Pride Reads

The theme of Dublin Pride this year is Community, and for the second year Dublin Pride will be primarily virtual. As we can’t gather together like in previous years, we would like to suggest a selection of books available from Dublin City Libraries to share a variety of voices for the LGBTQ+ community. These are books about family, both found and born into, and the power of building your own community. All books can be ordered from your local library and from around the country though Libraries Ireland. We hope there will be something to interest everyone from this selection of recent adult and YA fiction.

Detransition, Baby / Torrey Peters

Reese had almost everything, a loving relationship with Amy, a nice apartment, and a job she doesn’t hate. The only missing thing was a child, but when her partner detransitions to become Ames, they break up and everything starts to fall apart. But now Ames’s boss Katrina is pregnant with his baby, and maybe this is a chance for them all to create an unconventional family and raise a child between the three of them? 

The Magic Fish / Trung Le Nguyen

Tiến is 13, gay and struggling to tell his mother. She mostly speaks Vietnamese, and even if he could find the right words to tell her, now doesn’t seem the time. Tiến settles for swapping fairy stories back and forth with her in the evening after school. As Tiến’s grandmother becomes sicker the family must try and understand each other more than ever. A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel, swapping between a tenderly illustrated real world and the complex and magnificent world of fairy tales.

The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea / Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Flora and her brother work on the pirate ship, Dove. All Flora wants is to be left alone by the rest of the crew and be allowed to work as Florian until they earn enough to move to land together. However, when the aristocratic Evelyn boards the ship, heading towards an arranged marriage, Flora is drawn to her. Their adventure will encounter mermaids, witches and the Pirate Supreme and change the sea itself.

Other Words for Smoke / Sarah Maria Griffin

Told across two long Irish summers, Other Words for Smoke follows Mae and Rossa on visits to their aunt Rita’s house. In the town of Dorasbeg they find secrets about themselves, wonders and horrors within the walls of the house, and all too Irish mysteries. A strange and sunny book that will follow you around for the rest of the summer.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous / Ocean Vuong

A challenging and poetic portrait of a Vietnamese family and their life in America. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous takes the form of a letter from Little Dog, a son and grandson in his late twenties to his mother, who cannot read. A raw tale about the power of taking control of one’s own story in the absence of anyone who will listen. Shortlisted for Dublin Literary Award 2021. Available on Borrowbox.

Eight Pieces of Silva / Patrice Lawrence

When Becks’ mum and stepdad go on their honeymoon, she is left home alone with her stepsister Silva. Except Silva goes missing. Trying to find out where she has gone Becks finds a series of clues that show her maybe she didn’t know her sister all that well. To find her, Becks must re-examine their family, her friends, and her relationships. While looking for Silva she ends up meeting her biological father and growing closer to her newest friend, China. 

The Black Flamingo / Dean Atta

A coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the importance of self-acceptance, self-determination and drag. Michael is a mixed-race teen, navigating both identities while growing up in London and never feeling like he belongs properly on either side. Michael discovers the Drag Society and begins to find out how to belong. The verse structure makes his story accessible and graceful, an absolute joy.

The Rapture by Claire McGlasson

Based on real events, The Rapture is the fictionalised account of a devoted member of the Panacea Society. Dilys strikes up a friendship with a new recruit in the society, Grace. As the girls grow closer to each other the cracks in the society start to grow. A compelling tale of love and faith against the world, no matter how small your world may be. Available on Borrowbox.

Submitted by Esme. 

Check out more of Esme's Pride recommendations from a couple of years ago.