners please!
Dean Backus brought us the classic Harriet the Spy. Do you know this book has been mentioned by more people as a pivotal book while they were growing up? Louise Fitzhugh was the author. In these supremely difficult times, Harriet is a balm
thisqueerbook.com/harriet-the-...
Dean Backus brought us the classic Harriet the Spy. Do you know this book has been mentioned by more people as a pivotal book while they were growing up? Louise Fitzhugh was the author. In these supremely difficult times, Harriet is a balm
thisqueerbook.com/harriet-the-...
Harriet the Spy with Dean Backus - This Queer Book Saved My Life!
Today we meet Dean Backus and we’re talking about the queer book that saved his life: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.
thisqueerbook.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
More listeners please!
Dean Backus brought us the classic Harriet the Spy. Do you know this book has been mentioned by more people as a pivotal book while they were growing up? Louise Fitzhugh was the author. In these supremely difficult times, Harriet is a balm
thisqueerbook.com/harriet-the-...
Dean Backus brought us the classic Harriet the Spy. Do you know this book has been mentioned by more people as a pivotal book while they were growing up? Louise Fitzhugh was the author. In these supremely difficult times, Harriet is a balm
thisqueerbook.com/harriet-the-...
Max Yeshaye Brumberg-Kraus brought us The Once & Future King- T.H.White. They are an author of 2 books & the discussion of this book is intelectually fascinating. A biographer of White concluded that he was Gay & it is interesting how we see ourselves in coded ways
thisqueerbook.com/the-once-and...
thisqueerbook.com/the-once-and...
The Once and Future King with Max Yeshaye Brumberg-Kraus - This Queer Book Saved My Life!
Today we meet author Max Yeshaye Brumberg-Kraus who shares the queer book that saved their life: The Once and Future King by T.H. White.
thisqueerbook.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Max Yeshaye Brumberg-Kraus brought us The Once & Future King- T.H.White. They are an author of 2 books & the discussion of this book is intelectually fascinating. A biographer of White concluded that he was Gay & it is interesting how we see ourselves in coded ways
thisqueerbook.com/the-once-and...
thisqueerbook.com/the-once-and...
The Hours-Michael Cunningham became one of John's favorite films. Samantha Mann's an excellent author and she gave a great episode. We regret that Michael declined to join us but sometimes that makes the guest shine because they realize it is up to them to open our minds
thisqueerbook.com/the-hours/
thisqueerbook.com/the-hours/
The Hours with Samantha Mann
Today we meet Samantha Mann and we’re talking about the queer book that saved her life: The Hours by Michael Cunningham.
thisqueerbook.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:18 PM
The Hours-Michael Cunningham became one of John's favorite films. Samantha Mann's an excellent author and she gave a great episode. We regret that Michael declined to join us but sometimes that makes the guest shine because they realize it is up to them to open our minds
thisqueerbook.com/the-hours/
thisqueerbook.com/the-hours/
I think we can agree that Eric Marcus is one of the most famous podcasters in the LGBTQ space as the host & producer of Making Gay History. He brought us Consenting Adult by Laura Z. Hobson. We don't play the star ******* game. Eric is the real deal. Have a listen!
thisqueerbook.com/consenting-a...
thisqueerbook.com/consenting-a...
Consenting Adult with Eric Marcus
Today we meet Eric Marcus and we’re talking about the book that saved his life: Consenting Adulty by Laura Z. Hobson.
thisqueerbook.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:56 PM
I think we can agree that Eric Marcus is one of the most famous podcasters in the LGBTQ space as the host & producer of Making Gay History. He brought us Consenting Adult by Laura Z. Hobson. We don't play the star ******* game. Eric is the real deal. Have a listen!
thisqueerbook.com/consenting-a...
thisqueerbook.com/consenting-a...
I love this episode where an LGBT bookstore owner joins us from CO and the author of her book joins us from NEW ZEALAND! The book is Dare, Truth or Promise and the author is Paula Boock. I was jealous of Paula then. Imagine my longing now! A great bookstore episode!
thisqueerbook.com/dare-truth-p...
thisqueerbook.com/dare-truth-p...
Dare Truth or Promise with Stephanie Beardslee and Paula Boock - This Queer Book Saved My Life!
