“Own Voices” — Read on to see what Don Alex is reading, and why he is expressing gratitude to see such diversity and authenticity in literature!

By Don Alex Cho
#VicCommuterHacks #VicCommuterReads

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I have loved to read for quite some time, and so many of my friends share this passion. It was not until several years ago that I started to really think about the people behind the stories I was reading. I found myself growing uncomfortable at the realization that stories I was dedicated to were written by authors not wholly suited to telling the stories of their characters. I am at no capacity myself to be telling people who or what they have the right to write about, but I just found myself in a conflicted headspace. As time progressed, I began to pick things up that bothered me more frequently. For instance, authors adding characters to their stories simply to check off a “diversity” item in their story. Vaguely describing a handful of characters as having darker complexions, exotic features, etc., and not truly giving the characters life. All these experiences really inspired me to try and find stories about characters like me, who were written by authors who identified with the identities I held. Unsurprisingly, it was a scarce and difficult task. Nevertheless, it made me truly appreciate how refreshing and authentic “Own Voices” stories were. Accordingly, below I have listed 5 books that I feel truly encompass the excitement, diversity, and fun that can be experienced with such novels.

“Own Voices” began as a hashtag movement created by Corinne Duyvis in 2015. The hashtag was coined to identify books written about characters from underrepresented and marginalized groups in which the author shares the same identity. This campaign has helped bring to light the important discussion that must be had when considering the types of characters and stories being written by certain authors. Do authors who do not share the identity of their characters have the authority to truly honor and respect that story?

Writers who identify with their characters are the best authority to be telling these stories from an authentic point of view. One can consider the experience first-hand-storytelling, moving away from stereotypical ideas about certain identities and cultural groups and providing a platform for authentic stories to be told, not someone’s second-hand interpretation. This campaign also gives readers the opportunity to truly connect with a work, seeing themselves in characters with the comfort of knowing that the person behind the words is like them.

As a caveat however, it is important to note that while I am using the term “Own Voices” here to distinguish certain works of literature, and while it is still a widely used phrase, it was intended to recommend books by authors who openly and comfortably shared the diverse identity of their characters. The phrase was never truly intended to be used in a broader capacity, but it has been used commonly even among publishing companies. Using “Own Voices” in this way brings to light the vagueness of the term, which could place creators in unwanted situations. Therefore, it is important to always use language that authors want to celebrate about themselves and their characters. Furthermore, while “Own Voices” novels are authentic depictions by authors belonging to a particular group, they are not representative of everyone who identifies with said group.

That being said, I am using this phrase in the capacity to express my own gratitude and excitement to see more books being written by people who have the lived experience to appropriately address such stories. This event is my passion project, and my attempt at sharing my love of stories and books with the greater Victoria community.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

This novel is the first book in a planned YA fantasy trilogy written by Tomi Adeyemi. This being Adeyemi’s debut novel, it was a huge success when it was first published in 2018. The movie rights for this novel were even purchased recently by Paramount Pictures. The sequel to this book was published in 2019, and the final installment in the trilogy is currently in the works. This first installment follows Zélie Adebola, a powerful protagonist who remembers when Orïsha hummed with magic. She is a maji like her mother was, but one night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. When I first picked this book up in high school, I fell in love. It was fast-paced, colorful, and thrilling. As a lover of fantasy, this novel broke so many boundaries for me, moving away from the traditional medieval setting of most fantasy novels. This story also highlighted how “Own Voices” does not necessarily have to take on a serious route, it can be fun and magical.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys is a novel I have not yet read myself, but it has been on my “TBR (to be read)” pile for quite some time. Aiden Thomas is a trans, Latinx, author, and they have crafted an exciting story about ghosts and relationships. Yadriel has summoned a ghost, but he can’t get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself. He sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free, but the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. I have heard so many great things about this novel, and I cannot wait to personally dive into this story.

The Poppy War by RF Kuang

The Poppy War is a thrilling novel, and I had the pleasure of reading it just last summer. This is also a first book in a trilogy, and all three books are currently out, so this is definitely a trilogy that can be binged. Kuang has written an epic historical military fantasy inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century. As a disclaimer however, this novel does deal with the harsh realities of war and does not shy away from the brutality and gore. I can honestly say that I was uncomfortable at times, but I believe that was Kuang’s intention; to make readers face and understand the scope and depth of these realities. It is both a thrilling and thought-provoking novel. The story follows Rin, one of the most determined and fierce characters that I have read. Though she is a morally gray character, I found myself identifying with Rin in many ways. When Rin aces the Keju — the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth — it was a shock to everyone that a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating. That she got into Sinegard — the most elite military school in Nikan — was even more surprising. But being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses an aptitude for shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive — and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school, the third Poppy War is just a spark away.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Pachinko is another novel that I have yet to read, but I have been eager to start this ever since I learned of its existence. In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger at the seashore near her home in Korea. He promises her the world, but when she discovers she is pregnant — and that her lover is married — she refuses to be bought. Instead, she accepts an offer of marriage from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. But her decision to abandon her home sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations. As I am Korean, I was ecstatic to learn of this novel, highlighting a deep and tragic part of Korean history that is often overlooked. The Japanese invasion of Korea during the early 1900s was a hard and dark time for Koreans, so much so, that my parents and grandparents still have so much to say about it. Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, survival, and loyalty, but it is also a reminder that history often fails to tell the stories of ordinary people. Further, Lee highlights the fact that just because another country’s history may not be our own, a certain level of respect is owed to acknowledge its significance.

The Break by Katherena Vermette

Vermette is Canadian and of Metis descent. She has described her writing as motivated by an activist spirit, particularly on First Nations issues, and The Break is one of several novels in which she captures readers with stories about powerful intergenerational families. When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break — a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house — she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime. In a series of shifting narratives, people who are connected, both directly and indirectly, with the victim — police, family, and friends — tell their personal stories leading up to that fateful night. Through their various perspectives a larger, more comprehensive story about lives of the residents in Winnipeg’s North End is exposed. This is yet another novel I am particularly excited to start reading. I was initially drawn to this novel with the excitement surrounding the fact that Vermette is a fresh new voice in Canadian literature. To read authentically written and inspired stories is always exciting, and I cannot wait to begin.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this blog post, and for following me on this journey through my passion project. I hope you have enjoyed the ride and are excited to read! If you have not yet already, be sure to follow the Victoria College Commuter Dons on Instagram @viccollegelife to follow this campaign and for a chance to win the 5 books featured here.

Cheers, with much love,
Alex

*Don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway here.

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