I have to admit that ever since the whole Caddie Woodlawn debacle back in May, I’ve been more conscious about the nationality and ethnicity of the authors of the books I read. And I’ve come to realize that I read books by white authors. Almost exclusively. Which really isn’t a surprise: I’m white, and so I gravitate to what I know. It’s also because white people dominate in the book business (both on the author side as well as the publishing side), at least in the English-speaking world, which — of course — is the world I’m part of.
Why does this bug me? I don’t know, really. Maybe it’s my quest to be open minded, maybe it’s the thought of all the stories I’m missing. Whatever the reason, I’ve tried to branch out. I’ve met with only limited success; I went for months without reading a single book by a non-white author, after I’d promised myself I’d read at least one such each month. Then in the past month I’ve read, or am reading, a half-dozen. What this really got me thinking about, though, was that the idea to branch out, to expand my reading horizons would make a really good challenge. And, instead of doing what I usually do (which is let other people do this sort of stuff), I’m actually taking the bull by the horns and proposing yet another challenge for all you challenge-lovers out there. Come and expand your horizons with me!
The Expanding Horizons Challenge will run January through April of 2008. The purpose of this challenge is to read works by authors of ethnicities other than your own. I have decided to omit works by Caucasian authors (since they’re the biggest group in the English-language book world; I want to explore books by authors in less-well-represented ethnicities). I have debated about whether or not to focus entirely on authors or to include main character’s ethnicity, too, and I’ve decided that for this challenge I want the focus to be on the nationality of the author, rather than the characters. The books can be fiction or nonfiction; adult or YA; and can cross over to as many other challenges as you want.
There are two ways to approach this challenge. Either read four books by authors in one of the six categories (you can read more than one category, but you must read four books; not two books in one category and two in another) OR read six books, one from each of the six categories. The categories are:
1. African/African-American.
2. Asian/Asian-American (This is not just East Asian — Chinese, Korean and Japanese — but also Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and the Central Asian -Stans.)
3. Hispanic/Latin American
4. Indian/Indian-American (Again, books by Indian authors; not books by white authors set in India.)
5. Middle Eastern (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Turkey…)
6. Native Peoples (Can include Native American, Inuit, Polynesian –Maori, Samoan, etc — Siberian natives and Australian Aborigines.)
If you’re interested in participating, let me know which challenge you’ll be taking and leave your lists or links to your lists in the comments section. I’m going to set up a separate blog in the coming months with a Mr. Linky list for you to link to your reviews. And, yes, I’ll even come up with prizes (any suggestions are appreciated!).
I’m going to attempt to do the second challenge. We’ll see how successful I am. (It wouldn’t be really bad if the host didn’t finish, would it?)
My list:
1. Kira Kira, by Cynthia Kadohata (Asian-American)
2. The Hummingbird’s Daughter, by Luis Alberto Urrea (Hispanic)
3. The Painted Drum, by Louise Erdrich (Native American)
4. My Life as a Furry Red Monster, Kevin Clash or Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison (African-American)
5. Mistress: A Novel, by Anita Nair (India)
6. The Saffron Kitchen, Yasmin Crowther (Iran)
I’m looking forward to reading some interesting books, ones that I wouldn’t usually pick up. But what I’m really looking forward to is all the books that you’ll be reading!
The Book Nut 
I, of course, think this is a great idea! When I was in college the novels I read for fun were almost exclusively by women of color (didn’t matter if they were North American or not), with a couple by men of color or gay white men thrown in for diversity. A few times I hit the jackpot and found books by a Chicana lesbian, I felt like dancing. I read a lot of good books, some really bad ones…To this day I still gravitate towards these kinds of authors. For me, the personal is political, including what I read. Not to mention, as you say, there are all kinds of stories out there, just begging to be read. I also figure that the more I read these kinds of books, the more these books will be ‘valued’ by a white-centric book publishing world. That may be extraordinarily idealistic. But that would also be me. Finally, although I can pass I am Chicana and I do find something in books by non-white authors that resonates with me, even those that are not even close to my ethnicity. Although, I have to say, I can and do find resonance in the stories told by white, Euro/Euro-Americans too. It just may be that different parts, ideas, thoughts, ideologies resonate, depending on the author.I’ve read a few of the books on your list (<>Painted Drum, Hummingbird’s Daughter, Saffron Kitchen, Song of Solomon<>) and enjoyed them all immensely. Lately (well, since 1992’s <>Beirut Blues<> by Hanan al-Shaykh {Lebanon} but even more now what with recent wars) I’ve been trying to read more novels from the Middle East. For better or worse, reading novels (memoirs too) is the way that I try to understand the many layers of complexity that are imbedded in the history, culture, religion of that region, or any other, for that matter. Right now I’m reading a novel right now- <>Absent<> by Betool Khedari (Iran) that takes place in Baghdad during the sanctions – basically between the wars – and focuses on the residents of an apartment building. In a superficial way it resembles <>The Yacoubian Building<> by Alaa Al Aswany (Egypt). But while I found the latter to be intensely depressing, somehow <>Absent<> is not- although the the circumstances in which the residents of the Baghdad apartment building are dire, to say the least. Anyhow– if you need more recommendations for beyond the Challenge, I’m more than happy to offer them! As you can see from the length of this comment. (ay yay ay, sorry.)Happy happy reading!
