Your resource for all things bookish diversity is back!
Considering 2020 was... 2020, I reckon I did quite well, really.
Still, that's all the more reason to strive to include more links to fabulous resources in this year's list!
Especially considering that we can't lose the momentum gained in 2020 around racial issues, and we must protect the equality and representation of other identities!
And if all that sounded intimidating, then there's really no need for it to be - this is about books, and finding books which reflect the wonderful diversity of humanity on this weird little planet.
Once again, my (hopefully achievable) aim is to get at least one link for EVERY category - so if you can help out, check out the info. below!
This is a list I started back in 2016 as a resource for those interested in the Diversity Movement and promoting diversity in books.
So what counts?
Well, a variety of stuff, but just as an example:
Some stuff that DOESN'T count:
For more info, see the 2016 list which has more details, or just ask - I don't bite!
I really do need your help - this is literally hours of work!
You can submit links via this spreadsheet - no spam, please.
I'm not responsible for 3rd party content, or for the books the links recommend.
If there's a problem with any link - broken link or concerning content etc. - just let me know in the comments below
This post is 100% FREE for all, but if you would like to support me, Dora Reads, and the Link List, you can buy me a coffee here.
Lit-erally Black - blog dedicated to books by Black authors
The Brown Bookshelf - blog devoted to African American kids literature (inc. YA)
Diverse Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books - Absolutely awesome section of Kristen Burns' Metaphors and Moonlight blog, containing lists of books, discussion posts, and resources
Let's Fox About It (Books Section) - Culture & media site founded by the wonderful Ceillie Simkiss
We Need Diverse Books (YouTube Channel)
American Indians in Children's Literature - excellent blog run by Debbie Reese looking at representation of Native Americans, especially in children's books
Latinxs in Kid Lit - blog focussed on Latinx rep in YA, MG, and other kids' books
The Lesbian Review (Book Section) - reviews, top 10s, book club, etc. of F/F books
The Lesbrary - blog focussed on lesbian and F/F books
The Lesbian Review (Book Section) - reviews, top 10s, book club, etc. of F/F books
The Lesbrary - blog focussed on lesbian and F/F books
Latinxs in Kid Lit - blog focussed on Latinx rep in YA, MG, and other kids' books
Rich In Color - website dedicated to YA by or about People of Colour (PoCs) and Indigenous Peoples
Romance Novels in Color - blog about romance novels featuring People of Colour
The Brown Bookshelf - blog devoted to African American kids literature (inc. YA)
WOCreads - Bina's excellent blog: 'reading & reviewing works by women of color'
Reading Zimbabwe
(also see Mental Illness/Mental Health, Non Neuro-Typical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum, and Learning Disabilities)
[Links added soon]
[Links added soon]
* 'Cee, why is this here? Eastern Europeans are largely white, yes? There's lots of white people in literature.' Yes. Yes there are. Eastern Europeans (particularly from outside of Russia)? Not so much. Also, this is a group of people increasingly facing prejudice and hate crime in the UK. People are being attacked and killed for being Polish and/or Eastern European. So this is my small contribution to a change in attitude.
[Links added soon]
7 must-read books by Indigenous authors - list from 'ABC everyday'
2020: AICL's Best Books of 2020 - list from American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)
Turtle Island Indigenous People
2020: AICL's Best Books of 2020 - list from American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)
Highlighting Books by Indigenous Authors - list from Emily @ Paperback Princess
(also see Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour (PoC))
Asian (Nationality/Ethnicity)
10 Must-Read Korean Novels in Translation - list from Books & Bao
14 MORE LGBTQ MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS - list from Casey Stepaniuk @ Book Riot
25 of the Greatest Queer YA Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List - list from Sarah Felbin @ Pop Sugar
18 OF THE BEST TRANS FANTASY AND SCI-FI BOOKS - list from Caitlin Hobbs @ Book Riot
Books by trans writers of color - Goodreads list from user Minosh
Non-Binary (Genderqueer, Genderfluid, Gender-Unspecified, etc) Fiction and Memoirs - list from Danika at The Lesbrary @ Goodreads
Trans Day of Visibility: Top 25 Books by Trans/Nonbinary Authors (according to Twitter) - list from Oceans of Novels
MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS WITH MUSLIM CHARACTERS - list @ What Do We Do All Day?
[links added soon]
[links added soon]
[Links added soon]
[links added soon]
[Links added soon]
(also see Non-neurotypical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum, Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities.)
[links added soon]
[links added soon]
"The Reader" vs. POC: Time to Rethink the Creative Writing Workshop - writing PoC characters, and re-defining the default reader; by Matthew Salesses
(* Please let me know if I've made a mistake with someone's name! I try my best, but it's not always clear which names are surnames, and I'm really sorry if I've got something wrong.)
