Books to read this Black History Month

Black History Month is a brilliant opportunity to learn about black history, heritage, and culture. To observe the occasion we have put together a list of book recommendations for you to read.

We took a trip to local independent bookstore, Books on the Rise, located at 80 Hill Rise, Richmond, TW10 6UB. The store had an array of books ranging from fiction to non-fiction to autobiographical, by black authors. With this year’s Black History Month theme being ‘Saluting our Sisters’, we have put together a list of six books by black female authors to add to your list.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

The Booker prize-winning novel is a powerful celebration of womanhood. Though a chorus of twelve distinct characters, Evaristo weaves a rich tapestry of experiences, from the past to the present, encompassing race, gender, and sexuality. 

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi 

Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression, addiction, and grief – a novel about faith, science, religion, love. Exquisitely written, emotionally searing, this is an exceptionally powerful follow-up to Gyasi's phenomenal debut.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett 

Spanning the 1950s to the 1990s and from the Deep South to California, Bennett’s novel follows the journeys of two estranged twin sisters leading vastly different lives – to the extent of adopting different racial identities. 

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams 

A comic and unflinchingly raw depiction of a young woman trying to navigate her way in the world. Queenie explores mental health, race, independence, and carving your own path.

All About Love by bell hooks 

Hooks' incisive and nuanced book on the nature of love challenges assumptions and offers a fascinating analysis of the effects of affection in our private and public lives.

All books are available at Books on the Rise. For more information please visit the Books on the Rise website.