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This sounds like an interesting challenge, one I should definitely participate in. Any more good suggestions for authors? I don’t want to read about homosexuality, but I’m open to just about anything else…TIA! BTW: Love the logos – they’re gorgeous.
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I will definitely participate!!! I am excited to join in 🙂 Becky P.S. It might take a while to post a list. But I’m a definite “yes” participant 😉
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Wow, turtlebella. I knew you were one of the bloggers that I read that actually read a lot beyond the white world, but WOW. I’m interested in Histpanic (I won’t even try to be anything but white, here) and, like you, have an increasing interest in Middle Eastern literature. I’d be interested in some of your Chicana literature… what’s good? Susan, thanks. I like the logos, too. As for recommendations, I’m pretty much searching for ones myself. Books by Lisa See are good for Asian-American… < http://LOTUSREADS.BLOGSPOT.COM/ =>Lotus Reads<> has some good Indian/East Asian recommendations. I found my Middle Eastern stuff at < http://AMIRALACE.BLOGSPOT.COM/ =>The Golden Road To Samarqand<>. And I know Gabriel Garcia Martinez’s (is that right!?) books have come mostly highly recommended. Hope that helps.
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Oh, bother. The links didn’t work.Lotus Reads: http://lotusreads.blogspot.com/The Golden Road:http://lotusreads.blogspot.com/
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I’m working on my list right now and I’m excited!
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aarrrggghhh. I wrote this really long (too long) comment, with suggestions for Latin@ novelists and then my browser crashed. Errrggh. I had already decided that it was too long and I was going to cut and paste it into my own blog…So anyway, I will re-write it over on the blog so I don’t totally hijack your comments! Plus, this has come up before, on someone else’s blog, where someone wanted the same suggestions…Clearly, I have a lot to say on the subject! So, come on over to < HREF="http://turtlebella.wordpress.com/" REL="nofollow">Slow but Steady<>, Melissa! And of course, anyone else who is interested.
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And I think you are referring to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, yes? And yes, EXCELLENT!
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yes, turtlebella! Hooray. I couldn’t remember his name, exactly, and I was too lazy to look him up. I’ll drop by your blog sometime tomorrow…
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Ooh this sounds like a great challenge. While the majority of the books I read are either American or British it helps that I’m involved in a foreign fiction book group. Helps with expanding those horizons 🙂Anyway, I’ll think about this challenge. I’m trying to finish up some others before I join any more! ha,ha…
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I think this is a wonderful idea. I will need to get a list together and will let you know which books I plan to read.
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Just noticed a rather bad typo in my first comment! Betool Khedairi is from Iraq, not from Iran. While I’m here, I’ll also say that I learned the following about Khedairi- her mother was Scottish and her father Iraqi, she grew up in Baghdad, and now lives in Amman, Jordan. I finished <>Absent<> last night. My only wish was that it was longer! But I think this is the way to go- leave ’em wanting more. While the subject matter is pretty bleak, I found that Khedairi’s style displays a certain amount of sangfroid such that you don’t pity any one of the characters. I encourage anyone doing the challenge (or not!) to put this one on their list.
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Count me in! This sounds like a lot of fun, and a little bit stretching, too, which is usually a good thing. Melissa, I still think that a trip around the world would be a great prize 🙂 I’m working on my list…
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Sounds good. I’m probably going to do this one choosing African/African-American writers. Things Fall Apart and Purple Hibiscus are two for sure, and then I’ll choose the other two soon.http://1morechapter.com
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I want to try this one too. I will post a list by the end of the week.
