Since finding the Pond, you realise that you haven’t really had the opportunity to talk to Varian the Toadshifter yet. Last you saw them, they were busy sewing away and didn’t look like they had much time to talk. “Varian wants to get better at making costumes,” Xiaolong says when you ask her about them. “Sewing is their favourite kind of magic, especially when they see other people love what they create.”
And so you approach Varian, who doesn’t look as busy as before. In fact, they seem to be having tea!
“Hello friend, it’s good to finally meet you,” Varian says when you near. “Xiaolong talks about you non-stop, so I was looking forward to meeting you. Would you like some tea?” Before you can answer, Varian mutters a few magical words, and the teapot levitates and pours you a cup full of tea. “As you may know, my name is Varian, I use they/them pronouns, and I am a Toadshifter.”
You ask Varian what a Toadshifter is, and what they do. Varian takes a long sip, mulling over your question. “You see, Toadshifting is a delicate art, one that requires centuries-” centuries?! “-of study and mastery of various magical or physical arts so we can fluidly move from, say, a paladin of light to a necromancer. My hundreds of siblings and family have thus endeavoured to become masters of all crafts, but I was never satisfied with that.”
Varian puts down their tea, and looks at you with a bemused smile. “I was a good toad though, and I studied. But I later learned that my calling was creation; not emulating the arts of old, but creating something tangible and new. You can imagine the sort of drama this sort caused when I told them so. It was all, ‘Varian, we are Toadshifters! Toadshifters uphold the magical arts by learning and imitating! Not by creating something new!’ And so I left, not on unpleasant terms mind you, I just wanted to pursue my calling in peace. Xiaolong and the Pond gave me a new home, a place where I can create but also pass on my knowledge accrued from my education as a Toadshifter.”
“It was Gen, actually, who suggested that I pursue sewing-magic. The idea that I can pay homage to the magic that already exists by creating something new, something of my own creation, and has the potential to inspire others to be the best and most true versions of themselves? That sounded like a fine calling to me. Thus, that is my purpose as a Toadshifter.”
You nod slowly. You notice that Xiaolong had plopped herself next to you sometime during Varian’s story, and she smiles up at you. “Isn’t Varian the coolest?!” she asks. Yes! you say. Varian is very cool.
“Now,” Varian says, rising from their spot. “I’ve just finished putting together my first costume and I quite like how it turned out. Would you like to see it?” Of course, you say, you’d love to see it! (Xiaolong, meanwhile, is bursting with energy and excitement!)
Varian hops behind a big rock, and you notice their legs are a little wobbly – it looks like Varian is a little nervous to show you. But, when Varian emerges, they don’t look like a toad at all – they look like a rainbow!
“It’s a little simple, and I’m still trying to improve,” they say, adjusting their rainbow costume. The stitching is a little uneven and the fabric doesn’t seem entirely aligned, but you can tell that Varian put a lot of love into their costume. “But I just need to be patient with myself and I’ll get better with time.” Right! you tell them with, what you hope to be, an encouraging smile.
“Also, I thought what I’d do is share the inspiration of my costume. I think sharing things that inspire us is a powerful sort of magic, don’t you think?”
Welcome back to the Pond, friends, and welcome to the Pond’s first book recommendation post. I hope you all are having a lovely day so far and are reading some wonderful books!
One of the things that I loved doing in my old blog was to write book recommendation posts. So I decided to add a twist at The Quiet Pond: Varian, the Pond’s Toadshifter, will be at the forefront of the book recommendation posts! As you might remember from the Meet the Inhabitants post, Varian has a lot of knowledge of all things books and magic and is currently learning how to sew. Now, you know a little bit more about Varian’s story and why they do what they’re doing! (Varian is still very new to making costumes, so be sure to watch how they improve over time!)
Today, Varian is going to share with you four anthologies filled with diverse stories. Varian is dressed as a rainbow, because a rainbow not only means pride, but to them (and me!) it represents following your heart, embracing who you are, and celebrating who you are!
