Hello booksters, happy Pride month!
Every June, I try to pack my TBR with lots of LGBTQ+ authors and books. Lucky for us, 2019 has blessed us readers with an abundance of new releases to add to our ever-growing TBR pile (you know, the giant book stack threatening to consume you, but you keep adding more books anyway. . .Yeah, that one.)
So in honor of Pride, I’m going to share with you a few New Adult and Young Adult 2019 releases following a variety of own voices LGBTQ+ characters and stories. I’m super hyped to read each of these novels and I hope you are excited too!
Note: “own voices” typically refers to authors who belong in the same marginalized group as their protagonist. I will identify the known own voices representation in each novel.
Without further ado, here are a few LGBTQ+ books to make your summer 2019 even hotter!
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Release Date: May 14th
If you’ve been on book Twitter at all in the last few weeks, then you likely know this book (at least) by name. In short, RWRB is an NA novel that follows a staged relationship (one of my favorite tropes!) between the United States’s First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry of Wales. The only problem is they can’t stand each other—but maybe there is more to their relationship than they realize. Not to mention, their so-called “fake” relationship puts the fate of two countries in their hands.
I’ve seen only positive hype surrounding RWRB, so I can’t wait to pick it up ASAP! The book is own voices for bisexual representation.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Release Date: June 11th
TMHYRF follows two main characters: cheerleader and an ambitious go-getter Sana Khan and hopeful film director Rachel Recht. Rachel wants Sana to star as the main lead in her senior film project—but unfortunately, the two of them are nemeses (OOH enemies to lovers trope, anyone?) ever since a misunderstanding in the past that led Sana to hate Rachel. But what would happen if all of that could change?
The novel is told through alternating POVs and inspired by classic romantic comedies (personally, I love any novel with film references, so this should be a fun ride.)
We definitely need more female/female romantic relationships in YA which is why I hope to pick up TMHYRF once it’s released!
Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Release Date: May 14th
DDRS follows Rosa, a Cuban-American teen who is believed by many to be cursed by the sea—and that no one should date her. And with the end of her senior year ahead, she is also torn between her home, her future and her curse. That is until she meets Alex Aquino, whose family owns the marina, which causes Rosa to question the supposed curse the sea holds on the women of her family.
The novel dives (pun intended) into Cuban heritage, family, diaspora and identity as well as explores the opportunity for first love.
While the story itself does not revolve around Rosa’s identity, she is confirmed to be a bisexual protagonist. The novel is own voices for Cuban representation.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Release Date: May 14th
IWYATB is a YA debut novel from Mason Deaver. When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents and is kicked out of their home, Ben moves in with their estranged sister Hannah and her husband. The novel follows Ben adjusting to their new school, grappling with their identity, and even the possibility of first love.
I just recently finished IWYATB and overall, I really loved how natural the dialogue and explanations surrounding gender and romantic and sexual orientation were!
I definitely wish there were more non-binary characters in YA, but I recommend picking up IWYATB until then! The novel is own voices for non-binary, anxiety and queer representation.
Overall, I’m so happy that more authors are able to share their diverse stories and identities—we can only imagine the books that will follow in their footsteps.
For now, though, I highly suggest purchasing, borrowing from the library or even just supporting your favorite diverse books and authors. Any contribution greatly helps to push these stories into the spotlight.
Feel free to reach out to me on social media if you want to talk or share your love for these books with me!
In the meantime, I wish you all of you readers a happy Pride month!