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This seems like a really good challenge to have. Some other places have done something similar. People interested in this challenge might be interested in http://community.livejournal.com/50books_poc/ which has a lot of book recs, discussion and helpful links, and came out of International Blog Against Racism Week (the community profile links that project). Just in case people are looking for a little more guidance/background in their reading. 🙂
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renay — thanks for the link. I’ll have to check it out. (Always looking for more good books.) everyone else — I can’t wait to see your lists! amira — sorry I couldn’t get the link to your site right. Grrr. Let me try one more time. < http://AMIRALACE.BLOGSPOT.COM/ =>The Golden Road to Samarqand<>
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Nope. I can’t seem to get the linky thing to work right.http://amiralace.blogspot.com/
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I DEFINITELY want to join this challenge! I just have to get my laptop going again before I’ll have a chance to spend time picking books. I’m using my husband’s laptop right now, but it’s such a pain. It’s huge and too heavy for my lap (mine is a teensy macbook) and I have to sign in at every blog I go to because it doesn’t have me remembered like mine does. But I will join for certain!
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Woo Hoo! This fits right in with my reading goals for 2008! I have posted my list < HREF="http://thesleepyreader.wordpress.com/2007/10/23/wahoo-a-new-2008-challenge/" REL="nofollow">here<>
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This fits right in with my reading across borders long-term challenge!I just posted an update of books I’ve read from different countries, if anyone is looking for some ideas, you can find my update at my blog as today’s entry, Oct. 23 (for some reason blogger doesn’t want to let me link it).
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Great idea! I do read non-caucasian authors but not nearly enough. I’m sure I can fit books in with what I’m already reading and books for the Book Around the World challenge.My post is < HREF="http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/10/expanding-your-horizons-challenge.html" REL="nofollow">here.<> but I haven’t listed the books yet.
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I too have posted about this challenge. http://bibliobiography.blogspot.com/2007/10/expanding-horizons-challenge.htmlI think I’ll be doing the first challenge – 4 books in one category – Middle eastern is fascinating for me right now. Havent chosen any books yet – still getting ideas from other bloggers lists. LOL Historia
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Melissa, would it be possible for you to add a list of links to people’s lists on the original post? I’m sure I’ve missed some.
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Oh, I forgot about the Mr. Linky thing. Thanks. 🙂
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MelissaI have a question about Middle Eastern Authors.You said that the Stans are part of Asia. Would that include Afghanistan and Pakistan?I would normally consider Afghanistan as part of the Middle East.Same thing goes for Egypt. I know egypt is in Africa, but I’d like to be able to do Egypt for Middle East?Can you clarify exactly which countries you accept for Middle East, please? Thanks Historia
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Historia: Yes, I’m including Afghanistan with the -Stans. (Correct me if I’m wrong, Amira!) Culturally, it’s similar to the Middle East, but geographically, it’s more a Central Asian country. So I’m counting it there.As for Pakistan, I think it would work as part of India. What do others think?Egypt, though, I would count as part of the Middle East. It fits in better there.So, I think I would consider “Middle East” to be Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Turkey (help me, Amira. Does this go here?!), Egypt, Lebanon, and whatever other little countries in that area of the world I can’t remember right now.
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Smaller countries as follows – Yemen, Oman, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Enmirates Thanks for including, Egypt – much appreciated. Also if Pakistan is part of India, what about Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan? They all border India. Would they also be part of India or Asia? Bangladesh is Muslim, as is Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan are Buddhist. None of them are hindu. Personally, I would leave Pakistan as Asia, since its culturally & religiously not the same as India, and not Hindu. Historia.
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Okay. Pakistan = Asia. All other little countries around India = Asia. India by itself. There are sometimes too many countries in this world to make neat, tidy packages. Which is a good thing, most of the time. But complicates challenge ideas. 😛
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In that case, I hereby announce my decision to read 4 books from the Middle East Category. Since I have one book already from Egypt, and I do want to read Lolita in Teheran and Saffron Kitchen. Thus I need to find just one more. And I can use these for the Around the World Challenge as well. Historia.
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OH NO. I just looked at my book about Egypt, and the author was born in CALCUTTA!!! He’s Indian, not Egyptian. I’ll have to find 2 more books then. Historia.
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I think your divisions aren’t unreasonable, Melissa. You can make as good an argument for Pakistan going with your Asia group as your India group. And Afghanistan is as logical with the Middle East as with the rest of Asia. The 7 -stans just don’t go with any standard division. Not with what people usually think of as Asia, not really with the Middle East, not with South Asia, nor with Russia/Eastern Europe where most of the -stans are usually put.Turkey and Egypt definitely go with the Middle East, and I usually include all of North Africa with the Middle East, so it includes everything from Morocco to Iran and north to Turkey. But what do you do about Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia? Azerbaijan especially certainly isn’t European. The breakup of the Soviet Union messed everything up. What fun. 🙂
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I’ll be joining in this one, but I’m not sure about my list yet. My big excel file is on my laptop, which isn’t working too well.
