#PrideReads: Add these new LGBTQ+ book releases to your June reading list

We’re well into Pride Month and whether you’re a part of the community or an ally, it’s important to celebrate. Now there are a multitude of ways to celebrate Pride Month including Pride parades, Pride parties, and whatnot. One of our favourite ways, however, is delving into compelling narratives that reflect the diverse tales of the LGBTQ+ community. Books and novels have for a long time acknowledged and highlighted the untold stories of the LGBTQ+ community through inclusive storytelling. And while there is an abundance of books (believe us, you’ll never run out), here are some of the new LGBTQ+ releases of 2024 that have managed to capture our attention. Now mind you, Pride celebration should never be limited to the mere 30 days of June. But this could be a good place to start. Read on!

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture by June Thomas

Finding a place where you feel like you belong is a constant struggle for people in the queer community. According to journalist June Thomas, there are six (iconic) spaces that have, in the past 60 years, been pivotal in creating a sense of community and belonging for queer women—the lesbian bar, the softball field, the rural commune, the sex toy boutique, the vacation spot, and the feminist bookstore. Thomas uses a combination of personal anecdotes, research pieces, and interviews with pioneering women such as Elaine Romagnoli, Susie Bright, and Jacqueline Woodson to break down the historical and cultural influences of these spaces and how they dictated the formation of queer identities and led to queer liberation. 

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

If you haven’t read the bestseller prequel The Guncle, you should definitely pick that one up first. This sequel marks the return of everyone’s favourite guncle (gay uncle) Patrick O’Hara as he continues to navigate the challenges of guardianship after his brother announces he’s getting remarried in Italy. Needless to say, the children are less than thrilled about the wedding, and so O’Hara uses their trip as an opportunity to teach them about love. Will that help him fix his own love life? You’ll have to read on to find out. Filled with heartwarming moments, humour, and the occasional mishap, this one is a great read if you’re looking for an easy but entertaining read. 

Cecilia by K-Ming Chang

This short novella by K-Ming Chang proves the writer’s love for surreal storytelling, which often leans towards queer identities. The novel, narrated by a woman named Seven, centres on the bonds of female friendship, longing, and lasting memories. A cleaner at a chiropractor’s office, Seven has a chance encounter with her childhood friend (and the objection of her desires) Cecilia, first at the office and then on a bus, although both deny following each other. Their encounter spurs into a shockwave of intense memories that blurs the lines between past and present, forcing Seven to experience queerness outside the natural progression of time. 

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

Naomi Kanakia’s YA novels never fail to impress, and Just Happy to Be Here is no exception. Our protagonist, Tara, like most individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, grapples with the complexities of identity and acceptance at Ainsley Academy. Being the first openly trans woman at the prestigious all-girls school, Tara is simply happy to be there (hence, the title!). She knows all too well the challenges that lie ahead, but all Tara wants is to be accepted and judged based on her merits and capabilities rather than her identity as a trans woman. Unfortunately, she finds herself at the heart of a controversial debate on the true meaning of girlhood, led by the privileged sisterhood group called the Sibyls. Will Tara stand for what she believes in or will she fold and find a new community altogether? No spoilers here! 

The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul 

If you don’t know who RuPaul is, you’re most definitely living under a rock. The man behind the Emmy-winning television show RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul Andre Charles is a groundbreaking figure in the LGBTQ+ community and his recently released memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings tells us exactly why. Now mind you, this is not just another celebrity memoir telling us everything we already know. Instead, this intimate memoir gives us an inside look at RuPaul’s journey tracing his early life as a black queer man in a mostly white neighbourhood in San Diego, his battle with sobriety, complex family dynamics, and self-acceptance. This memoir gives readers an insightful look at the events that shaped one of the most influential figures in drag culture. 

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

Who doesn’t love a sweet, sappy, YA novel with the age-old opposites attract trope? This one by Edward Underhill follows queer teens Abby and Leo as they embark on what can only be described as a transformative trip to New York City. Both have mixed feelings about the trip of course; Abby looks forward to it with plans to confess her love to her best friend Kat while also admitting she’s gay.  Leo, on the other hand, couldn’t be more nervous about it, worried his family might find out about his trans identity. After he causes Abby to lose a gift she brought for Kat (for when she makes her grand confession) the duo are forced to spend the day together in Manhattan trying to make up for the lost gift with something much more epic! And in doing so, both Abby and Leon find themselves with a transformed perspective on both the trip and each other. 

Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin

Lead image credit: Steven Rowley, RuPaul, and K-Ming Chang.

Also read: #PrideMonth: Homegrown labels that are all about inclusivity and genderless fashion

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