The 2021 Pride Reading List: 75 New Books to Read Now

Posted by Cybil on June 1, 2021


It's June, which means it's time to celebrate Pride month in honor of the LGBTQ+ community! This year, we wanted to highlight the hot-off-the-presses new queer books from both beloved authors and rising star debut writers alike. All of these books have been published in the U.S. from the beginning of the year through June and are ready to be added to your Want to Read shelf

You'll see we divided these books into adult fiction, young adult fiction, and nonfiction categories. And within these categories you'll find a wealth of genres, topics, and voices to fit every reading mood. Scroll over the covers below to learn more about each book. Happy Pride!
 

Adult Fiction

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Young Adult Fiction

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Nonfiction

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Do you have a great Pride Month reading recommendation? Share it with your fellow readers in the comments below!

Check out more recent articles:
Readers' Most Anticipated Books of June
C.L. Clark's Recommendations for LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction
Casey McQuiston Welcomes Readers Aboard New Time-Slip Romance

Comments Showing 1-50 of 55 (55 new)


message 1: by Samiksha (new)

Samiksha Bhattacharjee Can't wait to read these!


message 2: by Jeremy Norman (new)

Jeremy Norman Living and Loving in the Age of AIDS: A Memoir

Do read this extraordinary book. It is heart wrenching but ultimately a triumph of love over death. It is a dancing love letter from Derek to his husband.


noorthebookworm 🌈⚘


message 4: by Bob (new)

Bob Marshall I have just read 2 books which might be included on your list.
Beneath the Streets is a fictionalised version of the Jeremy Thorpe / Norman Scott affair, by Adam McQueen. It is so convincing I thought the author must have been part of the London Gay Scene in the mid 70's. (I was surprised to read at the end that he was born after the events described.)
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth is not an easy read because of its immense length. Indian authors don't do sex (and when they do, e.g. Salman Rushdie, it is so bad you wish they hadn't bothered) but there is clearly a homosexual relationship between Maan Kapur and Firoz Khan (the book is about love across boundaries of religion and caste, sex between 2 men was illegal before 2018).


message 5: by Yeoul (new)

Yeoul Wanna read ‘Indivisible’


message 6: by Candie (new)

Candie House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune


message 7: by Christopher (new)

Christopher Calcara If you'd enjoy a Gay Thriller, try my book SQUEALER: Growing Up Gay the Catholic Italian Way


message 9: by Maggie (new)

Maggie Walsh Jeremy Norman wrote: "Living and Loving in the Age of AIDS: A Memoir

Do read this extraordinary book. It is heart wrenching but ultimately a triumph of love over death. It is a dancing love letter from ..."


Thank you for that recommendation. It looks like a great read 👍


message 10: by Carol (last edited Jun 02, 2021 10:06AM) (new)

Carol Amy Lane's " Fish Out of Water" series..(6 books)...features two of the warmest most adorable guys you have ever met. Also Scotty Cade writes some really good books especially his Bissonet & Cruzs books, as does Annabeth Albert.. especially her "Out of Uniform" series. I also love Andrew Grey's books. Charlie Adhara's "Big Bad Wolf series was also excellent. Shira Anthony's Blue Notes" (6 books), is very worth while. Just some of my favorites.


message 11: by Mark (new)

Mark Alexander Anyone know of any LGBT+ (preferably m/m) horror books?


Marc *Dark Reader of the Woods* Mark wrote: "Anyone know of any LGBT+ (preferably m/m) horror books?"

How about The Cabin at the End of the World?


message 13: by Kelley (new)

Kelley Candie wrote: "House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune"

I wholeheartedly second this recommendation. It is a beautiful book!


message 14: by Rain (new)

Rain Carswell Long story short: I have some reading to do


message 15: by Bill (new)

Bill My TBR pile just doubled!


message 16: by bronteswife (new)

bronteswife Song of Achilles and red white and royal blue!


message 17: by Kat (new)

Kat Can I find this list within Goodreads or do I need to come back to this article?


message 18: by Alicia (new)

Alicia Amazing list! Also worth a look for anyone seeking new adult contemporary m/m romance: ALL THE WAY OUT by Ingrid Sterling. Just dropped in April. Check it out!


message 19: by Noor (new)

Noor Are these books all by LGBTQ+ authors, or do they just feature queer characters?


message 20: by Katie (new)

Katie This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of the LGBTQIA+ community, and it isn't right.


message 21: by Gerhard (new)

Gerhard What an inspiring collection of books, thank you! It's wonderful to see so many uplifting YA titles.


message 22: by Carol (new)

Carol Noor :) wrote: "Are these books all by LGBTQ+ authors, or do they just feature queer characters?"