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If I’m understanding the first version of the challenge correctly, here’s my list:The Autograph Man by Zadie SmithThe Fall of the Towers by Samuel R. DelaneyPurple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Dark Child by Camara LayeThe first challenge is to read four books by four authors who would fall into one of your groups, right? These authors are: 2 Africans, 1 African American and one black woman from England. My husband is English and he says there’s no English equivalent of African American, and that Zadie Smith would be called English or if they wanted to specify race, just black. So I hope my list meets with your approval. 🙂
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Hi Melissa,I like the idea of this challenge and am looking at reading four books from the Latin America category. I’ll post about it later this week, but count me in!Thanks!
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Dewey — your list looks great. 🙂 Do you mind putting it up in the list link post (or if you put it upon your blog, posting a link to it there) so others can find your list?
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Sure! Thanks.
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This is a great idea for a challenge. I’m not white (strictly speaking), but I am interested in and actively seeking out more diverse authors (especially Polynesians), so I will join up. I’ll have to do a little research to figure out what I want to read, but you can count me in.
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Yay, kookiejar! I’m looking forward to your list… I’d love to read more good books by Polynesian authors.
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In a way, I can list any book! I am Indian, so whatever I read other than Indian Authors is Expanding my Horizon! Still I will come up with a list.Consider me in! I will post my read list in a dy or two!
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Robin — welcome! I look forward to seeing your list. Gautami — you’re right… still no, white authors. 😉 I look forward to seeing your list.
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PS: I Love reading Marquez!
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Okay, I’ve finally found the four Polynesian authors I’d like to read, and posted my list < HREF="http://dreamersu.blogspot.com/2007/11/expanding-horizons-challenge.html" REL="nofollow">here<>. Thanks for doing this challenge, it’s a terrific idea.
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This sounds like a great challenge, however I do have a question. Why did you decide that we could read four books from the same catagory but it would have to be 6 books for all 6 catagories. If the idea is to expand our ideas of different cultures, wouldn’t 4 from 4 cultures give us more diverse experiences than 4 of the same.Okay I admit I’m asking the question because I would like to committe to 4 books rather than 6, but I want more diversity out of those 4. Slap me with a ruler if you must. LOL!Teddy
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I don’t know why I chose the book numbers the way I did. Call it randomness… I think it was something along the lines of either choosing to expose oneself to alot of one culture or a little bit of a lot of cultures. How about this (another blogger, can’t remember who, already interpreted my instructions this way): You can choose to do the six-book challenge for the diversity — I would <>like<> it if you finished all six, but I’ll consider you having finished the challenge if you only read four books. I understand about time constraints.
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That sounds good to me. I’ll pick six from six catagories and see how many I can read. I sould be able to at least read 4.Teddy
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Here’s my list:1. African/African-American. = On Beauty by Zadie Smith2. Asian/Asian-American = Storm Rider by Akira Yoshimura3. Hispanic/Latin American= Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea4. Indian/Indian-American = Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje5. Middle Eastern= The Kite Runner by Khaled Hoesseini 6. Native Peoples = Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas KingTeddy
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Great list, Teddy. Would you mind posting it in the comments < http://MELISSASBOOKREVIEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM/2007/11/EXPANDING-HORIZONS-CHALLENGE-LINK-LIST.HTML HREF- HREF=”” REL=”nofollow”>here<>? Or if you have put the list on your blog, putting a link to it in the Mr. Linky? Thanks.
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Hello, this will be my very first book challenge (thanks to kookie for linking on her blog). I’m very excited to the point of being nervous. I’m not too good with deadlines, but I’ve been freeing up some time to do more reading.As an African-American woman, my library is pretty devoid of much diversity, so this challenge is very appealing.My choices:African – Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieAsian – To Live by Yu HuaHispanic – Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia MarquezIndian – A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry Middle Eastern – The Kite Runner by Khaled HosseniNative – The Bone People by Keri Hulme
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iggystar — welcome! I’m honored you chose my challenge as your first one. Your list looks awesome. Could you please, though, post your list in the comments < HREF="http://melissasbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/11/expanding-horizons-challenge-link-list.html" REL="nofollow">here<>? Or if you have a blog you don’t min linking to, could you put a a link to it in the Mr. Linky? Thanks so much!
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