What should you read this Pride Month? 

In this Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu to share book recommendations that celebrate queer stories, queer joy, and the many ways LGBTQIA+ people find connection, community, and hope. 

As they discuss the books they're recommending this June, the conversation expands beyond reading lists to explore what it means to live Pride every day of the year. Together, Joe and Jananie reflect on the importance of making space for joy, remembrance, rest, and reflection, and how books can help us better understand ourselves and each other. 

Whether you're looking to discover new LGBTQIA+ authors, add more queer stories to your TBR, or simply find your next great read, this episode offers thoughtful recommendations and meaningful conversation about the power of reading during Pride Month and beyond. 

From stories that celebrate queer futures to books that honor the past, this is a conversation about reading, identity, community, and the many ways Pride can live on long after June ends. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Link to our full book list: 
Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life!  
Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026! 

Book recommendations: 

Jananie’s Picks: 

Comedic Timing – Upasna Barath 

Tall Water – SJ Sindu 

Meeting Millie – Clare Ashton 

Honey Girl – Morgan Roges 

Perfume and Pain – Anna Dorn 

Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis 

Big Swiss – Jen Beagin 

Local Heavens – K. M. Fajardo 

Devil of the Deep – Falencia Jean Francois 

House of Hunger - Alexis Henderson 

Joe’s Picks: 

Stag Dance & Detransition Baby – Torrey Peters 

Tell Me I’m Worthless – Alison Rumfitt 

Northranger – Rey Terciero 

Jackson Alone – Jose Ando 

Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous – Autumn K. England 

We Burned So Bright – TJ Klune 

Patricia Wants to Cuddle – Samantha Allen 

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human – Andrew Joseph White 

Who’s in this episode:  

Jananie K. Velu – Links  

Glad Day Lit, Toronto - website 

Time stamps: 
00:00:00 Title 
00:00:23 Intro 
00:00:54 Welcome to Jananie K. Velu 
00:01:26 What are your pride practices?  
00:07:50 Our Pride Reading Recommendations 
01:00:10 Thanks to Jananie and Outro! 

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!  

Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! 

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