Today we meet Stephanie Beardslee who shares the queer book that saved her life: Dare Truth or Promise by Paula Boock. And Paula joins us!
thisqueerbook.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I love this episode where an LGBT bookstore owner joins us from CO and the author of her book joins us from NEW ZEALAND! The book is Dare, Truth or Promise and the author is Paula Boock. I was jealous of Paula then. Imagine my longing now! A great bookstore episode!
thisqueerbook.com/dare-truth-p...
thisqueerbook.com/dare-truth-p...
I admired this episode featuring TJ Semmerling: The Deviant's War by Eric Cervini. Most of the stories on this podcast are highly personal. This was a professional story & is utterly compelling. Our people have contributed in some huge & often unappreciated ways
thisqueerbook.com/the-deviants...
thisqueerbook.com/the-deviants...
The Deviant's War with Tim Jon Semmerling
Tim Jon Semmerling shares the queer book that saved his life: The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America by Eric Cervini.
thisqueerbook.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:45 PM
I admired this episode featuring TJ Semmerling: The Deviant's War by Eric Cervini. Most of the stories on this podcast are highly personal. This was a professional story & is utterly compelling. Our people have contributed in some huge & often unappreciated ways
thisqueerbook.com/the-deviants...
thisqueerbook.com/the-deviants...
Here's an oldie & a goodie! The first episode we ever recorded but not the first released. Neil Aasve was our guest & Bill Burleson is the author of Bi America. These are the only two Bi men we have had on the show to my knowledge. Odd because there are so many!
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/bi-a...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/bi-a...
What it means to have a bi community with Neil Aasve and William Burleson - This Queer Book Saved My Life!
Welcome to our LGBT podcast This Queer Book Saved My Life! In this episode, we talk with fundraiser and philanthropist Neil Aasve (he/him) about the LGBT book Bi America: Myths Truths and Struggles of...
thisqueerbook.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Here's an oldie & a goodie! The first episode we ever recorded but not the first released. Neil Aasve was our guest & Bill Burleson is the author of Bi America. These are the only two Bi men we have had on the show to my knowledge. Odd because there are so many!
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/bi-a...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/bi-a...
On this Sunday I am going back to a 2nd season episode that some think is overly religious. I'm not a religious person & I see it as questioning religion. What do you think? I am only aware of 2 religious leaders who have shown leadership: Mariann Budde & the Pope
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/oran...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/oran...
God Cares About The Most Marginalized Bodies with Shannon TL Kearns
In this episode we’re talking with the Reverend Shannon TL Kearns about Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson.
thisqueerbook.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:11 PM
On this Sunday I am going back to a 2nd season episode that some think is overly religious. I'm not a religious person & I see it as questioning religion. What do you think? I am only aware of 2 religious leaders who have shown leadership: Mariann Budde & the Pope
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/oran...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/oran...
SO proud to start 2026 by announcing our newest Associate Producer Karsten Vagner!
Associate Producers not only invest financially in our podcast, but they also provide valuable input at our quarterly AP meetings. Thank you so much Karsten for your support! We look forward to working with you. 🌈📚🎙️
Associate Producers not only invest financially in our podcast, but they also provide valuable input at our quarterly AP meetings. Thank you so much Karsten for your support! We look forward to working with you. 🌈📚🎙️
January 2, 2026 at 7:32 PM
SO proud to start 2026 by announcing our newest Associate Producer Karsten Vagner!
Associate Producers not only invest financially in our podcast, but they also provide valuable input at our quarterly AP meetings. Thank you so much Karsten for your support! We look forward to working with you. 🌈📚🎙️
Associate Producers not only invest financially in our podcast, but they also provide valuable input at our quarterly AP meetings. Thank you so much Karsten for your support! We look forward to working with you. 🌈📚🎙️
On this first day of 2026, I am focusing on an episode that featured a book from 88 years ago. Lauren Sanders brings us Nightwood by Djuna Barnes. Our history has been straightwashed for centuries but here is a moment filled with coded language to savor. Recommended!
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
Nightwood with Lauren Sanders
Props designer Bobbie Smith shares the queer book that saved his life: Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton.
thisqueerbook.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:20 PM
On this first day of 2026, I am focusing on an episode that featured a book from 88 years ago. Lauren Sanders brings us Nightwood by Djuna Barnes. Our history has been straightwashed for centuries but here is a moment filled with coded language to savor. Recommended!
