Past Books
In Fall 2022, we read Choice Words: Writers on Abortion, edited by Annie Finch. This is a literary anthology of poems, stories, and essays about abortion.
In Spring 2023, we read Choice Words again, as well as It's Always Been Ours: Rewriting the Story of Black Women's Bodies. In It's Always Been Ours, Jessica Wilson examines how whiteness and capitalism shape conversations about bodies, health, and wellness to the detriment of Black women. Jessica Wilson spoke on campus in February 2023 and our book club discussion followed a month later. We also held a special online event with several contributors to Choice Words.
Choice Words is available as an eBook through Butler Library. It's Always Been Ours is available as a print book.
In Fall 2023, we read a selection of science fiction short stories by authors of color. Over the course of the semester, we read the following stories:
- Buckell, Tobias S. (2022). The sugar mill. In S. R. Thomas, O. D. Ekpeki, & Z. Knight (Eds.), Africa risen: A new era of speculative fiction (pp. 247-261). Tordotcom.
- Wilson, Daniel H. (2023). Ocasta. In N. Shawl (Ed.), New suns 2: Original speculative fiction by people of color (pp. 13-26).Solaris.
- brown, a. m. (2015). the river. In a. m. brown & W. Imarisha (Eds.), Octavia's brood: Science fiction stories from social justice movements. AK Press.
- Ramirez, R. (2021). An adventure of Xuxa, La Ultima. In A. Hernandez, M. D. Godwin, & S. R. Garcia (Eds.), Speculative fiction for dreamers: A Latinx anthology (pp. 246-269). Mad Creek Books.
- McClain, D. (2015). Homing instinct. In a. m. brown & W. Imarisha (Eds.), Octavia's brood: Science fiction stories from social justice movements. AK Press.
- Jones, A. G. (2020). History of the new world. In J. Whitehead (Ed.), Love after the end: An anthology of two-spirit & indigiqueer speculative fiction. Arsenal Pulp Press.
The stories were chosen from among the following volumes:
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In Spring 2024, we read a collection of short stories by Justin C. Key, entitled The World Wasn't Ready For You. At our final meeting of the semester, we were joined by the author, Justin C. Key!
"Black Mirror meets Get Out in this gripping story collection reminiscent of the work of Octavia E. Butler, which deftly blends science fiction, horror, and fantasy to examine issues of race, class, and prejudice—an electrifying, oftentimes heartbreaking debut from an extraordinary new voice." (HarperCollins Publishers)
Related LibGuides
Readers of the book club may also be interested in the Reproductive Justice LibGuide, the Abortion and the Law LibGuide, and/or the Black Lives Matter LibGuide.
