February 26, 2021
10 Reading Ideas for Black History Month
I support reading Black authors all year, especially in February.
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: 5 of my most recent reads and 5 older must reads.
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
5 Recommended Recent Reads
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist (Middle Grade) My review of Isaiah Dunn here.
Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson (YA) My review of Love Is a Revolution here.
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson (MG) Not yet reviewed, but this is a lovely Middle Grade read!
Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West Emotionally difficult and well written.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston An emotional and intense classic.
5 Highly Recommended Must Reads
These are books that I’ve read in the past years that are on my must read and highly recommended list.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (Memoir, Non Fiction, Racial Tension and Injustice). 4 Stars. My review of Just Mercy here.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (family drama, addiction, faith and science, mental health)
5 Stars. My review of Transcendent Kingdom here.
Homegoing by Yaa Guasi (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 (historical 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. My review of THUG Here.
QOTD:
Did you find a book to add to your TBR?
Share your own recommendations in comments!
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
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I haven’t read any of these! I did incidentally purchase Rage of Dragons though
So many books, so little time!
I’ve been trying to purchase more books by authors of color lately. There aren’t very many in the sci fi and fantasy genres, which is a shame!
Oh I didn’t know that! Great market for a young black author!
Great varied list Carol. I also loved the perspective of Americanah. And – Just finished The Printed Letter Bookshop – recommended by you. Enjoyed the characters, cozy comfortable reading, which is what I’m needing right now!
I Tried Americanah…..some parts I liked and other parts were just ok.
I loved Printed Letter and it’s themes of Friendship and forgiveness! Cozy and comfortable reading is great!
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I haven’t read these but I did read two fantasy titles – The Children of Blood and Bone & The Gilded Ones which had a little too much similarity for me
Sounds good!
How have I not heard of some of these? I’ll be checking them out!
Happy reading!
Recommendations:
1. Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
4. Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
5. A Certain October by Angela Johnson
6. Locomotion & Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
4. Finding Fish by Antwone Fisher
5. Push by Sapphire
6. Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
7. Home by Toni Morrison
8. The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
Thanks so much!!! I’ve read The Color Purple and Caged Bird but not the others. Thanks for the recs!