Various authors
© 2023, various publishers
$21.95—30.00
Various page counts

The rainbow flags, the parades, the confetti — this time of year makes you want to celebrate Pride Month in any way you can. So why not grab one (or all!) of these great books touching on LGBTQ history and life?

First of all, if you're heading out — out of state, out of town, out on the town — grab The Pride Atlas by Maartje Hensen (Chronicle Books, $30.00). This big, gorgeous tome offers 500 unique, special, exciting ideas for Queer travelers. If you love dancing — on sand, in a club, or on the street — or if fine dining is your thing, or if browsing small shops sounds like your idea of a dream, then this book will open your eyes to Queer-related places to do all of the above, and more. If you're making travel plans at all in 2023, this is the book to consult first.

So what's up with the next generation of LGBTQ kids? In Young Queer America: Real Stories and Faces of LGBTQ+ Youth by Maxwell Poth, with a foreword by Isis King (Chronicle Books, $24.95), it's almost like seeing the future. Or you can think of this book as a series of mini-biographies, full of advice and positivity but also pain and struggle and lots of open, honest peeks at what it's like to be a Gay, Lesbian, or Trans kid (preteen to young adult) in today's world. You'll see their journey (so far) and their hopes, which, in a way, makes this book a compass toward tomorrow.

Sometimes, a little steam is all you want for your Pride Month, and Dykette by Jenny Fran Davis (Holt, $26.99) is just the ticket. When twentysomethings Sasha and Jesse are invited on a mini-vacation with a wealthy Lesbian couple in a remote, private area, the plan for the getaway is obvious — made even more so by the presence of a third pair of women, known to the younger pair. It doesn't go well. Part romance, part steam, this may be the beach read you want this Pride Month.

And finally, you can't have Pride without paying homage to the Gay icons who've gone before you. In Game Show Confidential by Boze Hadleigh (Lyons Press, $21.95), you'll read about game show hosts and history, scandals and salesmanship, gaffes and greats, including the irrepressible Paul Lynde, who Hadleigh calls "the king of the zingers." There's a wealth of information, and plenty of nostalgia, making it great for anyone who spent summers in front of a rotating fan and a television, playing along in your grandma's living room.

And, of course, if you still need to flag more books for Pride, your favorite librarian or bookseller is the person to ask. They'll know what you need to read to stay informed, keep entertained, and have the best Pride you can.