The ability to read allows one the potential to open a book and instantly be transformed into other countries, times, or even worlds. Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes, and reading about people who live, think, and act differently from me provides me with great entertainment. And, even if my reading is typically fiction, I like to think some education is involved, especially if the author has done their homework.
One of my favorite methods of learning about another culture or country is reading books from those immersed in that culture. There are many different levels of immersion, and I can appreciate them all, but I tend to look for them in this order:
1. Books set in a country and written by a writer living there.
2. Books set in a country and written by a writer who was born in and has lived in said country but is now living elsewhere.
3. Books set in a country and written by a writer who is not from said country but has traveled extensively in that country.
These three types of authors come with their own nuanced cultural experiences, expectations, and understanding. But even in one subset, let’s say the first one, this still holds true. Is the author female, male, straight, queer, or transgender? Are they from a subset of the population that knows hunger and lack of money for daily necessities, or are they born of wealth and maybe only know about poverty through their friends or acquaintances? There are many ways people experience the same culture differently or in unequal ways. It can make for a great reading experience. It is why an author’s authentic voice is so important.
My point is simply this. Do not limit yourself or your reading to one geographical perspective. Much of the world has to limit itself to reading in one language (myself included, at the moment). That is why geographic diversity is important to expanding our enjoyment and education.
