Today’s Armchair BEA topic has to do with all the different types of diversity in books, from varied genres to books written in different countries, from books by authors of color to books with LGBT characters. The recent outpouring of support for the We Need Diverse Books campaign suggests many bloggers feel strongly about diversifying our reading. As many bloggers have pointed out before me, one of the most amazing things about books is their ability to inspire empathy for even those very different from ourselves. Here are some of the strategies and resources which have helped me diversify my reading.
Perhaps because the books we consider diverse are those which are uncommon, I find that I have to make an effort to read books that fall into many of these categories. For that reason, I find sites that recommend books outside of my usual reading rut very helpful. Here are a few of my favorites:
Diverse Book Recommendations
- LGBT books – Cayce at Fighting Dreamer is always reviewing something fantastic in this genre
- Translated Fiction – the International Reads goodreads group is my go-to source for translated fiction
- Genre diversity – bloggers who read eclectically or bloggers who focus on genres you don’t often read
- Banned Books – ALA has several helpful lists of banned books
- Ethnic diversity – Bookriot has done a ton of posts on the topic lately, including these suggestions for diverse YA. You’ll also come up with a bunch of blogger recommendations if you just google “we need diverse books”
- Mental Illness – Amanda at Opinions of a Wolf has an awesome list of books which portray characters with a mental illness favorably
Another thing that helps me remember to diversify my reading is participating in challenges where that is the goal. Here are some of the ones I’ve joined this year:
Diverse Book Reading Challenges
- Genre: Reading Outside the Box, Eclectic Reader, Book Bingo
- Banned Books
- LGBT
- Translated Fiction
- Mental Illness Advocacy Challenge
- Books by an author of color or with a main character of color: Diversity on the Shelf
My last suggestion is to track what you’re reading so that you’re aware of how diverse (or not ) your reading currently is. So far, the best tool I’ve found for doing this is this fantastic spreadsheet from Fyrefly’s Book Blog. And that’s it! Now you’re all set to add some diversity to your reading :)
Thanks for recommending my Banned Books challenge! I’ll have to check out some of these other great resources too
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves recently posted…My Big Bookish Regret
It’s a great challenge and for a genre I’m surprised isn’t discussed in the context of diverse reading more often. It’s definitely an area I could improve on in my reading
Great resources! Thanks! I’ll have to look at Book Bingo more closely next year. It always looked like fun, but I hadn’t thought about it as a diversity challenge — of course, it is!
Joy Weese Moll (@joyweesemoll) recently posted…Diversity Book Club for #ArmchairBEA
Some of the categories definitely push me more out of my comfort zone than others and it can be great for getting me to read books I wouldn’t otherwise as I try to fill categories
I LOVE that you mentioned the International Reads book group! I was one of the original BookTubers who helped start that group, and I’m thrilled that it can be a resource for others. It certainly has been for me!
Andi @ Estella’s Revenge recently posted…Armchair BEA Giveaway!
Andi, you’re so cool! I think it’s awesome that you’ve been blogging for so long and are involved in so many events and groups
I will read anything. I don’t stick to one genre or author. So I have discovered some amazing books. Maus is a fantastic Graphic Novel. The Color Purple is stunning literature. The Color of Water is a great memoir. I highly recommend those. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites.
Thanks for the recommendations!
I’d forgotten about the international readers group- thanks for the nudge. Another resource for books in translation is the Winston’s dad blog -http://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/8213788/.
This is run by Stu who reads more books in translation than anyone else on this planet I’m sure. I always have a look at his site for ideas.
Thanks! I’m checking it out now
thanks, I didn’t know about the International Reads group on Goodreads, just joined!
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Armchair BEA 2014: GIVEAWAYS and BEYOND THE BORDERS
Great! I hope you find some new books
EEP! thanks for all the links–THEY WILL BE SO HELPFULLLL. I love diverse books since I’m not exactly white either so this is definitely going to be awesome!
Nikki recently posted…Armchair BEA: Day Four
Awesome! I’m glad you found the links helpful!
I don’t necessarily set out to read with diversity, but from time to time it happens. I am doing a reading challenge this year called The Eclectic Reading Challenge and I have found that helpful.
Kathryn@Book Date recently posted…Middle Grade Reading
I’m doing the same challenge
Thanks for listing those challenges, I’m going to look into a couple of them!! Your posts are always such great resources. Love!
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf recently posted…Armchair BEA: Interview with Kate Barber, Book Artist
Thanks Monika! Glad to help
I think that tracking your reading can tell you so much about how you read, including if you are reading as diversely as you want to. We all have certain goals, but seeing it on paper somehow makes it more real. Great post.
tanya recently posted…Armchair BEA Wednesday – Expanding Blogging Horizons
It’s true! I can very easily get distracted by all the shiny ARCs and not make sure I’m reading diversely if I don’t track what I’m reading.
Don’t forget that books featuring characters who are differently abled also add diversity. I know you’re participating in the Mental Illness Advocacy Reading Challenge, and I certainly think all of those books count for diversity!
Amanda recently posted…Book Review: The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood (Bottom of the TBR Pile Challenge)
Oh no! I meant to include that but got distracted in the middle of my post. I’m going back and adding your challenge now