Queer books are important all year round, but it’s exciting to give them extra love and attention this month. Here are five LGBTQIA+ books from 2024 that you should read this Pride Month (and any month after). Let’s celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories — and don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers ahead.
In the Shallows
by Tanya Byrne
Genre: Romantic YA Fantasy/Mystery
Goodreads rating: 3.82 stars (out of 5)
On New Year’s Day, a mysterious dark-haired, dark-eyed girl is found stranded in the middle of the ocean with no idea who she is or how she got here. After being rescued and returned to shore by three fishermen, the girl is given the name Nicoletta, after the boat that saved her. Months later, Nicoletta, or Nico, is still plagued with questions about what happened the night she was discovered and why no one seems to be looking for her. Determined to get answers, Nico and her “new” friend Mara set out on a journey together to uncover the truth.
Content warnings: Child abuse, manipulation, references to toxic relationships, accident resulting in amnesia.
So Let Them Burn
by Kamilah Cole
Genre: Fantasy
Goodreads rating: 3.94 stars (out of 5)
It’s a story that starts where most others end. Five years after freeing her people from a dragon-riding empire, Faron Vincent doesn’t know what’s next. She is loved by her island, yes, but without a cause, without enemies, and without a war, there isn’t much for her to do. Being able to channel the power of the gods never seemed so dull. But when her sister, Elara, finds herself entangled with the old empire and ends up behind enemy lines, Faron must find a way to save her before it is too late.
For content warnings visit Kamilah Cole’s website.
Earthflown: A Potable Study of Love and Collusion
by Frances Wren
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Goodreads rating: 4.23 Stars (out of 5)
In dystopian post-flood London, potable water is scarce. The Arden family controls the distribution of all the drinkable water in Britain and they’re determined to keep it that way. But when Ethan, a healer, saves the life of Corinna Arden, his whole world changes. Corinna’s brother, Javier, begins sending Ethan flowers and what was meant to be a short and sweet romance soon becomes something much more complicated. Soon, Ethan and his friends find themselves entangled in a web of power and secrets they need to untangle fast. The fate of water depends on it!
For content warnings visit the Earthflown website.
Have You Seen This Girl?
by Nita Tyndall
Genre: YA Thriller
Goodreads rating: 3.75 stars (out of 5)
Sid is no stranger to tragedy. Ten years ago, five girls were murdered in their town of Cardinal Creek. And the murderer? Sid’s own father. With him now serving a life sentence in prison, the town can rest easy. Well, maybe not Sid. They are being haunted by the ghosts of the five girls their dad killed. But it’s fine. It’s all fine!
When another girl turns up murdered, Cardinal Creek realizes they have a copycat killer on their hands. And all eyes are on Sid, suspecting them of continuing where their father left off. The only person who believes they are innocent is the new girl in town, Mavis. But when a sixth ghost shows up, the most recent victim, Sid realizes they must uncover the real killer’s identity to clear their name and save the town.
Content warning: Murder
The Prospects: A Novel
by KT Hoffman
Genre: Romance
Goodreads rating: 4.31 Stars (out of 5)
Gene Ionescu is living the dream. He is a minor league baseball star, the first openly trans professional baseball player ever, and surrounded by the people he loves. Everything he ever wished for as a kid has come true. Could his life get any better? Well, one thing’s for sure: it definitely can get worse. His former teammate and current nemesis, Luis Estrada, has just been traded to the Beaverton Beavers, Gene’s own team. Now he must learn to navigate life both on and off the pitch with his one true… rival? Well, one true something. As time goes on and the two are forced to spend time together, their tension turns from hatred to desire. Living the dream just got a bit more complicated for Gene.
Content warnings: transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, panic attacks & anxiety attacks, injuries, sexual content
Let us know if you pick up any of the books on our list in the comments below. Happy reading, and happy Pride!
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