With “Identity Months” under attack by the current administration, it is more important than ever to remain committed to Black History Month.
These are four of my favorite books written by Black authors about Black characters for Black History Month and the rest of the year.
If you want to add these books to your TBR, try out StoryGraph. I’ll make a pitch for it down below, but in short, it looks better, has more useful information, and is owned by a Black woman who is passionate about reading.
The Man Who Lived Underground | Richard Wright
Fiction | Dystopian | Disturbing | Gut Wrenching
This novella is about a Black man accused of a crime he didn’t commit. To escape, he hides underground and makes a life for himself. This book follows him as he slowly loses grip on reality. It’s a real mind-fuck. It opened my eyes to how even the use of the word “criminal” can change a person’s mind.
Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds
Fiction | YA | Dark | Surreal
This is the story of a teenager set on seeking retribution for his murdered brother. This follows him being visited by different ghosts of people in his life while he takes an elevator ride down. Each encounter forces him to confront his plan to perpetuate a cycle of violence.
As Brave as You | Jason Reynolds
Fiction | Middle Grade | Heart Warming | Profound
This book is like watching fireflies on the porch in the summer. This follows the story of two boys from New York who stay with their grandparents in the country. It is a wonderful tale of brotherhood and family.
Just please read something by Jason Reynolds.
This Ravenous Fate | Hayley Dennings
Fantasy | YA | Sapphic | Historical
This debut novel is set in a fictional Harlem Renaissance with vampires and vampire hunting industry. This book is filled with homoerotic tension, betrayal, and a beautiful backdrop of 1920’s glitz and glam. I can’t wait to see what the author does with the sequel!
Our activism can’t stop at our bookshelves, so here is a small list of charities, buisnesses, and content creators to support.
Charities
- Black Voters Matter: Their goal is to increase voting power for marginalized communities. They do this through voter registration and advocating for policies that expand voting rights.
- The Okra Project: This is a mutual aid group that benefits Black Trans people. The three main avenues of support are nourishment, safety, and wellness. They offer different resources like therapy subscriptions, utility assistance, and grocery assistance.
- For the Gworls: A collective for Black and trans people to receive funds. They accept donations and host parties to raise money.
SHops
- StoryGraph: A great way to track your reading! It creates graphs based on your reading history, recommends books based on your reading habits, and allows you to enter free giveaways (I won one once). If you’re already on Goodreads, you can import your data over to this app.
It’s an easy way to use Amazon less, stop supporting a billionaire, and patron a Black-owned business. Plus the app has a WAY better design. - Books and Brown Sugar: An apparel shop and list of recommended books to promote classic Black literature.
- For Everyone Collective: An abolitionist apparel company that employs formerly incarcerated people. While this shop was not founded by someone Black, it is worker-owned, and the designs are made by the formerly incarcerated which disproportionally effects the Black community. To learn more about their business model, go to the How We Live tab.
Content Creators
- Zai Sylla (she/her) creates content about finding joy in reading Black books.
- Blair Imani (she/her) creates content that helps people remain socially conscious with Smarter in Seconds.
- Alexis Nikole Nelson (she/her), or The Black Forager, is an environmentalist and foraging expert.
- Mychal Threets is a Librarian and library advocate.
Comment your favorite books by Black authors! I’m always looking to expand my bookshelf.
Losing Kate 
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