Audacity Book Club: November Read

By Nic Daniels

TW: Mentions of sexual assault and domestic abuse

Welcome back Audacious Readers!

Last month we survived a haunted mansion and colonizers in Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This month, we’re bringing it a little closer to home and reality, particularly one we've been taught to ignore in the wider American society and history. But what’s more audacious than unlearning? So, strap in for our November book of the month, Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo.

Born in 1951, Joy Harjo grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a member of the Mvskoke Nation. Drawn to the arts as a child, Harjo used creative writing, music, and painting as an outlet for her struggles with her identity, her parents, and finding a future for herself. She taught at the Institute of American Indian Arts in the late 70s and early 80s and published over 15 volumes of poetry before being appointed Poet Laureate in 2019.

In this memoir, Harjo writes about the strength, traditions, and many heartaches of growing up native in America in the 50s-80s as well as the struggles still present today. Through a beautiful mix of poetry and prose, Harjo walks us through her journey from Girl-Warrior, her childhood and adolescence, to Poet Warrior, who she is today. We get a glimpse of not only the native experience but great lessons on preserving tradition while breaking family curses in what I would say is an emotionally linear story.

This book is relatively new, so keep in mind that it may not be as readily available at your local library. However, it is available in major bookstores and online. Since this book includes poetry and songs, maybe try listening to the audiobook for the full effect!

I hope you enjoy Joy Harjo’s story, and I will see you at the end of the month for the full review. Happy reading!