books i got at harpercollins pride!
harpercollins hosted a little pride event at an lgbtqia center in NYC and it was SO much fun!
we got to hear from all the authors, chat with each other, do some reading sprints, and then take home a book from each of the authors who were in attendance.
the build-a-boyfriend project (adult romance) follows a journalist who teaches his disastrous date how to be a better boyfriend, and it has trans rep!
if we were a movie (ya romance) follows a teenager who takes a job at a Black-owned movie theater … and realizes that her academic nemesis is now her boss. then they have to work together to solve a mystery.
truly, madly, deeply (adult romance) follows a romance novelist and a divorce lawyer who decide to cohost a dating podcast.
archive of unknown universes (speculative historical fiction) follows two families in alternative timelines of the Salvadorian civil war.
amelia, only (ya romance) follows a teenager who is slightly, parasocially in love with a YouTuber, and she invites him to her prom. but she starts to realize that her butterflies might be for her best friend instead.
fable for the end of the world (ya dystopian) is a futuristic story where a corporation controls all of society and two girls start to wonder if there’s more to life than killing and survival.
#lemon8partner #lemon8bookclub #queerbooks #pridemonthbooks #romancebooks
The HarperCollins Pride event showcased a vibrant selection of books representing diverse LGBTQIA+ voices across various genres, from adult romance to YA and speculative fiction. Notably, The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver features trans representation in an adult romance about a journalist helping his date improve their relationship. This book explores themes of identity and acceptance with a heartfelt narrative. In the YA romance If We Were a Movie by Zakiyah N. Jamal, the story unfolds in a Black-owned movie theater where a teenager navigates complex relationships and a mystery alongside her academic nemesis-turned-boss, highlighting themes of friendship, teamwork, and young love. Amelia, Only, by Becky Albertalli, presents a modern tale of teenage love and parasocial experiences with a YouTuber, complicating the protagonist's feelings as she considers her best friend as a romantic interest. The inclusion of Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur blends adult romance with podcast culture, following a romance novelist and divorce lawyer cohosting a dating podcast, offering insights into contemporary relationships and communication. Expanding beyond romance, Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr. dives into speculative historical fiction set against alternate timelines of the Salvadorian civil war, demonstrating how queer narratives can intersect with historical and political contexts. Lastly, Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid embodies YA dystopian themes where societal control by corporations leads two girls to question their harsh reality. This story challenges readers to contemplate freedom and humanity in oppressive worlds. Attending events like the HarperCollins Pride gathering not only offers readers an opportunity to meet authors but also helps promote books that enrich the LGBTQIA+ literary landscape with authenticity and diverse representation. These titles collectively reflect the multifaceted experiences of queer identities, making them significant additions to Pride Month reading lists and beyond.
