Books to Read This February and March
February is Black History Month, you know. Women’s History Month is in March. Both months are an excellent opportunity to read books written by Black women. My platform features romance books by Black authors year-round. But today, I wanted to feature different genres, from Children’s Non-Fiction books to Romance. These books I have read, or I am reading. Some I even read more than once. My recommendations are based on my tastes and likes. I have read all these books this month or during this time of year.
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Children's Non-Fiction Book
Coretta Scott King by Ntozake Shange
Non-Fiction Book
TW: Mentions the word Negro (the cultural term for Black people during that period).
Representation: African American historical figures
What the book is about:
Coretta Scott King details her early years as a child. The author mentions how Coretta loved education and freedom, which led her to meet her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is an excellent book to read more than once to help students understand the concepts of the Civil Rights Movement and the unlawful laws during that period.
Where to find the book:
Coretta Scott King by Ntozake ShangeCoretta Scott, by Ntozake Shange
Little Melba and Her Big Trombones Story
TW: Mentions Bullying
Representation: African American historical figures
What the book is about:
Little Melba and Her Big Trombones Story is about a real-life Trombone player named Melba Liston. The author starts the book by telling how Little Melba was born. The story continues by describing how Melba loved music and how she found her favorite instrument one faithful day.
It was excellent to read how Melba Liston discovered her love of music and the trombone. Visualizing historical figures as children is challenging, yet this book does it well.
Where to find the book:
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, by Katheryn Russell-Brown
TW: Racism and mention of lynching.
Representation: Historical Black figures
What the book is about:
This book would be better for older students even though it mentions from 0-8. But because of the length and reference of violence, it would be better for older students.
Rosa, written by the late Nikki Giovanni (poet and activist), tells the story of Rosa Parks it starts with what happened the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her boycott in December 1953. I love how it talks about Rosa Parks's work and family life. It gives background to how she may have felt that day. Giovanni also details what took place on that day and after.
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky
TW: Slavery, Abuse, and Violence.
Representation: African American main characters, side characters, and historical figures.
What the book is about:
Two siblings (Bebe and Cassie) are flying into the sky and see an underground railroad in the sky. They meet Aunt Harriet (Harriet Tubman), and she discusses how she helped enslaved people take their freedom. Tubman also discusses what slavery was like for enslaved people.
Misty Copeland talks about how she started in dancing school. She mentions how her teacher talked about a fairy tale. Misty fell in love with the dancing doll in the story. She practices dancing but realizes that her friend wants a role, too. The story is a beautiful reminder of how friends can support each other.
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold
Firebird by Misty Copeland
What the book is about:
It is about a girl who does not feel secure in her dancing. Until she receives encouragement to not give up but to keep growing. It is a beautiful reminder of how dreams take time to happen. But once we come to that place, we shine bright.
Where to find the book:
Firebird, by Misty Copeland
Children's Fiction Books:
We are Shinning is written by Gwendolyn Brooks (poet)
TW: It mentions fires and death.
This book is about shining and accepting all children. Brooks wishes all the children were happy and excited. Has excellent pictures for children to see.
Where to find the book:
Bronzeville Boys and Girls, by Gwendolyn Brooks
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
TW: Colorism, bullying
Representation: African main character and side characters
Sulwe is written by Lupita Nyong'o, who is an Academy Award-winning actress. It discusses Sulwe, a girl who is darker than the rest of her family. She would be teased because of her complexion. This causes them to feel insecure about her color. She learned to love herself to feel good about her complexion. She learned to celebrate the brightness in each other and how every shade is needed.
Where to find the Book:
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Women's Fiction:
Hitting a Straight Lick with A Stick
Written by Zora Neal Hurston with an introduction by Genvieve West.
The stories in this book are engaging and humorous. If you
are from the South, these characters and jokes may remind you of stories your grandparents told you. I
know personally I have heard stories and people like this. Even though there are stories of people
doing the dozens, they are serious topics discussed. Hurston explores the themes of class, race,
abuse, and misogyny. Some topics may be triggering, especially the topics of racism, violence,
and abuse. The stories that stood out to me were John Redding Goes to Sea, The Conversion of Sam, and Black Death.
Where to find the book:
Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem Renaissance, by Zora Neale Hurston
The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison
The Self Regard is a collection of essays and reflections by Toni Morrison. She discusses various topics such as slavery, globalism, politics, sexism, racism, and many other topics. Each topic, regardless of the period being discussed, reminds me that times have changed, but people have not. Her words show that we are all still human.
"No more apologies for a bleeding heart when the opposite is no heart at all. The danger of losing our humanity must be met with more humanity. Otherwise, we stand meekly behind Eris, hold Nemesis’s cloak, and genuflect at the feet of Thanatos."
— Toni Morrison (The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations)
Where to find the book The Source of Self-Regard
All About Love by bell hooks
bell hooks discussed what she believes is love, and we often try to search for it. She discusses how the younger generation is cynical about love.
Some may not agree with her assessment or definition of love but I do believe we can all agree love is something that is needed now more than ever.
All about Love : New Visions, by Bell Hook
Spend My Life with You is a romantic tribology that focuses on the Richardson Siblings.
One of the siblings is getting married. While at the wedding, Thad and Drea get together. There are some love scenes in the book.
Where to find the book:
Spend My Life with You By Monique Fisher
The Build Up
Representation: Black Female and Male Main Characters, Black Side characters, Black family
TW: Colorism, Racism, Fatphobia, sexism,
The main female character is Ari James. James is a fat, sexy Black woman who is an architect who landed a job at a new firm. Her first day was rough, and now she has to work with a partner. Her partner is Porter Harrison. He is handsome. He has his eyes on being a partner, but he also has his eyes on Ari James. Both need to focus on this large project that can take them to new heights in their careers. Can they be successful in their project and form a relationship?
The chemistry and yearning between the two characters were good. I was happy when they finally started seeing each other. I really love how Tati wrote a man who adored a fat Black woman and was not afraid to show it. I enjoyed the book.
I know some people will not enjoy the colorism that is mentioned. But that is a reality for Dark skin Black women, especially in America. I also know that some do not like the sexism in the book. The main character is in a male-dominated field, which means she will face hardships of sexism from her male peers.
Where to find the book:
The Build Up, by Tati Richardson
Conclusion:
Overall, these are suggestions for books to read. Some of them you may find interesting if you are open-minded to hearing a different opinion or life than your own. I enjoyed hearing the different perspectives and learning more about myself. I also learned more about others, and I realized that we have more in common than we think.
My Favorite Romance Books I Have Read So Far In 2024
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