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Diverse Spines® | Book Club + Book Recs

@diversespines

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Expanding awareness through diverse literature • Centering stories by Black women & women of color ✨
JULY 📖: A Pair of Aces
👩🏽‍💻 @spinesvines
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Banned Books Week was October 4th–10th, but the conversation about censorship shouldn’t end there. I’m grateful to partner with @silentbookclub as they continue celebrating the freedom to read throughout October. One of my favorite banned books is THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison, a novel that confronts the devastating impact of racism, colorism, and society’s narrow definitions of beauty. Through Pecola’s story, Morrison forces us to examine what happens when a little Black girl is taught that everything about her is wrong, including the way she looks. Stories like this aren’t meant to make us comfortable. They’re meant to make us think, challenge what we believe, and see the world through someone else’s eyes. This is truly what makes reading powerful. What’s one banned book you’ll always champion? 📖💙 #SpinesVines #DiverseSpines #SilentBookClub #ImWithTheBanned #TheBluestEye
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THE DISAPPEARERS x Marlon James Unforgettable… heavy… explosive. A mind boggling stretch assignment that tackles bigotry, hatred, and alienation centered on Queer life in Jamaica 🇯🇲… A vivid tale of injustice that will sit with you long after you’re done. Synopsis: In 1988, eight men in Kingston, Jamaica, begin rehearsals for a play. Though strangers to one another, they share an inescapable truth: All of them are gay. And they live in a world that refuses to accept them. One night the men are savagely beaten and one of them is killed. As their bodies heal, the survivors begin to face the hatred and contempt that the violence laid bare. Some try to ignore what happened. Others double down on retribution. Some disappear completely. 🇯🇲“I don’t want to go home. I want just one place for people who can’t leave but can’t stay. Just one place. Yes, that’s what I want.” 🏳️‍🌈“Certain people feel a way about people who’ve survived sh*t, you know? They think it imbues our lives with a meaning they don’t have, like we joined this ultimate exclusive club. Of course, the logic is fallacious.” 💔“Revenge never told me what revenge is supposed to be. It just sits there like a f*cking word, like somebody asking for something, expecting you to figure out what it is they want.” 🇯🇲”What a time to realize that love is not the only thing that can break your stupid heart” 🏳️‍🌈”But maybe to tell your story it is essential to turn oneself into a character. Become a fly on your own wall to watch you being you.” 💭As a fan of @marlonjameswriter’s amazing work, of course this was a necessary and highly anticipated read… it was also heartbreaking every step of the way. What was the last book that emotionally wrecked you?
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It’s Indigenous People’s Day 🎉🎉🎉 There is no better way to celebrate and honor the important contributions of the Indigenous community than to learn and understand their history, culture, and heritage. I’ve included a few favorite reading recommendations. And of course I preach and practice reading diversely All Year Long! Let me know if you spy any favorites or recommend one in the comments! #indigenous #indigenouspeoplesday #diversebooks #diversifyyourbookshelf #diversespines
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Happy 10th Anniversary to an Unforgettable Story I read Trevor Noah’s memoir with my book club 8 years ago and it still lives on as the top memoir that I recommend. So many touching and hilarious scenes. About the Book Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life. What’s a memoir you highly recommend? Pick this one up if you missed it ! Included is a brand new forward by Trevor with his story being more relevant today than ever ! 🎉🎉10th 🎉🎉 #bornacrime #trevornoah #oneworld #blackstoriesmatter #1milblackbooks
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Happy Friday! I’m excited to join @otrpr in featuring the newest from 𝒀𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒆 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 About the Book Forensic science teacher Sanaa Karrem buried her past as deep as she could . When her serial killer, father, known as “the Ferryman,“disappeared 18 years ago, she tried to disappear with him. She changed her name, built a new life. And for a while, it felt like a distant nightmare . But when bodies turned up with pennies on their eyes, Sanaa recognizes her fathers signature. The nightmare becomes real again. As the Body count rises, Samana leans on her expertise as a former medical examiner to close in on the killer. what she finds is a horrific manifestation of her father‘s legacy, hitting shockingly close to home. But what disturbs her most is how much that legacy still lingers with her... 🎧Listening now and totally emersed ! What are you excited for this weekend ?!! I’m excited for a wedding this weekend in Palm Desert ! #booktour #thrillerbookstagram #readwithme #blackauthors #fridayvibes
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I read 33 books this summer and I’m sharing my must reads for Q3: 🌸 Meet Me in the Garden x Nina LaCour 🧡 FRIENDS AND FAMILY x Natalie Baszile | Thank you to @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the gifted copy 🐅Tiger’s Mouth x Lucy Tan | Thank you to @thousandvoicesmedia @ballantinebooks and @netgalley for the #ARC | OUT 11/17 🇫🇷 TAKE WHAT YOU CAN x Naima Coster | a @gmabookclub pick and a @diversespines #SpineoftheMonth 💜 RUNNER x Ashton Lattimore | thank you to @ballantinebooks and @randomhouse for the #gifted copy 💭Do we have any of these powerful stories in common? Let me know your must reads in the comments
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October Bookclubs 🍂 Lots of big authors again this month! I am surprised how many are joining chats! You can join Barbara Kingsolver! I don’t know if I will get to these big books, and I really like some spooky / fall books and thrillers this time of year, so I’m still considering my reading list. I read DEESHA PHILYAW‘s last book, so I got her new one from BOTM last month. I’m excited she is doing a couple of chats this month. I had this made and remembered Oprah posted one today, so I added it late, so it made the first page this time 🤣 🍂 What are you most looking forward reading this month?
