No Shelf Control

Finding books that actually represent you can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It can feel like drowning in a sea of book recommendations when half of them misrepresent you, or worse, do more harm than good. Which is exactly why I’m starting this new series, Author Spotlights. In this series we’ll be highlighting authors from a diverse set of backgrounds who write books featuring a wide range of characters. There are increasing numbers of diverse books out there, but it can be hard to find ones that respectfully represent different groups of people. Because of this, I’d like to take the time to share some authors who have written meaningful books that have the power to change lives.

It feels right that the first author I am highlighting here is Marie Lu, mostly because of the role her books have played in my life. Her books made me fall in love with reading, which means they’ll always hold a special place in my heart, but they also did more than just that. Her books showed me what’s possible when authors put real effort into representing all voices. Every single one of her novels features people of color, people with disabilities in all shapes and forms, people struggling with their identity, and so much more. Her books showed me what could be, and what is when authors put real effort into representing all voices in their work. Lu doesn’t just have representation in her books as a background, she makes it matter. She pushes to show readers how diverse we humans are, and makes them understand a multitude of perspectives.

Too often authors just throw a character of color or a person with a disability into their novel simply to check a box. So much so that it often feels like “enough.” It makes it feel like having a character that looks and sounds like you is enough, even if your experiences are entirely misrepresented. But Lu shows more is possible. She shows it in powerful female MCs that lead with power, that dominate male fields, that grapple with their own identities until they love themselves.

Lu’s work is a testament to what we as a book community should strive for. True, unapologetic representation. Representation that actually matters. Inclusion that actually empowers. Visibility that shows young adults what they can be. Authenticity that proves what modern literature can be and what it can achieve. Representation, inclusion, visibility, and authenticity that Lu has woven into all 17 of her novels.