A YEAR OF PRIDE AND JOY

In this U.K. import, queer figures discuss what brings them pleasure.

Organized by month, the entries in this book are each accompanied by a different holiday, including National Bird Day, World Knit in Public Day, and, of course, Pride Month. For National Tell a Story Day, author Matt Cain discusses being bullied as a child and how he channeled his pain into his writing. For World Wildlife Day, Lauren Esposito, curator of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences, holds forth on her love of scorpions. The featured figures include well-known (at least in the U.K.) actors and athletes as well as leaders in their fields who may not be household names. Many derive pleasure from things other than their careers; for instance, Olympic diver Tom Daley expounds on his love of knitting—a subtle but important lesson that not all hobbies need to be monetized. In addition to serving as a message of LGBTQ+ joy, the book also offers a catalog of hobbies that don’t involve scrolling. Some topics, such as the Eurovision song contest, may be unfamiliar to American readers, but they offer an opportunity to learn something new. Between the potential for horizon-broadening, the message of appreciating small joys, and the depiction of thriving LGBTQ+ people, this book has the potential to entertain, educate, and even make a positive impact on mental health. The colorful, blocky art adds fun and excitement.

A worthwhile dive into life’s simple delights.