Tag: Diversity • BookLikes

quote 2015-07-07 21:35

As much as I loved [Harry Potter], I was looking for characters that represented us more, us being Latinos and people of color in the United States. So I thought it would be an amazing thing to write a magical story for teenagers that’s set in the city, that feels true to the city, and I felt like it was needed,

Daniel José Older, author of the newly released urban fantasyShadowshaper and BookUp instructor. (Via National Book Foundation)

Haven't read the book yet, but it's got some great reviews. I really really hope it lives up to the hype (although to be honest, it's not getting all that much hype). And that cover! Gorgeous!

Anyway, I know a few other people like to look out for this kind of thing as much as I do, so putting it out there. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/daniel-jose-older/ has a nice interview too.

urban fantasy diversity really urban urban fantasy

quote 2014-01-27 03:00

Chimera Speaks

Next year, I’m going to be conscious, intentional, and critical about the books I choose to buy and read. Because I like measurable goals (and because I think vague “try harder” goals are fairly worthless for me), I’m going to ensure that at least 50% of the books I read next year are written by POC. And I’m going to talk about those books, to rate and review them, to share them with others. …

It is important to learn about and talk about the wider systemic, institutional problems with racism in publishing and society in general. But I cannot be an ally without examining how my own personal choices are reinforcing the oppression I profess to oppose, and then changing those behaviors

Reblogged from Diversity in YA, from 'Kayla Whaley, “On Privilege and (a Lack of) Diversity on My Bookshelves"'

I saw this quote and decided to make a POC (People of Colour ) shelf online and found that I had only read approximately 63/463 books that featured characters from diverse backgrounds as main characters/part of the main cast. I read across genres so my count is not limited to YA books. Although, I did not count the manga or books where there were diverse characters with peripheral functions in plot.

I've been reading more diverse books both in 2013 and 2014 so I hope to continue to diversify my own reading habits for the rest of my life.

diversity new years resolutions privilege reading