Caoimhe in our Cork store reflects on the books that have shaped her…
In May 2015, I was 15 years old and although I did not yet recognize my own queerness and how it would come to shape my early 20s, I was campaigning for marriage equality, in my own small way. Every day, even in school, I would wear my ‘TÁ Comhionnanas’ badge. I might not have been able to vote but the result of the referendum on May 22nd, 2015, changed my life and the lives of countless people in this country. I will never forget seeing that 62% yes count. While we still have a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, here and globally, I thought I would take some time to stop and smell the (literary) roses. Behold, a few of the books that have made me feel seen and heard, in honour of Pride month.
Reeling in the Queers – Páraic Kerrigan (New Island, 2024)
Eye-opening, informative and super readable, this highlights the lesser-known figures and movements of our Irish queer history. Irish people are known for our penchant for oral storytelling but what happens if these stories are forgotten, or never written down? Páraic Kerrigan, a researcher and Assistant Professor at UCD, undertook this project with New Island to prevent this from happening. Kerrigan’s work is well researched and supremely necessary, especially in chronicling our history pre-social media. My favourite chapter in this is the story of Toni Burgess, a Cobh-native, who was one of the first out and open Irish lesbians to successfully fight for and keep custody of her children after leaving a marriage. REELING IN THE QUEERS is essential reading for all queers and allies.
Dream On, Ramona Riley – Ashley Herring Blake (Piatkus, 2025)
Ashley Herring Blake never misses. Following on from her Bright Falls series, where readers fell in love with Delilah, Astrid and Iris, DREAM ON, RAMONA RILEY introduces us to Ramona and Dylan. The pair had a chance meeting as teenagers, without learning each other’s real names, and never cross paths again. That is until Dylan’s new film brings her back to Ramona’s small town, along with Dylan’s bad-girl reputation and chaotic, public dating life. Ramona has all but given up on her dreams, having opted to be there for her family after a crisis. Will Dylan’s reappearance change everything for Ramona? Does she even remember her? Oh boy, this book is so much fun. If you’re looking for bisexuals, heart-warming friendships, a second chance-romance and a dash of spice…this is the book for you!
Sunburn – Chloe Michelle Howarth (Verve, 2023)
Of all the books on this list, I’ll admit, this is the one I hold dearest. SUNBURN is the debut novel of West Cork native Chloe Michelle Howarth. It is a brutally real manifestation of queer longing and teenage anxiety. The protagonist, Lucy, having grown up in a very small village in a very Catholic family, struggles with her feelings towards her best friend Susannah: “This is not a forgiving place. The fear of it takes me over. It takes us all over. We all have secrets…” Through characters like Lucy, though, I know a lot of queer readers—myself included—have found catharsis for their younger selves who were perhaps denied so many formative experiences. This novel has blown up on TikTok, and for good reason.
The Times I Knew I Was Gay – Eleanor Crewes (Virago, 2020)
This very cute, illustrated memoir chronicles the often-non-linear process of finding yourself. While being incredibly relatable and personal (I, too, was obsessed with Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) it also manages to speak to a universal experience of missing those ‘signs’ that maybe you were queer all along, just didn’t have the language for it. Crewes’ illustration style changes throughout the book, both in homage to the text’s origins as a two-part handmade zine and to the protagonist’s changing sense of self. Perfect for fans of HEARTSTOPPER or Alison Bechdel’s comics, reading this is like having a chat with a good friend, and will leave you feeling hopeful and affirmed.
Cleat Cute – Meryl Wilsner (Piatkus, 2023)
As an avid reader, a queer person and a women’s football fan, I think this book was made specifically for me. It’s described as a rivals-to-lovers rom-com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own (the one about women’s baseball, not the British sports panel show), and that’s pretty accurate. Grace is a US National Team superstar, but when she gets sidelined with an injury, bubbly newcomer Phoebe takes her place. The last thing Grace expects is to fall for Phoebe, off the pitch… Cue a very steamy locker room scene. You get the picture. But with the World Cup approaching, the two must find a way to work together instead of competing for the same spot on the team. What will come up trumps: love or football?
Women – Chloe Caldwell (available in-store only)
Part coming-out-story, part ode to the complexities of first love, this novel is sensual, honest and chock full of literary appreciation. We follow the main character as she moves to the city and meets Finn, and older woman who she begins a relationship with. Realising her queerness and reflecting on the ‘signs’ she might have missed, the MC has much to reckon with, especially navigating the fact that Finn already has a girlfriend. I think my favourite part of this 4th Estate publication of WOMEN is the foreword by Katie Heaney, who writes: “Even with nearly a decade of lesbianism under my belt, seeing women in love still thrills me…As if I am still working up the nerve to come out. I think it’s just that I still feel so lucky to be gay.” And that’s the legacy of this novel. It’s a book to be shared: between friends and lovers, alike.
In an ideal world, this list would be endless, but alas, I am just one person, and these are just some of the books I love. If you like any of the above recommendations, you might also like these new and forthcoming releases that are at the tip-top of my TBR list:
Love in Exile – Shon Faye
Eat The Ones You Love – Sarah Maria Griffin
Heap Earth Upon It – Chloe Michelle Howarth (Dubray Pre-Order here!)
Happy reading and HAPPY PRIDE!
Recent Comments