Hello Meltingpot Community,
Do you live near an awesome independent bookstore that excels at stocking multicultural titles for adults, teens and kids? I do. It’s called the Big Blue Marble Bookstore and they have created a spectacular Diverse Reading Challenge for 2020 that I think everyone could benefit from. Even a book-loving, diversity diva like myself needs a challenge to keep her honest. Maybe you do too.
For people who live close to the Big Blue Marble, there’s added incentive to completing the challenge. For every book you read, you either get a discount on your next book purchase, or a free cup of coffee from the indie coffee shop across the street. (In case you were wondering, yes, I live in the best neighborhood in the world.) I am a sucker for a free anything or a discount on a book, so that makes me want to participate in this diverse reading challenge even more, but if you’re not a Philadelphia local, you could make up your own rewards. Or maybe do the diverse reading challenge with a friend or a group. I always say, sharing is caring. Also, as the booksellers at the Big Blue Marble note, this list can be adapted for kids, teens and adults. It’s not just for grown folks.
The 2020 Diverse Reading Challenge
The reason I love this book challenge so much is because it takes a really expansive look at diversity. It’s not just ethnic or cultural diversity, it’s also asking us to push past our literary comfort zones and dip into categories that might be new, like Afrofuturism or poetry. I am an avid reader and I really do read a lot of authors from diverse backgrounds, but this challenge really is going to make me get a bit uncomfortable. I guess that’s why it is a challenge and not just a reading list. But I’m ready to dive right in. Here’s what the Big Blue Marble’s 2020 Diverse Reading Challenge entails (slightly edited to remove store/Philly centric references). You have to read at least one book from each category by the end of 2020:
Indigenous Author
There are many great chapter books, YA novels, fiction, poetry and nonfiction by Native/Indigenous authors. In addition to Tommy Orange’s There There neighborhood favorites include Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass and Sherman Alexie’s picture book, Thunder Boy, Jr.
Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism is the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a Black lens and cultures, myths, and traditions from across the African continent. Neighborhood favorite authors include Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin, and Tomi Adeyemi’s Legend of Orisha books.
Poetry
Not up on the best contemporary poets? Philly has dozens of award-winning poets – like my friend Eleanor Stanford and Yolanda Wisher.
Comics/Graphic
Comics/graphic is a format, not a genre – a way to add the emotional power of visual art to story telling. Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, humor – authors and artists are constantly pushing the boundaries of how comics format can be adapted to make beautiful and complicated stories. Look for the illustrated Mueller report, books from Scott McCloud and Lynda Barry that use comics to explain how comics are created, and ask any middle grade reader to find out how Raina Telgemeier dominates middle grade publishing!
How an Object is Made
We live in a material world, yet most objects we use are made by somewhere else by someone else. Take a deep dive into the how of something you care about – food, furniture, fiber, buildings, toys, books – who makes these, and how, and how have they shaped us?
LGBTQ Author
LGBTQ people and families have been part of the weave of our Mt Airy neighborhood for so many years. Celebrate LGBTQ lives!
#OwnVoices
#OwnVoices is a movement to create books about diverse characters written by authors from that same diverse group. While authors have worked hard to responsibly write the “other,” it’s also important to seek out books written from personal experience and books that value accurate representation of race, disability, cultures, gender and sexuality.
Final Book of a Series
In honor of the March release of the long-awaited final title of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy, finish a series and celebrate!
Immigrant Author
Every part of our daily lives – food, architecture, music, clothes – has been shaped by immigrants to the U.S. We need new voices and new visions in order to see our world more clearly, and to fight back against the current political culture that attacks immigrants.
Something Just for Fun
2020 is going to be a rough year – take time to read something just for pleasure. As pleasure is an important human emotion, we won’t judge or consider a pleasure “guilty.” Sometimes one just needs to read a happy-ending love story, spend time with a favorite childhood character, or delight in a high-body count thriller.
Read with the Meltingpot Community
Don’t forget dear readers, keep track of each category you check off and give yourself a pat on the back, a cup of coffee or a cookie. Even better idea, join our private My American Meltingpot Facebook community and brag and share about your 2020 Diverse Reading Challenge accomplishments. Tell us what book you read that you loved …or hated and why. Then we can cheer you on, ask questions and make suggestions for your next pick. I always say a challenge is better done together. Right? If you don’t live in Philadelphia, you can download this worksheet I’ve created to help keep track of your diverse reading this year!
Okay, who wants to take on this 2020 diverse reading challenge with me? Show of hands in the comments section.
Peace!
P.S. Thank you to the Big Blue Marble Bookstore. Be sure to visit if you’re ever in Philadelphia.
