Some Resources on Diversifying Your Reading

Let me repeat for those in the back: I am not an expert on diversity.  Pretty much the opposite.  I work in one of the most diverse schools possible.  I am a minority in the country that I live in.  I still come at this issue from a place of privilege.  A lot of privilege. I don't know what it is to be a POC and I especially don't know what it is like to be a POC who isn't finding their reflection in books.  But other people are.  I wanted to put together a starting point of resources together because I found them helpful.  I think that especially when I am talking about #ownvoices it is important that we listen  to people who are living that experience.  

1. "Diversity Is Not Enough: Race, Power, Publishing" by Daniel José Older: a discussion about the lack of representation in publishing.  From agents, publishers, to all white characters.
2. "The All White World of Children's Books"  by Nancy Larrick: Lest you think that this is a new discussion here is an article from 1965 pretty much saying the same damn thing that is still being said.  
3. "The Apartheid of Children’s Literature"by Chris Myers: "...characters of color are limited to the townships of occasional historical books that concern themselves with the legacies of civil rights and slavery but are never given a pass card to traverse the lands of adventure, curiosity, imagination or personal growth."
4. "An Apartheid of Imagination" by Justina Ireland: this is in some ways a response to Chris Meyers article and also a discussion about publishing.  BTW- I just bought a couple of her books.  Has anyone read them?
5. "Where are the People of Color in Children's Books?" by Walter Dean Myers: he speaks about what not being reflected in literature meant to him personally and what it means to us as a society.
6. "How to You Write About 'Diversity' When the Word has Become Hollow"by Tanwi Nandini Islam: a discussion about going beyond the surface and "making nice".
7. Things I Wish I had Ten Years Ago: a gif Essay by Sarah Hannah Gomez: who is awesome and makes all the sense.
8. Here is a link to a whole list that Sarah Hannah Gomez put together on Privilage and Diversity in Literature.  She also did an extremely brilliant challenge for agents and publishers to promote getting more works published by POC.  
9. Reading While White:for a lot more discussion about this topic by people who know a lot more than me (that is the theme of the day)
10. "A Close Look at CCBC's 2015 Data on Books By/About American Indians/First Nations" By Debbie Reese: With a depressing but very well done graphic.  If there is any question about the treatment of American Indians/First Nations in literature she pretty much has the answer.   She knows her stuff.

That is a start.  I am really interested in this topic so if you have written something or read something that you found powerful please let me know!  

Ten Books that are New to my Reading Queue

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

To Be Read piles are insidious things.  At first you are excited about always have something on hand to read.  And then you go click happy on Amazon and you have enough books to read that even if you did nothing but read from now until the end of the world  you would still not be done.  Which bodes well for me and the dystopian future that fiction assures me is ahead.  I will have enough to read.  But that is the only way that this TBR is going to get a dent in it.  But oh, look other people have posted things about books. I should probably but them on my list.

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lilly

by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: Dash & Lily #2
Release date: October 18th, 2016

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: I really enjoyed Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and the idea of this sequel makes me want to break out all the Christmas music.  And cookies

What it is about: Lily (normally the embodiment of all things holiday spirit) is struggling this year and her family and friends try to help her find herself again.

Replica

by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Replica #1
Release date: October 4th, 2016

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: It is written by Lauren Oliver.  'Nuf said.  I am also really interested in the premise of the book.  It is laid out in a really unique way.  This might be a book that I have to get a physical copy of.  Which means that I have to either wait until I am outside of China or brave online shopping.  

What it is about: Something about a research institute and two girls whose stories are intertwined. These descriptions are hard when you haven't read the book and don't want to spoil it for yourself.

The Crown's Game

by Evelyn Skye

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: The Crown's Game #1
Release date: May 17th, 2016

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: Cait from Paper Fury mentioned it in a post about foodie fiction and if Cait likes it then that is enough reason for me to get it. I am already hungry.

What it is about: It is a fantasy version of historical Russia.  What?  That was all it took to convince me.

Bone Gap

by Laura Ruby

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: March 3rd, 2015

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: My friend Gabrielle recommended this to me in JUNE and I am still getting around to it.  I am terrible.  Especially since I am 100% confident in her recommendations.  

What it is about: All I know is that it is Magical Realism.  That means that I will either love it beyond all reason or hate it with the fiery heat of a thousand suns.  I have no middle ground for this genre.

Illuminae

by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: Illuminae #1
Release date: October 20th, 2015

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: Everyone on the planet is talking about these books (the sequel just came out) and I feel left out.  I have also heard that it is one of the most unique books that some people have come across.  Sometimes, reading can feel dirivative and I am excited about reading something that stands on it's own.

What it is about: The future, Alien invations, and evil (I assume) megacoorperations.  And something about shadows coming to life. I am so sorry about these descriptions today.

When We Collided

by Emery Lord

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: April 5th, 2016

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: How did I miss that this book was out?  I really liked Emery Lords other books so this one is a no brainer.

What it is about: a contemporary love story but it seems to be focusing on instant connections.  I can't really tell from the description and I refuse to read more.

Shadowshader

by  Daniel José Older

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: Shadowshaper #1
Release date: June 30th, 2015

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: 110% because of the cover.  Fantasy?  With a WoC as the main Charater.  Yes, please. And by please, I mean, gimme.

What it is about: A Caribbean Island inspired urban fantasy. With Zombies so you know that it is going to be good.

The Undertaking of Lily Chen

by Danica Novgorodoff

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: March 25th, 2014

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: I live in China and am always looking for more books to add to my collection.  I have been into graphic novels lately and the art in this one looks beautiful.  I am a little worried because the author isn't Chinese and that can lead to much screwing up.

What it is about: A "legend" that says a man needs a wife with him in the afterlife.  A boy is looking for a wife for his dead brother.   I am not sure what logically follows.  Is he going to sacrifice her.  Does she die naturally and join her husband then?  And what about an eternity of small talk in the afterlife with someone you don't know.  So many questions already.

Vengence Bound

Justina Ireland

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: April 2nd, 2016

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: There was this whole thing on twitter and I wanted to support the auther.  When I looked at the book it actually looks like something that I will enjoy so win win.

What it is about: Revenge! And the Furies. Inside the main characters head! But mostly Revenge. It is also possible there will be some kissing.

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin

Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: September 22nd, 2015

Why I Added it to My To-Be-Read List: This a Panda award winner so I have heard a lot about it from students. Also, the cover.  I am that shallow.

What it is about: A seventh grade girls tries to navigate popularity, middle school, and the aftermaths of grief.

What do you do to tackle your TBR pile when it starts to overwhelm you?