by Matti McLean
Looking for some new LGBTQ books for pride month? Guest writer Matti McLean is here with some fantastic recommendations! Keep reading for a list of recent LGBTQ reads that are sure to appeal to any audience!
As a queerling growing up in Northern Ontario, I was a media gremlin. I’ve always been someone who consumes media at a startling rate. I especially loved books, and adventure stories were the thing I gravitated toward most regularly.
But I never once saw myself or someone like me in the stories I read.
Why LGBTQ books matter
Queer characters were almost non-existent in the media I grew up with, and the LGBTQ books that were around were always stories about trauma, coming out, and the struggles therein.
The idea of seeing a queer character in a story about anything other than their sexual identity was unheard of. Thankfully, with the advent of small presses and the rise of “own voices” media, the breadth of queer content (and LGBTQ books in particular) has expanded beyond the traditional queer romance stories and into every genre.
As a storyteller, I’ve always aspired to create pieces that resonate. On and off stage I want to create uplifting stories that speak of queer experiences. Had I been able to read this kind of content as a lost and wandering queerling, it would have been positively transformative. I love that we can now tell our stories to the world, and that impactful LGBTQ reads can appeal to wider audiences and perhaps change minds and opinions along the way.
Roughly one in ten people identify as LGBTQ in today's day and age. Our stories still account for less than 1% of all media produced, but we are now able to tell stories in every genre from fantasy to science fiction to horror and even comedy (my own personal specialty). Without further ado, here are 10 LGBTQ reads that can spark your interest and be your next, best books for pride month!
4 epic LGBTQ books for pride month
The Sovereign, by C.L. Clark
The third book in the Magic of the Lost series, The Sovereign is an epic fantasy with complex characters and plenty of spectacle. The story touches on themes of colonialism and loss, and brings a dangerous game to a head in a satisfying conclusion. A great series for those wanting a bloody good time - and a great rec for those seeking LGBTQ reads with grand and satisfying arcs.
Who is it for: Anyone who wants LGBTQ books with epic fantasy intrigue. (Gay of Thrones!)
(Editor’s note: Don’t forget to read the first two books in the series, The Unbroken and The Faithless!)
Soul’s Blood, by Stephen Graham King
A collection of queer rogues on a sentient ship set off on a Firefly-style adventure that is exciting, emotional, and fun. The first book in the Maverick Heart series, these LGBTQ reads are full of found family and queer joy in a field that often leans into the darker elements. With themes of love, duty, and community woven in, the characters (including the light-hearted sentient ship Maverick Heart) are balanced and offer a vibrant picture of what queer life could look like when explored through a galactic lens.
Who is it for: Space explorers who like Firefly and Star Trek and want a similar escape from their books for pride month
Deficient, by Michael Solis
Deficient is set in a dystopian paradise where those with power are exalted, and those without are shunned. The story centers on Ale, a powerless individual in a world where high school stereotypes are emphasized with a superpowered coat of paint. Diving deep into the realities and relationships, Deficient walks the line between being an allegory of growing up different in a world that doesn’t want you, and being true to yourself in a world that wants people to be powerless. This fun, lighthearted adventure is ideal for readers who want LGBTQ reads that function as gay Percy Jackson-style adventures that are just as enjoyable for adults who have lived through it, too.
Who is it for: Fans of young adult LGBTQ books and dystopian superhero adventures
Grayscale, by A.E. Clarke
When caught in an unexpected powerline accident, Holly discovers that she now possesses a supernatural ability to control electricity. When her curious brother discovers this, he sets off on an adventure to make her the best superhero she can be - whether she wants it or not. A family story that focuses on generational healing, facing the past, and rising to face overwhelming odds, Grayscale is an LGBTQ book that does a great job of creating a realistic superhero origin story with compelling characters, conflict, and a delightful sense of fun.
