Decolonize Your Bookshelf
In 2019, the phrase, "decolonize your bookshelf" started taking off online. This was in response to the existing Western literature canon being dominated by white, male authors. The aim is to raise awareness to the homogeny taught in schools and encourage readers to branch out to include marginalized voices and stories in their reading repertoires. Despite the term "decolonize" being included, it also refers to the diversification of genders and sexual orientation of authors—so it is not just a race topic. Of course, as Inimitable Books, LLC strives to give voices to such marginalized voices that would automatically be championed by the "decolonize your bookshelf" campaign, it only makes sense that we would want to share more on the topic.
Our
Book
Recs
Here's a list of over 100 books you can read to start decolonizing your bookshelf. Some are non-fiction or memoir, while others are fiction. Some are just about the topics but most are by womxn, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQIA+ authors. This is by no means a complete list, but it's a good starting point if you feel overwhelmed.
*Bookshop links are affiliate support Inimitable Books, LLC, in addition to indie bookstores.
Articles to Read
If you'd like to read more about this topic in the news, here are some to get you started:
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Your Bookshelf May Be Part of the Problem (NPR) - an article that goes further into defining the issue
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Decolonizing Your Bookshelf (Book Riot) - provides a list of suggestions
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Necessary Discomfort: A Fable Guide to R.F. Kuang's Babel (Fable) - a great, recent case study about the NYT-bestselling novel all about revolution and other decolonization themes
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10 Ways to Decolonize Your Bookshelf (Bound2Books) - has a good list of questions to ask yourself to see if you need to—spoiler: almost everyone does)