I'm not sure about some but I know that both Scotty Cade and Andrew Grey are gay. They both have husbands.


message 23: by Karen (new)

Karen SARAHLAND, a book of short stories is gorgeously written by a debut author, Sam Cohen. Wonderful book.


message 25: by Maureen (new)

Maureen Stanton Maureen wrote: "The Cape Doctor"
Highly recommend for Pride Week. Starred Review from Booklist


message 27: by Susan (new)

Susan Highly recommend This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.

This novel made me laugh, cry, and think, which is what the best novels do. Frankel's story is fiction but is informed by her experience raising a transgender child. It's a beautifully written story. I don't give many books 5 stars but this one was deserving of 5 stars on my scale.


message 28: by Christopher (new)

Christopher Frey I’m straight and even though I believe that the queer community have equal rights with mine, from this selection of books it seems to be almost obligatory to be queer in order to enjoy the new books in this collection.
I would be really grateful if the lists of books that Goodreads send me contains the old fashioned thrillers, mystery and spiritual genre of bookd


message 29: by Antagonist (new)

Antagonist So many of these books are in my tbr!


message 30: by Cameron (new)

Cameron Candie wrote: "House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune"
Yes, agree!


message 31: by Carol (last edited Jun 06, 2021 09:29AM) (new)

Carol I have friends that made a HUGE list...Way too many to post all here. This part of the list contains the Aiden Bates books that I absolutely love...so will post these to add.
Another Country - James Baldwin
Go Tell It on the Mountain – James Baldwin
Bromosexual - Daryl Banner
Bittersweet= Nevada Barr
My Brother’s Best Friend – Caldwell Brothers Book # 1 - Aiden Bates & Ali Lyda
Suited For You – Caldwell Brothers Book #2 – Aiden Bates
Love Lessons – Caldwell Brothers Book #3 – Aiden Bates
Sweet on You – Caldwell Brothers Book #4 – Aiden Bates
Love Me Again – Caldwell Brothers Book #5 – Aiden Bates
Love Hurts – Caldwell Brothers Book # 6 – Aiden Bates
Omega Brew – Carter’s Crossing series Book #1 – Aiden Bates
Omega’s Past – Carter's Crossing – Book #2 – Aiden Bates
Omega’s Teacher – Carter's Crossing – Book #3 – Aiden Bates
Omega’s Crush – Carter's Crossing – Book # 4- Aiden Bates
Omega’s Home – Carter's Crossing Book # 5- Aiden Bates
Touch and Go – Vanguard Tower series Book #1 – Aiden Bates
Lost and Found – Vanguard Tower series – Book #2 – Aiden Bates
Body And Soul – Vanguard Tower series Book #3 – Aiden Bates
Fire and Ice – Vanguard Tower series Book # 4 – Aiden Bates
Rise and Fall- Vanguard Tower series Book #5 – Aiden Bates
Rubyfruit Jungle - Rita Mae Brown


message 32: by Alison Rose (new)

Alison Rose Christopher wrote: "I’m straight and even though I believe that the queer community have equal rights with mine, from this selection of books it seems to be almost obligatory to be queer in order to enjoy the new book..."

If you think you have to be queer in order to enjoy books about queer people/themes, you might want to step back and examine that. We're just people.


message 33: by Alison Rose (new)

Alison Rose Katie wrote: "This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of the LGBTQIA+ ..."

I agree, and it's frustrating, isn't it? I'd highly recommend Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex - I've never felt so seen by a book in my life.


message 34: by Carol (new)

Carol Well said, Allison. I have two wonderful gay friends that loan me books and I really enjoy them. Nope you don't have to be queer to enjoy ANY book.


