Pride Month has begun just in time for summer festivities. Enjoy your time off with a book that celebrates and represents members of the LGBTQA+ community. If you’re looking for new recommendations to enjoy, here are a few.
“Middlesex”
Author: Jeffrey Eugenides
This coming-of-age story follows Calliope Stephanides and three generations of her Greek American family. With the story spanning several decades, Calliope uncovers secrets about not only her family, but of herself as well, grappling with her gender identity in an intersex body.
“Honey Girl”
Author: Morgan Rogers
Straight-A student Grace Porter has always been a high achiever, having just completed her PhD in astronomy. She has her life and future completely planned out until she goes to Vegas and drunkenly marries a woman she barely knows. With the immense pressure of her and her father’s expectations weighing her down, she decides to spend the summer in New York with her new wife.
“The Heart’s Invisible Fury”
Author: John Boyne
This 2017 novel follows Cyril Avery and his struggle as an adopted child. Cyril finds compassion and a grounding force in his friend Julian. Through this friendship and coincidence, Cyril begins to discover his background, a new country, his identity and more.
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Aristotle, a particularly angry teen, and Dante, a know-it-all, seemed like unlikely friends. As they spend more time together, they begin to understand more about each other, the bonds of their relationship and ultimately, themselves.
“The Stars and the Blackness Between Them”
Author: Junauda Petrus
The novel is told from two perspectives, 16-year-old Audre in Trinidad and 16-year-old Mabel in Minneapolis. When Audre and her father join Mabel and her dad for dinner, Mabel falls head-over-heels. As the summer goes on, their romance and relationship grows as much as it is put to the test.
“The Knockout Queen”
Author: Rufi Thorpe
Thorpe’s story takes place in the California suburbs and centers on two characters, Bunny and Michael. Bunny struggles with fitting in as she is significantly taller than her classmates and is as desperate for a boyfriend as she is to hide her father’s alcoholism. Michael hides many secrets, pretending to be straight at school but meeting up for anonymous encounters with men later in the day. When Bunny catches Michael smoking in her yard, they both discover that their lives are not what they seem to be.
Bailey Brockett can be reached at [email protected]