Books for Black History Month

In honor of February’s Black History Month, I selected six wonderful books written by Black authors in a variety of genres. Two are nonfiction, specifically memoirs by prominent women. I also include two novels, both coming-of-age stories, and two historical fiction tales, one about Hazel Scott, a woman lost to history, and another set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Here are six engaging books by Black authors:

Nonfiction:

I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living between Worlds by Sunny Hostin – Sunny Hostin is now a co-host of The View and an ABC News legal correspondent, but her path was rocky. Born to a Puerto Rican mother and a black father who married as teenagers, Sunny struggled with a sense of belonging from an early age. Feeling like an outsider with both sides of her family and her peers, Sunny felt isolated and marginalized. As an adult, she says, she has sought to shed that feeling of not fitting in and has worked to create her own identity and sense of self. She uses her platforms to promote equality – gender, racial and economic. The book is an eye-opening account of how many in the U.S. treat those who are deemed different, and it offers ways to make a difference going forward.

My Remarkable Journey: A Memoir by Katherine Johnson – This memoir of Katherine Johnson’s remarkable life is being published posthumously and is a quick and fascinating read. Her story is now known the world over after the Hidden Figures book and movie celebrated her contributions (along with several other Black women) to NASA’s first manned flights in space, but in My Remarkable Journey she starts at the beginning and tells the incredible tale of her 101 years in her own words. From her early years as a child prodigy in West Virginia to her many years at NASA as a human computer, she threads in her experience as a Black woman and includes the historical backdrop against which her contributions occurred.

Fiction:

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe – This coming-of-age story stars a 12-year-old girl named Fe Fe Stevens who lives in the Robert Taylor Homes on the south side of Chicago in 1999, right as the buildings are slowly being torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. Her building is next in line to come down, and for a brief time she forms an alliance with two other girls in her building – one the daughter of deeply religious parents and the other a member of the family who runs the gang that “protects” her building. But as the summer progresses and the building begins to empty, her relationship with the two girls follows a similar course. The author herself lived in the Robert Taylor Homes, a public housing complex of over 20 high-rise buildings, built to house low-income families in Chicago. The story is engaging, heartbreaking, and compelling, and Wolfe vividly depicts what it was like to live there: the daily gun battles, the dangers involved in taking the elevator or the stairs, the lack of lighting provided, and more.

Maame by Jessica George – Maddie’s father struggles with late-stage Parkinson’s and her family has designated her as his primary caregiver with no input from her and very little help. Her mother spends most of her time in Ghana while constantly giving Maddie advice about how she should live her life. Her boss makes her job unpleasant, and Maddie is tired of serving as the sole Black person in every meeting. When her mom finally returns to London from Ghana, Maddie decides to spread her wings and experience what others her age are doing: she rents an apartment, goes out with co-workers, and dips a toe into the crazy world of internet dating. Maddie stumbles along the way, but ultimately comes to understand who she wants to become. I both read and listened to this beautiful coming-of-age tale and feel the audio enhances the experience of the book.

Historical fiction:

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson – Set in 1950s Philadelphia, The House of Eve follows Ruby Pearsall, a 15-year-old who plans to be the first in her family to head to college, regardless of the lack of familial support. But when she gets drawn into a forbidden relationship, she threatens to destroy her future before it even starts. Meanwhile, Eleanor Quarles moves to Washington, DC, where she meets and falls in love with William Pride at Howard University. But William’s family is one of DC’s elite Black families, and his parents have other ideas for William. Eager to integrate into the Pride family, Eleanor decides a baby will help her feel more accepted by his parents. When the two women’s lives unexpectedly collide, they must contend with choices that will impact them both for years to come. In The House of Eve, Johnson brings 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC to life while demonstrating what it was like to be a Black woman during that time period. I highly recommend this one.

With Love from Harlem by ReShonda Tate – Houstonian ReShonda Tate returns with another thoroughly-researched gem, this time penning a tribute to Hazel Scott – a jazz performer, film star, and civil rights activist whose legacy has been lost to history. Set primarily in 1940s Harlem and reading like a who’s who of prominent Black figures from the era, including Billie Holiday, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes, the novel follows Hazel’s quick rise to fame, her troubled romance with Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and the many personal sacrifices she felt compelled to make to try and save her family. Scott broke barriers in music but also fiercely fought for racial equality for the people who came to her performances; she refused to perform at the University of Texas in 1949 because the audience was segregated. One small caveat is that Tate melds in some fictional elements so read the Author’s Note carefully to understand where the story occasionally diverges from what really happened. With Love from Harlem will appeal to those who like biographical fiction and tales about famous women and women lost to history.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram.