Diversity Reading Challenge Update

So I’ve read a lot of books already this year for the Diversity Reading Challenge. Some were fairly short. Some were so gripping I tore through them in no time. I’m actually way ahead in my GoodReads challenge for the year. Here’s what I’ve read so far:

I have a dream By Martin Luther King illustrations by Kadir Nelson

This is a lovely picture book, with big, bold, colorful paintings. I happened across it in Barnes & Noble close to Martin Luther King day. What a great way to introduce young children to the words and thoughts of King.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

I loved the voice of this book. The tale is not very long, but it doesn’t need to be. It still packs a powerful emotional punch. I dare anyone to read this book and claim YA is immature, written for immature audiences. The characters may be immature, but the social situations they live with are certainly not.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Another powerful book, this one written in beautiful verse. I love how it’s written through the eyes of a child without explaining all the details of what’s happening. It doesn’t have to. As an adult, you already know.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

This is a non-fiction book, but it totally sucked me in. I loved it because it was like an anthropological study with a lot of medical history.

 Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

I enjoyed the character of Rafe, but it’s the second book I’ve read recently about wealthy white kids at a boarding school. (Winger was the other book.) I think the setting is one I have a hard time connecting with. Maybe I’m biased, but I just don’t care about the trials and tribulations of rich kids. They seem to pale in comparison to other books. I guess this one just wasn't for me.

Next up is going to be All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It’s a longer one, so I’m saving it for my plane ride over spring break.

How about you? How’s your diversity reading challenge going?