#4: Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma

[Regan]

Cato wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe, Klara and the Sun, Raybearer or Binti? Do any of these qualify for this task?"

I just finished Elatsoe! It was phenomenal, and definitely works for a book with an asexual or aromantic protagonist, but I don't think it works very well for this prompt. There are elements of joy in it, but a lot of the central conflict is on both personal and racial trauma.

[Simone]

I think I'll go with middle grade for this one. I chose: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

[Cato]

Regan wrote: "Cato wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe, Klara and the Sun, Raybearer or Binti? Do any of these qualify for this task?"

I just finished Elatsoe!..."

Thank you for replying and sharing your opinion. I will definitely read Elatsoe at some point. Has anyone read the other books mentioned and can tell me if they fit the task?

[Kari]

Cato wrote: "Regan wrote: "Cato wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe, Klara and the Sun, Raybearer or Binti? Do any of these qualify for this task?"

I..."

I read Binti, and it really depends on your interpretation of "joy"? It definitely has a lot of trauma and pain, and some of that is tied up in the racial politics of the protagonist's world. But there's also an undercurrent of joy/elation/pride that she takes in her unique abilities, and that was fun to read. I'm struggling with my own interpretation of this prompt, so I hope that helps you decide.

[Maura]

Kari wrote: "Cato wrote: "Regan wrote: "Cato wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe, Klara and the Sun, Raybearer or Binti? Do any of these qualify for t..."

I wouldn't count Binti for this prompt since it specifies joy and NOT trauma - like Kari said, there's a good amount of joy and pride in Binti but also trauma. The later books in the trilogy highlight the trauma aspect (as well as the pride and growing into herself elements).

I wouldn't count Raybearer either, though I loved it as a book.

I loved Elatsoe but agree with Regan that it counts for other prompts (e.g. #11, asexual MC) but not for this one.

Haven't read Klara and the Sun.

[Tricia]

Cato wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe, Klara and the Sun, Raybearer or Binti? Do any of these qualify for this task?"

I read Klara and the Sun and it isn't about joy. It's a beautiful story about an AF (artificial friend) and her person. But a large part of the book deals with illness, the struggles kids go through, and the separation that comes when children grow up and leave their toys behind. I don't think it would count.

[Cato]

Thank you all for your help!

[Roman]

I was going to reread The Bride Was a Boy, but I kept seeing Bingo Love and it looks delightful.

[Stephanie]

I started the year with World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Was beautiful. Fits here.

Also how do you all get these books recs to be links and look nice?

[Lauraellen]

Stephanie wrote: "I started the year with World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Was beautiful. Fits here.

Also how do you all get these books recs to be links and look nice?"
Hi Stephanie, I think you can only do it on the desktop site, not the app - when I'm on the computer I can click a little tag that says "add book/author" that isn't there when on your phone. I think you could probably use html to do it on the phone but that is beyond me, sorry.

[Stephanie]

Lauraellen wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I started the year with World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Was beautiful. Fits here.

Also how do you all get these books recs to be links and look nice?"
Hi Stephanie, I ..."

Gotcha. I figured it may a limit in the app. Maybe I'll post from my PC here from now on. I've noticed I"m more likely to check a book rec when I can click through to it's page. Thanks for the info.

[Rebecca]

I am going with the NY Public Library recommendation of Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance by Jessamyn Stanley. The audiobook is great!

[Meredith]

I think there are some great non-fiction titles that haven't been mentioned yet:
Year of Yes
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants (if you connect joy with gratitude and gifts, which I do!)
The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights from Super Soul Conversations
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
Black Food: Stories, Art, and Essays

[Nid]

does the sun is also a star by Nicola yoon count?

[Nisha]

Would either Cemetery Boys or Light from Uncommon Stars work for this prompt?

[Elin]

Lisa wrote: "Would The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden work for this one?"

Sadly, no. The author Jonas Jonasson is very white. It's a very funny book though, perfect beach read.

[[deleted user]]

I Can’t Think Straight by Shamim Sarif

[Caroline]

Alex wrote: "I'm so late but I'll finally read the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert :)" Oh, I think this is going to be mine as well!!!

[Regan]

Nisha wrote: "Would either Cemetery Boys or Light from Uncommon Stars work for this prompt?"

I think Cemetery Boys would be pretty questionable, since a whole lot of it is trauma, but Light from Uncommon Stars would be a great pick! (It's also a great book!)

[Cato]

I will read Light from Uncommon Stars then.

