Jamise’s passion for reading diverse books shepherded the creation of the #DiverseSpines book community on social media, highlighting literature by women of color. Her hashtag movement has grown into a thriving, engaged community of readers championing marginalized voices, and continues to flourish with her new book Bibliophile: Diverse Spines—co-authored by our very own Jane Mount!—coming out on November 2nd. But if like us you can’t wait that long, you can pre-order here or catch Jamise and Jane (IRL!) when they kick off their book tour at one of our favorite places on earth, Books Are Magic in Bk.
Bibliophile: Diverse Spines combines a deeply inclusive collection of books from underrepresented authors with rich, colorful illustrations. Disclaimer: you might want to make some space on that bookshelf ‘cause one read through this masterpiece is sure to balloon your booklist tenfold.
Jamise is also no amateur when it comes to pairings. She is the creator of Spines & Vines, a blog dedicated to pairing wine with books. Add a dash of art in there and we’ve hit the true trifecta. So slip on those spectacles, pour yourself some Pinot, and settle in for a sensory celebration. Read on! —Team 20x200
Pairing books and art provides knowledge and helps to expand world views.. Not only can books and art evoke memory, they also have the capacity to educate, increase awareness and build empathy. I enjoy pairing books and art because they transcend over time providing a lens where we can experience culture and be a witness to moments in society which allows us to examine how we can change and grow. — Jamise Harper
The 411 on Jamise Harper
Jamise Harper is an avid reader, wine enthusiast, influencer, and champion for amplifying marginalized voices. A passion for reading diverse books led her to create the #diversespines hashtag and Diverse Spines book community on social media, which highlights literature by Black women and women of color. She is co-author (with Jane Mount) of Bibliophile: Diverse Spines (Chronicle Books, 2021), and the creator of Spines & Vines, a blog dedicated to book and wine pairings. She lives in the Washington, DC metro area.