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
Looking for 3 more followers! ellie Krug brought us the book, She's Not There in Season 1. Jennifer Finney Boylan joined the conversation and it was fascinating to hear. ellie has just released her second book. ellie is host of The Illegal Trans Woman on KTNF-AM.
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/shes...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/shes...
I'm so lucky I was able to be brave with ellie krug and Jennifer Finney Boylan - This Queer Book Saved My Life!
Welcome to our LGBT podcast This Queer Book Saved My Life! In this episode, we talk with idealist, legal advocate, and author ellie krug (she/her) about the LGBT book She’s Not There by Jennifer Finne...
thisqueerbook.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Looking for 3 more followers! ellie Krug brought us the book, She's Not There in Season 1. Jennifer Finney Boylan joined the conversation and it was fascinating to hear. ellie has just released her second book. ellie is host of The Illegal Trans Woman on KTNF-AM.
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/shes...
thisqueerbook.com/podcast/shes...
More followers please! Our latest is Neil Laird who brought us The Satyricon by Gaius Petronius. No, I'm not kidding. In ad63. It is an amazing conversation & when we say we don't know our full history because it has been repressed, we are not kidding around. Listen!
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
The Satyricon with Neil Laird
Filmmaker and author Neil Laird shares the queer book that saved his life: The Satyricon by Petronius.
thisqueerbook.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
More followers please! Our latest is Neil Laird who brought us The Satyricon by Gaius Petronius. No, I'm not kidding. In ad63. It is an amazing conversation & when we say we don't know our full history because it has been repressed, we are not kidding around. Listen!
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
thisqueerbook.com/the-satyricon/
Two more followers please! AJ Writer came to us with One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. Sound familiar? She wrote Red, White and Royal Blue! This is the second time a guest has brought us NOT the most popular book by an author but ANOTHER book by a popular author.
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
One Last Stop with AJ Writer
Aj Writer shares the queer book that saved their life: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston.
thisqueerbook.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Two more followers please! AJ Writer came to us with One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. Sound familiar? She wrote Red, White and Royal Blue! This is the second time a guest has brought us NOT the most popular book by an author but ANOTHER book by a popular author.
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
thisqueerbook.com/one-last-stop/
More followers please!
Lauren Sanders brought us the book Nightwood by Djuna Barnes from 1936. The thought of that just stops me in my tracks. The risks seem monumental and yet she did it.
I highly recommend this episode to you and your friends who need to know about it
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
Lauren Sanders brought us the book Nightwood by Djuna Barnes from 1936. The thought of that just stops me in my tracks. The risks seem monumental and yet she did it.
I highly recommend this episode to you and your friends who need to know about it
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
Nightwood with Lauren Sanders
Props designer Bobbie Smith shares the queer book that saved his life: Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton.
thisqueerbook.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM
More followers please!
Lauren Sanders brought us the book Nightwood by Djuna Barnes from 1936. The thought of that just stops me in my tracks. The risks seem monumental and yet she did it.
I highly recommend this episode to you and your friends who need to know about it
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
Lauren Sanders brought us the book Nightwood by Djuna Barnes from 1936. The thought of that just stops me in my tracks. The risks seem monumental and yet she did it.
I highly recommend this episode to you and your friends who need to know about it
thisqueerbook.com/nightwood/
You won't believe Bobbie Smith's story & his discussion of the book Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton. Yes, Danielle Steel wrote some tripe with the same title but this book helped a young man who was a victim of the Mormon Church to find his footing & survive that cult.
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
Coming Out with Bobbie Smith
Props designer Bobbie Smith shares the queer book that saved his life: Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton.
thisqueerbook.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
You won't believe Bobbie Smith's story & his discussion of the book Coming Out by Wallace Hamilton. Yes, Danielle Steel wrote some tripe with the same title but this book helped a young man who was a victim of the Mormon Church to find his footing & survive that cult.
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
thisqueerbook.com/coming-out/
I think this episode w/ Caro De Robertis is so important.
I tend to focus on the cruelty in this country. This episode reminds me that our siblings in other nations are in so much MORE danger. I would like to see Caro be recognized for her humanity by you listening
thisqueerbook.com/notes-of-a-c...
I tend to focus on the cruelty in this country. This episode reminds me that our siblings in other nations are in so much MORE danger. I would like to see Caro be recognized for her humanity by you listening
thisqueerbook.com/notes-of-a-c...