[Links added soon]
"The Reader" vs. POC: Time to Rethink the Creative Writing Workshop - writing PoC characters, and re-defining the default reader; by Matthew Salesses
Not all tropes are bad - far from it, but so many can be used harmfully against marginalised groups.
It's important to learn about tropes and how they affect our perceptions, especially of groups that are all too often stereotyped or dehumanised.
Just like with the original link list, it'll start small and continue to grow throughout the year.
Once again, my (hopefully achievable) aim is to get at least one link for EVERY category - so if you can help out, check out the info. below!
This is a list I started back in 2016 as a resource for those interested in the Diversity Movement and promoting diversity in books.
So what counts?
Well, a variety of stuff, but just as an example:
- Discussion blogposts
- Lists of authors
- Lists of diverse books
- Goodreads lists
- Articles about diverse books
- Interviews with diverse authors and/or about diversity in books
Some stuff that DOESN'T count:
- Book reviews (although link-ups and lists of reviews are acceptable, this isn't a place for individual reviews)
- Amazon/Goodreads etc. links to individual books
- Non-bookish stuff
- Spam
For more info, see the 2016 list which has more details, or just ask - I don't bite!
I really do need your help - this is literally hours of work!
You can submit links via this spreadsheet - no spam, please.
I'm not responsible for 3rd party content, or for the books the links recommend.
If there's a problem with any link - broken link or concerning content etc. - just let me know in the comments below
This post is 100% FREE for all, but if you would like to support me, Dora Reads, and the Link List, you can buy me a coffee here.
Previous Link Lists
General
African Nationalities
Black
The Brown Bookshelf - blog devoted to African American kids literature (inc. YA)
Sistahs on the Shelf - Black Lesbian book blog
Disability in Kidlit - website dedicated to representations of disability (inc. mental illness, learning disabilities, and non-neuro-typical people,) in Young Adult and Middle Grade (kids') books
All Our Worlds - Diverse Fantastic Fiction - a resource for diverse Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Speculative fiction
Disability
Disability in Kidlit - website dedicated to representations of disability (inc. mental illness, learning disabilities, and non-neuro-typical people,) in Young Adult and Middle Grade (kids') books
General
All Our Worlds - Diverse Fantastic Fiction - a resource for diverse Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Speculative fiction
Diverse Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books - Absolutely awesome section of Kristen Burns' Metaphors and Moonlight blog, containing lists of books, discussion posts, and resources
Let's Fox About It (Books Section) - Culture & media site founded by the wonderful Ceillie Simkiss
We Need Diverse Books (YouTube Channel)
Indigenous Peoples
Latinx
Latinxs in Kid Lit - blog focussed on Latinx rep in YA, MG, and other kids' books
Lesbian (and Sapphic/WLW)
Sistahs on the Shelf - Black Lesbian book blog
The Lesbrary - blog focussed on lesbian and F/F books
Sistahs on the Shelf - Black Lesbian book blog
The Lesbian Review (Book Section) - reviews, top 10s, book club, etc. of F/F books
The Lesbrary - blog focussed on lesbian and F/F books
The Lesbrary Goodreads Project - Lesbrary Goodreads lists
YA Pride
American Indians in Children's Literature - excellent blog run by Debbie Reese looking at representation of Native Americans, especially in children's books
Black Lesbian Literary Collective
Native Americans
American Indians in Children's Literature - excellent blog run by Debbie Reese looking at representation of Native Americans, especially in children's books
People of Colour (PoCs) (UK - Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME))
Latinxs in Kid Lit - blog focussed on Latinx rep in YA, MG, and other kids' books
Lit-erally Black - blog dedicated to books by Black authors
Rich In Color - website dedicated to YA by or about People of Colour (PoCs) and Indigenous Peoples
Romance Novels in Color - blog about romance novels featuring People of Colour
Sistahs on the Shelf - Black Lesbian book blog
The Brown Bookshelf - blog devoted to African American kids literature (inc. YA)
WOCreads - Bina's excellent blog: 'reading & reviewing works by women of color'
Zimbabwean Nationality
Lists
Disability
(also see Mental Illness/Mental Health, Non Neuro-Typical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum, and Learning Disabilities)
[Links added soon]
Eastern European (Both Heritage & Nationality)*
[Links added soon]
* 'Cee, why is this here? Eastern Europeans are largely white, yes? There's lots of white people in literature.' Yes. Yes there are. Eastern Europeans (particularly from outside of Russia)? Not so much. Also, this is a group of people increasingly facing prejudice and hate crime in the UK. People are being attacked and killed for being Polish and/or Eastern European. So this is my small contribution to a change in attitude.
