Although June AKA Pride Month is over, that doesn’t mean we stop celebrating the LGBTQ community. Here are some new releases you can add to your TBR to make Pride a constant celebration!
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
What happens when a Virgo loses the control she’s cultivated over her life? Well, she drunkenly marries a woman in Las Vegas, of course! Rogers’ debut draws you in with a beautiful cover and features Grace Porter, a main character who you’ll root for as she navigates a life that suddenly doesn’t have the purpose it once did. A Book of the Month pick, this is one you’ll quickly devour.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
If you were a fan of McQuiston’s Red, White and Royal Blue, you’ve probably already read this one or got it on your TBR. This book forays into magical realism with gusto, following 23-year-old August’s move to New York. Girl meets girl on the Q line, girl falls in love with girl on the subway, girl finds out girl is stuck on the subway in some sort of time traveling loop? The beautifully written characters are what make this book stand out (especially August’s awesomely supportive roommates and friends!).
After Francesco by Brian Malloy
Back in 2002, Brian Malloy wrote The Year of Ice where he introduced the world to Kevin Doyle, an athlete coming to terms with his gay identity. Almost 20 years later, Malloy reprises Kevin for After Francesco, a novel following Kevin after the loss of his partner, Francesco, to the AIDS epidemic. After Francesco is deeply sad and tear-jerking. It is Malloy’s plea to readers to not forget how the AIDS epidemic ravaged the gay community.
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
Book of the Month sure knows how to pick’em! In Skye Falling, we’re introduced to almost-40-year-old Skye who is from West Philadelphia, but does everything she can to never be there. That all changes when she meets her biological child from the egg she donated to a friend over a decade ago. The matter is complicated even further when Skye realizes the girl’s aunt is the woman she tried to take on a date a few days ago. Skye’s character development is extremely well-written and McKenzie tackles many social issues, as a Black writer writing Black characters.
The [Un]Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez
![The [Un]Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YacVEW9D0lcGkPhmQEVH_FiUrZ_l0f-2l3vnW6dNpsR1IwNN6GSw07dzUVRb3zGJNPF2-bwY9Ep1RVKenTVY4Bc3Zwu5rxuBb-mjtuNty1jCHxML9JQmJNLlnZubDnWmM-nrUyUJ)
Jasper Sanchez’s debut novel is about a trans teen who decides to run for student body president against a candidate who spews hate. Mark’s father doesn’t accept that he is trans, and Mark struggles to be proud of who he is when everyone around him silences him. Young adult and queer, Sanchez’s debut is certainly one to pick up this year.
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
Noah Ramirez has a blog full of trans couples happily ever after stories called the Meet Cute Diary. Sounds great, right? Except for the fact that it’s all made up. When this secret is revealed, Noah goes on a mission to prove it’s real to protect his reputation. Enter the fake-dating trope! As its name suggests, this is a cute trans teen romance that will make you smile.
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
We know – we can’t stop talking about this one, and that’s because you should 100% read it. Peters’ debut follows the story of three women whose lives collide around a baby. After Reese and Amy break up, Amy “detransitions” into Ames and begins a relationship with his boss. When his boss, Katrina, ends up pregnant, Ames contacts Reese who has wanted a baby for a long time to potentially co-parent with them. Detransition, Baby is a messy and honest portrayal of womanhood.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
When I heard that this was a queer Asian-American retelling of The Great Gatsby, I was all in. Vo’s debut follows Jordan Baker who is queer, adopted and Asian in 1920s American society. This reimagined tale is long-awaited by many and for good reason. This dazzling rendition is a 2021 must-read!
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
Scottie Zajac’s ex is playing against her in the basketball game. After Scottie loses due to being distracted by this fact, she gets into a fender bender with her sworn enemy, Irene Abraham. They’re forced to carpool together and Scottie realizes Irene’s social capital could help her and her team. The fake-dating and enemies-to-lovers trope is strong in this one, and it’s a cute queer young adult read!
Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan
High schooler Zara Hossain lives in Corpus Christi, TX and faces Islamophobia at school. She keeps a low-profile, as her family’s immigration status is in danger if anything goes wrong. One day, her tormentor takes things too far. One thing leads to another, and Zara is faced with issues no high school girl should have to face. Along the way, she falls in love with Chloe and mends friendships.
