June TBR – Celebrating Pride Month Through Literature
June, as we all know, is pride month. That’s why my
tbr for June 2022 is filled with LGBTQIA+ stories to celebrate that these books
are out in the world. At the beginning of this month I submitted my
dissertation for my undergrad degree in English. For that paper I researched
some of the history of sexuality laws and it made me so grateful of how far we
have come in our love for all people.
This historical fiction YA novel follows Henry
Montague, or as we know and love him – Monty. Monty is raised as a gentleman
but he is truly a rogue at heart. Drinking too much, gambling and sleeping with
countless women… and men. Monty is bisexual in a time when this love could only
be shown behind closed doors. Monty is in love with his best friend Percy who
is leaving for college in Holland the following year. This book follows the
two, along with Monty’s sister and a glorified baby sitter, on their year long
tour of Europe.
I have started this book but I am only around 10% of the way into it and I already love it. I have been promised plot twists and even a manhunt and so I am eager to continue reading.
The Gravity of Us – by Phil Stamper
I’ll be honest – I picked this one up for the cover.
The beautiful pink sunset and the dual colour title have my whole heart. I’m
sure the story itself will also make its way to my heart and likely squeeze it
until I cry.
The Gravity of Us follows seventeen-year-old
Cal (or Calvin), a journalist in New York City. In the opening chapter we hear
Cal talk about the upcoming mission to Mars. Cal’s father has been selected as
one of the people to work on this mission to Mars and so Cal’s life is flipped
upside down. If it hadn’t flipped, Cal wouldn’t have met Leon… and he wouldn’t
have learned the truth that could hurt the people he loves the most.
This is the story of the struggle to acceptance, both
of yourself and from others. Morgan is openly gay. She is a track athlete at a
Catholic school who are not so accommodating to queer students. Also at this
school is Ruby, a closeted bisexual beauty queen. The two quickly grow closer
and closer until their feelings are undeniable. Morgan needs to decide if a
secret relationship is enough for her while Ruby needs to choose between her
safe, constricting lifestyle or one in which she is free to love Morgan and to
shout it from the rooftops.
I have kept my tbr for this month quite small so that
I have the freedom to pick up more books that call me. I will be wrapping up
all the books I have read in my review post at the end of the month if you are
curious about my thoughts and want to see the other novels I end up reading for
June!
Happy Pride Month you beauts! Stay safe and love yourself
<3
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