The ANARA Book Club Autumn Reading List

How to stay warm on a cool autumn day: don't leave the house. Instead, make yourself a cup of hot tea (or a toddy), snuggle up in an armchair with a cozy throw, and read a riveting book.

Reading is one of our favourite pass-times. There's nothing like a well-crafted novel or short story to transport you to another time or another world. To get you started, we picked five of our favourite books to read this autumn. 

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Ifemelu is a Nigerian graduate fellow at Princeton and a blogger navigating between love, loss and race in America. We follow Ifemelu as she experiences love with Obinze, the struggles of migration and separation, loss, and finally being re-aquainted with Obinze years later in Nigeria. The insights in her blog, "Raceteenth or Various Observations About American Blacks (Those Formerly Known as Negroes) by a Non-American Black," are reason enough to read Americanah. 

Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote. A humorous memoir that tracks Ivan's journey as a free-spirited tomboy navigating  complicated gender landscapes. Inside you'll find a mix of amusing practical advice and anecdotes, as well as insights into Ivan's path to self-acceptance. 

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas. Late one night, Starr witnesses the shooting of her unarmed best friend, a young black male, by a white police officer. The shooting is a catalyst that sets off a chain of confrontations and conversations between the two worlds where Starr lives: her home in a poor, primarily black neighbourhood, and her private school located in a more affluent white neighbourhood. The coming-of-age novel debuted at number 1 on the New York Times young adult bestseller list and is being made into a feature film.

The White Album by Joan Didion. Read up on one of modern American literature's most prolific writers, Joan Didion, before watching her new documentary, The Center Will Not Hold, on Netflix. Didion was required reading for my narrative writing class, and for good reason. Her stories are based in reality but told with a narrative style usually saved for the best of fiction.

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur. Bask in the lyrical genius and artistry of Canadian poet Rupi Kaur. It's no surprise that Rupi's second book debuted at number one; her first book of intimate poetry, Milk and Honey, is still on the New York Times bestsellers list. The collection of poems offer insight into everyday experiences of love, loss, trauma, and beauty - all complemented by Rupi's beautiful illustrations. 

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