It’s time for my favorite month of the whole year!
As you may know already (or not), June is Pride Month when we celebrate all the letters of the LGBTQ+ family. We get to show the world that every person’s sexuality and gender is valid and that all of us deserve love and respect.
We at Read2Write read a lot of queer books as they help us connect with our queer readers. I personally am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, which is why most of the books I read these days have queer elements. We used to have specific genres like gay romance, lesbian romance, and that was pretty much it. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Many of today’s books – in all sorts of genres – have queer elements, which is exactly what my bisexual little heart has always wanted. It means so much to read about people like me; people who just want to exist and love in the same world without prejudice; people who go on adventures that are just as fun and magical as their straight counterparts.
Today I’m going to give you a list of our top picks of queer books that are wide ranging in genres and representation. Most of them were recently published.
So happy Pride Month, dear friends, and happy reading!
Quite simply, this unforgettable retelling of the myth of Icarus is one of a kind. It’s about Icarus Gallagher, an art thief, and his love for the son of the man he steals from. The story explores the feud between two families and the sons trying to escape the gilded cages of their fathers. If you like The Wicker King and The Song of Achilles, then you’ll probably love this novel. It’s deservedly one of the most anticipated books of the year.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
In this Mexican-inspired fantasy, ten semidioses (demigods) compete in a high-stakes competition called The Sunbearer Trials. Teo, son of the goddess of birds, isn’t worried. As a Jade, it’s unlikely he’ll be chosen to compete, and even if his best friend Niya takes part, she’s a born-and-bred Gold semidiós with unparalleled abilities. But for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors: Teo – and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. With the odds stacked against them, Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed. Just like Cemetery Boys, Aiden Thomas’ other book, the main character in The Sunbearer Trials is trans, which makes for a very relatable and interesting hero.
Gwen And Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
Gwen, a Princess of England, and Art, a future Lord, were betrothed to be married from the day they were born. Unfortunately they can’t stand each other! However, things change when they discover one another’s secrets: Art loves boys while Gwen has an inkling for girls. To protect their secrets, the couple pretend to fall in love. But as love with their significant others grow, how will they keep up the ruse? This book is a hilarious and heartfelt historical romp. If you want something funny and light, that’s also undeniably queer and important, then this novel is for you.
The Last Boyfriend Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard
Three guys plot revenge against their ex boyfriends by starting a full-on rebellion on TikTok. This funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story makes you realize that revenge isn’t the only force that drives you. It’s about fighting against oppression in small towns; opening the minds of young people; finding where you belong and who your people are. This is such a stunning debut that I highly recommend it to young adults.
Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O’Connell
Elliott is a TV writer whose seemingly perfect life is buried under a creative block and too much alcohol. There’s also his cerebral palsy, which makes him feel lower than low. When River, the gorgeously wonderful sex worker appears on the scene, Elliott’s world is turned upside down. A funny and sexy examination of queerness, disability, feeling comfortable in your own skin, and letting others in.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
When Ben comes out as nonbinary, everything goes wrong. They go to live with their older sister and start a new school, where charismatic student Nathan takes them under his wing. Suddenly, everything is not such a big disaster as Ben finally has a chance at a happy life…the one they deserve. A sweet and gentle story about a nonbinary teen discovering themself while finding happiness and love.
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Yami is the only Mexican girl in a new, mostly white, Catholic school, and oh yeah, she’s also gay. As she doesn’t want to stand out, she keeps her queerness a secret but then… uh, oh, she’s falling in love again! Pretending to be straight is getting harder when the only openly queer girl is incredibly smart and very cute. This is such a sweet book, it’s like a queer hug you’ve been needing.
The Boy with a Bird in His Chest by Emme Lund
Owen has a bird in his chest. To stop the world from discovering his secret, Owen’s mother keeps him at home. But after a decade of living in isolation, he steps outside and his life completely changes. Owen leaves his home and moves to Washington to join his uncle and cousin, where he not only feels accepted but believes he can have a life the way he is. A remarkable book of magical realism and queerness.
Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White (To Be Published on July 2, 2024)
Sixteen-year-old Benji is a trans boy raised in a fundamentalist cult that unleashed Armageddon. He’s desperately looking for a place where the cult can’t find him and get their hands on the bioweapon they infected him with. When Benji is cornered by monsters born from the destruction, a group of queer teenagers come to his rescue. Nick, their autistic leader, knows the deadly bioweapon is mutating Benji into a monster that could wipe out humanity for good. With his own hidden agenda, Nick offers Benji shelter even though he’s also hiding a few secrets of his own! Can you accept the monster within and fight the oppressors?
Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor
Paul, a bartender in a gay club, studies queer theory and has a rich dating life. He also has a secret…he’s a shapeshifter! Paul is a shapeshifter who can transform his body at will into any kind of persona, whether it be feminine, masculine, or something in between. This book is a queer masterpiece that’s also an epic journey through self-discovery.
We hope you’ll enjoy these amazing books! You can find more queer book recommendations here.
Have fun everybody!
