As Book Bans Target LGBTQ+ Writers and Writers of Color, Here’s What Banned Books We’re Reading

Talk (and action) around what books kids and young people should be able to read and when has been on the rise the last couple of years. Attempts at banning books in schools and libraries are occurring at a furious rate. 

Here’s a list of some of the most recent challenged and banned books by women, queer and trans writers and writers of color.

March 2022 Reads for the Rest of Us

Each month, I provide Ms. readers with a list of new books being published by writers from historically excluded groups. March and April are historically big months for new book releases, and this year is no exception. I’ve narrowed down a list of hundreds of books to 36 this month. In addition to some compelling fiction, there’s imperative nonfiction, memoirs and debuts. 

February 2022 Reads for the Rest of Us

Each month, I provide Ms. readers with a list of new books being published by writers from historically excluded groups. The aims of these lists are threefold:

1. I want to do my part in the disruption of what has been the acceptable “norm” in the book world for far too long—white, cis, heterosexual, male;
2. I want to amplify amazing works by writers who are women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, APIA/AAPI, international, LGBIA+, TGNC, queer, disabled, fat, immigrant, Muslim, neurodivergent, sex-positive or of other historically marginalized identities—you know, the rest of us; and
3. I want to challenge and encourage you all to buy, borrow and read them! 

Most Anticipated Reads for the Rest of Us 2022

I’ve spent the last few months scouring catalogs and websites, receiving hundreds of books and even more emails from authors, publicists and publishers, reading your book Tweets and DMs, all to find out what books are coming out in 2022 that I think you, my exceptional, inquisitive and discerning Ms. readers, will want to hear about. 

There are 101 incredible books on this list. I’ve been a professional book jockey for 15+ years and I am encouraged to see more books each year that reflect the lives we actually lead. There’s always more work to be done and more to be written, but I’ve reason to be hopeful. So let’s get to it!

Reads for the Rest of Us: 2021 Best of the Rest

Each month, I provide Ms. readers with a list of new books being published by writers from historically excluded groups.

You’ve read the other “Best of” lists—now read the other one. You know, for the rest of us. Each year, I review my monthly Reads for the Rest of Us lists and choose my favorite books of the year. It was such a wonderful challenge to review all the lists and choose my top 50, but here they are. 

December 2021 Reads for the Rest of Us

This month’s list of feminist books from writers who are women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, LGBIA+, queer, disabled and more.

December is usually a slow month for new book releases, but we all know it’s quality and not quantity that counts! And this little list of 10 won’t disappoint.

“You Better Be Lightning”: Andrea Gibson on Gratitude and Peace Through Poetry

Poet Andrea Gibson is not feeling gloomy right now—in fact, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and a cancer diagnosis, they are feeling hope, gratitude, connectedness, peace and an immeasurable amount of love. Author of seven books and seven albums, Gibson is releasing their latest book of poetry, “You Better Be Lightning,” this month.

“It was more than a little bit haunting when I got diagnosed with cancer so soon after handing in my final edits. … But here I am, grateful for having made a book the best of me can get behind, and awed by the million ways this time is further widening my lens, further softening my heart.”

November 2021 Reads for the Rest of Us

This month’s list of feminist books from writers who are women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, LGBIA+, queer, disabled and more.

You may notice that my descriptions this month are a bit less verbose than usual. That’s because I am swamped! And I know you are too, so this month, I am giving you what you want in bite-sized snacks of literary goodness. 

“Respect Us, or Expect Us”: Indigenous Women Continue to Fight Against Pipeline 3

On October 1, Pipeline 3 became operational in Minnesota, despite resistance efforts led by Indigenous women and two-spirit individuals, who are seeking to hold President Biden accountable for promises made and broken.

The construction of the pipeline endangers local women and girls and infringes upon the rights of the rice, the land, the water, the nonhuman beings and the people.