Pride Month 2024: Recommended Reading

In "The Great Believers" by Rebecca Makkai, the narrative alternates between two timelines: 1980s Chicago, where Yale Tishman navigates the devastation of the AIDS crisis, and 2015 Paris, where Fiona Marcus, the sister of one of Yale's deceased friends, searches for her estranged daughter. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the impact of the epidemic on a community of friends and family. Through its dual timelines, the story poignantly captures the enduring effects of the past on the present.

Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandment finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, becomes something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future. Except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. That's how war works, right?

"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller is a retelling of the Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, a companion and lover of the Greek hero Achilles. The novel explores their deep bond and love as they grow from boys into men, facing the trials of the Trojan War together. It delves into themes of love, fate, and the human cost of legendary glory, offering a poignant and intimate look at the mythic figures.

In "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune, Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, is sent to a secluded orphanage to assess six dangerous magical children and their enigmatic caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. As Linus grows closer to the children and Arthur, he begins to question his strict adherence to the rules and the true meaning of family. The novel blends fantasy and heartwarming themes to tell a story of acceptance, love, and the courage to embrace change.

"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston follows the romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry of England. Initially rivals, their animosity transforms into a secret romance that complicates their public lives and international relations. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and the courage to live authentically in the face of political and societal pressures.

"Call Me by Your Name" by André Aciman is a coming-of-age romance that chronicles the passionate and transformative summer affair between Elio, a precocious 17-year-old, and Oliver, a 24-year-old visiting scholar, in 1980s Italy. As they navigate the complexities of desire and intimacy, their relationship profoundly impacts both their lives. The novel delves into themes of love, longing, and the bittersweet nature of fleeting moments.

"All the Things We Don't Talk About" by Amy Feltman is a poignant novel that explores the intricacies of a fractured family through the perspectives of Morgan, a nonbinary teenager, and their estranged parents, Zoe and Julian. As they confront their past traumas and secrets, the family struggles to reconnect and understand each other amid life's challenges. The novel delves into themes of identity, communication, and the enduring bonds of family.

"Your Driver Is Waiting" follows Damani, a ride-share driver grappling with economic hardship, personal loss, and societal injustices. As she navigates the gig economy and her tumultuous life, she becomes entangled in a complex relationship with a wealthy, idealistic passenger, jolting her into confronting her own beliefs and struggles.

In famine-stricken 14th-century China, two children are given starkly different fates: the boy, Zhu Chongba, is destined for greatness, while his sister is fated for nothingness. When a bandit attack leaves them orphaned and Zhu Chongba succumbs to despair and dies, his sister seizes his identity to escape her own fate, entering a monastery as a male novice. Driven by her desire to survive, she navigates a harsh and perilous world, eventually taking up her brother's prophesied path to greatness and defying the constraints imposed by her original fate.

"Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe is a graphic memoir that details eir journey of self-discovery, grappling with eir identity as nonbinary and asexual. Through personal anecdotes and illustrations, the memoir explores themes of gender, sexuality, and the challenges of navigating societal expectations.

"In the Dream House" by Carmen Maria Machado is a memoir that explores her experience of an abusive same-sex relationship through a series of innovative narrative vignettes. The book uses a variety of literary styles and tropes to delve into the complexities of trauma, memory, and the nuances of queer relationships.

"A Place for Us" by Brandon J. Wolf is a memoir reflecting on the author's journey as a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting and his subsequent activism for LGBTQ+ rights and gun control. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Wolf explores themes of grief, resilience, and the fight for justice in the wake of tragedy. The memoir underscores the importance of community, identity, and the ongoing struggle for equality.

"Girls Can Kiss Now" by Jill Gutowitz is a collection of humorous and poignant essays that explore the intersections of pop culture, identity, and the author's experiences as a queer woman. Gutowitz reflects on everything from her obsession with television shows to her coming-out journey, blending wit and insight to highlight the nuances of modern queer life. The essays delve into themes of self-discovery, representation, and the impact of media on personal identity.

A collection of sharp, hilarious essays that delve into the author's personal experiences with anxiety, chronic illness, and the absurdities of everyday life. Irby's candid and witty storytelling covers a range of topics, from navigating relationships and body image to her love of pop culture and her unique perspective on adulthood. The book offers a blend of humor and vulnerability, reflecting Irby's ability to find comedy in life's most challenging moments.

In 1957, Frank Kameny, an astronomer working for the US Defense Department in Hawaii, received a summons to report immediately to Washington, D.C. The Pentagon had reason to believe he was a homosexual, and after a series of humiliating interviews, Kameny--like countless gay men and women for before him--was promptly dismissed from his government job. Unlike many others, though, he fought back. Eric Cervini tells the story of what followed in this pathbreaking history of an early champion of gay liberation.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, to Black Catholic parents, Raquel Willis felt isolated due to limited access to queer and transgender understanding. Her time at the University of Georgia, where she found the LGBTQ+ community and explored her gender, was transformative, but her father's unexpected death forced her to reevaluate her life and relationships. After coming out as trans and engaging in community organizing, Raquel emerged as a prominent Black trans activist, advocating for collective liberation and recounting her journey of growth and transformation in "The Risk It Takes to Bloom."

"Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel is a graphic memoir that delves into Bechdel's complex relationship with her father, Bruce, and her own journey of self-discovery as a lesbian. Through poignant illustrations and candid storytelling, Bechdel explores themes of family dynamics, sexual identity, and the impact of secrets and repression. The memoir navigates Bechdel's childhood memories, particularly her father's hidden homosexuality and his eventual suicide, offering a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant narrative.