Recs if you like Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass...
Classics Not Written by Straight Cis White Men
I've seen so many people say they don't read classics as they aren't diverse, and I wanted to give some suggestions that are.
This is a list of classics written by authors who are not Straight, Cis, White, and Men as the title suggests. I am also aiming to include a variety of cultures and regions in this list. If your looking for something more focused (e.g. diverse US classics) check out the lists I posted in the comments.
Suggestions are more than welcome!
Read Until You Understand
novels, poetry, literary criticism, and history books by Black authors referenced in Farah Jasmine Griffin’s Read Until You Understand; The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature — forming a type of Black literary canon
Read Until You Understand
novels, poetry, literary criticism, and history books by Black authors referenced in Farah Jasmine Griffin’s Read Until You Understand; The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature — forming a type of Black literary canon
Black History
Books you SHOULD be reading all year
Slavery Through Voices
Diverse perspectives on slavery through powerful books spanning memoir, fiction, and history. From frontline accounts to reflective histories. In collaboration with heathersdesk.
Black American Classics
Essential literature by African American authors that changed the world, but somehow none of us were expected to read in school. Note: Most of these are available for free from Project Gutenberg.
Widening the Canon: Diverse Classics
Inspired by some comments I saw regarding classics being too straight white male oriented. There are lots of classics that aren't, but unfortunately don't always get as much recognition. Hoping this list might help those interested expand their range of classics. Non-exhaustive and taking suggestions!
How did we get here? The USA at 250
A growing collection of books that can help to better understand the past, present, and perhaps future of the US.
Librarian recommends (full list)
A variety of books recommended by a librarian (appropriate for students aged 11-16 as well).
Voices from the Past
First person accounts throughout history, focusing on marginalized groups.
Where to start with Classics
The Booksellers Guide to New and Returning Readers
Just getting back into reading and feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the options? These were my go to recommendations for people while I was a longtime bookseller! I've tried to touch on most genres in this master list so you have a good selection, but I definitely could have missed a few since there are so many.
The Folio Society Collection
A list of all the books that the Folio Society has made special editions of.
A Gen X High School/ College Reading List
I don't think kids today have to read so much? Some of these books felt like torture to get through, but also grateful for a good foundation. I will add as I remember more.
12 Biographies that everyone should read once
Read this substack post for a full description: https://open.substack.com/pub/cultureexplorer/p/12-biographies-that-everyone-should
Books with brown covers
I LOVE COLOR CODING BOOKS PT 8
Reading around the world 🌏
I wanna read more diverse books from all around the world. These are mostly books that play in the same country the author is from. This list is here to help you, if you have the same goal. 🥰
Recommendations are more than welcome. 🙂↕️
My Confessions are for Rogues (further reading)
Books and scholars referenced in Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg
My Confessions are for Rogues (further reading)
Books and scholars referenced in Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg
MLK Jr Reads
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Dr. MLK Jr
