I read a lot myself. Always usually have 3 books I'm in... a novel or 2 and a self help book and usually a poetry book as well. I've tried reading books from other cultures including Black Cake which I hated. I liked the beginning of it and then just got so bored. I guess I have to relate to something in at least some way to enjoy reading it and not get tired of it quickly. I was reading another book about an interracial relationship called Everything is Fine and I tired of that quickly too. I think we read what we relate to and there's no diversity rule tbh. If we lived by that what would that tell us? Also-- reading classics seems like more of a realistic rule. Keeping classics alive instead of say reading books just because they're diverse but don't have any actual merit. Our society kind of does that nowadays and I don't mean to sound off color but nothing I have ever read for diverse purposes has really resonated with me, except maybe Where the Crawdads Sing and the Paper Palace. Both diverse but in a different sense of the word than I feel you mean. Race and culture add diversity of course but reading about entirely different ways of life has been an experience over the years all it it's own.
Happy reading! 😊 read what you want and never set a rule on it-- I stopped doing that to myself years ago and I find it much more refreshing.
You read A LOT. I read about 50-60 books/yr on average. I didn't see how to get diversity stats from goodreads, but I do track my books there as well as a word doc that includes the names of books, authors, publishers, page number, and a brief "review" by me. One year I read only books by women, and the next year I started doing the Book Riot Book Challenge. I rarely read white male authors now and if I do, they're gay. (Although I did read two books by white straight men this year, a memoir, and a writing book). As a lesbian author/poet I read a lot of LGBTQ authors, and I also read books by people from other ethnicities than white. In terms of genre, I read non-fiction, art books, historical, mystery, literary, memoir, how-to (writing, sewing, gardening), stage plays, and of course poetry.
As a minority, I applaud and appreciate your effort, and with respect: this: I’m thinking about how to read more diversely on Substack, so welcome to any suggestions folks have, please consider subscribing to my Substack, I provide an author and title recommendation each week.
Hi, Robyn. First, thank you for mentioning ableism and disability in your essay. Even authors trying to be inclusive frequently leave us out.
I say “us” because my primary identity is disabled women. Here is my link: teriadams.substack.com. I am writing non-fiction with a disability perspective. Just getting started, but I would appreciate your reading if you are interested.
You're welcome, Teri. My students have helped me become aware of how often disability gets left out of conversations about privilege and oppression, so I'm trying to do better. I've subscribed and looking forward to reading more of your Substack!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reading experiences with us. I have really enjoyed reading your posts.
As far as reading diversely... you’re killing it. I say that because you are actively and on intentionally seeking to read books by people with different lived experiences.
Did you know the medical definition of the word intentions is the healing process of a wound?
Your intentions means you’re part of the healing process of the wounds caused by systemic oppressive systems. Thank you.
I read a lot myself. Always usually have 3 books I'm in... a novel or 2 and a self help book and usually a poetry book as well. I've tried reading books from other cultures including Black Cake which I hated. I liked the beginning of it and then just got so bored. I guess I have to relate to something in at least some way to enjoy reading it and not get tired of it quickly. I was reading another book about an interracial relationship called Everything is Fine and I tired of that quickly too. I think we read what we relate to and there's no diversity rule tbh. If we lived by that what would that tell us? Also-- reading classics seems like more of a realistic rule. Keeping classics alive instead of say reading books just because they're diverse but don't have any actual merit. Our society kind of does that nowadays and I don't mean to sound off color but nothing I have ever read for diverse purposes has really resonated with me, except maybe Where the Crawdads Sing and the Paper Palace. Both diverse but in a different sense of the word than I feel you mean. Race and culture add diversity of course but reading about entirely different ways of life has been an experience over the years all it it's own.
Happy reading! 😊 read what you want and never set a rule on it-- I stopped doing that to myself years ago and I find it much more refreshing.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Laura.
Of course! I love reading your blog/newsletter... xoxo have a great day! And happy December. 😊
You read A LOT. I read about 50-60 books/yr on average. I didn't see how to get diversity stats from goodreads, but I do track my books there as well as a word doc that includes the names of books, authors, publishers, page number, and a brief "review" by me. One year I read only books by women, and the next year I started doing the Book Riot Book Challenge. I rarely read white male authors now and if I do, they're gay. (Although I did read two books by white straight men this year, a memoir, and a writing book). As a lesbian author/poet I read a lot of LGBTQ authors, and I also read books by people from other ethnicities than white. In terms of genre, I read non-fiction, art books, historical, mystery, literary, memoir, how-to (writing, sewing, gardening), stage plays, and of course poetry.
Oh, I like that idea of reading only books by women for a whole year. Will check out the Book Riot Challenge.
As a minority, I applaud and appreciate your effort, and with respect: this: I’m thinking about how to read more diversely on Substack, so welcome to any suggestions folks have, please consider subscribing to my Substack, I provide an author and title recommendation each week.
Thanks, C. Elyse. And done!
Hi Robyn, thank you; hope you like it!
Hi, Robyn. First, thank you for mentioning ableism and disability in your essay. Even authors trying to be inclusive frequently leave us out.
I say “us” because my primary identity is disabled women. Here is my link: teriadams.substack.com. I am writing non-fiction with a disability perspective. Just getting started, but I would appreciate your reading if you are interested.
You're welcome, Teri. My students have helped me become aware of how often disability gets left out of conversations about privilege and oppression, so I'm trying to do better. I've subscribed and looking forward to reading more of your Substack!
Thanks, Robyn!
Robyn!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reading experiences with us. I have really enjoyed reading your posts.
As far as reading diversely... you’re killing it. I say that because you are actively and on intentionally seeking to read books by people with different lived experiences.
Did you know the medical definition of the word intentions is the healing process of a wound?
Your intentions means you’re part of the healing process of the wounds caused by systemic oppressive systems. Thank you.
I’d love to connect with you.
Thanks so much, Vickey. I didn't know the definition of intentions, but I love it.