Libraries Are for Everyone: Diversity and Inclusion

WCLS staff create booklists and events, write book reviews, and share resources that center diverse voices and experiences because we believe the library belongs to everyone and everyone belongs at the library. We affirm our organizational commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion as described in our Diversity Statement and reiterate the library’s role as a space for conversation, growth and understanding. We believe that centering the voices of communities that have traditionally been marginalized furthers our commitment. We invite you to use these resources to learn more and to celebrate our neighbors living in Whatcom County, the nation and the world. 

FEATURED BOOKLIST

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The Military ExperienceThe Military Experience
Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those who have died while serving in the United States military, pausing, reflecting, and expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Learn more about the experiences of those who serve by checking out one of these memoirs.
Black Poets and Essayists<br />
Black Poets and Essayists
Explore the rich contributions of these Black poets and essayists writing about their experiences with everything from fatherhood to their relationship with nature to the impacts of racism on their lives and on Black lives throughout history.
Black History in Fiction<br />
Black History in Fiction
Explore Black History Month through these eclectic novels that take place in historical settings ranging from ancient Africa through the Civil War and Civil Rights era and evoke the legacies of Black history and culture.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<br />
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr was a crucial leader in the Civil Rights Movement in America, fighting for justice and equality. Honor Dr King's legacy with these resources about his life and the impact of his work.
Debut Fall Fiction 2024<br />
Debut Fall Fiction 2024
Explore these captivating debut novels and you might just find your next favorite author!
Hispanic Heritage Month: New FictionHispanic Heritage Month: New Fiction

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these engaging new novels by Hispanic and Latino authors!
Disability Pride MonthDisability Pride

In July we remember that disability impacts all of us. More than 1 in 4 Americans have some type of disability, whether visible, invisible, or a combination of the two. Celebrate the work of disabled advocates, activists and authors with these nonfiction books.Month
The Magic of JapanThe Magic of Japan

Explore Japan and its unique culture with books about travel, mythology, fashion, and traditional Japanese ways of being.
Read with Pride: New NonfictionRead with Pride: New Nonfiction

Celebrate Pride Month with these newly published nonfiction books, memoirs, and poetry collections by LGBTQIA+ writers.
Music Meets PoetryMusic Meets Poetry
Explore the Middle East's deep poetic history with poetry both ancient and contemporary.
Middle Eastern PoetryMIddle Eastern Poetry

Explore the Middle East's deep poetic history with poetry both ancient and contemporary.
Understanding AutismUnderstanding Autism

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Celebrate with these books that explore the wide range of perspectives, experiences, and challenges within the autistic community.
Cozy Fiction in TranslationCozy Fiction in Translation

Short and sweet, these translated novels deliver the cozy vibes for a heartwarming and reflective reading experience.
If You Liked Red Paint booklistIf You Liked Red Paint

These memoirs, essays, and poetry collections draw from similar themes as Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe’s candid, lyrical memoir: family history, healing from trauma, and the power of language.
Coast Salish Culture and StoriesCoast Salish Culture and Stories

Coast Salish peoples have called this area home since time immemorial. These books recognize the Puget Sound's indigenous history and celebrate the work that modern artists, poets, and thought leaders do to honor Coast Salish culture.
Historical Fiction from Black AuthorsHistorical Fiction from Black Authors

Full of interesting settings and characters, these works of historical fiction from Black authors transport readers to the past for an immersive reading experience.
Native Author or ContributorNative Author or Contributor

There’s a lot of material available about Native American/Indigenous People, but not all of it is by Native People. In this list you’ll find material made by people from across Native America.
Fiction from the EquatorFiction from the Equator

Keep on the sunny side with fiction from equatorial countries. These novels are written by authors from South America, Africa, and island nations in between.

BOOK REVIEWS

Cover image of "Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir" by Tessa Hulls

Book Buzz: Feeding Ghosts

Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls This year’s winner of the Washington State Book Award for Creative Nonfiction is a breathtaking achievement of memoir, art and Chinese history.  Growing up, Tessa Hulls knew three things about her grandma, Sun Yi: She was from China, she was a writer, she was crazy. Their home … Read more

Cover image of "Summerhouse" by Yiğit Karaahmet

Book Buzz: Summerhouse

Summerhouse by Yiğit Karaahmet, translated from the Turkish by Nicholas Glastonbury  To their neighbors on Büyükada, a sleepy island off the coast of Istanbul, pianist Şener and playwright Fehmi are known to their neighbors as unusual artist friends who share a lush, hilltop garden estate. Only their closest friends know the two men have been … Read more

Cover image from "Chlorine" by Jade Song

Book Buzz: Chlorine

Chlorine by Jade Song “Chlorine,” by Jade Song, is a work of literary fiction that plunges into the disquieting depths of a second-generation Chinese immigrant’s adolescence.  Touching on weighty topics like abuse, self-harm and body mutilation, “Chlorine” can be a profoundly unsettling read. Yet, it also offers a look at the challenges of assimilation, self-identity … Read more

Book Buzz: Homeseeking

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen  This sweeping epic examines themes of displacement, identity and loss through the lives of a couple separated by war and circumstance. Suchi and Haiwen meet as children in pre-WWII Shanghai. Their connection is instant and intense, and friendship eventually blossoms into love. But Shanghai is gripped by occupation and political upheaval, … Read more

Cover image of "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters

Book Buzz: The Berry Pickers

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters We’re several months away from berry season here in Whatcom County but that shouldn’t deter you from reading Amanda Peters’ thoughtful debut novel “The Berry Pickers,” which won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and topped many “best of the year” lists.  The book opens during the summer of … Read more

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