Celebrate Pride Month with these brilliant reads that explore the LGBTQ+ experience

These books capture the personal narratives and untold stories of individuals from the community. They inspire empathy, inclusion and equality among readers.

So, here we have hand-selected a range of books on the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride Month. (Source: Freepik)

Pride Month is here! While there is a lot you can learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ movement through articles on the internet, there is no better way to gain knowledge and awareness than reading books written by and for the LGBTQ+ community. These books capture the personal narratives and untold stories of individuals from the community. They inspire empathy, inclusion, and equality among readers.

So, here we have hand-selected a range of books on the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride Month. Grab a cup of coffee and cuddle in your blankets as we present to you the ultimate reading list for this special month.

Boulder by Eva Baltasar

Boulder by Eva Baltasar (Source: Amazon.in)

Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2023, Eva Baltasar’s Boulder is an exploration of the relationship of two very different women who hold distinct visions of motherhood. While working as a cook on a merchant ship, a woman falls in love with another woman named Samsa, who gives her the nickname ‘Boulder’. When the couple decide to move to Reykjavik together, Samsa proclaims that she wants to have a child. Already 40, she does not want to miss the opportunity. However, Boulder is least interested but does not know how to refuse–and so is dragged along on a strange journey. Boulder must decide what matters more–her yearning for love or for freedom. Through this novel, Baltasar once again shows her pre-eminence as a true chronicler of queer voices and characters navigating an increasingly hostile world.

So Now You Know: Growing Up Gay in India by Vivek Tejuja

So Now You Know: Growing Up Gay in India by Vivek Tejuja (Source: Amazon.in)

It is a memoir of how a child discovers he is gay at the age of 8 and survives despite being a target of hate and phobia at home and outside. Vivek Tejuja recounts several phases and incidences he went through from around the age of 8 to his early twenties. The book deals with love, heartbreak, success, failure, loss and gains rather poignantly and with sensitivity. Though a short read of 150 pages, the novel provides great insight into what many LGBTQ+ individuals face in reality.

Me Hijra, Me Laxmi by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

Me Hijra, Me Laxmi by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi (Source: Amazon.in)

Me Hijra, Me Laxmi is an autobiographical account of Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a transgender rights activist who has gained worldwide recognition. It narrates the tale of Laxmi’s struggles and experiences of becoming a hijra by choice and her ordeal of battling against tremendous obstacles for the upliftment of her community. The book serves as an educational narrative about the lives and paradigms of the hijra community. It is a must-read for people who are looking to gain a new perspective on the LGBTQ+ community.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (Source: Amazon.in)

Giovanni’s Room, published in 1956, tells the tale of a tormented love affair in Paris between the American narrator, David, and Giovanni, an Italian bartender. The book delves into a young man struggling with his sexuality and gives a glimpse into the underbelly of French nightlife. This is one of James Baldwin’s boldest novels exploring the complexities of queer desire.

ALSO READ | This Pride Month, delve into the global and Indian history of the LGBTQ+ movement

Homeless by K Vaishali

Homeless by K Vaishali (Source: Amazon.in)

Homeless offers a raw and honest account of K Vaishali’s journey as she navigates her identity as a lesbian and dyslexic individual in Indian society. It also dives into the impact of homophobia and ableism on the author’s life. If you’re seeking a glimpse into the intersectionality of various identities and the challenges faced by marginalised communities in modern India, then this is the perfect read for you.