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| Logo by Amber |
I've found resources like Diversity in YA and American Indians in Children's Literature. I've tried to maintain my own resource through my QUILTBAG YA list.
Probably the biggest change is that I've imposed a quota on myself. I try to review at least one book a week by a diverse author or with a diverse main character. I don't always manage it, but it's been a much easier goal to meet than I first expected.
Some diverse reviews this month include:
- THIS ONE SUMMER by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki
- THE SUMMER I WASN'T ME by Jessica Verdi
- ONE MAN GUY by Michael Barakiva
- ADAPTATION by Malinda Lo
- THE QUICK by Lauren Owen
It has been an extremely rewarding project. I try to be an attentive reader, and doing this has not only made me more attentive, but more knowledgeable. I don't always get it right, but with practice I'm getting it better.
Please note that next weekend, June 6-8, is the 48 Hour Book Challenge, hosted by Mother Reader. This readathon is so much fun, and this year the focus is diverse books. You read at least 12 hours in a 48 hour period, raise money for charity, and get the chance to win prizes! Check out my posts from the two times I've participated.
That's awesome that you're doing something like setting a quota when it comes to focusing on diverse books. I haven't read any of these titles though I am keen to check out Lauren Owen's The Quick :)
ReplyDeleteI will definitely participate in the readathon! I'll be off that weekend and will have a lot of time! Diversity in books is a big deal for me! Great recs! I own One Man Guy so I will make that my first read!
ReplyDeleteHere's Armchair BEA: Giveaways Galore and Beyond the Barriers!
Glad you're going to participate and read One Man Guy!
DeleteI think we're all becoming more and more aware of lack of diversity in books. It's great that you have been able to impose a diverse book quota on yourself. I'd like to, but having a limited budget, I have to primarily choose my books for (supposed) entertainment reasons, instead of going for the, let's say, politically correct angle first. I hope to find more of them that satisfy both conditions in the future!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually pretty easy to find books that satisfy both conditions, once I started looking. I wouldn't keep doing it if it ruined my enjoyment of reading.
DeleteI will have to check out the readathon. I couldn't do a quota because then it would feel lie work and I wouldn't get the enjoyment out of them that you should.
ReplyDeleteI hope you participate - it is super fun.
DeleteAnd honestly, the quota doesn't feel like work at all. It's barely any extra effort. And I definitely don't force myself to read books I'm not interested in.
I am looking forward to the readathon--I came up with a rather large pile of diverse books I had on hand, more than I had expected!
ReplyDeleteI've got a big pile too! I still need to pick out my audiobook. Any suggestions for diverse audiobooks?
DeleteI'm so happy that you mentioned One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva. I read it recently and it really impacted me. I've already bookmarked your QUILTBAG list to visit later. Thank you so much for that useful list!
ReplyDeleteOne Man Guy is terrific - I really enjoyed it for many reasons. Glad you can use the QUILTBAG list!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI have The Quick on my TBR list!
I love Maus too!
DeleteHey, that's a great project! I haven't read any of the titles you mentioned here so I'll try to check them out.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you enjoy them.
DeleteI try and read as many diverse books as I can. I feel like I used to read more when I was younger, to be honest, because I would just grab books from the library.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I read more when I was younger or not. I might've read more just by dint of reading *more*.
DeleteI loved Adaptation. <3 The Summer I Wasn't Me was such a powerful read (though it made me very, very angry...) And I'm reading One Man Guy next week!! Can't wait~
ReplyDeleteOh that readathon sounds fun! I think I'll need to check it out :)
Hope you liked One Man Guy!
DeleteI've read Malinda's other book Ash, but need to read her new ones, they look great. I also liked This One Summer and will have to check out your other titles. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think Adaptation and Inheritance are even better than Ash!
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