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
AUGUST 2026 - Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West
A twisty thriller about a woman who vanishes from a luxury hotel, and the detective who believes the case is tied to the unsolved disappearances of other Black women in the city.
Giovanni Mason worked hard to become the first Black head concierge at Chicago's exclusive and glamorous Ivory Hotel. It's a job that requires patience, perfection, and, above all, self-control. But when Giovanni reunites with her former best friend, makeup influencer Natalie Moore, things get heated as a mending of fences morphs into a public argument in the hotel restaurant, and Giovanni loses her cool. Hours later, Natalie is missing. Evidence piles against Giovanni--a ransacked, blood-spattered hotel room, fresh bruises on her body, and a troubling gap in her memory from the last twelve hours.
Detective Redding Stark is the only one unconvinced of Giovanni's guilt. She sees disturbing parallels to a series of disappearances targeting Black women and believes Natalie's case is part of something bigger. Together, she and Giovanni are pulled into a dangerous web of privilege, power, and betrayal inside--and far beyond--the walls of the Ivory Hotel.
Will Giovanni and Detective Stark find Natalie or join the missing?
INSTAGRAM LIVE BOOK CHAT with the author on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET
Diverse spines® presents
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®.
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.
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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