I spend so much time reading, writing and thinking about the need for diverse books, as you see throughout this blog. I recommend all kinds of books to my students, I use examples of books that include characters with diverse races, religions, abilities and skin color. I make displays of books that show all different kinds of stories from everywhere. I blog here about how important it is for everyone to be thinking about this as a vital part of every library and school.
So, now I must admit my chagrin when I looked at my Year in Review on Goodreads. When I delved deep into what I read over the year, I found that I mostly read books by white, American women. Women who are a lot like me, with similar experiences, and familiar stories. There is good in reading the familiar - it is what I fall back on when grad school, and working and parenting are hard. I get comfort from the familiar and that is worth a lot. But it can not be the only reason we read. We need to see parts of the world outside of our own experiences and reading is one of the most accessible ways of doing that.
So, for 2016 I have decided to make sure I am reading as diversely as I encourage others to do. I read an article from a librarian who kept meticulous notes on her reading for the year. Amy McLay Patterson kept track of the authors and books she was reading, including race, nationality, and gender. I am taking a cue from her and keeping track of what I read over the course of the year, making sure that I am truly reading stories of others that show me another side of my world. I am doing what I can to make sure that I am not stuck with viewing the world through a single story.
So, now I must admit my chagrin when I looked at my Year in Review on Goodreads. When I delved deep into what I read over the year, I found that I mostly read books by white, American women. Women who are a lot like me, with similar experiences, and familiar stories. There is good in reading the familiar - it is what I fall back on when grad school, and working and parenting are hard. I get comfort from the familiar and that is worth a lot. But it can not be the only reason we read. We need to see parts of the world outside of our own experiences and reading is one of the most accessible ways of doing that.
So, for 2016 I have decided to make sure I am reading as diversely as I encourage others to do. I read an article from a librarian who kept meticulous notes on her reading for the year. Amy McLay Patterson kept track of the authors and books she was reading, including race, nationality, and gender. I am taking a cue from her and keeping track of what I read over the course of the year, making sure that I am truly reading stories of others that show me another side of my world. I am doing what I can to make sure that I am not stuck with viewing the world through a single story.
Here is the spreadsheet I am using to keep track of my reading for the year. I borrowed Ms. Patterson's, and added some columns to look at what genres I am reading, how disability fits into my reading choices,and whether I read it with my children or alone. Above is a collection of some of the books I have been reading. They cover different countries, races, experiences, abilities, and time periods. Not only am I benefitting from a variety of stories, but I am enjoying fantastic literature. I will be reporting back on what I am reading and how these stories can benefit libraries and education. Here's to a year of quality and diverse reading!