The publishing industry has long been dominated by white, cis, male authors. They sell well because that’s what on the shelves. That’s what people see promoted on Amazon and on the NYT Best Seller’s list.
The AVF book club aims to undermine this trend, even if only on a small scale.* We choose a piece of contemporary, mainstream fiction written by a BIPOC author each month and discuss the book (via Zoom or, perhaps when COVID is over, in person) at the end of the month.
No commitment required — join month to month, as your schedule allows. Email Mary Macinnes at AVFbookclub@gmail[dot]com if you’d like to be included.
The book for January is Brit Benet’s The Vanishing Half. Medfield Together has a few physical copies you’re welcome to borrow if you’d like! If you’re interested, mention it to Mary when you contact her.
*There is a long-standing discussion about reading non-white/cis/male authors and what can be gained from so doing. See, for example: https://readingdiverselyayearofnotreadingwhitemen.wordpress.com/about/.