Contributed by Gillion Machota
As many of you know, June is Pride Month and what better way to celebrate diversity than reading some of the fantastic LGBTQ+ books that have been published! From Will Grayson, Will Grayson by the ever-popular John Green to Julie Murphy’s recent release Ramona Blue, here are seven books for you to check out!
Drag Teen by Jeffery Self | Goodreads
This super quick read is all about drag teens! Drag Teen is Self’s second young adult novel and follows a boy named JT who’s been denied every scholarship he’s applied for so he can make it to college. But when his boyfriend Seth finds a drag teen race granting the winner a scholarship, JT isn’t so sure about it. JT, Seth and their friend Heather all go on a trip to New York City for a fun adventure, and with this book being less than 300 pages, it makes for a fun and one heck of a read!
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan | Goodreads
Guess who our main characters are? Will Grayson, but times two. This novel is about two boys with the exact same name who meet and strike up a friendship, plus a few extra sparks! Published back in 2010, there has been no rumours about a movie yet, despite every other John Green novel has been adapted into a film. However, a companion novel was released two years ago titled Hold Me Closer: A Tiny Cooper Story by David Levithan.
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst | Goodreads
This book was featured in the December Owlcrate, which is a book subscription box, and people have been eating it up since then! The novel follows Princess Dennaleia who is supposed to get married to a prince, but instead she falls in love with a huntress named Mare instead. This is Coulthurst’s debut novel and after its big success, she’s already working on another two books!
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli | Goodreads
Also a debut novel for Becky Albertalli, Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda has been widely received by many after its publication in 2015. With it currently set to be released as a film next year starring Thirteen Reasons Why‘s Katherine Langford and Miles Heizer along with Colton Haynes, Nick Robinson and Jennifer Garner, this is one book you definitely need to check out! The novel sees Simon outed to his whole class after an email he sends falls into the wrong hands and becomes blackmailed by a classmate. Albertalli’s recently released second novel, The Upside of Unrequited, is as much of a hit as her first.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel | Goodreads
You may know this comic because of the Tony Award-winning musical sharing the same name. Well it was a book first! Fun Home follows Bechdel’s life growing up as she questions her own sexuality, but doesn’t know her father is also in the closet.
Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy | Goodreads
Remember Dumplin? This is the same author with a brand-new story! Ramona has always loved girls, but when she finds an old swimmer friend, she starts questioning whether or not if she just likes girls or not. Ramona Blue came out last month and has been widely praised by the book community.
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera | Goodreads
Adam Silvera certainly has a way with words and his latest novel was published at the start of this year. History Is All You Left Me follows Griffin. After his first boyfriend Theo left him in pursuit of his dreams and a new boy named Jackson, Griffin believed the two would be together again one day but he soon learns Theo has suddenly passed away. After his death, Griffin finds himself uncertain about life and makes a new connection… with Jackson. This novel is a heartbreaking contemporary which will have you shedding a tear, or a river.
Didn’t see your favourite LGBTQIA+ novel? Tell us your favourite one down below!
