In June, we celebrate Pride Month – here are some books to read during this special time.
Pride month is a time to celebrate love, identity, and the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. As the celebration goes on, a meaningful way to honor this is by delving into stories that tells the beauty, complexity, and the strength of queer people. From feel-good romance to coming-of-age stories, these books are a way to capture the heart and experiences from different viewpoints of people.
Song of Achilles
The book “The Song of Achilles” was written by Madeline Miller, where we follow the narrative of Patroclus, an exiled prince who becomes the lover and companion of Achilles. The two boys grew up being trained by the centaur Chiron, and from this, their bond deepens into heartfelt love.
Red, White & Royal Blue
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of President Ellen Claremont and Prince Henry of England. After their public clash, they orchestrate a faux friendship to resolve the issue. As they got to know each other, their relationship deepened in secret. Is the relationship worth the sacrifice? Lastly, how would you like people to remember you?
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
The book “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” was written by Malinda Lo. The place was set in 1954 in San Francisco, where we follow a 17-year-old Lily Hu as she discovers feelings for another girl named Cath while exploring the Telegraph Club, a secretive lesbian bar scene. Lily must choose between living openly and true to her feelings or following her family’s expectations. The novel explores a powerful coming-of-age queer romance set in historical context.
Written in the Stars
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur follows Elle Jones, a free-spirited astrologer, and Darcy Lowell, a pragmatic actuary. To stop their families’ matchmaking, they pretended to be a couple. As their agreement is set to end on New Year’s Eve, that unexpectedly leads to a much deeper attraction and intimacy. Will they remain a couple? Or will they end their pretend relationship and move on? The story includes personal growth and opposites attracting.
The Guncle
Steven Rowley wrote the novel “The Guncle”. It follows Gay Uncle Patrick, known as Guncle, who was once a famous sitcom star, who is living a quiet and reclusive life in Palm Springs until tragedy strikes. His sister-in-law dies, and his brother enters rehab, so Patrick ends up caring for his 9-year-old niece, Maisie, and 6-year-old nephew, Grant. As Patrick helps the kids with their grief, he is confronted with his past and losses. The novel explores the themes of family love and slice of life to understand what they truly mean.
In this Pride Month, if you are interested in reading these heartwarming stories. Here is the quick guide for their current price range:
- The Song of Achilles is available for around ₱465–499;
- Red, White & Royal Blue sells for ₱895;
- Find Last Night at the Telegraph Club for approximately ₱595;
- Written in the Stars ranges between ₱800 and ₱ 1,050;
- The Guncle sells between ₱900 and ₱1,200.
Enjoy the narratives that embrace love, identity, and self-discovery. Happy Pride and happy reading.
