Our world is in a moment of political and societal upheaval and many people are stressed, tired, overwhelmed, scared. Others are in the midst of painfully dire situations. In this resource, I've assembled some fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and speeches that offer hope, comfort, encouragement, and energy -- It's up to you which of these you need right now. If you have any suggestions for materials that might belong on this list, please reach out to me at contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com with your suggestion. 

While there are a great many poetry holidays, the month of April is considered National Poetry Month (in the U.S.,, at least), and Global Poetry Day is celebrated on April 25th. So, I encourage you to read (or write) a little poetry in honor of the occasion. Below are a few poetry-related organizations that might interest you followed by a long list of books of poetry.

With the failure of recent ceasefires, it's time to share some more resources for supporting civilians suffering the devastating effects of the Israel-Hamas War. If you're interested in supporting nonprofits working on the ground to provide aid, below is a list of organizations to consider. Scroll on to find a large assortment of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, anthologies, and cookbooks organized by age-groups to connect with the peoples, cultures, histories, and experiences of Palestinians as well as discussions of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine over the years.

It is easy to feel isolated when your passion is reading or writing because they can often be treated as solitary activities. But with the prevalence of the internet, many online platforms are bringing people from the reading and writing communities together. In this post, I've assembled a list of some of these spaces that might interest you. This post is number four of a four part series.

It is easy to feel isolated when your passion is reading or writing because they can often be treated as solitary activities. But with the prevalence of the internet, many online platforms are bringing people from the reading and writing communities together. In this post, I've assembled a list of some of these spaces that might interest you. This post is part three of a four-part series.

It is easy to feel isolated when your passion is reading or writing because they can often be treated as solitary activities. But with the prevalence of the internet, many online platforms are bringing people from the reading and writing communities together. In this post, I've assembled a list of some of these spaces that might interest you. This is post number two in a four-part series.

It is easy to feel isolated when your passion is reading or writing because they can often be treated as solitary activities. But with the prevalence of the internet, many online platforms are bringing people from the reading and writing communities together. In this post, I've assembled a list of some of these spaces that might interest you. This is post number one in a four-part series.

Looking for a book that centers cerebral palsy? I've done my best to collect the names of as many nonmedical books as possible. Most are memoirs, autobiographies, and nonfiction, but you'll also find some children's books and a few works of fiction. If you know of a book that you think belongs on this list, let me know at contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com. Please note that I have not read all of these books. I encourage you to use this list as a jumping-off point and to do your own research when selecting the book that is right for you.

Being an author is a lot of work, especially when you don't have the backing of a "big five" publisher. This series of resources is meant to support indie, self-published, and up-and-coming authors, writers, and poets. Today's article includes resources designed for professional development.

The United States prides itself on having built a system that separates church and state and upholds religious freedoms. Despite this ideal, many communities around the country have been banning books and censoring points of view that don't fit their particular set of beliefs. This censorship often deeply impacts members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community. In a similar vein, it can shut down the conversations that science-fiction and fantasy spark through metaphors and allusions. For example, The Lord of the Rings was once banned for being "satanic" in nature despite its Christian metaphors and measured commentary on good and evil.

Are you a fan of graphic novels and comic books? Personally, I find myself going to this format (and some of my favorite characters) when I need a comforting and familiar read, but still want a new story I've never read before. In this post, I share some of the resources I have found for reading graphic novels and comic books affordably. Some are free, while others include a small fee. I hope that one of these resources will help you find new books to read and enjoy within this format.

Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each November, honors the knowledge, traditions, languages, beliefs, and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities. Indigenous communities in the Americas have been fighting for generations to preserve their peoples and identities in the face of colonization, broken treaties, residential schools, and other injustices. Native American Heritage Month helps to raise awareness of the continued struggles that Indigenous communities face, support Native people reconnecting with their cultures and languages, and brings visibility to the continued presence of Native and First Nations peoples.