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May 29, 2014

Armchair BEA: Beyond the Borders

#WeNeedDiverseBooks has been gaining traction across the 'net, and Armchair BEA is no exception.

Logo by Amber
Over the years I've blogged, I've become more aware of what I'm reading.  Who is the author?  Who were the main characters?  Are they just like me, or are they different?  Were they based on a real culture?  Was that culture researched and treated respectfully?

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:

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.
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21 comments:

  1. Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.netMay 28, 2014 at 11:34 PM

    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 :)

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  2. Nikki SMay 29, 2014 at 1:11 AM

    I 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!

    Here's Armchair BEA: Giveaways Galore and Beyond the Barriers!

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:34 PM

      Glad you're going to participate and read One Man Guy!

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  3. Roberta R.May 29, 2014 at 2:36 AM

    I 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!

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:35 PM

      It'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.

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  4. KristinaMay 29, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    I 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.

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      I hope you participate - it is super fun.

      And 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.

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  5. CharlotteMay 29, 2014 at 8:45 AM

    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!

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      I've got a big pile too! I still need to pick out my audiobook. Any suggestions for diverse audiobooks?

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  6. Kristen @ Pretty Little PagesMay 29, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    I'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!

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:40 PM

      One Man Guy is terrific - I really enjoyed it for many reasons. Glad you can use the QUILTBAG list!

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  7. Elizabeth BevinsMay 29, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    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.

    I have The Quick on my TBR list!

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  8. AnonymousMay 29, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    Hey, that's a great project! I haven't read any of the titles you mentioned here so I'll try to check them out.

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  9. Shooting Stars MagMay 29, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    I 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.

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    1. LivianiaMay 29, 2014 at 5:54 PM

      I'm not sure if I read more when I was younger or not. I might've read more just by dint of reading *more*.

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  10. CayceMay 30, 2014 at 7:35 PM

    I 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~

    Oh that readathon sounds fun! I think I'll need to check it out :)

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  11. KristenJune 1, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    I'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!

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    1. LivianiaJune 8, 2014 at 11:26 PM

      Thanks! I think Adaptation and Inheritance are even better than Ash!

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