Happy Friday!

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly bookish discussion meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits and Dini @DiniPandaReads. Each Friday, bloggers will write posts about a particular topic and share on their blog.

We’re starting June with Pride!

Happy Pride Month!  To celebrate, we’d love to hear about your favourite LGBTQIA+ books, why you love them, and what books you’d recommend for a summer Pride reading list. Are there any new releases you’re looking forward to reading this Pride Month?

First up, some of my favourite LGBTQIA+ books! These are in no particular order and I would wholeheartedly recommend all of them. There’s a variety of genres and each cover is linked to the books Storygraph page.

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper is a cute, sapphic, contemporary witchy book. I loved the small-town vibes and that the characters were older. (Lesbian rep.)
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson is a modern witchy fantasy with some fab commentary on the issues we see affecting trans people today. (Trans and lesbian rep.) My full review is here.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri is an epic fantasy inspired by the ancient epics of India. It’s pacy and the worldbuilding is incredible. (Lesbian rep.) My full review is here.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi lays out a world where the colour of your blood dictates your standing in society and the oppressed want to change the order. I loved the rebellion plot and the characters. (Lesbian rep.)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a cosy and heartwarming fantasy story following a gruff case worker, a charming caretaker and a house full of adorable, magical children. I adored the kids and the found family cosiness. (Gay rep.)
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. A touching tale written with such vivid imagery, following a young girl coming out during the Red-Scare paranoia. I loved how Lo wrote this one with care and vivid prose. (Lesbian rep.) My full review is here.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark is set in the coolest steampunky alternate Egypt setting. It’s a murder-mystery fantasy that follows one of my favourite characters, Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a sharp, confident, yet realistically flawed woman. (Lesbian rep.) My full review is here.
Sistersong by Lucy Holland is a historical fantasy drawing on British mythology with the most beautiful prose. This is one of my favourite books of all time. (Trans rep.)
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez. Trust me when I say you will have never read anything like this. Bending what is possible with language, it’s lyrical, it’s enchanting, it’s unexpectedly violent and emotional and just a bit weird. (Gay rep.)

As for new releases, I actually haven’t got any listed because I am trying not to buy too many books right now! However, I do have a Pride Month tbr that I can share here. I have a mix of genres, and even a middle grade graphic novel, which is unusual for me! Most of these are (I believe) lesbian rep, but I do know that a few of them have a variety of other LGBTQIA+ rep alongside that.

You Tell Me: What is your favourite LGBTQIA+ read?