Who is it for: Those who like family drama and coming out LGBTQ reads with an electric twist
3 haunting LGBTQ books for pride month
In the Shadow of the Ship, by Aliette de Bodard
With heavy Thai influence, In the Shadow of the Ship is a story of a woman returning to a sentient ship to uncover the truth behind childhood traumas. With ships being equal parts character and trauma stage, this piece compels her to confront her past while dealing with the disappearances that drove her from the ship in the first place. A creepy blend of science fiction and horror, this story is a great book for pride month and a great option for those looking for an engaging entrance into Aliette do Bodard’s Thai-inspired “Xuya” universe.
Who is it For: Science fiction lovers who appreciate LGBTQ reads with dash of horror
My Cat’s Guide to Online Dating, by Christian Baines
A grindr hook up gone wrong leads to a twisted series of tales about one man, his demented cat, and the remains of his ex-bully’s body. Baines has a knack for diving into the macabre and coming out with a bloody good time. Not for the squeamish, this LGBTQ read delivers a punchy series of queer in-jokes, a deliciously snarky character foil in the cat (named Grace Jones of course) and proves that just because something is gay, doesn’t mean it can’t get dark.
Who is it For: Lovers of sardonic, dark LGBTQ books with no holds barred narratives.
The Villa, Once Beloved, by Victor Manibo
The Villa, Once Beloved is a dark Gothic tale focusing on the death of a family patriarch and the falling out that happens when the mourners are gathered and trapped together. Leaning deep into family trauma and generational secrets with heavy supernatural elements and compelling drama, this book shows that sometimes the things you don’t say can have as much impact as what you do. Like LGBTQ reads that leave you wanting more? This is a tense, riveting narrative that unfolds with haunting ease and leaves a lasting impression.
Who is it for: Lovers of gothic horror LGBTQ books with classic familial drama.
3 hilarious LGBTQ books for pride month
The Lightning Struck Heart, TJ Klune
Perhaps best known for his Cerulean Sea books, TJ Klune also released a series of books under the Verania banner that are irreverent, hilarious, and bonkers. Focusing on the character Sam of the Wilds, this sarcastic and silly hero has incredible magical powers and a supreme destiny that serves as the setup for a grand adventure. With a cast of colourful characters (including the hilarious hornless unicorn Gary, who is absolutely worth the price of admission), this book left me laughing with its silly antics without ever sacrificing heart. Give it a look if you like hysterical LGBTQ books.
Who is it for: Fans of laugh-a-minute LGBTQ reads with quick, witty humour
Nine-Tenths, by J.M. Frey
A love story between a barista and a dragon with great worldbuilding and some unexpected twists. The story sets up a slow burn relationship between the pair, taking what could be a basic and expected love story and ramping it up to an elevated level that goes much further than you would expect. With themes of ownership, mythology, and romance, this book cleverly incorporates many elements that may initially seem simple, and crafts them into something more. That makes it perfect for anyone who wants engaging and heartwarming LGBTQ reads.
Who is it for: Anyone looking for LGBTQ books for pride month that offer intelligent romance and a supernatural twist
Nicky Faces Catastrophe… And Survives?!, by Matti McLean
Hey, that's me!
As someone who grew up with Monty Python and Douglas Adams, I always wanted to make people laugh. So I created the Nicky series. Equal parts nostalgia and adventure (and 100% stupid humor), the last of our 10 LGBTQ reads is both cheeky and boisterous, with a strong comedic voice. Nicky is a slacker who accidentally unleashes hordes of evil fae upon the world, and soon finds himself on a reluctant hero's journey where he must rise to fight the evil he’s released - whether he wants the job or not!
Who is it for: Silly goose people who want LGTBQ books with a humorous boost of nostalgia.
Want more books for pride month?
There are plenty more LGBTQ reads to choose from! With an ever increasing range of genres, stories, adventures, and experiences to explore, there has never been a better time to dive into LGBTQ books in any genre. Which ones have you read? And which books for pride month have we missed?
Tag us on social media to let us know about your own favorite LGBTQ reads!