Another Black History Month is upon us, and what a better way to celebrate it than reading classics that honor African-American heritage. Here’s five books that definitely deserve a read so make sure to borrow them from your local library this month.
Toni Morrison – Beloved
Toni Morrison is the first Black woman to ever win a Nobel Prize, and this heart-breaking novel inspired by a true story is a crown jewel of her whole opus.
The Color Purple – Alice Walker
Alice Walker’s classic perfectly captures the struggles of African-American women living in the South back in the ‘30s, and it should be a part of everyone’s to-read list.
Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison
Invisible Man has been described as a “nightmare journey across the racial divide”, and that’s part of the reason why it’s still equally important and resonant today as it was back in 1952, when it came out.
Go Tell It on the Mountain – James Baldwin
James Baldwin is one of the most prolific African-American writers, whose body of work changed the shape of American literature. All of his books are worth a read, and his debut novel Go Tell It on the Mountain is a god place to start.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s incredible journey from a victim of racism to independent and dignified young woman is perfectly captured in this autobiography, which touched hearts of all the people who ever read it.
