Welcome Back to West Branch
June is Pride Month
In celebration of Pride Month, here are some of the SPL Librarians' favorite LGBTQIA+ reads.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Four years ago when Doyle was still married to her husband and the mother of three children, she fell in love with a woman, which not only upended her life for the better, it also made her feel alive for the first time since she was 10 years old. She dealt with mental illness, and challenged conformity, misogyny, and religious bigotry. This memoir should help anyone break out of their cultural cage to find their own version of humanity.
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Recommended by Mary, Reference Librarian
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
A candid, heart wrenching memoir about the complexities of being in an abusive same-sex relationship, a subject not often discussed. 

Recommended by Jessica, Reference Librarian
The author creates an engaging dialogue with a range of people from the LGBTQIA community about queer aesthetics, fashion, and the political implications of being marginalized in a world that tries to disempower those with a highly individualized vision beyond the status quo. An inspiring and fabulous reading experience!

Recommended by Carrie, Senior Substitute Librarian
This non-fiction book, published in 1987, is the basis of the documentary film of the same name. It serves up both overviews and analyses of films that have homosexuality as their subject, or subtext, along with the often strong opinions and always perceptive observations of the author.

Recommended by Jim, Head of Circulation
Maurice by E.M. Forster
Written in 1914, posthumously published in 1971, follows the protagonist from a confused adolescence, to an adult love affair and break-up with a young man of his own class, to consolation in the arms of an under-gamekeeper.  Beautifully written, and timeless.

Recommended by Jim, Head of Circulation
A delightful blend of fantasy and romance, this book introduces us to Linus Baker, a solitary man working as a case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, as he begins work on his more important - and intriguing - report yet: the Marsysas Island Orphanage. Once on the island, Linus is caught off guard not only by the extraordinary children who live there, but also by his feelings for their caretaker, the mysterious Arthur Parnassus. This book is, at its core, a celebration of love.

Recommended by Jo, Business Librarian
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Arthur Less's career is in shambles, he is about to turn 50, and he has just been invited to his ex-boyfriend's wedding. In an attempt to distract himself from as many of these things as possible, Less decides to accept every far flung literary invitation he's received for the next year. Thus begins a whirlwind, worldwide tour during which Less's adventures paint a portrait of a man trying to find fulfillment and learning to love again

Recommended by Jo, Business Librarian
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Luc's reputation is in desperate need of repair, so he hires a fake boyfriend to help fix his image, and winds up doing the last thing he expected... developing real feelings and falling in love. This is the perfect heartwarming read to kick off your summer!

Recommended by Kerry, Reference Librarian
Rick by Alex Gino
Eleven-year-old Rick Ramsey has generally gone along with everybody, even though he is increasingly uncomfortable with his father's jokes about girls, and his best friend's explicit talk about sex; but now in middle school he discovers the Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities can express themselves--and maybe among them he can find new friends and discover his own identity.

Recommended by Annamarie, Children's Librarian
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino; Illus. by Isabelle Malenfant
Morris likes many things; painting, puzzles, pretending to be an astronaut, and even wearing a tangerine dress that reminds him of the color of his mom's hair. Though ostracized and misunderstood by many of his classmates, he eventually is able to show that it doesn't make any difference if astronauts wear dresses.

Recommended by Kerry, Reference Librarian
Children's Summer Reading Starts Soon!