She Reads: A Focus on African-American Literature

February is Black History Month! While this month is controversial, I prefer finding the good and celebrating African-American history regardless of others opinions on the month! One way, that I’m incorporating African-American history in my month of February is taking a look at African-American literature! I’m an avid reader, however last year I realized that I tend to stay within certain genre’s and never explore other genres. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been intentionally buying books that are outside of my ordinary book buys, a lot being African-American literature based and I’ve been so blessed by reading outside of my norm that I wanted to encourage you guys to read outside of the lines that you have created for yourself as well.

This month, let’s try to focus on African-American literature. From classic like The Color Purple by Alice Walker to newbies like our latest feature in You Should Know Her, Author CP Patrick’s Awiti. If you pick up a book this month, at least have one that is based on African-American history to educate and empower yourself. Below I have created a list of 10 books, some fiction, some autobiographical, that you can start with if you happen to be at a complete lost! If you read or have read any of these, let us know in the comments your thoughts and opinions on the books! Happy reading!

1. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
2. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelo
3. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gains
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coats
6. Beloved by Toni Morrison
7. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
8. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
9. God Help The Child by Toni Morrison
10. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston