Perfect reads for Pride season (and beyond)
BY DIVA STAFF
Attention book lovers! Pride season is here, and this is usually the time when we give our recommendations on some great LGBTQIA+ fiction you can add to your shelves. Whether you’re reading this during June or beyond, these are some great picks to queer up your shelves.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Back in May, the bestselling author of the sapphic novel The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo made queer book lovers hearts light up with glee when she came out as bisexual.
The publishing powerhouse also opened up about the writing process of her new book, Atmosphere. The epic novel follows a sapphic love story set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program. She said: “My attraction to women is a room in the house that is my identity – Alex understood this book was about me spending time in that room. He was so excited for me, like, ‘What a great way for you to express this side of you.’ And he helped me get the book to be as romantic and beautiful as it could be.”
Maybe This Will Save Me: A Memoir Of Art, Addiction And Transformation by Tommy Dorfman
This memoir by actor, director and writer Tommy Dorfman is perfect for fans of astrology and tarot, as she tells the story of her life structured through the cards of a tarot pull she once did while seeking guidance. The 13 Reasons Why star writes about her addiction, recovery, relationships and transition with raw honesty.
While memoir lovers in the US have already had the chance to read and enjoy this one, our UK readers will not be able to get their hands on this one until 17 July.
Rosewater by Liv Little
This powerful queer love story has received the seal of approval from LGBTQIA ally Pedro Pascal.
The story follows Elsie a sexy, funny (and messy) queer woman living in South London. But she’s also tired, riddled with anxiety and spends her days writing tender poems and nights working for a minimum wage at a gay bar. There are many worries spinning in her mind, but she’s determined to stay hopeful.
Valencia by Michelle Tea
Serpent’s Tail Classics has released a special 25th anniversary edition of the America writer’s must-read coming-of-age memoir. Readers can look forward to a new foreword pennedby Maggie Nelson.
For the unaware, the book follows Micehlle who is fleeing Tuscon and her on-again-off-again ex-girlfriend when she finds herself in San Francisco’s riotously queer underbelly. The memoirist recounts her a year of her early 20s spent in a haze of nightlife, intoxication and hookups.
Yours For The Taking by Gabrielle Korn
Despite being a book about the end of civilisation and climate collapse, this story is unexpectedly hopeful and wonderfully queer and sexy. Lesbian novelist Gabrielle Korn does a masterful job at reflecting a world 25 years away from the one we currently live in. It’s an intersectional page-turner that will stay with you longer after you finish it.
Psst… Yellowjackets fans, did you know the audiobook is narrated by Jasmine Savoy Brown?
What A Girl Wants: A (True) Story Of Sexuality And Self-discovery by Roxy Bourdillon
And we can’t feature a booklist containing lots of great LGBTQIA+ memoirs without including our own editor-in-cheif’s. This one’s not just for the shes, theys and gays, but also for anyone who has ever struggled on their journey to overcoming shame and finding their people. Get ready to laugh-out-loud, get ready to cry. If you enjoy reading DIVA, you’ll love reading this.
Still looking for something to tickle your fancy? Check out some of our previous lists…
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