When I thought three months ago about doing a diversity month, I had no idea so many people would want to participate! I am truly honoured and touched that we had so many people share their thoughts, make lists, expose a bit of their soul and share their wonderful books with us. I just want to thank every single participant and blog reader and RTer and every single person who made this event possible. You are all extraordinary people. Thanks for helping me amplify voices that need to be heard. Let’s work to make this diversity month more than just a month, and perhaps a permanent in YA publishing.
We got so many amazing posts about all different types of experiences and I enjoyed reading everyone single one. If you missed any of the posts, here they all are, sorted by type for your convenience!
Guest Posts
- The romances we’re told to have: a guest post by Tessa from Tessellated Tales, Tessa discusses aromanticism/asexualism
- The Power of Story: a guest post by YA author Katie Robinson, discussing why diverse novels matter
- Diversity Matters: a guest post by Ana from Ana Loves shares her experience with diverse reading
- Lazy Diversity is Not Diversity: a guest post by YA author Miri Castor, discussing why weak diversity isn’t real diversity
- Pirate Culture: a guest post by Heidi Heilig, author of the upcoming THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE, and she discusses the unknown diversity of pirates
- You Can’t Sit Here: a guest post by the author of FORGET TOMORROW, Pintip Dunn discussing her personal experiences
- Nicole Brinkley, creator of the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBlogs talked about her experience and we even hosted a twitter chat!
- Wanting All the Things: YA author of THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN Roshani Choksi discusses how diversity is not a monolith
- Samantha from Where’s My Bookmark discusses what diversity means to her
- I am an emigrant’s child: Laura from 125 Pages shares her personal experiences
- Joséphine from Word Revel discusses religious diversity in YA
- Humanity is A Laser Light Show: a guest post from author Tera Lynn Childs
- “Why Are You Here?”: a guest post from YA author Sarah Nicolas discusses that diversity isn’t always visible, but is equally important
- Author L.M. Davis discusses what it would mean to achieve true literary diversity
- YA author Kelley York discusses why forcing diversity isn’t really diversity
- A.L. Davroe, author of NEXIS, discusses the diversity in her novels
- Mishma from Chasing Faerytales discusses how diverse reads have changed her for the better
- YA author Lisa Brown Roberts discuses the diversity in her novels
Lists
- A complete list of diverse reads sorted by genre
- Alexia from Adventures in Reading shares her top ten favourite diverse reads
- Sam from Cherry Blossoms and Maple syrup recommends 3 books featuring transgendered protagonists
- 15 diverse verse novels, sorted by age group
- Samantha from Where’s My Bookmark recommends some of her favourite diverse reads
- Stormy from Book.Blog.Bake shares the 2016 LGBTQIA+ books she’s looking forward to
- Pili of In Love With Handmade recommends 5 books featuring Indian culture
- C.M. Llyod of Llyod Reads recommends New Adult diverse reads
- Liran of Empress of Books discusses diverse 2016 reads she’s looking forward to
Interviews
- I chatted with Renae from Respiring Thoughts about how she only read books by authors from marginalized groups in the month of August
- Interview with Molli Moran, NA author of AS YOU TURN AWAY
- Interview with C.K. Oliver, author of the upcoming DAYBREAK RISING
- Interview with Shira Glassman, NA author of The Mangoverse Series
- Interview with Chase Knight, YA author of CHICKEN
- Interview with Marie Landry, YA/NA author
- Interview with Ashley Hope Pérez, YA author of the awesome OUT OF DARKNESS
- Interview with I.W. Gregorio, author of NONE OF THE ABOVE
Reviews
- A review of GEORGE by Alex Gino
- A guest review of SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli
Hope you all enjoy these posts! What did you think of diversity month? Should we make it an annual thing? Let me know!
Diversity month was so awesome! Thanks so much Shelly for reaching out and putting it all together. You’re amazing 😀
I was very happy to contribute a lil bit! And I’d love it to be an annual thing for sure!! October for Diversity Month!!