Looking for a good book to pick up in honor of Black History Month? Well, you’re in luck. The following books are both educational and dive into serious topics including racism, discrimination and self-discovery.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America by Ibi Zobi
This book dives into the struggles and suppressed thoughts of Black teens across America. Each story is unique and ranges from wealthy to poor, mixed-race to immigrants and much more. This book showcases the diversity among these teens while giving them a voice.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
This novel showcases African American history and incorporates themes such as racism through the story of the main character Lauren Olamina. The reader is guided along her journey as she faces many obstacles in the outskirts of Los Angeles. She, along with other members of the community, try to salvage what is left of a culture destroyed by drugs, war, chronic water shortages and disease.
Sisters in the Wilderness by Delores S. Williams
If you are looking for a more in-depth reading on the effects of racism on Black women, this is the book for you. Williams recalls the history of enslaved Black women to the present day. The comparison between the story of Hagar, a biblical figure mother of Ishmael, and Black women emphasizes their struggles in reference to sex, race and class.
Black Noise by Tricia Rose
In this novel, Rose gives the history of hip-hop culture and how it impacted contemporary America. Through the exploration of lyrics, music, culture and themes in this rhythmic storytelling genre, the reader is taken into important discussions of struggle, discrimination and racism in Black culture and how hip-hop has provided a platform to bring attention to these issues.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
This thriller begins with 26-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers who is tired of being the only Black employee at her place of employment, Wagner Books. She is tired of the microaggressions and the feelings of isolation. Her luck seems to turn around when another Black woman named Hazel begins to work alongside her. What begins as an office friendship soon escalates into a series of struggles for Rogers. She comes to the harsh realization that her whole career may be on the line, revealing the common struggles of Black women in capitalist America.
Of course, there are many other novels written by Black authors that are worth reading. But these five books are a good start in order to be more informed on Black History Month and be aware of social issues currently present in our society.
