We’re gearing up for another season of summer reading– that glorious time of the year when we can kick back and embrace our leisure reading pursuits! This summer, in an effort to highlight diverse literature and minority authors, we are hosting a new summer reading challenge that focuses on promoting diverse authors, Own Voices titles, and topics related to antiracism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
You are encouraged to join our summer reading challenge and select/read works that match the following themed challenges.
2021 Summer Reading Challenge:
- A food memoir by an author of color
- An own voices book about disability or neurodiversity
- A book by an Asian or Pacific Islander author
- A historical fiction novel with a BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ protagonist
- A book by/about a non-Western world leader
- A memoir by a Latinx author
- A non-European novel in translation
- A nonfiction book about antiracism
- A book by a trans or nonbinary author
- A book in any genre by an Indigenous, First Nations, or Native American author
Join a Community of Readers!
Participants in our Summer Reading Challenge will be entered in a drawing to win literary-themed prizes! To record your participation:
- Post on Instagram! Share your completed challenge and tag @zsrlibrary
- Write & submit a book review for your completed summer reading challenge
There is no limit to the number of challenges that a reader can complete. For each submission (Instagram post and/or book review submitted), the participant will earn an entry into our prize drawing. The Summer Reading Challenge is open to WFU affiliates and community members. Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm, August 20th, 2021, and the winner of the drawing will be randomly selected.
Additional Resources:
- List of suggested titles, based on themed challenges (compiled by ZSR librarians)
- Want to add a title to this list? Submit your suggestion here!
- Well Read Black Girl Reading List
- GoodReads Diversity Book Lists
- GoodReads Own Voices Book Lists
- The Zora Canon
- Our Summer Reading Challenge themes were adapted from Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge
7 Comments on ‘ZSR’s Summer Reading Challenge’
Yay! I love our summer reading challenges and this is another great one! Already making a TBR list… 🙂
Thanks for making these themed suggestions. I love a good book guide!
I am a proud triple Deacon and am very disappointed at this “challenge”. In my mind this is another example of trying to indoctrinate people. I am all about diversity but am disappointed at this list and the number of “anti racism, LBGTQ, trans author” topics. We should all be working together but when a major institution obviously pushes an agenda, it instead pushes us apart.
The purpose of our annual summer reading program is to engage with our reading community and foster a love of reading. We make an effort to highlight literary works across genres, and incorporate diverse voices and topics. It is an optional library program we provide to an eager reading community who wants to find good literary content to read in their leisure and discover new titles and authors. This year, we chose our summer reading challenge theme based on the College’s Commitment to Inclusive Excellence. We realize our summer reading programs may not appeal to everyone, and we encourage readers to reach out to their local public library or independent bookstore for additional summer reading recommendations.
Sadly. I must agree with Marshall. This list is far from inclusive. Certainly readings in these areas should be encouraged. But this list is certainly lacking. Disappointing to see Wake ignore it’s legacy and it’s proud past of service.
Love love LOVE this! I added the challenge on StoryGraph in case anyone else wants a way to track their progress!
Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fb47b3f5-5759-45e7-b05d-8cf2749be5cf
Thanks so much for sharing this on StoryGraph, Lindsey!