Minnie's Fiction Addiction

I love a good comfort read, cozy mysteries, fantasy worlds, the odd morally grey villain I probably shouldn’t root for. But in between the comfort zones and five-star favourites, there’s something that’s completely transformed how I read: choosing to read more diversely.

And no, I don’t mean forcing myself to read something “serious” or “worthy.” I mean deliberately reaching for books by authors with different lived experiences than mine, whether that’s in terms of race, gender, culture, sexuality, disability, or background. Basically: if they’re telling a story I couldn’t tell, I want to hear it.

So let’s chat. What does reading diversely actually mean, and why is it such a powerful (and honestly, joyful) thing to do?

🌈 Reading Outside the Bubble

Reading diversely isn’t about ticking boxes or meeting a quota. It’s about curiosity. It’s asking: Whose stories am I hearing most often? And who’s missing from the picture?

For me, reading widely has made my bookshelf feel richer. I’ve read magical realism from Latinx voices that felt like folklore on fire. I’ve discovered queer love stories that made me cry (in a good way). I’ve dived into memoirs and thrillers and family dramas that challenged how I see the world.

And every time I do, I come away with a little more perspective, and a bigger heart.

💬 But Why Does It Matter?

Here’s why I believe reading diversely is essential:

• Empathy-builder.
  Fiction has this sneaky way of expanding your empathy. You walk beside characters you might never meet in real life, and you feel with them.
• Breaks the echo chamber.
  So much of what we read is shaped by what gets the biggest publishing budgets. Reading outside the mainstream helps fight that imbalance.
• Supports underrepresented authors.
  When we buy and review diverse books, we send a message to the industry: we want more of this.
• It’s genuinely fun.
  Your next all-time favourite book might be from a country you’ve never been to, or a voice you’ve never heard before. That’s exciting.

✨ Tips for Reading More Diversely (Without the Pressure)

If you’re like me and enjoy mood reading, here’s how to make it feel natural, not like homework:

• Make it part of your TBR.
  Each month, I try to include at least one book by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author, or one set outside the UK/US bubble.
• Follow diverse bookish creators.
  Instagram, TikTok, and BookTube are goldmines for recommendations from people living experiences different from yours.
• Read translated works.
  Some of the most beautiful books I’ve read weren’t originally written in English, and they opened up whole new literary worlds.
• Track, but gently.
  I loosely track author identity, location, and themes, not to “score points,” but to reflect on where my reading habits are taking me.

💖 Final Thoughts

Reading diversely isn’t about being perfect or performative, it’s about being curious, compassionate, and intentional. If books are windows and mirrors, then diverse reads help us clean those windows and widen the view.

So, what’s the most eye-opening book you’ve read lately? Let’s chat in the comments, or better yet, drop me a rec. I’m always on the lookout for new voices to fall in love with.