Happy Black History Month!
This February, we’re sharing some of our favorite books by Black authors or about Black History. If you love the sound of one of our books, why not check it out the next time you visit us?
You can also find books in our Black History Month displays around the library.
Our Recommendations
Avery (Jeffersonville Youth Services) recommends The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. She says:
“The Color of Law focuses on the history of redlining and other segregation techniques used to keep people of color distanced in the Minneapolis area…. It really opened my eyes more to know how man of these policies and techniques were used and even created so close to where I am from.”
Lauren (Jeffersonville Public Services) recommends Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. She says:
“Hurston is a literary genius and master of the written word, how she so beautifully strings them together in this masterpiece, and with such ease, makes me question whether I even know language at all. Every time I read it, it’s a new experience, but always filled with joy, heartache, and bittersweet awe at the richness of her text.”
Richard (Clarksville) recommends any books by Nnedi Okorafor. He says:
“I love anything she writes for her world-building, her characters, and the way her prose pulls a reader into the story. I’ll read any book she authors, because I know I’ll enjoy it.”
Rick (Jeffersonville Public Services) recommends The Autobiography of Malcolm X .
Michael (Jeffersonville Public Services) recommends Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James. He says:
“A dark fantasy based upon the mythology of Africa, rather than Medieval Europe, which is a welcome change. Presented as an oral retelling from an unreliable narrator, the book is very adult in its themes and depictions of violence, but never shocking for its own sake. Everything has a purpose. James’s writing is lyrical and perfectly captures the nuances of the spoken word. A challenging read but one that rewards the attentive reader.”
Bethany (Jeffersonville Admin) recommends The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris. She says:
“I was drawn in by the premise: a young Black woman gets a job at a publishing house and is both excited and threatened when another young Black woman is hired. Their relationship starts off fine but soon takes an eerie, otherworldly turn. I’m not typically a fan of supernatural themes, but this one was incorporated so smoothly — and surprisingly — that I was hooked.”
Aliya (Jeffersonville Admin) recommends The Selected Works of Audre Lorde. They say:
“Being introduced to Audre Lorde in college was eye-opening. Her feminist essays especially, like Uses of the Erotic and Uses of Anger, stay with me and challenge me to this day. Not to mention, her poetry is so sharp, messy, and beautiful. She is intimately insightful, and I go back to her words like a compass whenever I get lost.”
Kim (Jeffersonville Public Services) recommends Kindred by Octavia Butler, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith, and Heavy by Kiese Laymon.
Regan recommends Ghost by Jason Reynolds.