Pride Month Book Recs!

Hiya!!!

It’s June and that means it’s Pride Month!

So, of course, I am going to try to read as many of LGBTQ+ books as possible. Of course, it might not be a lot considering my RL and general busyness but I am going to do my best. I am hoping to read at least a few of those books mentioned below.

You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman

This one had been on my radar ever since Marie from Drizzle and Hurricane Books talked about it in her review of the book. It sounds amazing and the anxiety thing might just make me want to read it even more. Anytime a good anxiety rep is there, you can be sure I wanna read it. (Edit: I already read this one and it made me cry and it’s so good! So freaking good! The anxiety rep. man. )

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

This book’s synopsis reminded me a bit of Aristotle and Dante and I knew I had to check it out. I am sure it’s not like that book in every way but the overall vibe seems to be similar. Also it has some really great reviews on GoodReads as well! (Edit: I read this one as well and it’s really good! It did have a bit of Aristotle and Dante vibe but it’s different in many ways as well.)

I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

This might be the first time I am going to be reading about someone who identifies as non-binary and I wouldn’t know about the struggles that non-binary people go through and I am pretty sure that I will mostly be sad during reading this but I feel it is an important read. Also if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel then why not?

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Oh, boy. This book is making people squeal all over the bookish world and I wanna know why! From what I know, it’s cute and it’s fun and it’s full of hope and I am always up for a little hope if I am being honest. So, I wanna read it ASAP!

Milk Teeth by Amrita Mahale

A story set in the 90s in Mumbai with all the nostalgia that comes with it. Of course, I started reading it! It’s also hinted that there’s LGBT+ representation, I haven’t reached that part yet so let’s see how that goes.

Now, seeing as some of you might not have read a lot of LGBTQ+ books, I thought why not offer the essential reading recs! So, here are the books you really need to read if you wanna get into the awesomeness of this genre.

Some of the best books I have read with anything relating to anything remotely LGBTQ+ and yes, I am aware that these are mostly YA but well for now, these are the only ones I can think of at the moment. If I do remember more by the end of the month, I will definitely add more in a different post!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

An Iliad retelling from the perspective of Patroclus, this is a great coming of age tale along with Achilles and Patroclus falling for each other and their tragic tale of love. It punches quite a punch and offers a different perspective on the Trojan war in a way. I am an absolute sucker for this one and will forever claim this one as my favourite without any shame.

Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

What can I say about this one that hasn’t already been said? It’s such an amazingly written and atmospheric story about two boys, there’s such warmth to it and such an optimistic look at life despite it not being a completely happy story. All I can say is, just go and read it, okay?

Simon vs. Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Do you like oreos? Go and read this one. It’s like an oreo, there’s a sweetness to it that’s rare to find in a YA book, there’s also a bit of a reality dose to it that doesn’t make it too sugary a treat. Now I am craving oreos but you know what? There’s a film adaptation here and if you haven’t heard of it, you clearly need to read it asap!

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

An absolute fun romp through Europe with amazing cast of characters that are hilarious and painfully awkward at times. The main character feels real because he really manages to annoy me during the reading then there’s the love interest and the sister and just…everything about this is fun, fun, fun, okay?

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last few years, then you know why this is on this list. If you have been then boy, are you in for a treat! It has everything, from there’s magic, there’s lost kings, there’s love and there’s basically shipping everyone with everyone else. It’s fun, it’s heart-wrenching and it’s just gonna stay with you whether you want it to or not.

We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

There should probably be a CW and trigger warning tagged here. However if you can read it then it is something else. It has heartbreak, grief, there’s bullying, there’s loss and frankly, there’s just a whole lot of sadness mixed in with aliens and the world ending. It’s written in such a way that it grips you and does not let go until the end.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

If you thought there wouldn’t one of Oseman’s books here, then you don’t know me. Radio Silence is special to me mostly because there’s an ace rep here and there’s also so much more in there as well. It’s also on one of my all time favourites list as well. So, there’s that.

Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

Another one of those, you absolutely do know about this book! If you don’t, then you know the movie. It might not be for everyone but for those who do love or enjoyed it, know that it’s an intimate look at a crush/ love so intense it felt like it was consuming the main characters. Also, apparently there’s a sequel coming our way so we might be super lucky!

So these are the books I want to read and want to foist on unsuspecting people. That’s all. I am aware that there’s more to LGBTQ+ reading than these books but for the life of me I am not able to remember them right now so for now this list is it. There’s nothing more wonderful than seeing yourself represented in any form of media and seeing the characters struggle with the same issues you struggle with but luckily with books and other media, there’s always that hope that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and perhaps that might give you hope for your life as well if you need it. So please, read them.

I know I am far from an expert in this but it’s my little bit of offering and I hope it helps. It’s next to nothing but there were people whose recommendations really helped me get out of a dark place and I hope some of these recs also help you if you are in need of that.