Hi everyone, and Happy Pride Month! I have had the busiest two months ever, so I sincerely apologize for my extended absence. However, I've been drafting some new material and diving into some new topics that I am really excited to share with you all... starting with this post on my favorite LGBTQIA+ writings (a lot of them have screen adaptations as well... yay!). This list touches on a variety of genres all the way from Sci-Fi to Rom-Com! I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the books I've mentioned as well as your own recommendations. Happy reading!
Fantasy
The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
This story is the retelling of the Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, the god Achilles' best friend since childhood. It details the two young men growing up, growing together and growing inseparable, until their bond blossoms into something more. Achilles seems larger than life with his striking battle skills, his golden hair, his goddess mother and his - perceived - lack of vulnerability. Patroclus can only sit and wonder why this man has chosen him as his partner in battle, in life and in love. Alternatively, Achilles quietly admires Patroclus and sees him as the closest thing to his equal and oftentimes as an extension of his own body. The descriptions in this novel are phenomenal - dazzling scenes of jeweled caves, expansive battlefields, smoke and mirrored parties and an all-consuming love. Although this novel is considered a re-telling, the author explains she kept as close to historical record as possible, filling in the "what-ifs" as well as the unstated obviousness of romantic love between Achilles and Patroclus.
Pinterest | BritReadsBooks
Sci-Fi
Winter's Orbit, by Everina Maxwell
A story of complex vassal planet politics, the galactic Empire of Iskat and royalty - held together by treaties formed by marital relations between the Emperor's most-trusted family members and planetary representatives. Maxwell takes a different approach to royal marriages than most authors, in that gender does not play a role in which individuals are suitable pairings for one another. The two main characters, Prince Kiem and Count Jainan are thrust together quickly and unexpectedly after the Prince's cousin - who is also Jainan's husband - dies in a mysterious technical crash. Jainan quickly finds a substitute for his marriage in Kiem - hoping to uphold the treaty between the Iskat and his home vassal planet, Thea. Kiem is foreign to Jainan, as the prince is nothing like his cruel cousin and Jainan's deceased husband. Jainan relearns everything about what a true, equal partnership is - something he never experienced in his previous, abusive marriage. The characters in this book are so complex and well-written, I found myself heartbroken at the inner thoughts of Jainan - a man who has endured so much abuse, he is hardwired to make each action and word he produces as small as possible as to not be a burden. This juxtaposed with Kiem's outspoken, full-of-life persona is magic as Jainan discovers what it is like to be a whole person again - one who deserves love, equal rights and happiness.
Photo by me
Historical Fiction
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set during the Golden Age of Hollywood, this literary gem makes use of flashback technique, historical fiction, journalistic narration and surprise ending to craft a fast-paced tale of Hollywood legend, Evelyn Hugo. From her meager beginning as the beautiful daughter of Cuban immigrants to her rise-fall-and rise again on the Hollywood hamster-wheel of monopolizing studio greed, Evelyn's entire life is laid bare for a young magazine journalist (who was hand-picked by Evelyn herself). It could be assumed that the perpetual question of the connection between the aging movie star and the rookie journalist is the main climax, it is Evelyn's complex love life and burgeoning sexuality that captivates throughout the entire novel. Author Taylor Jenkins Reid addresses all the tough topics specifically sexual harassment, domestic violence, gender inequality, discriminatory ageism, damaging blacklisting and most poignantly, lesbian/gay issues as protagonist, Evelyn Hugo, is most definitely bisexual in a time of deep-rooted shame, concealment, and denial of homosexuality. As the quintessential Hollywood sex-symbol, there is absolutely no place for Evelyn's lifelong gay affair and true love, Celia St. James. With a complex storyline and a Netflix movie on the horizon, this is one book to devour before the film hits the screen.
Pinterest | Manon de Vries
Rom-Com
Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston
This book is pure gold. I picked it up two days after I finished it to read it again. The story follows Alex, the First Son of the United States and his journey of falling in love with his sworn enemy - Henry, the Prince of Wales. The two public figures are forced into a PR stunt after getting into a publicized, messy spat at a royal wedding. They must pretend to be best friends while spending time together on camera. One thing leads to another, and the two men realize their feelings are a bit more complex - and so begins the classic "enemies to lovers" trope. Alex's American, "ask me anything" approach clashes with the stiff upper lip attitude of his British partner and produces a relationship dynamic so sparkly it's nearly impossible to look away. While there are actual laugh out loud moments that earn the book its place as a Rom-Com, there are also some magnificent pieces of history, political undertones, scandal and so much passion between the characters that make the story much more than initially meets the eye. It also includes characters from extremely diverse backgrounds that gives the story a deep cultural dynamic.
Bonus: The novel is being adapted into an Amazon Prime movie next year, staring Taylor Zakhar Perez (The Kissing Booth), Nicholas Galitzine (Cinderella) and Uma Thurman!
Pinterest | BritReadsBooks
Young Adult
Loveless, by Alice Oseman
Loveless is a story of self-discovery, fulfillment and connection. It follows Georgia, a young girl who - deep down - knows she is different than the rest of her hormonal, teenage friends. Georgia is aromantic/asexual. Although this is a known sexuality and is the "A" in the LGBTQIA+ community, Georgia does not understand her label, at first. She loves love and the idea of romance, but is unable to connect with the actual feeling. Georgia has convinced herself that she will live a loveless life due to her aromantic tendencies. However, she finds fullfilling relationships through platonic love with those around her. If you are wanting to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community through fiction and storytelling, Alice Oseman is your author! She has two other novels dealing with complex coming-of-age topics such as sexual/gender identity as well as two novellas and one novel that are included in the universe of her Heartstopper graphic novel series (more on that next!).
Pinterest | YourWordsMyInk
Graphic Novel
Heartstopper (Volumes 1-4), by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper is a very real, representation of society's youth of today. As is typical with Oseman's work, the story has loads of queer representation in sexuality - gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, aromantic/asexual, etc. - and gender - nonbinary/genderqueer, transgender, cisgender, etc. Oseman has said time and time again the goal of the series is to portray queerness in a realistic and happy way. This is exemplified in the two main characters - highschoolers, Nick and Charlie. Rather than have them go through a typical, angsty on again/off again tragic, love disaster, Oseman opted to portray the characters in a stable relationship and has often implied that Nick and Charlie are soulmates. This being said, the novels do address more serious topics than just young love including depression, eating disorders and bullying. Oseman manages to tackle these more sinister issues in a way that is realistic, but also maintains the overall theme of the book - queer love is normal, beautiful and happy. The novels have been praised for being positive and uplifting representation of the queer community that is appropriate for all ages to engage with and discuss.
Bonus: The novel has been adapted into a Netflix show starring newbie Joe Locke and Kit Connor (Rocketman). It has already been renewed for two additional seasons!
Pinterest | Paige Schildkamp
Hi everyone, it’s me! So I just read my first queer, psychological thriller, “These Violent Delights” by the brilliant Micah Nemerever. I wanted to add it to the list of novels for Pride Month! It follows The life of Paul, a freshmen in college with a passion for biology and a strong, somewhat misguided, sense of ethics. He finds his equal in Julian - a rich, charismatic psychology student. Together, they begin an obsessive, passion-fueled relationship. It tests each boys’ limits, pushing them to carry out the ultimate act of love… something only their twisted minds could ever perceive as love.
I found myself in quite the moral quandary throughout the book. I often found myself rooting for the boys…