Within the four books that Varian has chosen, there are stories about characters with different backgrounds, sexualities, genders, abilities, and have a range of different lived experiences. These anthologies also have stories that incorporate different mythologies, cultural influences, and perspectives. So, if you read diversely, or would like to start reading more inclusive stories, you can’t go wrong with one of the anthologies below.
A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS
This is perhaps one of my favourite anthologies ever. Asian mythology? Told by authors of diaspora? This anthology is unmissable, and one that I’ll love for as long as I shall live.
- A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is an anthology filled with stories inspired by Asian mythology and folklore, written by Asian diasporic authors.
- The stories within are retellings of well-known folktales – told from a different perspective, with a slight twist, or set in present day – and each story includes an afterword from the author, which I absolutely enjoyed reading.
- Genres include mostly science-fiction and fantasy, but some have contemporary/modern day and romance elements!
- It’s hard to choose a favourite, but if I had to choose one, then I absolutely adored The Crimson Cloak by Cindy Pon, a retelling of Qixi (sometimes known as Chinese Valentine’s Day) told from the perspective of the celestial maiden who falls in love with a human ox-herder.
Find A Thousand Beginnings and Endings in Goodreads and Book Depository
TOIL AND TROUBLE
Witches have long been a symbol of power and strength, persecution, subjugation and oppression for that power, and resistance. Toil and Trouble brilliantly exemplifies these themes and offers 15 incredible stories that explore witches, who they are, and what they symbolise.
- An anthology about witches, written by women, with feminist and empowering undertones, and featuring a diversity of identities as well. What more could you want?
- Not all the witches burn in this story – rather, some witches fall in love, some do good, some struggle and resist, some succeed, some are flawed, and all are extraordinary.
- The genres are diverse as well – some stories are historical fiction, some fantasy, some romance, some futurism, and one is even a western!
- An effortless favourite was The Heart in Her Hands by Tess Sharpe, a story about soulmates, magic, and challenging fate. It’s f/f too and it’s gorgeous and heart-warming.
Find Toil & Trouble in Goodreads and Book Depository
UNBROKEN
Disability is severely underrepresented in YA fiction, so I was overjoyed to learn that this anthology existed. Unbroken offers 13 excellent stories about disabled teens by disabled writers – and perhaps, I argue, one of the most important and wonderful anthologies I have read to date.
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- An anthology that centers on disability, from mental illness to physical disability.
- The stories aren’t just about disability; rather, the focus is on the characters and their stories and experiences – whether it be falling in love, going on an adventure, and self-discovery.
- Also features characters with different intersecting identities; there are disabled people of colour, disabled queer people, disabled non-binary people, disabled religious people, and even disabled queer people of colour.
- I loved many stories in Unbroken, but my favourite was Per Aspera Ad Astra by Katherine Locke, especially for its extremely relatable anxiety representation.
Find Unbroken in Goodreads and Book Depository
FLYING LESSONS AND OTHER STORIES
I had the pleasure of reading this last year, and I’ve never forgotten it. Flying Lessons is an anthology of diverse middle grade short stories, and is an absolute delight that is perfect for readers of all ages, especially younger readers.
- Includes ten outstanding diverse and ownvoices short stories, including a story told in verse.
- Explores a diversity of themes that make middle grade novels so special: family problems, moving away, friendship, to finding your place in the world.
- All the stories were so empowering and had something important to say, and filled me with joy that such an anthology exists for young children today.
- There were so many brilliant stories here, but the story I never quite forgot was Flying Lessons by Soman Chainanu, a young and ambitious Indian boy who no longer feels the joy of success and how his nani teaches him about life and joy.
Find Flying Lessons & Other Stories in Goodreads and Book Depository
Oh my! With a bit of a tingle in your fingers and a musical hum in the air, another magical shoot has appeared right by your feet! Now that you have met Varian, the Pond will store and protect your precious memories with Varian and their book recommendations, which you can now access through the Features page.
Let’s discuss!
This year has been a fantastic year of diverse anthologies, and next year looks like it will be just as good as well! Some to look forward to in 2019:
- Black Enough coming out in January 2019, which will feature stories by Black authors about identity.