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An Amazing Pub Day coming at you 🎉🎉🎉 Currently reading 📙𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒛𝒊𝒍𝒆 -𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 @vikingbooks October To Be Read 📗𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒂𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 Thank you @scribnerbooks for the gifted book 📘𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝒃𝒚 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒆 Thank you @flatiron_books for the gifted ARC What’s a book on your October to be read ? Do we any in common ? 📙🎉📗🎉📘 #pubday #bookbirthday #blackstoriesmatter #fall #diversebooks
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Thank you @pantheonbooks #partner for the gifted book Loving this book box especially the beautiful bookmark! 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 10.29 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 In How Bright the Path Grows, Marcia Chatelain weaves a gleaming group portrait of these singular women. Among this cohort were several household names: vaudeville icon Josephine Baker; civil rights activist Rosa Parks gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, and Daisy Bates, champion of the Little Rock Nine. But many were relative unknowns, including Eva Jessye, the choir director who designed the day’s musical program, and Anna Hedgeman, the coordinator who pushed in the eleventh hour for a tribute to Black women’s work. Looking forward to adding to my October Reads. What about your weekend makes you smile?! #bookmail ##unboxing #blackhistory readwithme
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Happy Pub Day And Whew ! What a read !!! This book took me from shock to anger and lots of laughter! Did it air the “dirty laundry” of the Southern Mega Church? Yes, it went there. And even though it wasn’t pretty it was clear how caught up people can get in “The Church” , their positions and the lifestyle it can provide. The story went much deeper as Shar fights to become a different and better version of herself. It’s a wild ride as she tries to gain acceptance into the coveted, “first ladies club“ . When shocking family secrets surface her tidy life is turned inside out. I cannot leave out the fact that Shar’s marriage was lacking in many things, but hot sex was not one of them ! I really enjoyed getting lost in this story. What was one of your favorite reads of the month ? 💚 💛💚💛 #bookreview #bookbirthday #bookofthemonth #booksandflowers
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Thank you @prhaudio @aaknopf #partner for the gifted audio and book. Wow! What is the last book that you thought about long after the last page ? I’m still thinking about this one weeks later ! 🎧Narrated by Melinda Sewak-who showcased the flow of Danticat’s words. She brought so much emotion to the characters and reality and depth to the story. Recommend on audio! 👉🏽Review👈🏽 As usual, Danticat’s writing flows beautifully through this intricately multilayered story. She takes a deep look into the experience of those that are unfortunate enough to be trapped in the midst of a random act of violence. The author vividly describes Magnolias horrific experience and dives deep into the trauma that follows. Although she chooses not to share her experience, It causes her to see life through a different lens. Magnolia reflects back on her life, both in Haiti and Florida. Danticat beautifully threads together the complicated love dynamics between Magnolia, her daughter, her daughter’s father, and her parents. Flashbacks to Haitian traditions as well as current events gave a historical prospective as well. It’s a frightening reality, told with emotion and depth, that leaves you thinking long after the last page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🏅2026 National Book Award Finalist #bookreviews #prhaudio #diversebooks haitianm
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Thank you @scribnerbooks #partner for the gifted books 📕❤️📚 Thrilled to open my mailbox to these two highly acclaimed reads! My book mail has been off the charts lately ↗️ Have you read or plan to read either ? 📚𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝑹𝒐𝒚 National Book Critics Circle Award “Heart-smashed” by the death of the mother she ran from at age eighteen and shaken by the intensity of her response, Arundhati Roy began this remarkable memoir—a soaring account, both intimate and inspiring, of how the author became the person and the writer she is: shaped by circumstance but above all by her relationship to her extraordinary, singular mother Mary, who she describes as “my shelter and my storm.” Avail. Now 📕𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝒃𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒉 Pulitzer Prize Finalist “With careful yet vaulting movement, these poems, traverse the redeeming landscape of pain, confront the frightening revelations of history, and disclose the joyous possibilities of the future. The result is a profound testament to the necessity of poetry-all the careful witness, embodied experience, and bristling pleasure that it bestows.“ 📕❤️📚 #bookmail #pulitzerprize #nationalbookaward #diversebooks
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