I’m just 1 person who read a lot of LGBTQ+ books this month. For the past two years, I’ve made a personal reading challenge out of Pride Month, and this month was no exception. I read a few books that have been sitting on my TBR bookcases for years. I read a few books just published this year. And I read just a whole lot in general with the hopes of getting a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ representation.
I also participated in several reading challenges. I did the ReadoRama from June 6 through 12. I also participated in two local library system’s summer reading programs. I almost joined a queer lit reading challenge, but my brain just couldn’t handle that many challenges at once. Because, of course, I’m also doing an annual reading challenge through Goodreads and needed to get caught up there.
My Month of Reading
| Title | Author | Genres | My Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Later | Stephen King | Horror, Suspense, LGBTQ+ | ***** | Audio |
| Queer Icons and their Cats | Alison Nastasi, P.J. Nastasi | Nonfiction, LGBTQ+ | ***** | eBook |
| Husbands | Brad Bell, Jane Espenson, others | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | *** | eBook |
| How to Be a Movie Star | T.J. Klune | Fiction, LGBTQ+ | **** | Audio |
| Camp | Lev A.C. Rosen | ***** | Audio | |
| Teleny and Camille | Jon Macy | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | **** | |
| Canada | Norah Myers | Nonfiction | *** | |
| Cemetery Boys | Aiden Thomas | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | ***** | Audio |
| Lila and Hadley | Kody Keplinger | Middle Grade Fiction, LGBTQ+ | **** | Audio |
| Sticky | Dale Lazarov & Steve MacIsaac | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | **** | |
| The Magic and Mystery of Trees | Jen Green | Picture Book | ***** | |
| The Old Guard Book Two: Force Multiplied | Greg Rucka | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | ***** | |
| Gmorning, Gnight! Little Pep Talks from Me to You | Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jonny Sun | Nonfiction | ***** | Reread |
| Release | Patrick Ness | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | **** | Audio |
| Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | ***** | Audio |
| A Cup of Light | Pam Baxter | Picture Book, Nonfiction | ***** | |
| The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali | Sabina Khan | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | **** | Audio |
| Conventionally Yours | Annabeth Albert | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | **** | Audio |
| Where’s Stig? | Top Gear | Picture Book | *** | |
| Ramona Blue | Julie Murphy | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | ***** | Audio |
| Heavy Vinyl Vol 1: Riot on the Radio | Carly Usdin | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | **** | eBook |
| Heavy Vinyl: Y2K-O! | Carly Usdin | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | **** | eBook |
| The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause | James Tynion IV | Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+ | **** | eBook |
| As Far As You’ll Take Me | Phil Stamper | Young Adult, LGBTQ+ | ***** | Audio |
Total: 24 books read
My favorite book this month was hard to choose, but I think Like a Love Story wins that title. Being thrown back in time to the ’80s was great, especially with all the Madonna love. But seeing it through the filter of these characters dealing with the fear and reality of HIV and AIDS was done so well. The story doesn’t stray from tough subjects, and I really respect that, even when it made me ugly cry. The author did an amazing job of making me feel for every character, even ones I thought I wouldn’t like at the beginning. The ending made me feel angry and outraged, but I think that was probably the point. Excellent writing.
Photo by Agustin Gunawan on Unsplash