HAPPY PRIDE! I’m so so excited to bring you a book rainbow this year. Every single book on this list has LGBTQIA+ representation and some of them have other representation. I will try to outline the diversity as I find it, but some of these books I haven’t read yet and if I got any of the diversity points wrong and you’ve read the book please correct me! I’m getting my information from internet research while trying not to spoil myself.

So without further ado–here are my picks for my 2020 LGBT Pride Book Rainbow!

{More about PRIDE Month in my History of Pride Post: https://brigiddowney.com/staging/1422/black-lives-matter-and-the-history-of-pride-month-the-stonewall-riots/]

PINK

Red, White, and Royal Blue | Casey McQuiston

• Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Enemies to Lovers
• Diversity: Bisexual MC, Gay Love interest, Transgender (side character), Bi-racial characters
• Author is Non-binary (Found on their Twitter bio)
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

I can’t believe I haven’t read this book yet. I know, I’m a bad book blogger, but I haven’t read this book and upon reading further on it I need to. I recently ordered it from my local indie bookstore and I’m so excited for it to come!

[My local indie bookstore is A Room of One’s Own Books and Gifts in Madison, WI]

Belle Révolte | Linsey Miller

• Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
• Diversity: LGBT, Biromantic MC, Ace MC, Trans, Non-Binary, Lesbian
• CW: Sibling death, executions, references of child neglect and abuse, discussions of drowning, murder, gore, medical neglect, abuse, and violence
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

This is another one I just ordered so I had to have two pink! (I could have had a third because I’m currently reading “It’s Not Like It’s a Secret”). This one is so intriguing to me. The author says most of the main characters are LGBT+ and they’re trying to break down the binary system they live in. I’m here for a good rebellion and I’m so excited to read it!

RED

Dark and Deepest Red | Anna-Marie McLemore

• Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction
• Diversity: LGBT, Transgender, Lesbian
• Author is Pansexual, Demi, Non-Binary, Latinx, and has a disability (Found on their Twitter bio)
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

This is actually the last book I ordered in my most recent indie bookstore order. Josie actually found this one in an online ad and sent it to me. She knows I love fairytale retellings and as a dancer myself growing up I adore “The Red Shoes.” I’m really excited to read this one, it looks pretty intense.

ORANGE

Felix Ever After | Kacen Callender

• Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
• Diversity: Genderqueer, Black, Transgender (Felix is actually a Demiboy to be specific)
• Author is Black and Genderqueer
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

This book looks so cute, but also like it’s going to break my heart several times when I read it! A lot of these books I look up at the beginning of the year when the anticipated releases lists go out and then I forget about them. Felix Ever After was one of these books and I’m excited it made it’s way back on my list again.

YELLOW

The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller

• Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
• Diversity: Gay (mlm)
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

So I had never heard of this one, but apparently Josie’s read it– and we own a copy! I’m just going to go add that to my teetering to-be-read pile now…

GREEN

The Gilded Wolves

• Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
• Diversity: Filipino, LGBT, Mental Health, Autism
• Author is Filipino and Indian.
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

I’m very excited to read this one and I think it’s because of the rich diversity the book claims to have. I have Filipino family who I know are always looking for more representation so I’m excited to read this one and see if I would recommend it to them.

[My cousin is actually a LGBTQIA+/Filipino artist and you can check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/lena_art1223/]

BLUE

Girls of Paper and Fire | Natasha Ngan

• Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
• Diversity: Asian, LGBT
• Author is Asian and Queer
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

I’m freaking out about this book and I need to buy it ASAP. The cover is gorgeous, I keep hearing amazing things about it, and I just need more and more powerful rebellion girls in my life.

PURPLE

You Should See Me in a Crown

• Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
• Diversity: Black MC, LGBT
• Author is Black and Queer
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

This one is another one that’s going to get me emotional isn’t it? I’ve seen this one popping up on Twitter as it’s release date approaches and as someone who adores The Prom Musical I feel like I need to get my hands on this book!

RAINBOW

We Set the Dark on Fire | Tehlor Kay Mejia

• Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
• Diversity: Latinx, Bisexual, LGBT
• Author is Latinx and Bisexual
• Good Reads | Author Website
• Indie Bound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble

You guys know I couldn’t do an LGBT Book haul without mentioning this book! If you’re sick of hearing me scream about it– sorry not sorry. I was just telling someone the other day that this book made me feel seen. I’m going to do a reread soon for pride month, but if you want a book with no white characters, a wlw love story that will pull on your heartstrings, and a kick-ass taking down the patriarchy rebellion– then you need to get your hands on this duology.

[Read my reviews of We Set the Dark on Fire and We Unleash the Merciless Storm.]

What LGBTQIA+ books have you read lately?

---

Please consider checking out this Carrd for BLM resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

And for LGBT resources I recommend The Trevor Project, PFLAG, and GLAAD.

---

---