Maybe it’s the little girl who was obsessed with Sleeping Beauty or the now ever-anxious college student who plays sitcoms on loop like a white noise machine, but I’ve always found comfort in the retelling, reimagining, or restructuring of my favorite stories in various media. And I may be biased, but books have always been my favorite.

There’s a beautiful network made by the tales we love, and oftentimes, I find that its intersections can deepen the love for each individual story. I get excited when I’m able to say “this book reminds me of this song” or “oh! You liked that movie? Try this!” (I’m always matching Taylor Swift tracks to my TBR). Clever nods to personal and fan favorites that bring something new to the table can be really fun when they’re accompanied by unique voices and nuanced perspectives.

A couple months ago now, I was sitting on the bleachers, reading at my boyfriend’s baseball practice. I had one of my million tote bags and a copy of Anthony Nerada’s Skater Boy ready to go, and the dedication struck a chord in my heart: “To every queer person who has changed the pronouns of their favorite song so they could live out a Happily Ever After—I see you. I hear you. So, sing your damn heart out.” Something this book shows wonderfully is that it’s really special when you don’t have to do that, when you’re already the star of the story and can really, truly see yourself within it.

I still remember the first time I heard Halsey’s “Bad At Love” and did a double take when she switched from “Got a boy back home in Michigan” in one verse to “Got a girl with California eyes” in the next. The effortless representation of bisexuality in this hit made it an instant favorite for me as a young bisexual woman, and I played it relentlessly.

This Pride Month, I’m excited to take some of my favorite book recommendations and the current and nostalgic media that they share similar vibes with or pay intentional homage to. Let’s make it queer!

My Fair Brady

1. She’s All That / She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick & My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

Fans of this classic 90s rom-com are in for some extra luck because there are two amazing queer books that channel this reinvention trope. In She Gets the Girl by wives and bestselling authors Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick, there’s a double makeover as Alex, who’s never had trouble getting the girl, and Molly who’s not sure how to, work together to prove something to themselves and their crushes while incidentally falling for each other (oops!). Meanwhile, Brian D. Kennedy takes this inspiration to the stage with a popular theatre kid and a guy on the stage crew. Both of these books are heartfelt, hilarious, and acknowledge that growing into the person you want to be doesn’t mean abandoning who you are!

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

2. How to Train Your Dragon / So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

I grew up obsessed with How to Train Your Dragon (still am), and the way Kamilah Cole wrote about fierce dragon riders who love each other and their winged partners is reminiscent of this in a way that made my heart happy dance along to all of these favorite vibes. Cole’s debut is nothing short of exceptional, layered, and transportive and also explores the bond between sisters, the aftermath of being the Chosen One, and how to move forward when you were forced to grow up too fast.

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3. “The Great British Baking Show” / The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

If you’re like me and enjoy cooking shows that have a heaping of humor and a tablespoon of making you so hungry you want to reach through the television and steal some of the delicious goods, The Dos and Donuts of Love is the perfect read. Shireen is one of my favorite protagonists, and this book has one of the best love triangles I’ve ever read!

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

4. The Tree That Saved Christmas / In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae

I was tempted to just write “Hallmark Christmas movies” in general because In the Event of Love is the epitome of all the swoons and holiday magic they get me excited for every year, but this one is an especially good match with a Christmas tree farm that pulls everyone together and a second chance romance that is impossible to forget!

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5. Gilmore Girls / Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Is anyone else Team Logan out there? (I’m sorry!) The familial love and fish-out-of-water vibes, not to mention the cozy, wam-hug experience of falling into this world with these characters brought me some of the feelings I get any time the Gilmore Girls theme song plays. Though I promise there’s no real contest or ship wars when it comes to Dylan and Theo; the two of them were made for each other!

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6. Grease / Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

One of my favorite memories is watching Grease with my best friends while hitting each other with pool noodles (don’t worry we were actually in the pool), so Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler was a summertime blast! The tug between past and present romance and the way they collide is captivating, and I was rooting for Lara all the way!

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7. betty / Out of Character by Jenna Miller

I know I’m not alone in wondering if betty was sapphic upon first listen, and Out of Character definitely is! Jenna Miller writes amazing character dynamics and has the best portrayal of the beauty of online friendships. Cas is a wonderfully nerdy, authentic teen who’s finding her way in high school, life, and fandoms. What more could you ask for?

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Wish You Weren't Here

8. The Hating Game / Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin

Erin Baldwin said sapphic, YA The Hating Game, and I said “sign me up!” This summer camp romance is a Pride Month release, and it couldn’t be more exciting whether you’re a fan of the book or the movie (or both like me)!

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

9. Sk8r Boi / Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada

Anthony Nerada’s dedication rings especially true here! Skater Boy features a punk and a ballet dancer and Avril Lavigne’s song is the perfect soundtrack as Wes Mackenzie figures out who he really is amidst the perception thrust upon him and who he really loves and how to do so unabashedly.

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10. Mamma Mia! / The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford

If you’re a fan of the mother-daughter love that permeates Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and love the way the stories are structured around music, I can’t help recommending my own debut. This book has been such a large part of my heart for the past four years, and I hope Mia, my anxious songwriter who’s seeking answers about the woman she’s always admired but never got to know, continues to find her readers. If you’re looking for more about the songs this story is structured around you can check out Chasing Sunsets by Sydney Madison on Spotify.

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BONUS: Mean Girls / As Long As You Loathe Me by Swati Hegde

If you wondered if Cady was really trying to destroy Regina George or actually wanted to kiss her, you might want to mark 2026 on your calendars and look out for this YA that pays tribute to this cult classic as well as Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me”.