Top Ten Tuesday: Top Books That Feature Diversity

Hi all! Hope you had a spectacular weekend and that your Monday was stress-free and happy.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday highlighted a few things for me. (Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish if you are interested in joining!)

1. I need to read more diverse books.
2. I'm a bit ashamed that I haven't.
3. I can't believe I didn't realize it.
4. Listing books is hard.


So here it goes:

1. There Will Come A Time by Carrie Arcos

This novel broke my heart, guys. Mark's reeling from the loss of his twin after a car accident. To remember her and try to heal, he works his way through a list she left behind of her greatest fears she wanted to conquer.

2. Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ughhh, another novel that ripped me apart. This novel features homelessness. Ari is struggling to maintain a normal routine after her brother convinces her to leave their foster mother. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting novel that I think every person should read.

3. Ruby On The Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Ruby has a secret. Her mom is in prison. And this issue is one that hasn't been featured in many kids books or YA. I think it opens up for much needed discussion about a group of mostly invisible children suffering not from divorce or parental death but the ambiguous loss of parental incarceration.

4. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

This book. Seriously. Required reading. Beautiful short poems that packed a punch long after you
stopped reading.

5. Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Skies by Sandra Dallas

Why're all these books turning out to be heartbreaking? Tomi's family is forced out of their home and interred at the start of World War Two. Despite embodying the "supposed" American Dream to a T--hard-working, land-owning, good, volunteering people, the family is seen as spies and their father imprisoned. It's sickening, especially through the eyes of a 12-year-old, who doesn't understand what's going on. Another required reading, if only so that future generations can learn from the horrible injustices and mistakes of the past.

6. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I have not read this one yet but it is so high on my TBR that I almost want to push all other books out of the way first. I've heard amazing things about this one and that I will be craving oreos long after I finish it.

7. The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

EPIC. Please all stop whatever you're doing and read this. Echo is a kickass character in a world that Melissa Grey has built with care and love. I'm so excited to read the rest of this series.

8. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

I also suck for not having read this yet but it sounds like a Me book. The concept sounds both heartbreaking and incredibly intriguing.

9. The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Features an incredibly diverse and well-built world. I loved this page-turner and am anxiously
awaiting it's sequels.

10. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

This high concept book was brutal but fascinating. Another page-turner set in a diverse and original world.