by WB Intern, Deborah Darden
Warrior. Healer.
These are only two of many words that could be used to describe the Indigenous tribes who first called America home. Their beautiful culture and customs continue to inspire even to this day, so in honor of Native American Heritage Month, we wanted to highlight a few awesome authors and their wonderful stories.
We hope you enjoy them!
Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie – we kick off this list with a well-known name and the novel that started it all for him. Join Thomas-Builds-the-Fire in this book as he partakes in a journey of mayhem when he inherits a magical instrument. You’ll find he got much more than he bargained for!
There There by Tommy Orange – in this heart-gripping tale of overcoming and identity, Tommy describes the individual stories of twelve strangers who may not be so strange to each other after all. Headed toward the Big Oakland Powwow, find out how their separate stories become one as they navigate life as a new generation of Native American people.
Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit by Leslie Marmon Silko – although a much older selection, it’s still a worthy read! Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit is a collection of essays accentuating important topics such as the wisdom and injustice of Native Americans. These words are meant to be read for years to come!
An American Sunrise: Poems by Joy Harjo – here’s something a little different to spice up this list and we have to admit, this one has caught our special attention! Joy Harjo combines her own upbringing with the history of her ancestors, the Mvskoke people, in this assortment of powerful poems. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them!
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt – this tale comes from the mind of a somewhat new literary voice. Billy-Ray shares the story of a doctoral student who sets his very important dissertation aside for something more important. He returns home and decides to write a novel conveying the turmoil of different people, including a queer Indigenous man still reeling from heartache and a family member struggling for survival.
Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir by Deborah A. Miranda – prepare to laugh and cry when you read this handiwork. From spoken records to poems and personal annotations, Deborah sheds necessary light on Native American history in California.
Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson – this is a story that will take you back to the eighties. Sequoyah, a troubled teen scarred by the choices of his mother, sojourns through the tides of manhood and romance in this fascinating coming-of-age novel.
God Isn’t Here Today by Francine Cunningham – just from the title, you could probably guess what kind of shenanigans would ensue in this book. A visit to God’s waiting room and the escapades of a bored incubus are only a couple of the wild stories here. The characters even hop into each other’s stories from time to time. You’ll definitely be entertained by these tales!
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About the Author
Deborah Darden is a writer born and raised in Texas. She currently resides in Round Rock, just outside of Austin. She is a graduate of Full Sail University with a BFA in Creative Writing. Deborah has a passion for telling stories across different platforms and is currently working on a book series as well as a YouTube web series. She also enjoys writing short stories and even hopes to one day create her own anime television show. Apart from writing, Deborah loves reading and watching her favorite films.