Discover Your Next Diverse Read

Diverse Spines® is a book community dedicated to expanding awareness through diverse literature.

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Expanding awareness through diverse literature

Our mission is to help you Discover Your Next Diverse Read! Diverse Spines® highlights books by Black Women and Women of Color. We are dedicated to amplifying marginalized stories that will help readers diversify their reading lists and discover new voices. We are a champion for expanding awareness and uplifting human experiences that are often underrepresented in the literary world!

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Spine of the Month

OCTOBER 2026 - THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN by Deesha Philyaw

From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband's power affords her.

On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt of: a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.

But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.

Unflinchingly funny, frank, and splendidly unruly, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman exults in the luscious, messy pleasure of finally feeling free.

INSTAGRAM LIVE BOOK CHAT with the author on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

2026 Book Club Selections

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the chat

Meet The Author

Watch the replay of our monthly conversations. Each chat explores the featured book and offers insight into the author’s writing process, with reflections for readers and aspiring writers. Hosted by Jamise Harper, founder of Diverse Spines®.

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It’s time to diversify your reading list

Bibliophile: Diverse Spines

by Jamise Harper & Jane Mount

This richly illustrated and vastly inclusive collection uplifts the works of authors who are often underrepresented in the literary world. Using their keen knowledge and deep love for all things literary, coauthors Jamise Harper (founder of the Diverse Spines book community) and Jane Mount (author of Bibliophile) collaborated to create an essential volume filled with treasures for every reader:

Dozens of themed illustrated book stacks—like Classics, Contemporary Fiction, Mysteries, Cookbooks, and more—all with an emphasis on authors from diverse cultural backgrounds.
A look inside beloved bookstores owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Reading recommendations from leading BIPOC literary influencers

1.

EASY TO GIFT

This portable guide is packed with more than 150 colorful illustrations and is a perfect gift for any booklover. The textured paper cover, gold foil, and ribbon marker make this book a special gift or self-purchase.

2.

DISCOVER UNSUNG LITERARY HEROES

The authors dive deep into a wide variety of genres, such as Contemporary Fiction, Classics, Young Adult, Sci-Fi, and more to bring the works of authors of color to the fore.

3.

ENDLESS READING INSPIRATION

Themed book stacks and reading suggestions from luminaries of the literary world provide curated book recommendations. Your to-read list will thank you.

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ANTICIPATED READS

Read Diverse Spines

The year ahead is packed with exciting new releases. Here’s what to look forward to in 2026.

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