June is here, and with it comes the vibrant celebration of Pride Month. It’s a time to honour the history, culture, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the most enriching ways to celebrate is through literature that offers diverse perspectives and voices. This Pride Month, I’ve curated a list of compelling books that promise to entertain, enlighten, and move readers. These stories, penned by talented authors, delve into themes of identity, family, love, and survival. Here’s a look at the books on my reading list this Pride Month:
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
Blurb: Twenty-six and broke, Skye didn’t think twice before selling her eggs and happily pocketing the cash. Now approaching forty, Skye moves through life entirely on her own terms, living out of a suitcase and avoiding all manner of serious relationships. But then a twelve-year-old girl shows up during one of Skye’s brief visits to her hometown of Philadelphia and tells Skye that she’s “her egg.” Skye’s life is thrown into sharp relief, and she decides that it might be time to actually try to have a meaningful relationship with another human being. Spoiler alert: It’s not easy. Told in a fresh, lively voice, this novel is a relentlessly clever, deeply moving portrait of a woman and the relationships she thought she could live without.
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
Blurb: In Northern Alberta, a queer Indigenous doctoral student steps away from his dissertation to write a novel. He is adrift, caught between his childhood on the reservation and this new life of the urban intelligentsia. Billy-Ray Belcourt’s unnamed narrator chronicles a series of encounters: a heart-to-heart with fellow doctoral student River over the mounting pressure placed on marginalised scholars; a meeting with Michael, a closeted adult from his hometown whose vulnerability and loneliness punctuate the realities of queer life on the fringe. A Minor Chorus shines much-needed light on the realities of Indigenous survival.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Blurb: Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league. So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect. Quickly realising that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.
With Teeth by Kristen Arnett
Blurb: If she’s being honest, Sammie Lucas is scared of her son. Working from home in their Florida house, she lives with one wary eye peeled on Samson, a sullen, unknowable boy who resists her every attempt to bond with him. Uncertain in her own feelings about motherhood, she tries her best while growing increasingly resentful of Monika, her confident but absent wife. As Samson grows, Sammie’s life begins to deteriorate into a mess of unruly behaviour, and her struggle to create a picture-perfect queer family unravels. When her son’s hostility finally spills over into physical aggression, Sammie must confront her role in the mess—and the possibility that it will never be clean again. Blending the warmth and wit of Arnett’s breakout hit, Mostly Dead Things, with a candid take on queer family dynamics, With Teeth is a thought-provoking portrait of the delicate fabric of family—and the many ways it can be torn apart.
Conclusion
These books offer a mosaic of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, each with its unique narrative and voice. From the humorous and heartwarming to the poignant and reflective, they cover a wide spectrum of human emotions and relationships. As we celebrate Pride Month, immersing ourselves in these stories can deepen our understanding and appreciation of the diverse lives and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Happy reading!