Happy's Diversity Challenge 2015

[Happy]

I realized recently that I have spent most of my life reading books by straight white English-speaking men, mostly about a young and able-bodied straight white hero.

I have nothing against these books. I love these books. But I'm ready to read books in translation, books by queer people, books written by the disabled, by women, by trans people, by people of colour, by anyone outside the majority.

So my goal for 2015 is that my recreational reading will be multicultural and diverse. I won't beat myself up if I don't stick to it 100% - everyone has their comfort reading when their mind wants to travel down familiar paths, and I expect I'll have times of that over the next year. But it is my aspiration.

2015 Diversity Challenge TBR
2015 Diversity Challenge Completed

[Kassandra]

Great personal challenge Shelley. It's often difficult to break out of our comfort zones, especially for an entire year. Your challenge is really inspiring!

[Melissa]

I love it!!! For ideas: try an Around the World or from every Continent Challenge. It opened up new authors from different cultures this last year.

[[deleted user]]

Great idea for a challenge! I'll be following along to see what you end up reading :)

[Happy]

I quail at the idea of selecting a culture from each continent and declaring it to be representative of such. But I won't have enough year to do one book from each country (nor would that even get every culture!) A continent challenge will have to be as close a proxy as I can manage, I guess. Maybe two each from Africa, South America, Asia, and Oceania; and one each from North America (Mexico), and Europe (Eastern Europe).

Why did I wait so long to decide to branch out from American/European fiction? I'm halfway through my life! *flails*

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I seriously love this idea! Hopefully the World Lit Challenge will help you find some alternative reads. I admit, I need to broaden my reading too, it is woefully stuck in the Western canon.

Also, sneak peek, we're planning some mini challenges based around minority groups, so keep an eye out for them throughout the year!

[[deleted user]]

Shelley wrote: "I quail at the idea of selecting a culture from each continent and declaring it to be representative of such. But I won't have enough year to do one book from each country (nor would that even get ..."

I'm right there with you, definitely stuck in a reading rut! I've already got my book list planned out for 2015, but I think I should do what you're doing in 2016-that will give me plenty of time to figure out what books to read :)

[Aitziber]

Your idea is really cool, Shelley. Hit me up for recs if you like, a lot of my reading is exactly what you're looking for. :)

[Happy]

Thanks! I'm trying to get the list I've collected so far to load into Goodreads, and then I can see how much more I need to find. (I think the answer is - lots!)

[Happy]

My TBR so far for this challenge:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Happy]

I just finished my first book for this challenge, even though it's not quite 2015 yet. lol

[Happy]

Completed so far:


Reading now:

[Happy]

Half of a Yellow Sun

Set in Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra that existed from 1967-1970. Trigger warning for (view spoiler)[graphic war violence, child starvation, gang rape (hide spoiler)] 4*

[Sarah]

I love this idea - I often tend to stick to what I know, and don't broaden my horizons... you've really reminded me of the value in doing so. Thank you and good luck!

[Happy]

Sarah, thanks for stopping by! I hope you find some inspiration to wander a little.

New reads:


The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was set mostly in Afghanistan from the years before Soviet occupation to the takeover of the Taliban. Some parts of it are quite lovely, but trigger warning for (view spoiler)[child rape. (hide spoiler)] 4*


A Veil of Glass and Rain by Swiss author Petra F. Bagnardi
Self-published erotica set in Rome. 1*