Hosted by Mishma of Chasing Fairytales & Shelly of Read. Sleep. Repeat
Well, we want to encourage the reading and support of diverse books and marginalized voices, and therefore this challenge hopes to help you read more diversely in 2017!
HOW DO WE CLASSIFY A BOOK AS DIVERSE?
The main character – or one of the leads, who preferably has a POV – has to belong to a diverse group. According to the definition of We Need Diverse Books
“We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.
*We subscribe to a broad definition of disability, which includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses (this may also include addiction). Furthermore, we subscribe to a social model of disability, which presents disability as created by barriers in the social environment, due to lack of equal access, stereotyping, and other forms of marginalization.”
Furthermore if you have any doubt regarding whether a book is diverse or not, feel free to ask either Shelly or Me via twitter. I am @chasingfaes and Shelly is @shellysrambles.
CERTAIN THINGS TO KNOW
- The books you read can be MG/YA/NA or adult, as well as in any format – paperback, hardcover, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, anthologies, short stories etc.
- The books you read can be released at any time, can be ARCs and can be rereads. And it can coincide with another challenge you’re taking part in.
- The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st, and you can join in at any time you want.
- You don’t have to have a blog in order to participate, but we’d prefer if you review or talk about book in some platform, namely twitter, instagram or goodreads
- We don’t have levels or points, as we’re trying to promote the reading of diversity, and we want you to set your own goals!
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR?
We have created mini challenges for each month! We have designated a theme for each month, and while you are not required to read a book that falls in that particular category, this is something we created for those who like to challenge themselves a bit.
January – Stories based on/ inspired by diverse folktales/culture/mythology
February – POC/ Biracial/ Multiracial Main Character/Lead
March – Disability
April – Mental Health
May – Religious Diversity
June and July – Sexuality and Gender Identity
August – Non Western Setting
September – Ownvoices
October – Intersectionality
November – Diverse Retelling
December – 2017 Releases
I’m actually just going to go with the “more diversity” in my reading – as I find that many of the historic and contemporary romances that are more ‘mainstream’ are often lacking in diversity that is actually there in society (anyone who watched Friends should know this).
I’ll track my progress here
The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson by Nancy Peacock
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Driven to Distraction: Lovestruck Librarians #5 by Olivia Dade
The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
Break Your Heart by Rhonda Helms
Danced Close: Portland Heat #6 by Annabeth Albert
The Satanic Mechanic: Tannie Maria Mystery #2 by Sally Andrew
Back to Your Love: Brothers of Theta Delta Theta #1 by Kianna Alexander
Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan