February 4, 2019
10 Reading Ideas for Black History Month
I hope you are inspired by reading ideas for Black History Month! Have you read any of these titles? Please add your recommendations in the comments.
Books are listed in no particular order. Titles are Amazon affiliate links and you will find some links to reviews (most I read before I began the blog). *This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (Memoir, Non Fiction, Racial Tension and Injustice). 4 Stars. Full Review Here.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (historical fiction, abolitionist movement)
A favorite read over the past several years. 5 Stars. Review Here.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (historical fiction, family multi generational saga)
This book is ambitious in its structure and memorable in its story telling….it hasn’t received enough attention! 5 Stars.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (combination of history and narrative nonfiction). Ambitious history of black migration across the U.S. from post Civil War to the 1970s. 4 Stars (heavy on history….the three personal stories are memorable and heartfelt). A must read.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (contemporary fiction, racial tensions, YA)
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement. 5 Stars. Full Review Here.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (historical fiction, slavery) and the sequel Glory Over Everything: Beyond the Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (historical fiction, passing as white). Both 5 Stars.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (contemporary fiction, racial tension). 4 Stars. Brief Review in This Post Here.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (Women’s Fiction, Family Life). 4.5 Stars. Full Review Here.
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham (historical fiction, YA). 5 Stars. Brief Review in This Post Here.
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M Draper (middle grade historical fiction, racial tension). 4 Stars.
Runners Up:
The Mothers by Brit Bennett 4 Stars. My Brief Goodreads Review Here.
The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe (historical fiction, biographical, first black woman to attend Vassar). 4 Stars. Review Here.
We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success by Sampson Davis (middle grade, biography/memoir). 4 Stars.
Did you find a book to add to your TBR?
Share your own recommendations in comments!
I loved both The Hate U Give and Small Great Things but I haven’t read any of the others.
Those are great reads! I see that Angie Thomas has a new book! Thanks for commenting! 😍
Love all these ideas, Carol. I have read some of these and have some of the others here. I really want to read the Tanabe.
Tanabe is not the best writing but the story is compelling and interesting…..I love it when I’m challenged to think about what I would have done. Thanks for commenting and let me know what you think if you have a chance to read it!
Homegoing and THUG – YES! I’m personally going to try and fit in a nonfiction this month. And of course try to focus on only black authors. I had hoped to start right at the beginning of the month but I had a tough reading month in January and have some carry overs that I need to finish first. Ah well…
I can sympathize with reading problems!
Just Mercy would be a great NF selection! Happy reading! Thanks for commenting! 😍
Some of these are already on my TBR, The Mothers is pretty close to the top! thanks for all the recos <3
I’m curious about your review of The Mothers when you read it! I really liked it but I was disappointed in the ending……felt it kind of fizzled out. An epilogue would have helped. Let me know what you think! Thanks for commenting!
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It gives me a giddy feeling to see my link included! 😍 thank you so much! 🙌
I’m reading The Hate U Give at the moment, not sure why I haven’t until now it’s so good! Great list
Thank you for stopping in and commenting! THUG is a memorable and important read! Have you seen the movie?