Lake Drive's Pride Month Reading List
Every June, Pride Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate and expand our understanding of experiences that differ from our own. As the publisher of Lake Drive Books, I've had the privilege of working with authors whose stories have helped me see the world with greater clarity and compassion.
If you're looking for something meaningful to read this month, I'd love to recommend four books.
One thing I've learned is that most of us may know someone who is queer, trans, asexual, or maybe even intersex. But knowing someone and understanding their story are two different things.
These books can help us bridge that gap:
In Intersexion: A Story of Faith, Identity, and Authenticity, Cynthia Vacca Davis tells the story of her friend Danny, a man who is intersex. It's a moving exploration of identity, friendship, faith, and the freedom—and cost—of being fully known. It offers a hopeful vision of what it means to embrace authenticity, whether as an intersex person or as an ally.
In Stumbling: A Sassy Memoir About Coming Out of Evangelicalism, Brandon Flanery shares candid, funny, and often heartbreaking stories about growing up gay in evangelical Christianity. Brandon's voice is honest and disarming, and his memoir captures both pain and resilience.
Then there's I Hardly Knew Me: Following Love, Faith, and Skittles to a Transgender Awakening by Nia Chiaramonte. Nia writes, "I used to be so hidden that even I couldn't see who I was." Through therapy, late-night writing sessions, family conversations, and self-reflection, Nia uncovers the truth of who she's always been. It's a courageous and deeply human story.
I'd also encourage you to pick up Faith Unleavened: The Wilderness Between Trayvon Martin & George Floyd by Tamice Spencer-Helms. While not a memoir centered on sexuality or gender identity, Tamice writes as a queer Black post-Christian and offers a powerful examination of race, faith, and justice. They explore how the idol of whiteness distorts scripture, shapes church culture, and undermines truth-telling.
As for me, one of the unexpected gifts of publishing these books has been realizing that learning is never finished.
Every book has taught me something new. If you read these books, I guarantee that as time passes, you’ll realize that you have moved further in your understanding because you’ve read one of these books.
So if you're looking for a meaningful read this Pride Month, I hope you'll consider supporting these authors, pitching in on indie publishing, and buying one of these titles. Read a story that expands your perspective. Learn something new. Challenge an assumption. Grow a little.
Happy Pride Month—and happy reading.
—David Morris, Publisher, Lake Drive Books
