7 Interesting Books That Reflected Diversity in 2019

By Lasya Nadimpally:

1. Caste Matters by Suraj Yengde

Caste Matters is one of the most important books in the diversity sphere that released in 2019. Yengde, a first-generation scholar, challenges many beliefs about caste while talking about its many layers. From personal experiences to systemic troubles, this book covers many important grounds. 

1. In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

Incredibly gripping and maybe painfully engrossing would best describe Machado’s In the Dream House – a book about a woman’s relationship and personal journey with psychological abuse while challenging the stereotype that lesbian relationships are ‘safe’.

1. I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé by Michael Arceneaux

Let’s put it put out there, if it isn’t obvious from the title already, this book is impossible to put down. Arceneaux writes a memoir of what it is like being a black gay man in Houston, all while interspering things with pop culture and Beyonce, of cource, in one of the funniest reads of 2019.

1. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World by Elif Shafak

Shafak brings both Istanbul, its dead main character Tequila Laila’s life, and the stories of many ‘misfits’ to life in her critically acclaimed novel. From trans people, immigrants and atheists to sex workders, she dwells into each life and makes you feel like these characters are your friends. 

1. The Many That I Am: Writings from Nagaland by Anungla Longkumer

Nagaland is a fascinating state for those living on the other side of the chicken’s neck. While festivals such as Hornbill have attempted to bring its culture closer to people, much is still left to be explored. This book is a starting point – it has stories of war, religion, language, textile, tattoos and more. 

1. The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love With Me by Keah Brown

Brown gives a relatable voice to the disabled, who are so often portrayed as weak, abandoned or lonely. The Pretty One talks about what it is like to be black and disabled in America, and in doing so she celebrates life itself. 

1. It’s Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race Edited by Mariam Khan

Reading about the lives of Muslim women in various parts of the world is often a quite empowering yet disheartening exercise. In this books Mariam Khan brings together raw stories of 17 Muslim women talking about the hijab, queer identity, sex, divorce, love faith and everything in between.