With February being Black History Month, I thought I would share some books by and about black individuals that I think you should read! There is a mix of genres and topics, but all are important and meaningful! Now I do not believe that these books should only be read during this month and forgotten about the rest of the year. If this past year has showed us anything, its that as a society we need to be better, do better and strive to make a change to what’s right. We need to life up black voices and black creators, there are centuries to make up for the oppression that was afflicted and still being put upon them.

Read to learn and understand more, to expand your knowledge and cultural competencies. Don’t put it on those oppressed to teach you how to be a better human. So here are some Black History Month Reading Recommendations!

Black History Month Reading Recommendations

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

This was a great follow up to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I adored Mav as the father and this book gave us the background story. We get to see what made him the way he is and the struggles he went through. Although this covers many hard topics of what young black boys face, there was also some humor and love!

Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man by Emmanuel Acho

After the events of George Floyd and Breanna Taylor, Acho started a youtube/instagram TV series about uncomfortable conversations revolving race. I found his approach and conversations to be raw and meaningful. I was excited to listen to this as an audiobook. Acho is so well spoken and really gives to truth with resources and facts. I liked that he referenced other works to check out to continue with the conversation and education on systemic racism.

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson 

This is a book I just want to squeeze! It was just so cute, adorable and absolutely joyful!  With so much going on in the world it is books like this that are just pure joy that everyone needs to read! This f/f relationship was too perfect! The book did cover some hard topics and I felt like Johnson did a fabulous job covering those topics while not making it overly sad or dark. It has me gushing and smiling the whole time. Liz was such a wonderful  character and her development was so well done.  It was full of a variety of side characters and has you rooting for that underdog! Just an overall cute and joy filled read! 

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them  by Junauda Petrus

This story was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I adored the sapphic romance and how character driven the story was. You really get an in-depth look into their lives and them figuring out their identities and life. There were also many fantastic side characters, Queenie being one of my favs! The prose and poetry were epically delicious! 

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds 

This was such a powerful story and told so beautifully using verse. This was a 60 sec snapshot of the decision a young black boy must make between whether to get revenge on his brothers murderer. It is an in depth look into gun violence and the cycle of violence. Listening to this as an audiobook was so moving. 

The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQueen 

An incredibly moving, heartbreaking, hopeful and timely YA #OwnVoices Summer Read. Reading this book was extremely eye opening to the fact of how little things have actually changed in our society regarding oppression and racism. It was heartbreaking to read this book that was based in 1955 and see that so much Ethan went through, is still happening to black children and all black individuals today. 

Full ARC Review

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Acevedo wrote such a beautiful story that was perfect to listen to as an audiobook, like listening to spoken word. It has some complex themes of a real plane crash, family secrets and finding a hidden family. Both girls are learning how to deal with the death of their father that they really didn’t know.There was also an adorable f/f relationship.

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

WOW! This story was a charming Drag Queen origin story.  Michael was such an inspiring character. The book was full of uniqueness and of Michael discovering himself as the book covers his life from youth to adulthood. Its all about trusting your inner truth and embracing it. There was so much queer representation. Atta’s writing was so lyrical and strong. 

Have you read any of these books? What are some you would recommend? I have a few fantasy books on my TBR to diversify my genre reading of black stories.

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