General
[Links added soon]
Indigenous Peoples
(also see People of Colour (PoC) and International/World-Lit/Geography-categorised)Australian Indigenous Peoples
Native Americans
Turtle Island Indigenous People
2020: AICL's Best Books of 2020 - list from American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)
Highlighting Books by Indigenous Authors - list from Emily @ Paperback Princess
International/World Lit/Geography-categorised
(not including Europe, US, Canada, Aus & NZ)(also see Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour (PoC))
Asian (Nationality/Ethnicity)
10 Must-Read Korean Novels in Translation - list from Books & Bao
My Favourite Romantic Books by Asian Authors - List from Emily @ Paperback Princess
Korean (Nationality/Ethnicity)
10 Must-Read Korean Novels in Translation - list from Books & Bao
[Links added soon]
Learning Disabilities
(also see Mental Illness/Mental Heath, Non Neuro-Typical/Neuro-Diverse/Autistic Spectrum, and Disabilities)[Links added soon]
LGBTQ+
General LGBTQ+ / Queer
67 of the Best Queer Books of 2020 - list from Casey @ Autostraddle
Queer Literature to Fall in Love With - list from Amelia Abraham @ buro247
Transgender and Trans+
Non-Binary and NB+
Non-Binary (Genderqueer, Genderfluid, Gender-Unspecified, etc) Fiction and Memoirs - list from Danika at The Lesbrary @ Goodreads
Trans Day of Visibility: Top 25 Books by Trans/Nonbinary Authors (according to Twitter) - list from Oceans of Novels
[Links added soon]
[Links added soon]
(also see Indigenous Peoples and International/World-Lit/Geography-categorised)
Mental Illness/Mental Health
(also see Disabilities, Non Neuro-typical/Neuro-Diverse/Autistic Spectrum, and Learning Disabilities)[Links added soon]
Non Neuro-Typical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum
(see also Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Illness/Mental Health)[Links added soon]
(Black, Indigenous and) People of Colour ((BI)PoC)
(UK - Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME))
My Favourite Romantic Books by Asian Authors - List from Emily @ Paperback Princess
General/All
Books by trans writers of color - Goodreads list from user Minosh
Religious Diversity
Muslim/Islam
Traveller and Roma
[links added soon]
Discussion Posts
Disability
(also see Mental Illness/Mental Health, Non Neuro-Typical/Neuro-Diverse/Autistic Spectrum, and Learning Disabilities)[links added soon]
General
[Links added soon]
Indigenous Peoples
(also see People of Colour (PoC) and International/World-Lit/Geography-Categorised)[links added soon]
LGBTQ+
[Links added soon]
Mental Illness/Mental Health
(also see Non-neurotypical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum, Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities.)
[links added soon]
Non-neurotypical/Neuro-diverse/Autistic Spectrum
(also see disabilities, mental illness/mental health, and learning disabilities)[links added soon]
(Black, Indigenous and) People of Colour ((BI)PoC)
(UK - Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME))
(also see Indigenous Peoples and International/World-Lit/Geography-categorised)"The Reader" vs. POC: Time to Rethink the Creative Writing Workshop - writing PoC characters, and re-defining the default reader; by Matthew Salesses
Diverse Authors Spotlights, Bibliographies, Q&As
Alphabetical*
(* Please let me know if I've made a mistake with someone's name! I try my best, but it's not always clear which names are surnames, and I'm really sorry if I've got something wrong.)
[Links added soon]
Advice For Writing Diversity
See also: Stereotypes and Tropes
(Black, Indigenous and) People of Colour ((BI)PoC)
(UK - Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME))
(also see Indigenous Peoples and International/World-Lit/Geography-categorised)"The Reader" vs. POC: Time to Rethink the Creative Writing Workshop - writing PoC characters, and re-defining the default reader; by Matthew Salesses
Stereotypes and Tropes
Not all tropes are bad - far from it, but so many can be used harmfully against marginalised groups.
It's important to learn about tropes and how they affect our perceptions, especially of groups that are all too often stereotyped or dehumanised.
[Links added soon]
I always look forward to this list every year! Admittedly, I do forget to add to the list when I find some cool content. I'll try to make a mental note this year to jot down any diverse content I find to contribute! Thanks for all your hard work, Cee :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do have a question. Sorry if you have answered this before. Do the links have to be from published works in 2021? Or can the links be things that were published in years previously but that were discovered in 2021?
DeleteThanks Em!
DeleteThe links can be from any year - I only do a new post for every year because I find it easier to manage that way (plus it gives me opportunity to publicise it as 'new' - and everyone likes new!) If the content is of value, I don't mind when it was published at all. :)