Stories Shape Us; Why Reading Diverse Stories Matters.
Because we support inclusivity and empathy in all we do.
How do you choose which books to read?
Some readers like to be organised and have clearly defined ‘to be read’ (TBR) lists, which they determine each month; some readers like to theme what they read to specific dates or events, such as Pride month, Black History month, or non-fiction November; and some readers – like me – are mood readers, tending to flit from book to book depending on what mood strikes them.
There is no singular right way to read; and yes, reading physical books, reading e-books, and listening to audiobooks all count as reading.
In the HASSL Book Club, we focus on diverse stories and authors, across a broad range of genres including both fiction and non-fiction. We read books that are feminist, with strong female characters, that support diverse perspectives, and that tell stories of people who overcome adversity.
But why does this matter?
From a young age, the stories we read shape us.
In the infamous words of Kathleen Kelly from You’ve Got Mail (the independent bookshop owner that I wanted to be when I was growing up), “When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity.”
We absorb stories, and make them our own by relating them to our lives. We are inspired by some characters, and aspire to be more like them. We learn about new things, and see the world in different ways, which changes our perception. And this doesn’t stop just because we grow up and become adults.
When we read stories from people who have a different perspective to us - because of their lived experience, because they have different characteristics, or simply because they have a different outlook - it expands our understanding of one another. It helps us feel less divided, and increases our empathy towards other people, because it gives us more insight into why people see the world differently.
We build stronger connections and communities when we are curious and want to learn from each other.
There is a long history of storytelling…
There is no known definitive date of when humans began telling each other stories, but we told stories before we could even write them down. And when we did begin to write them down, they were captured differently by different authors - all of whom had different languages, cultures, and perspectives.
The same story will be told differently, depending on who is telling it. And not all stories exist in books.
Nowadays, perhaps more than ever, it is really important to consciously consider the stories that we listen to and read. Not only from a critical-thinking standpoint (to ensure we don’t blindly believe everything we’re told), but also to foster more community with one another.
It is easy to close ourselves off from others, and to focus only on ourselves, especially during times of stress or difficulty as there is comfort in embracing what we already think we know about the world. But we are stronger when we work together to support and uplift each other.
Our own identities are a result of our lived experiences, and sometimes the lens through which we see the world can be quite narrow. By actively seeking out diverse stories, told by different voices, we can expand our view of the world, and step up as allies for each other in many different ways.
You don’t have to be a woman to support feminism or diverse/intersectional feminist literature, but embracing such stories might just help you to expand your own views of the world, and help you to be more inclusive and supportive of others around you.
So I’d encourage you to reflect on what stories have shaped you, and what other stories and voices you might be missing out on hearing from.
If you’d like to join the HASSL Book Club, you can do so by signing up as an ambassador here: https://hassl.uk/pages/ambassador-program
Hayley Westwood (she/her), UK, Compliance and DEI Professional (and book blogger). https://www.instagram.com/shelflyfe
www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-westwood-int-dip-fincrime-int-dip-sanctions-167ba1143 📽 https://tiktok.com/@shelflyfe
Disclaimer:
This article has been written by a HASSL Ambassador as part of our community content initiative. While all ambassador contributions are reviewed for clarity, tone, and alignment with our values before publication, the views expressed are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views or official position of HASSL.
These articles are intended to amplify personal perspectives, lived experiences, and knowledge from our wider community. They are not authored by the HASSL team, and HASSL does not claim ownership over the content.
Please note that the information provided is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as professional, medical, or legal advice. If you require support or guidance in any of these areas, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional.