Rainbow Book Month 2025
- Lynn Lovegreen
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I value rainbow books and their authors. You may have seen 2023’s list of recommended LGBTQIA+ books. If not or if you’d like to see it again, here’s the link:
You can also check out last year’s blog at
This year, I’ll list a couple YA books I read in the past year, one of my all-time favorite books, and one that was just released.
Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido
Bobby’s motto is “self-preservation”—a good one when you’re a gay Filipino who goes to a rough school. When he is outed, bullies lead him to join a boxing gym in hopes of defending himself. His boyfriend and best friend try to help but can only do so much. Then he learns his hero Manny Pacquiao is prejudiced against queer people—will that be the last straw? Pulido brought the setting and characters to life, and I even learned a little about boxing!
(Content Warnings: Bullying, hate crime, domestic abuse, homophobia, racial slurs)
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
This novel is full of feels, friendship, and romance. Julián has one reckless moment that outs him and turns his life upside down. But his friends and sister are there to help him pick up the pieces. When Mat, his Twitter crush, turns out to like him too, he learns how to manage a long-distance romance and chase his dreams of a new life.
(Content warnings: Child abuse, mental illness, panic attacks)
Man O’ War by Cory McCarthy
Man O’ War by Cory McCarthy is the newest edition 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-giving book.
(Content warmings: Biphobia, bullying homophobia, racism, acephobia, sexual harassment, dysphoria—It sounds dark, but this book is life-affirming overall.)
Randy Rainbow has a picture book that just came out—Randy Rainbow and the Marvelously Magical Pink Glasses! I haven’t read it yet, but it looks positive and joyful.