Hello, fellow bookworms ♥
It is time for another…
As we welcome the first Tuesday in February, the month designated to commemorating black history, I thought it fitting to list my top five books that best represent such.
Black History Month was originally a week-long celebration of African American history established to be the second week of February by the historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926. It was only in 1970 that Black History Month was proposed to African American educators and celebrated for the first time that year in Kent State, Ohio, before spreading all over the US and being publicly recognized by President Gerald Ford.
Black History Month is nothing more than a justified, much-needed, annual celebration of important people and events that have played a role in African Americans’ long journey to the present. In actuality, it is also celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada and – as of recently- the Netherlands. Most people choose to join in by indulging in different aspects of African American culture and we, dear bookworms, can do so by reading the following books:
I remember reading this in 7th grade and learning about the Underground Railroad for the first time ever. An absolute must-read! Other books by Patricia C. McKissack that go along the same line and are pretty amazing and eye-opening, too:
- I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, 1865
- Look to the Hills: The Diary of Lozette Moreau, a French Slave Girl
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
No words for this novel. Go read it NOW if you haven’t already. Also, Beloved by Morrison as well.
A look into segregation and the long, arduous fight for equality all set in a racist Mississippi town during the 60’s.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
A Goodreads Choice 2017 winner, The Hate U Give is easily one of my favorite diversity reads of all time.
Chains (Seeds of America, #1) by Laurie Halse Anderson
Two sisters’ incessant fight for something no one should ever have to fight for: freedom. Truly amazing book.
Have you read any of these books? Are you planning to? Let me know in the comments!
This month, I am diving into Maya Angelou’s classic…
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Are you interested in a read-along?
xxx,
Yeli
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Currently reading I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing 🙂 Awesome book. Great recommendations! I’d like to add The Color Purple by Alice Walker and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, amazing books, amazing authors.
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Yes! The Color Purple is really good! I haven’t read Americanah but I’ll be giving it a try! Thank you ❤
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