- It’s A Whole Spiel coming out in Fall (Northern Hemisphere) 2019, which features stories with Jewish protagonists.
- Color Outside the Lines, also coming out in Fall (NH) 2019, which will feature stories about interracial relationships! (Personally super excited for this one.)
So friends;
- What is your favourite anthology? Why did you love it?
- Can you recommend me any other anthologies that I didn’t list here?
- What do you think of Varian’s costume and their recommendations?
I preordered A Thousand Beginnings And Endings, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. I should start, right? Unbroken is also on my TBR, but I’ll have to add Toil & Trouble as well. I love me some witches!
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Hi Tessa!
HECK YES! You absolutely should start; it’s such a brilliant anthology and every story in there is strong and unique. I loved them all.
Ooh, if you love witches, then TOIL AND TROUBLE is absolutely perfect for you and I cannot recommend it enough. 💛
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These are wonderful recommendations, thank you so, so much for putting these together! ❤ I haven't read any of these anthologies just yet – I'm not a big anthologies reader, usually, but these look SO good, I'll have to give them a try! 🙂 ❤
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Hi Marie!
Ooh thank you! I’m not a big anthology reader myself, but I have to say that the four here are exceptional and just objectively brilliant! I hope you will enjoy them if you read them, Marie! 💛
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The first three collections are all on my tbr, but Flying Lessons is new to me. Thank you, Varian, for the recommendation!
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Hi Harker!
YAY! FLYING LESSONS is absolutely brilliant; probably one of my all time favourite MG books.
Varian says you are welcome, and that they are happy you found FLYING LESSONS through them! 💛
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Varian ❤ I have to say Varian has FANTASTIC taste in anthologies 😉 I haven't yet managed to read A Thousand Beginnings and Endings but I really want to read it at some point.
I never used to read many anthologies but this year I found myself reading some really great ones including The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Love Stories, Where the Stars Rise: Asian SFF, and Oceans: The Anthology. This month I am also reading the Young Explorer's Adventure Guide, and next year I have a copy of Worlds Seen in Passing and Monstrous Little Voices to read which I've been sent by publishers.
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Hi Avery!
Yay! I’m glad you approval of Varian’s choices!
Oh heck, you absolutely have to read A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS whenever you get an opportunity. It’s wonderful and all the stories were really strong.
Ooh I haven’t heard of the ones you’ve mentioned so *adds them all to my tbr*!! What’s your favourite of the ones you’ve read? I’ll read that one first. 💛
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I think definitely The Djinn Falls in Love!
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I have yet to read these anthologies because I’m not much of an anthology reader myself, but A Thousand Beginnings and Endings sounds like the perfect place to start (especially since there are two Filipino stories featured as well which makes me downright excited!). Hopefully I can get to it soon. With that said, all of these books sound on-point. Crossing my fingers that I could read them all one day.
On that note, I have one anthology that I have been meaning to read as well. I can’t fully speak for this book yet but I have been seeing amazing reviews for a queer historical fiction anthology which is All Out, edited by Saundra Mitchell. Crossing my fingers that it’s swell because I’m really rooting for it as a history nerd and because it’s written by LGBTQIA+ authors. 💕
So happy to finally come across Varian here on the Pond! Hope to see more of them, and how they will improve in the future. 😍
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Hi Bianca! 💛
Oh gosh, you’re going to LOVE(!) A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS. It’s totally up your alley and I really think you’ll enjoy it. Trust me on this! 💛
Ooh! I had actually checked ALL OUT from my library but never got the chance to read it because I chose to read other books first – gah! I’d love to hear what you think of it though, when you finish it, and perhaps I’ll give it another go!
Aw, yay! I’m glad you like Varian – they love you too. 💛 Hehe I’ve already planned out some of their costumes and you’re gonna love it!!
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Oh more anthologies to add to the TBR. 😍
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Hehe yay! I hope you enjoy them!!
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I am not the biggest fan of anthologies but I have a couple on my TBR already. A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is definitely one that I look forward to reading one day.
