Welcome back, Book Lovers, and happy Pride Month! At Bookstr, we know it is important to provide visibility and normalize Queer relationships and lives, especially for those that live in oppressive areas. We thank all those that have fought for LGBTQ+ rights in the past, specifically those in the BIPOC community, and to all that continue the fight for inclusion outside of June. To celebrate a month centered around love, we’re sharing three new titles that spotlight the LGBTQ+ community!
Hot Pick
Boys Come First
by Aaron Foley
SYNOPSIS:
After getting laid off and cheated on, Dominick Gibson returns to his roots in Detroit, hoping for a fresh start. At the same time, his best friend, Troy Clements, is having his own trouble with prominent men in his life, one of them being his other friend, Remy Patton. “Mr. Detroit,” as Remy is often referred to, feels conflicted about his long-distance relationship or settling for someone local. Although the three 30-somethings have different life experiences, they must come together to navigate their rapidly changing city and relationships.
WHY:
Aaron Foley made his debut with Boys Come First this past May. Beyond giving visibility to older gay men, the novel focuses on the racism and hate that many Black and POC gay people face. The characters are forced to watch the city they grew up in succumbing to gentrification. Readers also witness the unique struggles that gay Black men face daily and how it emotionally impacts them.
Coffee Shop Read
Lost & Found: A Memoir
by Kathryn Schulz
SYNOPSIS:
In her debut memoir, Kathryn Schulz tells of how she met her wife eighteen months before her father passed away. She explains how she navigated through grief and self-exploration amid her loss. The memoir reveals this tumultuous time in her life and acts as a guidebook to help others discover the beauty the world holds, one which Schulz says “demands both our gratitude and our grief.”
WHY:
The New Yorker staff writer and author of Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error, Schulz expresses different forms of love and faith throughout Lost & Found. Specifically, she details her conversations with her wife regarding her Lutheran theology. The memoir also provides visibility for a lesbian couple whose story is not centered around homophobia and trauma surrounding their sexuality.
Dark Horse
The Boy with a Bird in His Chest
by Emme Lund
SYNOPSIS:
When a bird named Gail emerged from Owen Tanner’s chest, his mother knew she had to hide him from the world to keep him safe. There are others like him that exist, only they are referred to as “Terrors” to society and are at risk of being experimented on. Despite their efforts, Owen and Gail are forced to relocate with his uncle and cousin in Washington. What starts out as fear, turns into a story of vulnerability, found family, and love.
WHY:
Author of The Sacred Text of Rosa Who is Great, Emme Lund returns with a new, queer coming-of-age novel. The story is filled with characters that are identify in different parts of the LGBTQ+ community, including Owen. Some readers even see Gail as a symbol for being queer or “othered.” It is noteworthy to include that homophobia is included in content warnings, among a few other subjects.
We hope you’re able to add these books to your Pride Month TBR! For last week’s Three to Read, click here.