Gay subjects have been central to many literary traditions. Yet crossover success are few, as are works on gay topics by straight authors. Equally, openly gay-themed books do not receive the readerships of mainstream or universal concerns. Edited by Richard Canning, and with a foreword by renowned literary critic Harold Bloom, this volume collects 50 succinct esssays by critics, public figures and authors to illuminate the essential titles that bookworms of every orientation must read. Canning tackles issues of cultural diversity, politics and what makes a work gay.