by Jessica Shelleman
Two years ago, a colleague and I decided we wanted to form a book club that would focus on titles and discussions surrounding the ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our world is beautiful and diverse, filled with a variety of people, each with their own story. We wanted to discover those stories through books and talk about them with others. Thus, Delving into Diversity was born.
We often use the term “windows and mirrors” when discussing diversity in children’s literature, but it’s just as important when it comes to adult books as well. The term “windows and mirrors” was first used by educator Emily Styles in 1988. Put simply, a “mirror” book is one in which you can see yourself, whereas a “window” book allows you to see into the lives of those who are different from you. It’s so important for both children and adults to have access to both window and mirror books, to see and appreciate the lives of others, and to see themselves and know that they aren’t alone.
For our diversity book club, we made it our goal to choose diverse topics in a variety of genres. Some of the topics we’ve read about include race, ethnicity, culture, LGBTQIA+, physical disabilities, immigrant stories, ageism, HIV/AIDS, and religion. We read all different types of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry, essays, young adults, and even a children’s book.
For November, we’ll be reading and discussing American Sunrise, a book of poetry by Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation who has won many awards for her writing and was the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States. If you’re interested in discussing this title, sign up online at https://www.adamslibrary.org/event/delving-diversity-15. The group meets virtually via Zoom on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
While I haven’t yet revealed my upcoming book club selections, I’ll include below a list of many of the books the group has read and discussed over the past two years. If you’re interested in any of these titles, feel free to check with your local branch library.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag
If at Birth You Don’t Succeed by Zach Anner
Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Once a Girl, Always a Boy by Jo Ivester
Taking Turns: Stories from AIDS / HIV Care Unit 371 by MK Czerwiec
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Yes, I’m Hot in This by Huda Fahmy
Maus by Art Spiegelman
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
The Stonewall Reader, edited by the New York Public Library
Jessica Shelleman is the Littlestown Library Branch Manager, ACLS