[Caroline]

I’ve switched my pick to The Fastest Way to Fall.

[Jaime]

Would Instructions for Dancing fit here? I am thinking yes, but wondering if someone who has read it can confirm.

[Mandie]

I'm thinking of conquering Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America for this.

[Takako]

I bought Pride by Ibi Bozoi a while back - it's a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I started it but haven't gone back to it (it happens!). Would this qualify?

[Jess]

Anyone read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams? Would it fit this prompt? I'm trying to find a synopsis without spoilers, and have seen it described as joyous, but not sure the focus is on joy...

[Milena]

Jess wrote: "Anyone read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams? Would it fit this prompt? I'm trying to find a synopsis without spoilers, and have seen it described as joyous, but not sure the focus is on joy..."

It doesn't, sorry to say. Lots of trauma.

[Juulna]

Lotsa SFF doesn’t ignore it but it isn’t the focus by far. I mean, unless you’re Octavia Butler. 😅 I love her though.

[Juulna]

Also, actually, I read A Master of Djinn and it was glorious and very filled with hope looking forward.

[Ron]

I seriously don't know where to start with this one.

Which nonfiction book out there has pure joy in it?

[Sneha]

Swing Time by Zadie Smith. I will read this for this prompt

[Milena]

Ron wrote: "I seriously don't know where to start with this one.

Which nonfiction book out there has pure joy in it?"

How about The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World?

[Ron]

Milena wrote: "Ron wrote: "I seriously don't know where to start with this one.

Which nonfiction book out there has pure joy in it?"

How about [book:The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World|29496..."

Thanks.

[Julie]

Here's a listopia for this prompt, hope it's helpful to some!

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Blake]

I’m reading “Get A Life, Chloe Brown” and i don’t think i will finish it. I actually really enjoyed the first three quarters, but now i’m just bored.

[Beth]

Takako wrote: "I bought Pride by Ibi Bozoi a while back - it's a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I started it but haven't gone back to it (it happens!). Would this qualify?"

Yes! There's discussion of gentrification but it's overall a lighthearted romance in the vein of the original.

[Mandie]

Mandie wrote: "I'm thinking of conquering Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America for this."

After reading this, I don't think it fits this prompt as well as I thought it would.

[Biana]

I read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

It was an amazing book that I'm going to recommend for ages still. I sent my mother a copy.

Yes, it's about being a POC and it's full of sorrows and pain and regrets as well as joy and happiness. But that's life, isn't it? It was more about the life of this blue woman of Kentucky.

Yes, blue. I Googled it.

[C. S.]

M wrote: "I feel like I'll Be the One is just pure joy."

Thanks for this, I just got it from the library and it looks like so much fun!

[Elizabeth]

I finally got to With the Fire on High, so I'm counting it for this (and loved it, especially as an audiobook). I'm also reading and loving Act Your Age, Eve Brown right now, but I finished the other first.

[Ron]

I'm trying to find nonfiction books that fit this genre but it's kind of hard to find any that work.

[Jess]

Anyone read Klara and thge Sun who can tell me if it fits this prompt?

[Bonnie G.]

Jess wrote: "Anyone read Klara and thge Sun who can tell me if it fits this prompt?"

Klara and the Sun is definitely not about joy.

[Jess]

Thanks. It's really hard to find this one prompt without spoilers!

[Bonnie G.]

Jess wrote: "Thanks. It's really hard to find this one prompt without spoilers!"

No problem, its definitely a bleak view of the future, regardless of how specific storylines turn out. I read Xeni if you like romance, it was pretty fun. I often read more than one book per prompt, and I am also considering

Music Is History
My Year Abroad and
The Son of Mr. Suleman: A Novel

[Jess]

I think I've settled on Mr Loverman by Bernadette Evaristo. I'm still going to read Klara and the Sun too anyway, because I'm getting it for my birthday on Friday!

[Jess]

Autocorrect! *Bernadine

[Suzanne]

Ron wrote: "I'm trying to find nonfiction books that fit this genre but it's kind of hard to find any that work." The Book of Delights by Ross Gay was pretty joyful.

[Bonnie G.]

Jess wrote: "I think I've settled on Mr Loverman by Bernadette Evaristo. I'm still going to read Klara and the Sun too anyway, because I'm getting it for my birthday on Friday!"

I was looking at Mr. Leverman too - I loved her last book. Hope you enjoy!

[Hannah]

Yearning by Bell Hooks

[t ♡]

I read Mr Loverman which was delightful! (LGBTQ+, BIPOC rep)