Celebrate Black History Month with These Reads!
"She's the most important person in the world and her family living poverty. If our mother is so important to science, why can't we get health insurance."--Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
This February we celebrate Black History Month by highlighting as many voices from different genres we can! We mixed in some new releases with classics, literary legends and newcomers, to create a variety of incredible voices.
Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur
May 2nd, 2973: Black Panther Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital bed--handcuffed, close to death--as local, state, and federal police questioned her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike which claimed the life of a white state trooper. She was then incarcerated for four years with flimsy evidence as an accomplice to murder. This autobiography recounts Shakur's life in activism with wit and candor--a must read this February.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
A whirlwind of a romance that happens in the span of seven days--twice. Eva and Shane met once, 15 years ago, and fell in love in seven days. Then it was over in an instant, and next thing the two authors know, they're writing books to each other over the span of 15 years with no other contact. Then, once again, they meet for seven days--and who knows what will happen.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
A nameless narrator describes living in black community in the South, then becoming the spokesman of the Harlem Branch of "the Brotherhood," in this book which put Ralph Ellison on the author tour de force map. This classic was first appeared in 1952 to an unknown writer and became a best seller for 16 weeks and won the National Book Award for fiction.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Her name was Henrietta Lacks. The scientists who stole her cells called them HeLa. Her cells then became one of the most important tools in medicine; they were the first "immortal" human cells grown in culture (still alive today), and were used to developing the polio vaccine, uncovering secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bombs effects. Then, long after her passing, her husband and children were tools used by scientists for further research--without their informed consent--and while the scientists banked millions on the profits, her family saw not a cent. The world didn't know her name, her family didn't know her contribution, their contribution, but now everyone will know.
All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology edited by Circe Moskowitz
Ten black authors--famous and new--come together in this young adult anthology of horror stories set to terrify, chill, and haunt.
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
This collection of essays span politics, criticisms, and feminism from Gay's own experiences of being a woman of color in the state of feminism today. Sharp, funny, and insightful, this collection takes a close look at how what media we consume because part of who we are.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
In this autobiography, Malcolm X tells his journey from a prison cell to Mecca, from hoodlum to Muslim minister. This book tells the incredible tale of how the self-titled "angriest Black man in America" was able to identify his rage, and embrace the brotherhood of all mankind through his faith.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
This incredible first book to the critically acclaimed, three-time Hugo award-winning trilogy set Jemisin apart from all the other fantasy writers. The world is set on destruction as a rift splits across the sole continent and spews ash blotting out the sun. This is catastrophe, this is ruin, this is the Stillness. And one woman must hide her secret power and find her kidnapped daughter, all while the world crumbles around her.
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
Immanuelle Moore's existence is blasphemy in the eyes of the Father, under the Holy Protocol. Her mother's union with an outsider is evident to all in Bethel, so Immanuelle devotes her time to worshipping the Father and following the Prophet's words as law. After being lured into the forbidden Darkwood, Immanuelle is bestowed a gift by the spirits of witches and her entire life is changed.
Miss Major Speaks: Conversations with a Black Trans Revolutionary by Major Griffin-Gracy
IMiss Major Giffin-Gracy has survived a lot: a veteran of the infamous Stonewall Riots, a former sex worker, a transgender elder and activist who has survived Bellevue psychiatric hospital, Attica Prison, the HIV/AIDS crisis and a world built by white supremacy. This book is a glimpse into her brilliant life and incredible story.