Book Recommendations: Pride 2024
Happy Pride my fellow book crushers! We take pride seriously, and we read queer all year! This isn’t a grab for views or likes, this is real life for us. Being queer is an act of joy and resistance. Being queer is revolutionary. And remember rights are never freely given, the oppressed have always had to fight for a seat at the table, and as queer folks Pride is a celebration of not only who we are, but how we got to where we are – by rioting against police brutality. Protesting acts of violence and oppression will and always be championed, and as queer folks we must always stand on the side of freedom and equality for all. Free Palestine and free all oppressed folks!
Okay now that my soapbox moment is over…how about some 2024 book recs?! Most of these we haven’t read yet, but they are on the TBR for not just Pride Month but for Read Queer All Year! We have include some of our upcoming TBR books for both Young Adults and Adults. We are adults who love reading YA, but we are both so happy so many more queer adult romance books are becoming more widely available!
Pride Month Book Recs
Young Adult:
The Only Light Left Burning (All That’s Left in the World #2) by Erik J. Brown – May 28th – I love apocalyptic/post apoc books and book 1 was sooo good, and I remember thinking once I finished, that I would love to see these characters again, and viola! wish come true! (thank you HarperTeen for the finished copy)
Flawless Girls by A.M. McLemore – May 28th – Give me anything AM writes! But this one is about a secrete society and a missing sister. (thank you Fierce Reads (and Christy) for the advance copy from YallWest)
Don’t Be A Drag by Skye Quinlan – May 28th – Two rival drag kings competing for the crown – might just win each other’s hearts. (thank you Page Street YA for the advanced copy)
Furious by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos – June 11th – a sapphic romance where two teens bond over racing and especially The Fast & Furious films and navigate complicated families and grief. (thank you Page Street YA for the advanced copy)
Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron – June 25th – Return to the realm of Cinderella is Dead with this magical twist on Snow White! (thank you Bloomsbury YA for the finished copy)
In Repair by A.L. Graziadei – May 28th – I loved their debut, Icebreaker, so I know I will be reading this trans rep and I am sure it’s going to put me in my feels. (thank you Fierce Reads for the finished copy)
One Killer Problem by Justina Winans – June 4th – Funny queer murder mystery? Sounds like a good time especially for fans of Only Murders in the Building! (thank you HarperTeen for the finished copy)
Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding by Maia Kobabe & Sarah Peitzmeier – May 7th – the next graphic novel from bestselling and most banned book author of Gender Queer (a favorite), this researched back nonfiction about chest binding. So important to have this information out there!
Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise – April 23rd – Had to get a few graphic novels on the list and this one speaks to me, who wanted to be in a punk band too! (thank you to Penguin Random House for the finished copy!)
True Love and Other Impossible Odds by Christina Li – May 14th – College freshman makes an algorithm that matches your ideal partner, but what she discovers is maybe she isn’t attracted to the guy she’s matched with, but her project partner, Julia. (thank you HarperTeen for the finished copy)
Everything Glittered by Robin Talley – Sept 24th – Robin writes queer historical YA like no other, so this murder mystery set during the roaring 20s timeline is going to just be a pure delight!
Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Trials 2) by Aiden Thomas – September 3rd – The way The Sunbearer Trials ended, thinking about reading the sequel for like ever, we can’t wait! (thank you Fierce Reads (and Christy) for the advance copy from YallWest)
Adult:
Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni – May 7th – rom-com in the food related industry that finds two woman vying for a chance to win a superbowl ad at a food trade show, major rivals to lovers vibes. (thank you Berkley for the finished copy!)
The Bump by Sidney Karger – May 21st – summer road trip romance with a gay couple who are polar opposites! (thank you Berkley for the finished copy!)
Tripe Sec by TJ Alexander – June 4th – I have read quite a few of TJs books this year and of course had to get this one in time for Pride!
Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert – May 14th – a sapphic paranormal romantasy that I hear really brings the spice to the party! (thank you Berkley for the finished copy!)
Looking for Love in all the Haunted Places by Claire Kann – May 21st – hauntingly funny rom-com…you know I will be reading this one, because I love Claire’s books and I absolutely go hard for a good funny yet spooky reads in a couple of months…(cough October cough) teehee. (thank you Berkley for the finished copy!)
The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore – March 26th – a gay retelling inspired by Pretty Woman, and Steven wrote it? Sounds so good & steamy!
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell – June 18th – historical romance with trans representation and it’s beachy & sciencey! (thank you Berkley for an eARC)
The Prospects by KT Hoffman – April 8th – minor league baseball and transgender rep! Yes, please!
Second Night Stand by Karelia Stetz-Waters & Fay Stetz-Waters – May 21st – Just the whole lesbian concept of “uhauling it” wrapped up in a book, and I am here for it! Plus real life wives wrote this book together!!!
The Ride of Her Life by Jennifer Dugan – May 28th – Enemies to lovers queer romcom set on a small townfarm the city girl inherited and the grumpy horse farrier who still works there.
