This week’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) topic is Books that Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters. Many of the books on this list are truly celebrations of some form(s) of diversity, while some are books that address the issue of diversity, but may not necessarily be celebratory.
Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Jude, Wilhelm, J.B., and Malcolm exemplify diversity in friendship.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
A celebration of the unconventional and highly memorable Owen Meany.
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
A brutal story set against the backdrops of racial and economic strife in Haiti.
Back Channel by Stephen L. Carter
Historical fiction starring one of the only African-American women at Cornell University taking a pivotal role in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
An examination of life for a multi-racial, partially immigrant family living in a traditional Ohio town in the 1970’s.
In One Person by John Irving
A young boy exploring his sexual identity, beginning at his all-boys school in 1960’s Vermont.
Natchez Burning by Greg Iles
The fight to solve decades-old Civil Rights murders in Natchez, Mississippi.
The Shore by Sara Taylor
Women fighting back against desperate poverty and horrific treatment by the men in their lives.
The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy
Conroy’s memoir about his experience teaching the poverty-stricken, mostly African-American children of Yamacraw Island (aka Daufuskie Island), South Carolina.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
And, now that I’ve just finished Go Set a Watchman, I could throw that one in too.
Tuesday Intro
Every Tuesday, fellow blogger Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where bloggers share the first paragraph of the book they are currently reading or thinking about reading soon.
Plot Summary from Amazon (adapted for length)
From a remarkable new voice in Southern fiction, a multigenerational saga of crime, family, and vengeance.
Clayton Burroughs comes from a long line of outlaws. For generations, the Burroughs clan has made its home on Bull Mountain in North Georgia, running shine, pot, and meth over six state lines, virtually untouched by the rule of law. To distance himself from his family’s criminal empire, Clayton took the job of sheriff in a neighboring community to keep what peace he can. But when a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms shows up at Clayton’s office with a plan to shut down the mountain, his hidden agenda will pit brother against brother, test loyalties, and could lead Clayton down a path to self-destruction.
Here’s the first paragraph:
Western Ridge, Johnson’s Gap
Bull Mountain, Georgia
1949“Family,” the old man said to no one.
The word hung in a puff of frozen breath before dissipating into the early-morning fog. Riley Burroughs used that word the same way a master carpenter used a hammer. Sometimes he just gave it a gentle tap to nudge one of his kin toward his way of thinking, but sometimes he used it with the subtlety of a nine-pound sledge.
Would you keep reading?
Bull Mountain somehow reminds me of that TV show Justified. We enjoyed it, although it was certainly filled with characters that were oddly attractive criminals. And you have some great books in your diverse list above. Several that have been on my wish list for a bit or more than a bit. 🙂
I’ve never read any of these, but at least five of them are on my list. I’d forgotten all about ‘Back Channel’.
Today I’m featuring Orphan #8
I have read TKAM, and have An Untamed State on my TBR for next year, maybe. I would love to read Everything I Never Told You but I don’t want to pay full price so I’m hopefully waiting for the price to drop.
I would definitely keep reading, sounds fierce.
Did you like Go Set a Watchman?
I’ve read a few of books on your diverse list. I need to read MORE of them though. Especially the Gay and the Ng. 😀
I’m so crazy curious about Bull Mountain! I think I need it in my life.
I’m loving Bull Mountain so far! It kind of reminds me of a cross between The Shore and Natchez Burning. And yes to the Gay and the Ng (don’t you love her Twitter handle, btw? @pronounced_ing)!
So many good books! An Untamed State is a favorite, and I just finished listening to Everything I Never Told You on audio.
Oooh – I’ll be interested to hear how EINTY was on audio! It’s kind of a quiet book, so I’m curious!
I’ve had my eye on Bull Mountain–will be curious to hear what you think about it.
Loving it so far! Definitely raw and gritty…
Bull MOuntain is likely my next read!
I’m loving it so far! It does not shy away…
Bull Mountain is one that hit my radar over the weekend, and so I am glad to see you feature it here, Sarah. It does sound interesting.
Thank you for sharing your list! I see a number of titles I want to read, but none that I have yet to read. When you mentioned Haiti, I immediately thought of Edwidge Danticat, one of my favorite authors. I admit I keep skipping over A Little Life even despite the great reviews because of the cover. It sounds like a worthwhile read though.
I’m loving Bull Mountain so far! And, I didn’t like A Little Life’s cover either, but it makes total sense once you read the book. And – I wouldn’t let the cover keep you away…as long as you don’t mind a good emotional gut-puncher!
Great list of books! I’m really interested by stories of immigrant families from different cultures. Amy Tan’s books are great for that..
I’ve heard great things about Amy Tan, but haven’t read her yet! Would like to at some point…
I love TKAM as well! I haven’t read Go Set a Watchman yet so I’m excited for your review. I hope it lived up to your expectations.
Check out my TTT: https://greenishbookshelf.wordpress.com/2015/07/21/top-10-tuesday-celebrating-diversitydiverse-characters/
Ha – well my GSAW expectations weren’t all that high. I’ll say it was a worthwhile read and prompted some interesting questions. I’ll be sharing my full thoughts on Thursday!
Looking forward to hearing more of what you thought about it! Sometimes low expectations help me enjoy books more 🙂
Good list! I’ve only read TKAM and The Water is Wide, and saw the movie made from it, Conrack with Jon Voight. I did just purchase Natchez Burning this week and I’ve had Everything I’ve Never Told You on my kindle for the longest time but for some reason haven’t started it. I’ve seen An Untamed State around and have that on my wishlist already. Thanks for the thoughtful list you put together!
You’ve got your eye on some good books!
Multigenerational sagas draw me in. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
I almost put To Kill a Mockingbird on my list today, but I chose other books instead. I haven’t read any of the others you’ve listed. I’ll have to look them up.
Love the opening of Bull Mountain. This could be yet another book for my wish list!
I’ve read several books from your list. Great choices.
Hmm…the way he addresses the concept of “family” sounds a lot like the way I feel it about it sometimes, Sarah – ha! I hope this one turns out to be a good one for you! I love, love, love Owen Meany; oh, my gosh! I can’t wait to read his upcoming release; I really hope it’s good.
I haven’t In One person before and it looks great!! Awesome Picks Check out my Top Ten Tuesday
I do like a multi-generational saga but I think I’d need to read a little bit more of this one to be sure.
I’m covering my eyes at the Bull Mountain paragraph because I’ll be starting it tomorrow and really want to be surprised when I open it. haha
A Little Life – I have mad love for that book and it’s characters; it made my list, too. You have a few on your list that I really want to read and are on my backlist.
Great story idea. The first paragraph didn’t especially grab me but the story line sure did.
Not sure this one is for me Sarah, but hope u like it.
I reallllllly need to get to Owen Meany.
I found the opening paragraphs of Bull Mountain absolutely breath-taking, and had to reread it several times before moving on. So yeah, I liked it.
I’m LOVING Bull Mountain..I meant to tweet you about it, but kept forgetting! It reminds me of a cross between The Shore and Natchez Burning! Thanks for writing such an awesome review and getting it on my radar!
So many on this list that I still need to read, but I loved Everything I Never Told You!
How could I forget an Un Tamed State? I am all ashamed.
Haha! I forgot some key books I saw on other people’s lists as well!