Pride month is celebrated each year during the month of June. The first Pride march was held in New York City on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Since then, this single day has grown into a nationwide, month-long series of events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Read more about Pride Month on the Library of Congress website: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/ and mark this month yourself by checking out one of these Pride books by and about LGBTQIA+ individuals:
FICTION
LESS by Andrew Sean Greer (DB 88794, LB 10273, BR 22198)
A failed novelist turning fifty is invited to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding. Instead of attending, he decides to accept every other invitation he has received, even if it means traveling the world for random, odd literary events. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Pulitzer Prize for fiction, 2018. 2017.
LIAR’S DICTIONARY by Eley Williams (DB 103312, LB 13379)
Peter Winceworth, Victorian lexicographer, is toiling away on Swansby’s multivolume Encyclopaedic Dictionary, but boredom leads him to insert fictitious entries. In the present day, Mallory, a young intern employed by the publisher, is tasked with uncovering these fake words before the work is digitized. Unrated. 2021.
HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune (DB 98951)
As a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. He is unexpectedly given a highly classified assignment: travel to a remote island orphanage where six dangerous children reside. Some strong language. 2020.
MEMORIAL by Bryan Washington (DB 101143)
Japanese American chef, Mike, and African American daycare teacher, Benson, begin reevaluating their stale relationship after Mike departs for Japan to visit his dying father and Benson is suddenly stuck with Mike’s mom, who becomes an unconventional roommate. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. 2020.
GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER by Bernadine Evaristo (DB 98756)
Twelve characters lead vastly different lives in modern Britain. From a nonbinary social media influencer to a 93-year-old woman living on a farm in Northern England, they all intersect in shared aspects of their identities, from age to race to sexuality to class. Unrated. Booker Prize. 2019.
GUNCLE by Steven Rowley (DB 103560)
It’s been years since Patrick O’Hara left behind the life of a sitcom star for retirement in Palm Springs. Now a family tragedy has left him in charge of his niece and nephew. While he has always loved being Gay Uncle Patrick, this new responsibility is overwhelming. Unrated. 2021.
NONFICTION
QUEER HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES by Michael Bronski (DB 00573)
Using numerous primary documents and literature, as well as social histories, takes the reader through the centuries, from the American Revolution’s radical challenging of sex and gender roles, to the violent and liberating 19th century, to the transformative social justice movements of the 20th century. A QUEER HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES is not so much about queer history as it is about all American history–and why it should matter to both LGBTQIA+ people and heterosexuals alike. Some strong language and explicit descriptions of sex.
HERE FOR IT: OR, HOW TO SAVE YOUR SOUL IN AMERICA: ESSAYS by Eric R. Thomas (DB 98878)
A collection of essays in which the author reflects on his experiences reconciling his Christianity with his sexuality, the exhaustion of code-switching, gaining accidental internet fame, and covering the 2016 election and its aftermath. He reexamines the meaning of “normal” and discusses how to care about an increasingly bleak future. Strong language. 2020.
SISSY: A COMING-OF-GENDER STORY by Jacob Tobia (DB 94505)
Tobia discusses their difficulties with a binary gender system while growing up as someone who did not fit the stereotypical mold for masculinity. Tobia seeks to discount the notion that all individuals can be easily sorted into the categories of “men” and “women”. Strong language and descriptions of sex. 2019.
UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle (DB 98981, LB 13258)
The author of CARRY ON, WARRIOR (DB 87208) and LOVE WARRIOR (DB 85522) suggests that trusting one’s inner voice and ignoring the world’s expectations can lead to joy and peace. She speaks of her own experiences learning to listen to herself at key moments and reclaim her true, untamed self. Strong language. Bestseller. 2020.
TOMORROW WILL BE DIFFERENT: LOVE, LOSS, AND THE FIGHT FOR TRANS EQUALITY by Sarah McBride (DB 90649)
Activist author discusses her journey as a teenager struggling with gender identity, her marriage to fellow trans individual Andy, her commitment to advocacy, and more. Examines issues such as bathroom access and healthcare, political milestones, and the historical context of the transgender movement. Bestseller. 2018.
Happy Pride Month, and happy reading!