Celebrate Pride Month with Our LGBTQIA+ Staff Favorites
At Old Town Books, we read books by LGBTQIA+ authors, featuring queer characters and celebrating the experiences that make us human all year long—and we hope you are, too! Pride month is a great occasion to highlight staff favorites to round out your Pride month reads. From Kids books to Romance to Literary Fiction to Nonfiction, seeing yourself represented among the pages of a book can be affirming and life-saving.
Read on for our team’s favorite LGBTQIA+ books and why we love them.
A lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
”This sweet and spicy second chance romance is so underrated in my opinion! It features two bi MCs, fantastic secondary characters, and some hilariously delightful transcripts of a fanfic the two were writing in high school.” - Kim
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
”Have we hyped it too much as a staff? Impossible. This magical sister story has a queer romance subplot, beautiful writing, and warm, cozy vibes to keep you turning pages.” - Nicole
Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler
”A delightful sliding doors rom-com, where a high school girl plays out two scenarios: summer in NYC with her dad (and a chance to pursue her girl crush) and California with her estranged mom (and the boy she never saw coming). But don't take it from me: my teen and her bestie have read this YA--finally out in paperback!--a combined SEVEN times!” - Melissa
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dasnes
”I adored this tween graphic novel that shares 12 year-old Tuva's experiences transitioning to middle school and trying to keep up with "key" middle school experiences, like getting a crush. Written in diary style, we are treated to Tuva's ruminations on what's "normal" and what may actually happen, including who you may crush on.” - Anna
Crash Test by Amy James
”I absolutely loved this F1 romance about socially awkward Travis and afraid-of-feelings Jacob. Featuring a secret relationship, loads of angst, found family, and really fast cars.” - Leah (Releases July 1)
The Payback Girls by Alex Travis
”The Payback Girls is a great YA Thriller, think John Tucker Must Die with a sapphic love triangle.“ - Cate
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
”Shortlisted for last year’s Booker Prize. Part historical fiction, part psychological thriller, part sapphic love story (note: love scenes are very open door, yet beautifully rendered). Stick with this story, because about about three-fourths of the way in, it goes somewhere TOTALLY unexpected. This under layer of the story is so emotionally tender. A genius weaving of historical reckoning with sexual awakening and personal redemption.” - Sarah
Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
”This heartfelt YA romance is not only a beautiful exploration of grief and love, but a vibrant ode to Mexican-American mariachi culture and queer self-expression!” - Isa
How Far The Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler
”How Far The Light Reaches is part-memoir, part-exploration of ocean life in all its weirdness. Told in a series of essays, each of which focuses on a particular creature and uses allegory to explore themes of identity, survival, and sexuality throughout Imbler's own life.” - Lane
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
”An atmospheric tale of the love that is born between the wives of the vampire, Dracula and their eventual liberation from his abuse. Told by his first wife, Constanta.”- Kai
Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde
”This book was like a weighted blanket. Following 12 different characters and their journey of self discovery, love, anger, desire, fear, death and even God. A book of finding connections in the heart of Nigeria, Lagos through shared life experiences and stories that keep them going.” - Pia
The Witch King duology by H. E. Edgmon
”A runaway trans witch is dragged back into a world of fae politics, dark magic, and rebellion. This gritty, emotional, and unflinchingly honest read is perfect for fans of messy heroes.” - Rowan
The Cerulean Chronicles (The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea) by T.J. Klune
”These books following a queer couple, their family of magical orphans and the chosen family they find on Marsyas Island are heartfelt, funny, heart-wrenching and hopeful. I’ve yet to be able to finish one without crying.” - Robyn