Five Books by Black Authors You Should Add to Your Collection

These books will not only help you understand the unjust events taking place in America today but also diversify your book collection. 

You’ve heard the news, you’ve seen the posts; fights to stop racism in the USA have been non-stop so far in 2020. The fights against racism have been around for many years. The stories of Maya Angelou, Michelle Alexander, and Angie Thomas will help you better understand the injustices happening today. Their stories are not only eye-opening, but they will definitely make you want to read more works from Black authors. Here are five books that are written by black authors you should read so far in 2020:

‘Bad Feminist’ by Roxane Gay

This book is a collection of essays that discusses feminism, politics, and criticisms. As you probably already know, women deal with a lot of judgment from the world. Gay is a feminist that isn’t ashamed of admitting to enjoying some “unfeminist” things.

Born in 1974, Gay is an American writer, professor, and social commentator. She and her family are of Haitian descent. Gay began writing during her teenage years after becoming a survivor of sexual assault. The author is also openly bisexual.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

This book is an autobiography of Angelou. It starts from her childhood, discovering the world around her. From the loneliness to the bigotry, learning how to maintain her dignity, and love others, this memoir will take you through it all.

Angelou was an American poet and civil rights, activist. She published seven autobiographies and three books of essays. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings tells her story up to the age of 17. The publication of such autobiography gave her international recognition.

“The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander

A must-read during this time. Author Alexander argues that the United States racist Jim Crow laws are still present but in a more subtle, crafty ways. The publication of this book caused activists to fight for criminal justice reform and proclaim that racism is still present. The themes written in this work will help you understand why the movement, Black Lives Matter, is important.

Alexander was born in 1967. She is a writer and a civil rights advocate. She is the daughter of an interracial couple. Alexander was a director of the Racial Justice Project at ACLU, Northern California from 1998 until 2005. Such a position led to a national campaign against racial profiling.

“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas 

Another must-read, which book discusses police brutality. Through the character, Starr, Thomas shows the conflict of keeping quiet or speaking up after witnessing a crime. The book also has a movie adaptation featuring star Amandla Stenberg by the same name.

Thomas is an American young adult author. While she was growing up, she was exposed to gun violence. At the age of six, she witnesses a shooting. The following day, her mother took her to the library to show her “there was more to the world than what [Thomas] saw that day.” Ever since then, Thomas took a liking to write.

“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker 

This modern classic follows the lives of Black sisters Celie and Nettie during the twentieth-century in Georgia. The sisters were separated during their childhood but kept communication through letters for 20 years. Walker’s story shows the horrors of domestic and sexual abuse, but also shows the growth that comes from that pain. In 1985 the book was adapted into a film as well.

Walker is a novelist, poet, and social activist born in 1944. Growing up, her family struggled with issues with money. At the age of eight, Walker became blind on her right eye after an accident. When she was a senior in college she had an abortion, which took a toll on her mental health and inspired her first poetry collection.

These books are all very important. They can expand your knowledge and help you understand why the fight against racism and the reformation of criminal justice is important. They all explore topics that are relevant and that we need to talk about. Be sure to add as many as possible to your reading list.