Diversifying your bookshelf means seeking out stories from perspectives and backgrounds different from your own, and often outside what is taught in the average curriculum. It means seeking out a range of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and essays -- and graphic novels & comics, too!⁠
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As a white woman who loves reading & grew up in incredibly white, straight (R U R A L) New Hampshire, my local library didn't have a single lgbtq+ text (unless you count Fried Green Tomatoes, which, I mean, you should-- but I digress). The postage stamp sized library didn't have many books by/about POC either, and my high school library wasn't much different. My experience isn't dissimilar to many people in the US - and it's our responsibility to make up for that lack in our own reading worlds & to combat the Diverse Book Deserts so many of us are living in.⁠
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Some of my favorite strategies for Diversifying Our Bookshelves include:⁠
📖 Actively seek out books written by people from many different backgrounds - purchase them from an indie bookseller, request them from your local library. Even listening to the audiobooks on Audible/Google Play/LibriBox etc will support the author.⁠
📖 Share those books with your friends, family members and strangers. POC authors get way less press and hype during book releases. Word of mouth (yeah I'm also talking about social media here obv) is a super simple and direct way support. #doitforthegram⁠
📖 Build a Free Little Library and do your best to stock it with books written by & about people with many different backgrounds and experiences.⁠
📖 Investigate what Bookish groups and organizations may already exist in your area - and ask them how you can support their efforts to diversify books in your community.⁠
📖 Join an intersectional book club. I'm a personal fan of Feminist Bookclub Box⁠
📖 Listen to a bookish podcast focusing on intersectional and diverse books. I enjoy Octavia's Parables Podcast

You will receive one 2.55" x 3" sticker printed with high quality opaque ink on weatherproof clear vinyl, sturdy enough for your water bottle and your car (or bike) and dishwasher safe. The adhesive is permanent, though -- so make sure you'll want it forever wherever you do stick it!

*Actual colors may vary from the color on your screen due to monitor color restrictions*
Copyright Callie Garp, All rights reserved - 2021

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