Notes of a Crocodile with Caro De Robertis
Caro De Robertis shares the queer book that saved their life: Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin, translated by Bonnie Huie.
thisqueerbook.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I think this episode w/ Caro De Robertis is so important.
I tend to focus on the cruelty in this country. This episode reminds me that our siblings in other nations are in so much MORE danger. I would like to see Caro be recognized for her humanity by you listening
thisqueerbook.com/notes-of-a-c...
I tend to focus on the cruelty in this country. This episode reminds me that our siblings in other nations are in so much MORE danger. I would like to see Caro be recognized for her humanity by you listening
thisqueerbook.com/notes-of-a-c...
5 more followers please. Most of us don't know a lot about asexuality. Yet it is part of our rainbow. This episode is an excellent discussion of the topic framed around the Alice Oseman book Loveless. She of Heartstopper fame. This will raise your IQ on the subject!
thisqueerbook.com/loveless/
thisqueerbook.com/loveless/
Loveless with Jake Mier
In this episode, we meet Jake Mier and talk about the book that saved their life: Loveless by Alice Oseman.
thisqueerbook.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
5 more followers please. Most of us don't know a lot about asexuality. Yet it is part of our rainbow. This episode is an excellent discussion of the topic framed around the Alice Oseman book Loveless. She of Heartstopper fame. This will raise your IQ on the subject!
thisqueerbook.com/loveless/
thisqueerbook.com/loveless/
Kim Hines gave a passionate case for James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time & taught us a bit about Minneapolis' sketchy history w/busing. Kim's a playwright & director in her own right. Disquieting to me but totally valid is the idea that her black identity comes first
thisqueerbook.com/the-fire-nex...
thisqueerbook.com/the-fire-nex...
The Fire Next Time with Kim Hines
In this episode, we meet Kim Hines and talk about the book that saved her life: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.
thisqueerbook.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Kim Hines gave a passionate case for James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time & taught us a bit about Minneapolis' sketchy history w/busing. Kim's a playwright & director in her own right. Disquieting to me but totally valid is the idea that her black identity comes first
thisqueerbook.com/the-fire-nex...
thisqueerbook.com/the-fire-nex...
7 more followers please!
Joel Freedman brought us the book Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood. He told us the book was a cautionary tale for him about how NOT to live his life. This is the second guest who has taken this tactic. This will be nostalgic for some.
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
Joel Freedman brought us the book Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood. He told us the book was a cautionary tale for him about how NOT to live his life. This is the second guest who has taken this tactic. This will be nostalgic for some.
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
Good Times/Bad Times with Joel Freedman
Joel Freedman shares the queer book that saved his life: Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood
thisqueerbook.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
7 more followers please!
Joel Freedman brought us the book Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood. He told us the book was a cautionary tale for him about how NOT to live his life. This is the second guest who has taken this tactic. This will be nostalgic for some.
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
Joel Freedman brought us the book Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood. He told us the book was a cautionary tale for him about how NOT to live his life. This is the second guest who has taken this tactic. This will be nostalgic for some.
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
Still looking for six more followers. Rex Ogle brought us the book Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. It is a really great episode and I highly recommend it. Rex is a successful author in his own right. I highly recommend this episode to you. Life is messy
thisqueerbook.com/running-with...
thisqueerbook.com/running-with...
Running With Scissors with Rex Ogle
Today we meet author Rex Ogle and we’re talking about the book that saved his life: Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.
thisqueerbook.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Still looking for six more followers. Rex Ogle brought us the book Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. It is a really great episode and I highly recommend it. Rex is a successful author in his own right. I highly recommend this episode to you. Life is messy
thisqueerbook.com/running-with...
thisqueerbook.com/running-with...
Joel Freedman brought us Good Times/Bad Times not because he loved the book but because it was a cautionary tale for him. That is the second guest who has seen the show in that respect. Books have the power to instruct as well as the power to warn This is a good one
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
Good Times/Bad Times with Joel Freedman
Joel Freedman shares the queer book that saved his life: Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood
thisqueerbook.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Joel Freedman brought us Good Times/Bad Times not because he loved the book but because it was a cautionary tale for him. That is the second guest who has seen the show in that respect. Books have the power to instruct as well as the power to warn This is a good one
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...
thisqueerbook.com/good-times-b...