5 Easy Ways to Read More Diverse Books—Every Month!
If you want to read diverse books but are unsure how to start, or you want more tips.
How to Read More Diverse Books Consistently
I’ve spent years poking through my shelves, determined to spot every hidden gem by marginalized authors and people different from me—and I know it can feel overwhelming at first. If you’re eager to read diverse books but don’t know where to start (or how to keep going), I’ve got your back. Here are five actionable reading tips—shaped by my own reading journey—that’ll help you build a habit of discovering and enjoying stories from all walks of life.
Why Diverse Books Matter
Diverse books serve as both mirrors (so marginalized readers see themselves) and windows (so we all gain fresh perspectives). They foster empathy, challenge our biases, and often surprise us with universal truths wrapped in new experiences. Plus, they’re just plain good stories!
1. Take Inventory of Your Shelves
Before hunting for new titles, I went through every book I owned. I was amazed how many diverse voices I’d already collected—just waiting to be read. Pull them off the shelf, dust them off, and bump them to the top of your TBR.
2. Start with Genres You Love
If you devour romance, fantasy, thrillers, or sci-fi, seek out own-voices titles in those categories. For example, I adore cozy mysteries—so I added detective novels by queer and Black authors to my queue. Google “fantasy by Latinx authors” or “thrillers by women of color” and bookmark the lists that pop up.
3. Prioritize Own-Voices Books
Own-voices means the author shares an identity with their protagonist. Reading these stories brings authenticity you can’t fake. I use hashtags like #OwnVoices on Instagram and Twitter to find recommendations—and I always read a few reviews from readers who share that identity.
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4. Join a Diverse-Focused Book Club
Talking books with friends keeps me accountable. It’s even better when there is no assigned reading, just a shared passion for discovering new voices. You’ll find nuanced takes you’d never spot alone and a community cheering you on.
5. Keep a Dynamic Diverse TBR List
Once you start hunting, you’ll find dozens of titles you want. I keep a simple spreadsheet with columns for author identity, genre, and why it caught my eye. Then each month I pick one or two—and before I know it, I’m 50 percent more diverse in my reading than I was last year.
Bonus Tricks That Work for Me
- Follow book bloggers and influencers championing diverse reads.
- Request diverse titles at your library’s next acquisition meeting.
- Gift marginalized authors’ books to friends (and watch them fall in love).
- Write reviews online—each star rating helps others discover these voices.
No one approach fits everyone’s reading life—mix and match these tips until they feel natural. The goal is simple: to read diverse books not as a chore, but as an exciting adventure into stories that broaden your heart and mind.
Do you read diversely?
Do you have any tips for how to read diversely consistently? Please share them with us in the comments below.
