Hi guys and gals!
Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're joining the Penguin Random House publishing family and the #ReadProudListenProud movement sweeping social media outlets across the globe. The short version is that it's a celebration of epic proportions this June, as we raise the flag of awareness and extend a hand in friendship for Pride Month. The more official explanation....
ABOUT #READPROUDLISTENPROUD
Read Proud Listen Proud, a joint effort by Listening Library, Penguin Young Readers and Random House Children’s Books, is an online resource designed to spark discussion in the classroom and at home and to encourage understanding through storytelling, celebrating everyone for who they are. The website recommends LGBTQ books for young adults and provides kids and teens, parents, educators and librarians thought-provoking discussion guides, inspiring author interviews, and audio clips, all hosted at www.readproudlistenproud.com.
Read Proud Listen Proud was inspired by the work of the We Need Diverse Books movement. Since its launch in June 2015, Read Proud Listen Proud has received an enthusiastic response from the publishing community, educators, and librarians and was nominated for an Excellence in Marketing Award by the Audio Publishers Association.
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Now we know there's always cries for more diversity in books, but there are plenty of writers and publishers heeding the call. Leading the way at the moment is the release of the memoir BEING JAZZY: MY LIFE AS A (TRANSGENDER) TEEN by none other than Jazz Jennings.
In her own words...
"I share my story so that my message of loving yourself and knowing it's okay to be different can be spread everywhere."
A valiant message indeed. No matter your age, color, sex, race, nationality, sexual preference, etcetera, we all have the right to BE OURSELVES. The authentic version of US is what makes us stand out, one of a kind, original, and a vibrant soul to know. The truth in showing our true colors is what empowers us to be the superstars we truly are, capable of being the change in the world and helping others see that acceptance, love, and understanding is the only way to achieve that world peace we so often seek in both our little corners of the world and across the seas.
When I decided to participate in this party of acceptance, it wasn't just for the nifty glasses. (Though as you can see above, they are pretty stellar ^-^.) I took a look at my past reading list. Though not many, I have read or featured a few LGBTQ titles in my bookish travels and thought I might share them with you for potential additions to your own reading lists.
Some are very to the point, others are quite startling, and still others have humor to boot. All hail from the Young Adult and Adult arenas, while calling Fiction and Non-Fiction genres their home. Take a peek (click the links), catch a glimpse, and perhaps make room on your June reading list for a title or two. It never hurts to gain another's perspective nor open our hearts/minds to the difference of each other. It's what makes this big old wacky world of ours go round.
Special thanks to Elena at Random House Children's Books for the chance to participate in this promotion and the AWESOME #ReadProudListenProud sunglasses. (THANKS!) For more information on #BeingJazz, the #ReadProudListenProud movement, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. The titles listed are all available now, so be on the lookout for them on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.
Until next time...happy reading!
What a terrific endeavour, the message of the importance of being ourselves a great one.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Love it.
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