Reading encourages empathy and folks right now we need a lot more of that. For example, as a white CIS woman, I may not be able to walk a mile in a BIPOC person's shoes, but I can read their stories and learn in that way.
Here are some books that might get you started. I've not read all of these books or authors. In upcoming posts, I will work hard to address that shortcoming.
Authors and Books recommended by me and mine
These are books and authors recommended by me, my husband, or some of close reader friends.
- Octavia Butler is highly recommended by sci-fi/fantasy readers everywhere. Octavia is a black writer with an extensive list of books to her credit. My husband is a huge fan. A friend strongly recommends the Xenogensis trilogy.
- If you're looking for a non-fiction queer voice, I recommend Love That Story: Observations From A Gorgeously Queer Life by Jonathan Van Ness. Jonathan may be a familiar name as he's most well known for Queer Eye.
- Nnedi Okorafor is an African American female writer who has won numerous awards including the Hugo. Her Binti series is very popular but Marvel fans may be more interested in her graphic novels Shiri from the Blank Panther comics.
- Caitlan Kiernan's book list is full of non-cis characters which isn't surprising as she herself is transgender. Explore her and I'm certain you'll find a story you'd love to read.
- Ms Marvel, a Muslim teen who finds herself with super powers, is less unfamiliar as it once was thanks to the MCU. These comics have a solid following and worth a read.
- Toni Morrison is an African American female writer that you probably have read before or at least heard. Her books have been banned and widely discussed in and out of classrooms. Many of her stories center around Black characters struggling with some very painful truths of the Black experience. Her Bluest Eye is a book I read 20+ years ago and some of the imagery still sticks with me. Beloved has left a similar mark on me. If you haven't read Toni Morrison yet, you should.
- Brave new World by Aldous Huxley is a book often banned but also taught in English classes. This book begs the question: Just because you can do a thing, should you?
- 1984 by George Orwell presents a world full of totalitarianisms and suppression of individuality. This book is also often banned but also taught in English classes. If you've not read it in a while, maybe its time to re-read.
- Leslie Silko is a much loved Native American female author and should be a must read for any serious reader. I recommend Ceremony. I was fortunate to hear this author speak and found her engaging and as passionate as her books.
- Rebecca Roanhorse has won many awards for her writing including the Hugo. I personally have read her Sixth World books that begins with Trail of Lightening. The Sixth World books aren't as popular as some of her other books, so if Trail of Lightening doesn't appeal, look at Black Sun.
- Crazy Brave by Joy Hario. She is most known for her poetry, which my husband loves. He picked up Crazy Brave recently.
- Tracks by Louise Erdrich is one my husband strongly recommends. It's the third book in the series by one of the premier Native American Authors in the country. I must admit, the husband and been urging me to read her books and I've not yet done so. Looks like it's time for me to remedy that.
Common Challenged books in 2021
These are books from the American Library Association. As I write this, I've only read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I need to change that, maybe you do too.
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
- Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
- Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin
