Since February is Black History Month, I’m recommending some of my favorite books by black authors this week. Specifically, my favorite books with both black authors that also have black main characters. I made a point to include books written by both African-American authors and books by non-American black authors, enjoy!

• Hunger by Roxane Gay: I already recommended this book as one of my 12 books that I think everyone should read before they die but it’s easily one of my favorite memoirs of all time and felt like it very much belonged on this list. This is a memoir about the effects of trauma on the body and mind, all the ways in which we reclaim our bodies, and what it means to live with an “unruly body”. Written by the daughter of Haitian immigrants, Gay describes her struggles with weight and how that relates to her identity as a black woman. A powerful account of trauma and many attempts to recover, Gay uses this book to define herself as more than just the words assigned to her. Be warned, this book has some quite dark themes.
• Why I’m no-longer talking (to White People) About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge: Written by a black Londoner, this book combines memoir with social commentary. This book is about Lodge’s experiences with race and how those relate to history, she examines structural racism in our society, the history of the British slave trade, and what it truly means for a white person to be an ally. A truly necessary account, Lodge pulls no punches in describing institutional racism and the subtle bigotry of many white people.
• The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur: Another book I’ve already recommended before, I just had to put it on this list; if you only read one poetry book for your whole life, make it this one. Written by rapper 2pac and published by his loved ones after his death, this book features a variety of poetry written by a man who refused to be held back by labels or words. A short book which can easily be read in one sitting, this book can tell you so much about who 2pac was in such a short time.
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Written by a Nigerian author, and set intermittently between Nigeria and America, Americanah is a beautiful story told from the dual perspectives of a Nigerian woman who comes to America and the lover boy whom she left behind. By switching perspectives from chapter to chapter, this book allows us to see both characters growing and developing separately before coming back together in Nigeria for a full circle ending. Adichie masterfully uses fiction to grapple with womanhood, racism, love, loss, change, immigration, and so much more.
• The Narrative of Fredrick Douglass: Another book which I’ve recommended before, but I just couldn’t not add it to this list as well. Written by former slave, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass, this book follows a young Fredrick all the way through into his adulthood, it provides a grueling snapshot of the true horror that was slavery. This book served as a call to action at the time it was written and that essence remains in every page. This should be required reading for every student because I don’t believe that any modern-made lesson on slavery could have even half the exigence of Douglass’ memoir. Truly a necessary book, both regarding history but also regarding the modern day and the human condition.

Happy Black History month! Not a book but if you’re looking for other media made-by and starring black people, allow me to recommend the film Moonlight (2016), it’s easily among my top 10 favorite movies of all time and it was the first movie with an all-black cast to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, certainly worth a watch. Keep reading TC