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
APRIL 2025 - Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
A woman learns the incredible story of a real-life American Kingdom—and her family’s ties to it—in this enthralling novel from the New York Times bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning author of Take My Hand.
Nikki hasn’t seen her grandmother in years. So when the elder calls out of the blue with an urgent request for Nikki to visit her in the hills of western North Carolina, Nikki hesitates only for a moment. After years of silence in her family, due to a mysterious estrangement between her mother and grandmother, she’s determined to learn the truth while she still can.
But instead of answers about the recent past, Mother Rita tells Nikki an incredible story of a kingdom on this very mountain, and of her great-great-great grandmother, Luella, who would become its queen.
It sounds like the makings of a fairy tale—royalty among a community of freed people. But the more Nikki learns about the Kingdom of the Happy Land, and the lives of those who dwelled in the ruins she discovers in the woods, the more she realizes how much of her identity and her family’s secrets are wrapped up in these hills. Because this land is their legacy, and it will be up to her to protect it before it, like so much else, is stolen away.
Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a transporting multi-generational novel about the stories that shape us and the dazzling courage it takes to dream.
INSTAGRAM LIVE BOOK CHAT with the author on Sunday 5/4 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT
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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.
What to read
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The year ahead is filled with exciting releases.
Diverse spines® presents
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Author Workshops
Diverse Spines® presents author workshops hosted by Jamise Harper. The workshops feature a robust book discussion, information on the authors’ writing process, publishing journey and advice to aspiring writers.
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