Creating Inclusive Book Clubs: Celebrating Diversity in Reading

Why Inclusive Book Clubs Matter

Book clubs are uniquely positioned to expand perspectives and bridge divides. When done thoughtfully, they expose us to experiences different from our own while creating community across difference.

What Inclusion Means in Book Clubs

Diverse Membership

• Different races and ethnicities
• Various ages and generations
• Range of socioeconomic backgrounds
• Different ability levels
• Varied religious and spiritual beliefs
• LGBTQ+ representation
• Multiple educational backgrounds

Diverse Books

• Authors from varied backgrounds
• Characters with different identities
• Stories from around the world
• Multiple genres and styles
• Translated works
• Own-voices narratives

Inclusive Practices

• Welcoming atmosphere for all
• Equal opportunity to participate
• Safe space for different perspectives
• Accessibility considerations
• Flexible participation options

Building a Diverse Membership

Examine Current Demographics

• Who's in your club now?
• Who's missing?
• What barriers might exist?
• What assumptions are embedded?

Active Recruitment

• Reach out to diverse communities
• Partner with community organizations
• Post in varied spaces
• Personal invitations matter

Address Barriers

• Location accessibility
• Meeting time flexibility
• Book cost considerations
• Virtual participation options
• Childcare or transportation needs

Choosing Diverse Books

Expand Your Sources

• Follow diverse book influencers
• Check lists from diverse organizations
• Explore international authors
• Seek translated works
• Include small press publications

Balance Representation

• Aim for diversity across your year
• Don't tokenize (one book doesn't equal representation)
• Include joyful stories, not just trauma narratives
• Let diverse members suggest books

Questions to Ask

• Whose voices are we hearing?
• Whose stories are we reading?
• Are these #OwnVoices narratives?
• What perspectives are missing?
• Are we reading about more than one aspect of identity?

Facilitating Inclusive Discussions

Create Ground Rules

• Respect different perspectives
• Practice cultural humility
• Avoid generalizations
• Speak from personal experience
• Listen to understand, not respond

Be Mindful of Language

• Use preferred terminology
• Ask if unsure
• Learn from mistakes gracefully
• Update language as norms evolve

Navigate Difficult Conversations

• Acknowledge discomfort is part of growth
• Don't expect diverse members to educate
• Research context before meetings
• Hold space for different reactions

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Tokenism

Don't put the burden on diverse members to:

• Represent their entire group
• Educate others about their experience
• Always choose diverse books
• Validate others' comfort

Trauma Tourism

Avoid only reading diverse authors when their books feature:

• Suffering and oppression
• Traumatic experiences
• Identity as central struggle

Include joyful, everyday, and genre fiction by diverse authors too.

Surface-Level Diversity

Go deeper than:

• One month of diverse reads
• Token diverse characters
• Stories about identity that center white perspectives
• Diversity as checking a box

Creating Psychological Safety

For Marginalized Members

• Don't put them on the spot
• Validate their perspectives
• Address microaggressions
• Create opt-out options for heavy topics

For All Members

• Encourage questions asked in good faith
• Allow growth and learning
• Model humility and curiosity
• Separate intent from impact

When Things Go Wrong

Microaggressions Occur

• Address them directly but kindly
• Explain impact, not just intent
• Follow up privately with both parties
• Create learning opportunities

Discussions Get Heated

• Refocus on the book
• Acknowledge different perspectives
• Take breaks if needed
• Follow up individually

Someone Feels Excluded

• Listen to their experience
• Take responsibility for club culture
• Make concrete changes
• Check in regularly

Resources for Diverse Reading

Lists and Organizations

• We Need Diverse Books
• WNDB's Where to Find Diverse Books database
• American Library Association's diversity booklists
• Publishers focused on diverse voices

Questions for Discussion

• How did this book expand your understanding?
• What assumptions did this book challenge?
• How does this story differ from your experience?
• What did you learn about perspectives different from your own?

The Ongoing Journey

Inclusion isn't a destination—it's a practice:

• Regularly assess your club's inclusivity
• Seek feedback from all members
• Stay open to learning and changing
• Celebrate growth and progress
• Address gaps and blind spots

Your Inclusive Book Club Action Plan

This month:

1. Audit your recent book selections for diversity
2. Examine who's (and isn't) in your membership
3. Review your ground rules for inclusivity
4. Identify one barrier to address
5. Commit to diverse books in your upcoming schedule

Build a welcoming, diverse reading community with Readfeed's inclusive tools and global membership!