February, AKA Black History Month, is almost here! In recognition of Black History Month, I am choosing to primarily read books written by Black authors, especially if the book focuses on the topic of race. Also, all of my book reviews posted in February will feature books written by Black authors. I invite you to come on this journey with me so we can all learn more together!
My TBR
This post consists of books that I, personally, want to read in the upcoming month. I will be writing a separate post with recommendations for books that I have already read. Here, I am simply providing a pool of books that I might get around to this February. I don’t expect to read all of them, since 11 is a lot of books to read in one month (for me, at least). But this list is merely an outline that I can refer back to when I’m looking for a new book to read. I hope it can provide that same value to you!
Education
Books are one of the best ways to learn something new, regardless of whether you’re reading nonfiction or fiction; both have so much to teach us. Because of that, and because I am an avid reader of both nonfiction and fiction books, I have included several of both in this list.
Most of these books focus on the stories and lived experiences of Black people, primarily in the United States, since that is where I live and what I’m looking to learn more about at the moment.
That said, I am also open to other recommendations, and if you know of any good books to read for Black History Month, I welcome you to share it with us all in the comments!
NOTE: While it’s great to learn about racial issues from people of color, it’s also soooo important to acknowledge that Black authors have so much more to offer than just educational content. To truly celebrate diversity, I encourage you to seek out books that feature characters of color in all contexts.
Now let’s get into the list of books that I’d like to get around to during Black History Month!
11 Powerful Books to Read for Black History Month
Nonfiction
Opinions by Roxane Gay
Back in 2019-2020, when I was learning about intersectionality for the first time, I read Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist. That experience was nothing short of groundbreaking for my journey, and ever since then, I’ve been itching to read another one of Gay’s works. Opinions is a collection of essays on a broad range of social topics, and as I hold Gay’s insights in high regard, I am fully expecting to adore reading this collection.
Fun fact: in the time since I started drafting this post, I’ve begun reading Opinions, and I can vouch that it’s great so far!
Becoming by Michelle Obama
As someone who adores a good memoir, it’s a shock I haven’t read Michelle Obama’s yet. Okay, well, that’s not entirely true. In truth, I did start reading it a few years ago, but life got busy and my loan at the library expired and I had to return the book just a few chapters in. Ever since then, I’ve been meaning to check it out again and give it a proper read, as it undoubtedly deserves. I love me a good read about a powerful, inspirational woman, and this one is sure to please.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
I see this book recommended over and over as an excellent resource for learning about how racism (especially toward Black people) still operates systemically in the US. This book looks deep into mass incarceration and uncovers its deep-rooted connections to slavery and the racism we’ve been told is “eradicated.” For those of us who want to learn more about racism during Black History Month, The New Jim Crow is an obvious pick, and it is a high-priority read for me this month.
I also mention this book in this post!
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis
I believe I’ve read one or two of the essays in this book before, but I have yet to read the whole collection. Davis dives into racism not only as it pertains to the Black American community but also expands her analysis to global events. Given the current events regarding the Palestine conflict, Davis’s work here is more relevant than ever. A highly educational and insightful read, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle is an excellent collection of essays to add to our TBRs this month.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The instant I heard about this book, it shot to the top of my TBR. Essentially, it is about a Black woman named Henrietta Lacks whose cells were used to conduct (undeniably groundbreaking) research… without her consent. She and her family never saw the money that these breakthroughs brought in, and the whole situation is downright atrocious in its racism. I am looking forward to reading the full book and learning more details about what happened, and how it all connects to the continued medical mistreatment toward people of color today.
Fiction
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Just a few weeks ago, I was in a bookstore with a good friend, and she pointed out this book and asked if I had read it. I told her the only Toni Morrison book I’ve ever read was Sula, which I quite enjoyed, and I’ve wanted to get around to another of her works. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews of The Bluest Eye, and my interest in it has been rekindled after talking with my friend, who also highly recommends it.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Do I even need to say much about this one? The Color Purple is a highly-renowned classic, discussing Black women, queerness, family dynamics, and so much more in a heartwrenching tale of early 1900s America. During the past few months, my interest in this story has only grown, and it is now one of the top books on my TBR. This is one of the stories that I specifically want to get to in 2025, so what better time than during Black History Month?
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
This is another book that I’m fairly sure I’ve read a couple of excerpts from, though I don’t remember them much. To be totally transparent, I’ve heard some wildly mixed reviews of The Bell Jar. Some people adore it with every fiber of their being, while others claim it’s deeply problematic. I’m interested in reading it for myself and forming my own opinion, so I’m hoping to get around to it soon.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
I’ve heard that Octavia Butler is revered as one of the best modern writers, and it feels almost criminal that I have yet to read anything she’s written. Parable of the Sower is one of the top books that I want to read in 2025, especially given my recent interest in the cli-fi (climate fiction) genre. First published in 1993, this book takes place in early 2020s California, which is the time and place where I currently live, making this book all the more relevant to read now.
I also mention this book in this post!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Oh my goodness, this book. I remember the months leading up to and following its release back in 2017. Everyone and their mother raved about how incredible this story is, and yet I somehow never got around to reading it!? It has remained on my TBR ever since before it was even released, and I think it’s time to finally pick it up. Being a Young Adult book, I expect it to be a fairly quick read, so I hope I can get around to it this month.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
In my first year of high school, we had different “reading groups” who would read books and discuss together. I vaguely remember one of the other groups reading this book and liking it quite a bit (I think my group read Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn instead). Their Eyes Were Watching God is such a highly regarded classic, and it’s been on my radar for quite a while. I think it’s time I finally got around to reading it!
More Book Recommendations for Black History Month
That wraps up my list of books that I want to read around Black History Month this year. Now I want to hear from YOU!
If you’ve read any of the books mentioned above, I would love to hear what you thought of them! Reading your opinions can help me prioritize which books I want to read first, and it also helps other readers make those decisions, too.
And if you have any other recommendations to add to this list, please let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for new books to enjoy and learn from, and your recommendations honestly mean SO much to me.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you also find some good books to read for Black History Month. Until next time, have a wonderful day!
Great list of recommendations! Quite a few of these are still on my TBR but I’m hoping to read The Bell Jar, Henrietta Lacks, and Becoming at some point this year (if I don’t get around to it next month). I’m also hoping to read at least one James Baldwin and a few other contemporary literary fiction titles that I already have on my shelves. I hop you enjoy all of these 🙂
Oooo, I’ve never read any James Baldwin! I’ll have to take a look at some of his titles, too!