Books for Pride Month 2026
- Lynn Lovegreen
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As you know, I value rainbow books and queer authors. Pride Month is a great time to highlight some of my favorites. If you want to see my past takes on this, check out last year’s post here:
For this year, I’ll recommend two books I’ve read recently, then give you my top five picks for Pride Month and beyond.
Here are two YA anthologies I’ve read in the last year that include pieces written by queer authors or touching on LGBTQIA+ stories:
Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights edited by Ashley Hope Pérez with contributors Padma Venkatraman, Kyle Lukoff, Debbie Fong, Ellen Hopkins, Trung Le Nguyen, Mari Naomi, Nikki Grimes, Maia Kobabe, Robin Stevenson, Isabel Quintero, Brendan Kiely, Traci Sorell, Kelly Jenson, and Elana K. Arnold.
This anthology shows teen readers the importance of the freedom to read through stories, illustrations, nonfiction, comics, and more from a diverse set of writers and artists. Resource lists and essays give tools for advocacy and empowerment. This book inspired me and gave me hope for the future.
It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories edited by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman, foreword by Mayim Bialik, authors Dahlia Adler, Adi Alsaid, David Levithan, Alex London, Goldy Moldavsky, Hannah Moskowitz, Mattue Roth, Lance Rubin, Dana Schwartz, Rachel Lynn Solomon, and Nova Ren Suma.
This is an anthology by and about Jewish Americans. It’s a variety of short stories about many things, from awkward teens finding community to witty romcoms to facing fears after serious trauma. Main character ages are high school teens through college students, some queer, neurodiverse, or with a disability. All are loveable people you want to go on a journey with. This selection of diverse authors will show you slices of Jewish American life, and also how much we all have in common.
My top five recommendations have it all: romance, family love, friendship and found families, plus coming of age stories. I’ve read so many great rainbow books over the years, but these five still stick in my heart and come to mind often. Readers of young adult and adult books will enjoy them. (Content warning: slurs and/or bullying occur in some of these books—you may want to research each title.) Let’s count down:
#5:
I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Skye Shin has been told all her life that fat girls can't dance. But she can, and goes to prove it by trying out for a K-pop competition. She's not ready for all the attention she gets, especially when the famous Henry Cho takes an interest in her. This is a delightful romance including body positivity, AAPI and LGBT+ main characters, and lots of heart.
#4:
Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
I devoured this charming, funny story about a bisexual teen who has a mutual crush with her gay bestie on the new boy who is cast as her co-star in the school play. So much heart and wit here!
#3:
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
This is a YA Jewish sapphic romance perfect for science nerds and anyone who enjoys enemies to lovers romance. And I haven't even mentioned the strong family and feminist vibes--there's so much to enjoy here!
#2:
The Heartbreak Bakery by A. R. Capetta
Syd (no pronouns) is the youngest baker at the Proud Muffin, a queer oasis in Austin, TX. When Syd's magic brownies make couples break up, it's up to Syd and delivery person Harley (he, they) to put things to right. Could romance be part of the recipe, too? This novel won a Lambda award!
(Bonus recommendation: A. R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy co-wrote Once & Future, a queer sci-fi King Arthur that is fabulous! https://onceandfuturestories.com)
And a drumroll for my #1 recommendation:
Man O’ War by Cory McCarthy
This is the newest addition to my favorite book list! River McIntyre is drawn to the Sea Planet theme park. When they meet a happy queer person there, they start a journey through gender dysphoria to self-acceptance and true love. Heart-wrenching at times, hysterically funny at others, you’ll be glad you joined River on their coming-of-age trip. Thanks to McCarthy for writing such a brilliant, life-affirming Stonewall Honor Book.
Happy Pride Month, and keep on reading!
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