Decolonize Your Bookshelf Reading Journey 2024

Hey there, friends! It's that time of the year when we gear up for the second annual Decolonize Your Bookshelf Reading Journey for 2024. I'm thrilled to be your guide on this adventure, and I'm stoked for the new folks joining as well as those hopping over from last year's journey!

Why We Need Diverse Books

As a bookstore owner, I've seen firsthand how stories can shape our lives and perspectives. Diverse books matter – BIG time. Here's why:

1. Representation Matters: When you see characters who reflect your background, culture, or identity, it's like a warm, welcoming hug from literature. It fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth. I started Paperbacks & Frybread because of this very thing. This is another reason why banning books is so detrimental and causes an immense amount of harm to these communities.

2. Cultural Discovery: Diverse books are like passports to different worlds. They whisk you away to explore new cultures, traditions, and experiences, helping you grow as an individual. This isn't just beneficial for kids. This is for ALL of us.

3. Stereotype Smashing: These books are the wrecking ball for stereotypes. They reveal the full, rich tapestry of human experiences, proving that no culture or identity can be pigeonholed. It no longer matters if you don't live in a diverse area. You have the power, the opportunity, and the obligation to educate yourself.

4. Supporting Marginalized Authors: When you choose to read diversely you are uplifting and supporting those writers who are normally silenced. Publishing has a LONG way to go to provide equal treatment towards authors across communities. But WE can help amplify the voices that need to be heard. 

The Decolonize Your Bookshelf Reading Journey 2024

Now, let's dive into the reading journey for 2024. It's a chance to explore an incredible range of voices, and it's our second round of this amazing literary voyage. 

Here's How It Works

Set Your Goal: First, decide how many diverse books you want to read this year. You can keep it as casual as you like – maybe one book a month or more. It's your journey, so you call the shots. We are no longer calling it a "challenge" because this is something that must be done at YOUR own pace. There is no prize if you read all of these books in a year and there's no shame if you're only able to read one. 

Pick Your Reads: There are a ton of option in our store! You can also choose to sign up for our Decolonize Your Bookshelf box, which sends out a book for a specific prompt on the journey each month. You can choose which age level you'd like and you get a surprise each month. Want help finding more books for your prompt? You can purchase one of our mystery boxes! Choose your budget and let us know which prompts you're looking for and I will personally curate a selection of books just for you. You can also just reach out and ask for prompt recs and I would be more than happy to help. (Don't forget to join us on StoryGraph to keep up with all of the prompts and suggest titles!)

Get Talking: Engage with the books you read. Share your thoughts, your 'aha' moments, and the stories that left you feeling something deep inside. We're building a community here, so don't be shy. Join our book club facebook page and share your thoughts with us!!

Support.Those.Authors. If you enjoyed a book within this challenge go and show those authors some love. Message the publisher and let them know you loved the book and you'd like to see more from said author. Ask you library to carry the book. These gestures go a LONG way. 

Wrapping it Up

The Decolonize Your Bookshelf Reading Journey 2024 isn't just another reading challenge – it's an opportunity to enrich your own life and help create a more inclusive, understanding world. So, as we step into this new year, let's pledge to diversify our bookshelves and make reading a more vibrant, colorful experience.

If you'd like to support the shop with creating this challenge and the education we provide, consider purchasing one of our DYB Reading Journey Digital Packs! They come with trackers, lists, and journaling pages you can print or use digitally. Comes with both a colorful and a printer friendly version.

Just want the list to print out? Grab yours here!

Join me on this journey, and let's make 2024 a year of literary exploration and transformation. Happy reading!