ANSWERS TO GO with Pamela Carlile

Q. I have heardthe term “Own Voices” used to describe certain types of books lately. Can you tell me what that term means?

A. The term “Own Voices” was created in 2015 by young adult author Corinne Duyvuis. Duyvuis wanted to create a hashtag (#) on Twitter to help “recommend kidlit about diverse characters written by authors from that same diverse group.”

So what does that mean? Basically, the term #OwnVoices is used to identify books written by authors who share a marginalized or under-represented identity with the protagonist they are writing about. This identity could include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability-impairment, class, religion, etc. For example, a book with a blind protagonist written by a blind author would be considered an #OwnVoices book.

Why is this distinction important? Because the #OwnVoices movement encourages more authentic representation in the publishing world and empowerment of diverse authors and diverse stories! Plus, it helps readers with those same under-represented identities see themselves in a story and know there’s a person like them behind that story.

Is this term only used for young adult literature? No. While the majority of #OwnVoices books being published are still young adult books, there are #OwnVoices books available in every genre.

Can you recommend some #OwnVoices books for me to read? If you’re looking for a romance, The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is a fun story featuring a protagonist with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Here’s a little taste of this novel: “I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”

For a literary thriller, try Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, which features a Chinese-American protagonist. This book begins with the line, “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” On the surface, this is a story about why and how Lydia was found dead in the local lake. However, it is also a story about race, the challenges of relationships, and the difficulties of speaking and sharing and opening up.

For a young adult contemporary novel, try Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, which features a gay, Mexican-American protagonist. It's a story about a boy who is sad and angry, and can't figure out why. It's about him trying to love himself and others. It's about the teenage condition and mentality.

For a time travel novel, try Kindred by Octavia Butler, which features an African-American protagonist. Kindred tells the story of Dana Franklin, a black woman suddenly whisked back in time from 1976 to pre-Civil War Maryland, 1815. It is complex historical-fiction, intriguing science fiction, and a memoir of slavery.

All of these books are available at the library, and can be placed on hold by calling 512-393-8200 or emailing smpl@sanmarcostx.gov.