Diverse reads: What does that mean?
The dictionary (or Google) says one thing, but my definition is books that span different cultures, authors’ ethnicities, languages, and experiences shared by people unlike me.
I select books that act as "windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors." Don’t worry; I'm not talking about redecorating tips.
Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, a multicultural education scholar, coined these phrases to explain how children see themselves in books.
A mirror is a story that reflects your own culture and helps you build your identity. A window is a resource that offers a view into someone else’s experience. A sliding glass door allows the reader to enter the story and become a part of the world.
When I pick up a book, I’m not just after an exciting plot. I crave underdog stories with real, resilient characters who even shed a tear or two. Now that you know how I chose books let me introduce you to an amazing novel:
Blurb: Daiyu never wanted to be like the tragic heroine for whom she was named, revered for her beauty, and cursed with heartbreak. But when she is kidnapped and smuggled across an ocean from China to America, Daiyu must relinquish the home and future she imagined for herself.
Over the years, she is forced to keep reinventing herself to survive. From a calligraphy school to a San Francisco brothel, to a shop tucked into the Idaho mountains, we follow Daiyu on a desperate quest to outrun the tragedy that chases her. As anti-Chinese sentiment sweeps across the country in a wave of unimaginable violence, Daiyu must draw on each of the selves she has been—including the ones she most wants to leave behind—to finally claim her name and story.
When I read historical fiction, I want to learn about the era it reflects. This powerful, eye-opening work highlights a little-known chapter in American history: The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
In the story, Daiyu understands that, as a girl, she is vulnerable and disguises herself as a boy. She encounters villains and mentors, has hopes and dreams crushed, and endures the ugliness of racism and anti-Chinese sentiments, and violence.
“every disgusted eye I defiantly faced was a stone given to me until, eventually, I had enough stones to build a fortress around myself.”
― Jenny Tinghui Zhang, Four Treasures of the Sky
The main character is relatable, well-developed, and has depth, making her feel like a real person with genuine emotions and motivations.
Four Treasures of the Sky isn’t all heavy stuff. The story is beautifully written, filled with lyrical imagery, has social/cultural significance, and has a strong emotional impact. Just be aware that it deals with some tough themes, including violence and sexual assault.
Zhang’s novel made me think of the known histories of other ethnic groups that struggle to survive in the anti-(fill in the blank) environments they find themselves.
I thought about my cultural background. The history of discrimination is long for Mexican people in the United States, whether immigrants or citizens. It began with a border dispute in Texas, which became the Mexican-American War in 1846. It ended with The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, where Mexico ceded 55% of its territory to the US.
Like the Chinese, Mexicans were used as cheap labor. They were recruited into the US by labor contractors, and later during the Great Depression, two million men and women, and those with disabilities, were forcibly removed via the euphemistically named ‘Repatriation Act’ from the US to Mexico.
Sixty percent of those forcibly removed were American citizens. Like Daiyu’s experience, millions of families were devastated by the impact of racist government laws.
For those who want to delve deeper into repatriation, read Decade of Betrayal: Mexican Repatriation in the 1930s by Francisco E. Balderrama and Raymond Rodríguez.
Author’s Book Buzz
Lupita, here on Substack, interviewed me for her #NuevasPaginas. That’s me up there holding an ARC of my book. The novel debuted in June 2023. You can find it on my website.
She asked the most interesting questions. Here are a couple:
“What comfort food would you pair with your book?”
“If your book was a famous musician, who would it be?”
mission:“to amplify and spotlight Hispanic/Latine/x authors with newly published books. The goal is to connect readers to their next favorite Hispanic/Latine/x authored book through a mini casual get-to-know-the-book-and-author interview.”
Visit her site and the post at LupitaReads. Support her work, and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
If you have a favorite diverse book to recommend, drop it in the comments.
So, my bookish friends, immerse yourself in diverse reads, challenge assumptions, foster personal growth, and let's break down stereotypes together. Happy reading! 📚💫
The next post will be about the “Wanderlust” in the title, travel.