Pride in Publishing: How Queer Stories Shape Readers

Book Lounge by Libby

Happy Pride 🌈💖! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ voices and the power of queer storytelling.

In the first half of the show, Joe sits down for heartfelt, honest conversations with authors Andrew Joseph White, Juno Dawson, Susie Dumond, and Emily Austin. Each shares their unique experience as a queer writer—what inspires them, the challenges they face, and the joy of connecting with readers who see themselves in their stories.

Then, our guest hosts Carmen, Cece, Jananie, Kayla, and Meara return to the lounge with a list of incredible Pride Month reads to add to your TBR—this year and every year.

Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!

Guest Host Recommendations:

Carmen's Picks:

• Blackouts - Justin Torres

• The Sunbearer Trials - Aiden Thomas

• These Vengeful Gods – Gabe Cole Novoa

• Bad Girls – Camila Sosa Villada

Cece’s Picks:

• Juliet Takes a Breath - Gabby Rivera

• Love & Other Disasters - Anita Kelly

• Hell Followed With Us – Andrew Joseph White

Jananie’s Picks:

• Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis

• The Legend of Meneka – Kritka H. Rao

• Marriage of a Thousand Lies – SJ Sindu

Kayla’s Picks:

• Felix Ever After- Kacen Callender

• Monstrilio- Gerardo Sámano Córdova

• It Came from the Closet – ed. Joe Vallese

Meara’s Picks:

• This Princess Kills Monsters - Ry Herman

• The Space Between Worlds - Micaiah Johnson

• That Inevitable Victorian Thing - E.K. Johnston

Joe’s Picks:

• Messy Roots – Laura Gao

• Bath Haus – PJ Vernon

• Hombrecito – Santiago Jose Sanchez

Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts:

Segment 1:

Part 1:

• Juno Dawson - ⁠Instagram⁠

• Susie Dumond - ⁠Website⁠

Part 2:

• Andrew Joseph White - Website

Part 3:

• Emily Austin - Website

Segment 2:

• Carmen - @tomesandtextiles Linktree

• Cece - @ceceewing_ Linktree

• Jananie K. Velu – @thisstoryaintover Website

• Kayla - @booksandlala Linktree

• Meara - @mearaisreading Links

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!

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