BOOKS

Diverse Books for the Win

These diverse books will give you all of the feels! They’re emotional, raw, timely, and all must reads for one reason or another.

In a world that feels like it’s reverting backwards, we need diverse books like these to remind us that we all have the same struggles, same fears, and we all are part of the same race: the human race.  We cannot move forward in society until we learn to know one another, and hopefully these reads will help give you a glimpse into a life unlike your own, or maybe a bit more like your own than you thought.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Balzer + Bray)—It’s no wonder that this book just won the William C. Morris Award and has been on the NY Times Bestsellers List for almost a year. This timely, and heartbreaking read should be on everyone’s shelves.

All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks (William Morrow Paperbacks) –Author, Bell Hooks, paints a picture of what love should be: all love. She examines everything from clichés around the word to misuse of the word, and what we’re left with are raw examinations of the real meaning of the word love.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Vintage International)– This classic novel explores issue of race, beauty, and how we perceive the idea of “ugliness.” Heartbreaking and brilliant. A must read!

She Regrets Nothing by Andrea Dunlap (Washington Square Press) – This page turner is addicting, and will keep you up all-night until you finish it. It explores the dark side of wealth and all the problems that come with money.

When they Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Kahn-Cullors and Asha Bandele (St. Martin’s Press)– This necessary and timely book from one of the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement is a book that will help usher in a desperate change that is needed in our country. Read it now!

Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed (Soho Teen)– While is Samira’s debut novel, we hope it isn’t her last. This eye-opening book explores how Maya Aziz, an Indian-American teen copes with Islamophobia, and a divide between both worlds she lives in.

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (Disney-Hyperion)– In this book, earth is doomed, devastated from environmental damage. That is until a message from an alien race offers a solution. Climate change is happening, whether or not our government believes it, and this book offers a grim look at what can happen if we don’t open up our eyes and change now.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform)– This novel explores issues of race, gender, and the objectification of a woman’s body. In light of what is happening in almost all industries with women coming forward saying no more. We will not be objectified or bullied into thinking we’re objects anymore, we’d say this book is beyond timely. It’s fast paced and thought-provoking!

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse)– This love story with a happy ending is told from two perspectives: one of Dimple, an aspiring tech entrepreneur and Rishi, a talented comic book artist, who met in a summer program in California. This heartwarming and hilarious novel is a satisfying read!

Looking for Group by Rory Harrison (HarperTeen)– Dylan is a cancer survivor and the one thing that got him through it was playing video games with Arden, a guy he met online playing the games. Now in remission, Dylan leaves home to meet Arden in person, and Dylan finds out what he wants most in life. Keep tissues nearby!