February, or Black History Month, is the best time to pick up a book from a Black author.
You are spoilt for choice this February as there are many fantastic Black books to pick up.
From romantic love stories to motivational memoirs, there’s something for every taste.
So, let’s dive into these books and support Black authors!
“She Persisted: Dorothy Height” by Kelly Starling Lyons
Release Date: February 7
Kelly Lyons’ latest is a book that celebrates Dorothy Height, a Black woman who rose against the odds.
Height grew up in the 1920s and 1930s and experienced discrimination: a local swimming pool denied her entry, and Barnard College refused to admit her because she was Black.
This discrimination inspired her to push for change, and Height became an important figure in the women’s rights and civil rights movements.
Written for kids, the book has plenty of illustrations and uses simple grammar that a six-year-old can follow.
“Chaos Theory” by Nic Stone
Release Date: February 28
Nic Stone, born Andrea Nicole Livingstone, writes young adult fiction.
Her latest, “Chaos Theory,” follows teens Andy and Shelby as they meet while struggling with mental health problems.
Friendship blossoms, but could it lead to something more?
Stone’s book shows how teenagers live with grief, why focusing on mental health is crucial, and how people can find love despite everything they face.
Stone has also suffered from mental health issues, and she wants the book to inspire people to talk about their problems and get help.
“Black Candle Women” by Diane Marie Brown
Release Date: February 28
“Black Candle Women” is the debut novel from Diane Marie Brown.
The book follows Montrose women called Willow, Victoria, and Augusta.
They have lived together for years in a California bungalow and have kept to themselves.
However, when teenager Nickie Montrose brings home a boy, the older women face an issue.
Their family was cursed, and whoever they fell in love with died.
Will they tell Nickie the truth about the curse, or will they try to end it?
“Time’s Undoing” by Cheryl A. Head
Release Date: February 28
Cheryl A. Head is a seasoned author whose Black books highlight inclusivity, reflect our diverse world, and lay bare our planet’s people, both good and bad.
“Time’s Undoing” is her latest book, and it’s a personal one.
The Black book focuses on her family history.
In 1929, her grandfather was killed in segregated Alabama–the murder was never solved.
In 2019, Head launched her investigation into the murder, and she reveals her findings in this book.
“Time’s Undoing” promises to be personal, thoughtful, and heartbreaking.
“A Calabash of Cowries: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times” by Luisah Teish
Release Date: February 28
In “A Calabash of Cowries: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times,” Luisah Teish adapts West African stories and reinterprets them from a feminist perspective.
Suitable for everyone, the stories blend the past and present, the mythical and the real.
This should be on your Black books list if you’re looking for modern reinterpretations of timeless African stories.
“The Neighbor Favor” by Kristina Forest
Release Date: February 28
If you’re in the mood for Black books to tug at your heartstrings, “The Neighbor Favor” should be on top of your to-read list.
The book follows Lily, a shy bookworm who dreams of being a kids’ book editor.
As a release, she writes letters to the fantasy fiction author she adores the most.
The two correspond with each other, but one day, the author ghosts her.
Deflated, Lily tries dating a few months later.
Because of her shyness, she asks her handsome new neighbor to help.
However, her neighbor is really the author who ghosted her.
These Black Books Will Spice Up Your Month
From debut authors to seasoned ones, they all offer something different.
Whichever you buy, these Black books will add flavor to your February.
