17 LGBTQ+ YA Books to Read During Pride Month and Always

1. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simonverse novels are the best if you are starting out with queer reads.

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight.

This book is super adorable with a heartwarming love story. The protagonist’s relationship with his family and friends is also very entertaining to read.

2. The Henna Wars by Abida Jaigirdar

This book was my first f/f romance and girl! Was I impressed! The cover

Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled.

With super clean writing, beautiful flow of story, and a freaking mushy romance, this book should be high up on your TBR.

Here’s my detailed review: The Henna Wars Book Review

3. If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

What makes this book special is that it is written by an author who is a transgender woman and it features a transgender woman as its protagonist too. It’s not the author’s life story but the story is promising.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret, and she’s determined not to get too close to anyone. But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself, including her past. But Amanda’s terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won’t be able to see past it.

4. Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Byron

The idea of a Cinderella retelling that features diverse characters smashing patriarchy is truly the level of fantasy we need in the world today, don’t you agree?

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella, and her stepsisters to learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew… 

5. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Presenting another absolutely brilliant book that will also make you ugly-cry. The story is sweet and empowering!

This book features a Black queer girl with anxiety named Liz who must run for prom queen in her school’s prom competition in order to win the money she needs to get into her dream college. However, she has to figure out how to put herself out there and deal with a crush she got on her opponent.

6. I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Here are some quotes from the book. That should do it! Because you ought to pick this book asap.

”Meeting your soul mate is like walking into a house you’ve been in before–you will recognize the furniture, the pictures on the wall, the books on the shelves, the contents of drawers. You could find your way around in the dark if you had to.”

“I love you,” I say to him, only it comes out, “Hey.”
“So damn much,” he says back, only it comes out, “Dude.”

“People die, I think, but your relationship with them doesn’t. It continues and is ever-changing.”

7. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 

If you are a fan of slow-burn romances (I know I am!!), then you would enjoy this book thoroughly. Beautiful writing, breezy read, and powerful narration.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship–the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.

8. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender 

This was one of the most hyped books of 2020 and clearly so.

“But, just because we loved each other, doesn’t mean we were meant to be together.
And just because you loved one, doesn’t mean you can’t love another.”

Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after.

9. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Another hyped book of 2020 and it has won many hearts!

What’s not there to like~ The love story of the First Son of the United States and the British Prince! That should do it, right?

“That’s the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.”