Jude in the Stars No indie authors? No small publishers? Mainstream publishing is bringing a lot of great books, sure, but how about we also support our community by buying from them too? Plenty of fantastic LGBTQ+ books every month, not just in June.


message 36: by Carol (new)

Carol A good detective series is The Seven of Spades series. Book #1 is The Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge


message 37: by Lex (new)

Lex Kent There are some wonderful books on this list but like Jude said what about the smaller publishers? The LGBTQ publishers that publish queer books all year round and not just for Pride month. It's odd to just ignore them.


message 38: by Daniela (new)

Daniela Katie wrote: "This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of the LGBTQIA+ ..."
Very true. Maybe check out TJ Klune's How to Be a Normal Person, a wonderful and hilarious novel with an ace MC.


message 39: by Poetniknowit (new)

Poetniknowit Christopher wrote: "I’m straight and even though I believe that the queer community have equal rights with mine, from this selection of books it seems to be almost obligatory to be queer in order to enjoy the new book..."

This whole list features books by lgbtq+ authors or characters that identify as such in honor of Pride Month. Did you not realize what list you were looking at?


message 40: by Bruce (new)

Bruce I'd recommend I'm a Wild Seed My Graphic Memoir on Queerness and Decolonizing the World by Sharon Lee De La Cruz I'm a Wild Seed: My Graphic Memoir on Queerness and Decolonizing the World in which the author, Sharon Lee De La Cruz reflects on their self-image, sexuality, and concept of freedom and how they shaped and informed their LGBTQ identity.


message 41: by Amber (new)

Amber Not My Father's Son IS SO GOOD.


message 42: by Carol (new)

Carol Yes it is, Amber. Read it a few weeks ago,


message 43: by Hazel (new)

Hazel I'm planning a trip for B&N now because I just added 15 of these books to my TBR. Let's get reading!


message 44: by nitya (last edited Jun 16, 2021 12:26AM) (new)

nitya So many wonderful books (except Hough's, yikes) here!

And glad to see Meet Cute Diary on here :)


message 45: by Alex (new)

Alex Thank you for these! Especially the non-fiction recs. I've been looking for some LGBTQ+ non-fiction.


message 46: by Jess (last edited Jun 17, 2021 12:16PM) (new)

Jess My recs :)

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics <-- regency F/F

The Problem Client <-- shifter M/M series

The Boss series starts out with one closeted bi and one clueless bi, and ends with 3 rich disaster bis in a poly relationships (MMF)


message 47: by Romance (new)

Romance Katie wrote: "This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of the LGBTQIA+ ..."

i definitely agree, maybe try alice oseman's Loveless, the main character is ace-aro and it's pretty good :)
do tell me if there are more ace/aro books to read


message 48: by Carol (last edited Jun 18, 2021 04:40AM) (new)

Carol Romance wrote: "Katie wrote: "This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of..."

Go to Amazon and type in ace/aro books. There is about 4 or 5 pages of titles both fiction and non-fiction.


message 49: by ScarDragon (new)

ScarDragon Katie wrote: "This list sure has a distinct lack of asexual and aromantic representation. Not surprising, but it still hurts to see it. We're forgotten and ignored too often compared to the rest of the LGBTQIA+ ..."

I wonder if there just aren't that many books available? If you know of any, please recommend. TY


message 50: by ScarDragon (last edited Jun 18, 2021 10:54AM) (new)

ScarDragon Christopher wrote: "I’m straight and even though I believe that the queer community have equal rights with mine, from this selection of books it seems to be almost obligatory to be queer in order to enjoy the new book..."

1) thanks for acknowledging that other people have equal rights to yours
2) you are in a list recommending LGBTQ+ related books during Pride month
3) you don't have to be "queer" to enjoy this type of book
4) if these books aren't to your taste then simply search for other new books
5) Goodreads can't curate a separate list based on who may or may not want only heterosexual content. Wait a month and I'm sure there will be new books recommended for you that aren't LGBTQ+ related (see point #2 about it being Pride month)


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