5 Books By Amazing Black Women

When was the last time you read a book written by a black woman? Can’t remember? Time to take a look at your reading syllabus. Make an effort and diversify your reading list. You’re not in school anymore. You are in charge of your own education. Start by making sure your reading is diverse. Always. Not just this month or next. Reading diverse is not a trend. It’s a practice. To get you started on that practice, I’m recommending five books to add to your list. Here are five books by amazing black women.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, SOCIAL JUSTICE

Starr Carter is divided between two worlds. When she witnesses her friend get shot by the police, she learns to find her voice for a movement. I read THUG with my sister. We discussed every chapter. It brought to life the racism we saw around us, made us speak up more. Our conversations made my mom want to read it so we passed it along. It brought up even more conversations about race and police brutality. Angie Thomas is just getting started. This was her first novel. I loved her second novel too. On The Come Up also shows how a young black woman finds her voice through music.

All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks

NON-FICTION, PHILOSOPHY, SELF-LOVE

I devoured this book. It has paragraphs of yellow highlights inside. Don’t let the title fool you, your concept of love needs to be expanded. Hooks breaks down the definition of love and what it should mean for self, relationship, communities, and above all human beings. This deep dive into self-love helped to define and break down the selfish association I had with the term. It jump-started my personal journey with self-love and made me re-prioritize how I defined love for myself.

Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Contemporary Fiction, Immigrant Stories

I have read this twice now and I would pick it up again. Mbue captures the immigrant experience superbly well. Regardless of job, the idea of never being enough for America is described so perfectly through Jende and Neni’s narratives, their friends, and the juxtaposition of the wealthy family they work for in New York City. We are given a view behind the curtain of the American dream where Mbue has you asking—is it worth it?

So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

NON-FICTION, RACE, SOCIAL JUSTICE

I really enjoyed this. Oluo asks questions to help better your discussions with others about race. She breaks down topics and shares personal experiences. It was well organized and easy to follow. If you’re looking to jumpstart your anti-racist journey, pick up this book. It will give you the topics needed to do more research on and expand your education regarding systematic racism.

A Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by: Shonda Rhimes

NON-FICTION, MEMOIR, SELF-HELP

I talk about this book a lot because it inspires and motivates me to keep going. Shonda Rhimes is a gladiator in a suit. She’s a mom with a career. She works hard and deserves everything. She makes you feel empowered. She teaches you to say yes to things that help you become the person you are looking for. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a little self-help but through the eyes of someone who is doing it. No excuses. I’ve included her in my book mentors list because she still is one for me. I hope that she can be a book mentor for you too.