Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I read this book last month, and it will be one of my favorites for the whole year! This book had moments where I was legitimately laughing out loud. We have a review of the book here. This book is about Alex the first son of The United States, and his arch nemesis Prince Henry of England. The two men have hated each other since they met the first time. When a photo circulates that makes it look like Alex and Henry got into a physical fight, both of their publicists rush to fix things. Alex and Henry now have to fake a friendship in order to protect their public images. That fake friendship grows and becomes deeper, and has the potential to ruin the next presidential race. Casey McQuiston did a fantastic job with their debut novel, and both Shannon and I are looking forward to what they come up with next!
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
While I haven't read this book yet, it is very high on my list. I will have read it by the end of June. I have heard nothing but good things about this book, and it has also been made into a movie staring Timothee Chalamet, and Armie Hammer! This book is a coming of age novel about a fast paced romance between a teen boy, and a summer guest at his parent's mansion. Set in Italy, this fast, and intense love story changes the two main characters for the rest of their lives. It also has a sequel called Find Me.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I read this book late last year, and I loved it! This book is written in letters between Celie and God, and later Celie and her sister Nettie. This book set in the early 1900's in rural Georgia is an absolute masterpiece. It highlights four different African American women and their struggles, triumphs, and love. Alice Walker is a powerhouse, not only is she a writer but she is a social activist. Her activism has primarily been focussed on civil rights, womanism (a term coined by Walker meaning a feminist of color), and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1967 she married Melvyn Leventhal, and her marriage was the first interracial marriage in Mississippi. Later her and her husband divorced, and she had a relationship with singer Tracy Chapman.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
I read this book a few years ago, and prior to reading it had no idea what it was about. I was in for a treat. This is a book of essays by/about David Sedaris's move from New York to Paris, and his attempt to learn French. Sedaris is hilarious, and I got to live vicariously through him as he settled into Normandy. I haven't read any of his other books, but I fully intend to!
Every Day by David Levithan
I read this book in anticipation of the movie (which I still haven't seen), and it was fantastic! "A" wakes up in a different body every single day. A goes through the motions, and tries to keep the body's life as normal as possible, that is until A wakes up in Justin's body. A falls in love with Justin's girlfriend Rhiannon. A fights to find Rhiannon and spend every day with her. I think this book was incredible. It showed loving someone for who they are, not the body they are in. I think this is such an important message, and I honestly believe that this should be required reading in schools.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levitthan
There is a lot that goes on in this book, and that is an understatement. Two boys both named Will Grayson accidentally cross paths, and their lives are changed forever. From the point of their meeting, both Will Grayson's respectively take chances falling in love, and along the way a high school musical is produced. Tiny is my favorite character in this book, and he's pretty much the main character. He plays football, and is in the theater program. He is well rounded, and just a really lovable character. I think it's important to point out that the two gay characters had very differing personalities. One is loud and flamboyant, and the other is quiet and reserved. I think it was good that the authors showed both of these personalities because it helped show that being gay shouldn't be a stereotype for flamboyancy.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Yet another book I have failed epically to read. This one is on my bookshelf and it stares at me everyday. I have heard excellent things about this book. I most likely won't get this one read this month, but my goal is to get it read in July. This book is centered around Greek Mythology. It tells the story of Patroclus and Achilles. Patroclus is a shamed prince whom is kicked out of his home. Achilles takes him in and as they grow together their friendship blooms into love. When they hear that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, they journey to Troy and test their relationship in ways they never could have imagined. I am a sucker for Greek Mythology, and really can't wait to read this book.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
The only reason I have held off on reading this book is because I don't know if I am emotionally ready. I have heard it is amazing, but you will cry. That being said, I would still like to read it this month. This book is about two young men that find out they will die by the end of the day. They both decide the want to make a new friend, and in this futuristic world there is an app for that. Mateo and Rufus find each other and to have their last great adventure. Cue the waterworks. I haven't even started the book, and I can feel the tears coming.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
For those of you that like graphic novels, this is the book for you! Prince Sebastian's parents are looking for the perfect bride for Sebastian. However, with the help of his best friend, Frances, whom also happens to be his dressmaker, he gets to experience the streets of Paris as Lady Crystallia. How long will Sebastian and Frances be able to keep this secret? Especially since helping Sebastian keep his secret means Frances will always be a secret, and she is striving for bigger things. This is an amazing book, and Jen Wang's art style is beautiful! This is a total feel good read, and is a great place to start if your are new to graphic novels!
While I was making this list, I discovered I have a lot of reading to do. I thought I had read a lot more books with LGBTQ+ representation, but unfortunately I haven't. I need to do better. In this day and age it's unacceptable to not read from all different perspectives, as that is the only way to learn, grow, and be the best ally I can possibly be. So I am going to be making more intentional and mindful purchases (not just this month, but year-round) in order to become a more rounded reader, and support the amazing LGBTQ+ authors out there! I have already purchased the books on this list that I haven't read, and will be purchasing more as well. I am also always open to recommendations, so feel free to share them in the comments!
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