Hello everyone!
I am very happy to see that the book community has been uplifting Black voices and I wanted to share my own personal list that I featured on my Instagram account for Black History Month, back in February. This list features books that I have mostly read, as well as some books that have been recommended to me!
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Read this book for a riveting, honest and funny tale about what it is like to gerow up under Apartheid as a coxed child. This gave me an insight about the period and it was very eye-opening
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Fierce black characters? The ennemies to lovers trope? Magic? Yes, please!
Beloved by Toni Morrison
I have yet to read this masterpiece. Morrison won a Pulitzer price for the novel and it’s considered as one of the greatest American novels between 1981 and 2006.
Any work by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is known for her beautiful pose. Im going to share one of her most famous works here
Now you understand
“Phenomenal woman” – Maya Angelou
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Why I’m No Longer talking to white people about race by Reni Edoo-Logde.
If there is one book you need to read to understand racism and the profoundly racist sytstem in the UK. It’s this one. Emma Watson has created an anti-racism Spotify playlist where she narrates a chapter of the book.
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
A light fun romance to take your mind off things while still addressing white privilege.
The Autobiography of Malcom X (as told to Alex Haley)
If you want to be inspired, nothing better than the autobiography of this great man.
Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin
I highly encourage you to explore the world of James Baldwin. He was an honest, raw, sharp and witty voice of his generation. Still very relevant today.
My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
There are not enough good thrillers featuring Black characters! I personally haven’t read it because thrillers are not really my thing but if it is yours, I highly encourage you to read it. I have only heard amazing reviews of this one.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Last but not least, Michelle Obama’s beautiful autobiography. It made me laugh and cry in the best way. You can read my very personal review here.
What would you recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Karla xx
Anotherbookworm 
Phenomenal Woman is one of my fav poems, and I’m not even a fan of poetry, lol!
I’m not a fan of thriller novels either, but My Sister, the Serial Killer was pretty good. I read it all in one sitting.
And Beloved is so great! I do hope you get to try it. Watch the movie as well. It’s really good too.
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I really love Phenomenal Woman too; her words are very empowering in our time! I think I will try to read My Sister, the Serial Killer during spooky season to keep me motivated because my fear is keeping me away from great books! And thank you for the advice for Beloved, I think I will take the leap and read it this year! 🥰
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