As we look forward to the start of a new era in the United States, as we begin to get a better idea of all the ways in which we nearly lost what we have and how dire things are in so many ways, of course I look to fiction. I look to narrative, to characters and to the power of story to convey the depths and the heights.
The sense of dread has been felt by many, including authors inspired to write novels centered on climate or apocalyptic themes. Without planning, I ended up reading a few and liking most of them, especially Migrations and The Glass Hotel.
There are other groups of themed fiction to look into as we take stock of where we've been and where we want to go. Most of my favorites have been #ownvoices books, and a lot of my reading will likely be their work. For inspiring, it's hard to top the picture books out now about Kamala Harris.
The legendary Nikki Grimes has written the lovely Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice. It's a great introduction to a great woman.
Kamala and Maya's Big Idea, by her niece Meena Harris, is based on the true story of how the sisters dreamed to turn their apartment courtyard into a playground. This book would be recommended by my very young granddaughter if she and her parents were on social media.
The vice president-elect herself also has written a book I enjoyed, Superheroes are Everywhere. A book about empowerment that isn't preachy is a marvel, and that's what this book is.
Family celebrating loved ones also is the highlight of Joey, a picture book about the president-elect by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. The illustrations are a delight and the prose is filled with love.
