At the 2018 Lit Fest Pasadena event, I closed the show by remarking that when men read a book by a woman–even if that book doesn’t feature a woman as the protagonist–that can expand our perspective. When we can see the world through a woman’s eyes, it becomes impossible to see that woman as a target. As an object. As an item in a bizarre “marketplace.” That impact grows exponentially when the book in question is by a woman of color or an LGBTQI+ author.
We need to change the way our culture sees and treats women, LGBTQI+ people, and people of color. A great story can inspire us, it can change us. We know that storytelling can create a sense of community and cooperation, that reading affects your brain, and it could help us be more empathetic. Books can do so many great things. And right now, I am challenging you to use books as a tool for change. It’s a challenge I’m calling See New Shades.
This challenge is two-fold. First, it’s for you. I want you to use the books listed on this page as a starting point for expanding your own reading. Don’t treat this as a complete list; It is by no means all inclusive or even indicative of the landscape. I’m only listing books by authors who have appeared on S&S lineups since our inception in 2013.
The second part of the challenge is for your friends. Challenge them directly, individually, to take up this challenge by recommending a specific book for them. You can do it in a public post/tweet, you can call them on the phone, you can email them. However you choose to take up the challenge is entirely up to you. But start with a friend who hasn’t read a book by a woman/non-binary author in a while, or ever. Challenge him to expand his own personal narrative. Then tell him to challenge one of his friends.
Use the #SeeNewShades hashtag, along with #ShadesAndShadows and tag us on Twitter (@ShadesShadows), Instagram (@ShadesAndShadowsReadings), or Facebook (f/ShadesNShadowsReadings). We’ll reblog and help boost your signal.
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JENNIFER WOLFE
GRETCHEN McNEIL
LARA PARKER
LISA MORTON
LILLIAM RIVERA
NINA BERRY
S.P. HENDRICK
SHERRI L. SMITH
MERE SMITH
CATHERINE CRUZAN
JANET JOYCE HOLDEN
EDITH COHN
MARIA ALEXANDER
NANCY HOLDER (abridged selection)
CECIL CASTELLUCCI
LESLIE ANN MOORE
TIFFANY TANG
TRACY L. CARBONE
KIT REED
AMBER BENSON
THE WINNER TWINS
LESLIE PARRY
S.P. MISKOWSKI
AIMEE BENDER
MALLORY REAVES
TANANARIVE DUE (abridged selection)
JESSICA BRODY
KAREN SANDLER
LAUREN MILLER
NICOLE D. SCONIERS
ROMINA RUSSELL
MAUREEN McHUGH
ELISE FORIER EDIE
STEPHANIE DIAZ
STEPH CHA
AMELIA GRAY
CHARLIE JANE ANDERS
MERCEDES YARDLEY
SARA GRAN
LAURA LEE BAHR
S.B. DIVYA
CARMEN LAU
SEANAN McGUIRE (abridged selection)
MICHELLE TEA
JENNIFER BRODY
ELIZABETH HAND (abridged selection)
BARBARA BARNETT
NICOLE MAGGI
C.B. LEE
NATASHIA DEON
NALO HOPKINSON
REBECCA GOMEZ FARRELL
ADITI KHORANA
MEG HOWRY
KATE MARUYAMA
CHRISTINA CIGALA
MISHELL BAKER
PJ MANNEY
CHRISTINA ENQUIST
ROH MORGAN
CLAUDIA CASPER
KATHLEEN KAUFMAN
MELISSA JANE OSBORNE
CRYSTAL CONNOR