2023 Pride Recommendations and New LGBTQIA+ June Releases
Representation matters. That could be the complete blog post, but then we wouldn’t have talked about books at all, and that’s no fun. We hope you’re reading books featuring queer characters and by queer authors all year long, but Pride month is a great occasion to highlight new releases and staff favorites to round out your Pride month reads. From Kids books to Romance to Literary Fiction to Non-fiction, seeing yourself represented among the pages of a book can be affirming and life-saving.
The new releases highlighted here are books that are either written by out LGBTQIA+ authors and/or featuring LGBTQIA+ characters. How each human chooses to discuss and display their sexual identity is very much their choice.
Scroll through the new releases for some additional staff favorites (new and old) to stack your TBRs for the rest of the month and beyond.
June Releases
Bookseller Recommendations
Kim’s Picks
I’m nothing if not predictable when it comes to my favorite reads so this June I would love nothing more than for you to pick up one of my favorite Queer sci-fi books. Full of fantastic LGBTQ+ representation, action and adventure, and touches of romance these 3 books have everything I want in a perfect story.
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson - Set around the idea that humanity can now travel between worlds - but only if the version of you in that other world is dead - The Space Between Worlds is not only a heck of an adventure but it tackles privilege, identity, and class all set to a will they/won't they relationship between the two MCs.
A Pale Light in the Black by K. B Wagers - The Coast Guard but for Space! This found family space opera focuses on the crew of Zuma’s Ghost as they prepare for the annual Boarding Games (a yearly competition between all the military branches), keep space safe for other travels, work to unravel a larger plot that is threatening their crew and the universe as they know it, and balance new personalities as their crew changes.
Seven Devils by Laura Lam and Elizabeth May - A princess in disguise, a ragtag team of rebels working to bring down the Empire, and plenty of battles this book is perfect for any fan of Star Wars. Also unlike me, you won't have to wait in suspense for over a year for the sequel - do yourself a favor and just grab Seven Mercies at the same time, you can thank me later.
Athena’s Picks
Pageboy by Elliot Page - Truly the best memoir I’ve read this year and the best “celebrity memoir” I’ve read in years. Page is a natural storyteller and I truly wish I could just sit and listen to him talk away. The way he weaves knowledge (whether historical or psychology) with his life experiences is just beautiful.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado - Lyrical, tear-jerking, and vulnerable. Machado encapsulates the dark corners of a toxic relationship - before, during, and after - while reflecting on the hardships of being a queer latina.
Rachel’s Picks
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrisey - I struggle to put into words how much I loved this book. The later-in-life self-discovery, the summer camp setting, the found family? There was so much to love. I grew up going to and working at summer camp, and it inspired so much nostalgia for me. It’s the perfect summer read (which is why I wanted it on the store’s summer reading guide).
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly - Kim beat me to the shelf talker about this one, but my goodness what a book. I read it in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. The self-searching, the heart, the emotions the laughs? Also, possibly the best (and most emotional) third-act break-up I’ve ever read.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz - This one was an assigned reading this past semester in my Artful Writing course as an example of emotional writing, and this one hit all the emotional highs and lows for me as I was reading. The struggles Aristotle and Dante faced in 90’s Texas are unfortunately not all that different from many being faced today - a great read for anyone struggling to figure out where they belong in this wide world.
P.S. - Obviously Red, White & Royal Blue is always an option.
These picks and new release highlights focused mainly on fiction writing. For non-fiction reads for Pride month, and many more suggestions we couldn’t fit here, be sure to check out our full 2023 Pride Month Recommendation scroller here.