Happy to have finally met Varian, they are wonderful and cannot wait for more of their recommendations!
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Hi Kaleena!
I know what you mean! But I promise that A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS is a really, really good one. I enjoyed it by reading a story a day and it worked super well for me.
Aw, YAY. I’m glad you like Varian. And yes, they’ll definitely have more recommendations in the future!! (I’ve already drawn their costumes; you’re gonna love it!!)
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Okay okay YOU HAVE SOLD ME! Adding that anthology to my list, it sounds like a great one to start with!
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I’m always pretty horrible at keeping up with anthologies and the only one I’ve fully finished is Fresh Ink (which was AMAZING, btw!)
I have a copy of 1000 Beginnings and Endings and I haven’t started it yet (oops) but I’m so excited to crack it open during the holidays!
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Hi Vicky!
Wasn’t FRESH INK awesome?! Oh heck, you definitely DEFINITELY need to read A Thousand Beginnings and Endings. I think you’ll really enjoy it. I hope you have fun reading it!! 💛
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[…] today, I’m taking inspiration from CW and Varian the Toadshifter from over at The Quiet Pond to recommend some diverse […]
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I would absolutely die for Varian oh my goodness I love them?? And their little rainbow outfit is just so cute?? 😭 I’m not big on anthologies – I usually only like a few of the stories, but these all sound amazing, so I’m definitely going to give them a try! 🙂
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And they love YOU, Michelle! 💛
Ooh yes, I totally recommend it!! Esp Toil & Trouble and A Thousand Beginnings and Endings. They’re REALLY good!!
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[…] Book Recommendations with Variant the Toadshifter – Diverse Anthologies by CW @TheQuietPond […]
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Where the Stars Rise! It was released last year but kind of got drowned out by the hype and buzz surrounding A Thousand Beginnings and that was such a shame. It is a great fantasy/sci-fi collection by Asian authors. I loved it.
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ooh wonderful! I actually started this anthology awhile ago, but had to return it to the library – gah! I should definitely pick it up again then.
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[…] CW brings us some marvellous diverse book anthologies, ranging in genre from Asian folklore and fantasy to supernatural tales on subjugation and […]
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LOVE the new blog CW!!! I’ve been on Hiatus from the book blogging world, so this is my first time seeing it. Glad to have you back. The Quiet Pond is so unique and creative. I look forward to following.
Thank you for the anthology rec list! I’ve never read an anthology, BUT I picked a diverse anthology up at a book festival recently titled “We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices.” It includes authors like Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Kwame Alexander. I actually got it signed by Jason Reynolds! It was very exciting.
Off this list, I have been wanting to read FLYING LESSONS AND OTHER STORIES. I feel like Anthologies are not very common in the MG genre, so I am very interested in seeing how it comes together.
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Amanda!! Thank you SO SO much! Thank you so much for your kind words too. I appreciate it.
Ooh, I’ve heard of that one and heard wonderful things about it! That’s so exciting that you got it signed by Jason Reynolds!! He’s a great writer and I liked his contribution for FRESH INK, which is another diverse anthology.
Yes, you absolutely have to give that book a go! It’s brilliant and I cannot recommend it enough. Great for any little ones in your life as well.
Thanks for stopping by Amanda; it was great to hear from you!
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Those books are on my list. If we could just buy everything. If I’m not broke Millenial adult. I would.
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Hi Raf! Haha, I’m glad they’re on your list at least! I hope you get the chance to read them some day.
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Hopefully!!!
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[…] » CW @The Quiet Pond shares book recs ⇒ Book Recommendations: Diverse Anthologies […]
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[…] you for being so supportive of my first costume, friend,” says Varian, a big smile on their face. “I hope to get better and improve my […]
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[…] day of the month, and Varian has sent you a special invitation to join them at the Pond today. You remember the last time you had tea with them, and they had made their first costume (a rainbow!)… Could they possibly have a new […]
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[…] you find Varian, they are wearing their rainbow skirt (the one that they wore a few months ago when you first met them!) and they’re holding a really big rainbow […]
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