Books to read during Black History Month
Featuring a short story collection, a must-read memoir, and a lyrical book of poems...
I was planning to bring you part deux of my 50 Books I Love post this week, but since February is Black History Month in the US, I wanted to share some of my favourite books by Black authors instead. Fear not—the second instalment of 50 Books I Love will be landing in your inbox this time next week.
This is by no means a definitive list, but I hope it inspires anyone looking to diversify their reading and move beyond the canon of dead white men so many of us grew up studying. As always, I’d love to hear from you—drop your favourite books by Black authors in the comments below, especially the ones you’ve read, loved, and returned to time and again…
That Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
While probably Adichie’s least well-known book, That Thing Around Your Neck is nevertheless a masterclass in storytelling. This collection of short stories explores love, identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience with Adichie’s signature elegance and emotional depth. From Nigeria to the US, the characters navigate cultural clashes, heartbreak, and longing, with each story delivering a quiet yet powerful punch. If you’ve only read Half of a Yellow Sun or Americanah, this is the perfect next step into Adichie’s beautifully crafted literary world..
Small Island by Andrea Levy
A sweeping, beautifully written novel about love, war, and migration, Small Island follows Jamaican immigrants arriving in post-war Britain, weaving together their stories with those of the white Brits whose world is shifting around them. Levy’s writing is sharp, funny, and deeply moving, tackling big themes of racism, belonging, and identity with warmth and wit. Not only did it win the Women’s Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize) in 2004, but the following year, it was also named the Best of the Best, marking it as the standout book from the Prize’s first ten years. If you’re yet to read this modern classic, consider this your sign to do so.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
I picked up a copy of Just Mercy at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn last year, after my friend
recommended it to me many moons ago. It’s a book that will shake you to your core. In it, Stevenson—a lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative—lays bare the harrowing realities of the US justice system and his fight to defend wrongly convicted prisoners on death row. It's heartbreaking, infuriating, and hopeful all at once—an essential read that will make you question everything you thought you knew about justice, mercy, and systemic racism.The Wedding by Dorothy West
A quietly powerful novel set in the elite African American enclave of Martha’s Vineyard in the 1950s, The Wedding unpacks issues of race, class, and colourism through the story of a woman torn between two very different men. West’s writing is elegant and insightful, and this book is a true gem—thought-provoking, beautifully crafted, and rich with history. If you’re into sweeping family sagas, you’ll love this book—and the original hardback edition is rather easy on the eye too.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that takes the concept of the Underground Railroad and reimagines it as a literal train system helping enslaved people escape to freedom. Whitehead’s writing is both poetic and brutal, capturing the horrors of slavery while creating a deeply immersive, almost mythical world. It’s a gripping, unforgettable read that lingers long after the last page. All Whitehead’s books are excellent—The Underground Railroad just so happens to be my favourite. I’m not alone in thinking so—last year it was ranked the 7th best book of the 21st century by the New York Times.
Passing by Nella Larsen
I first came across this gorgeous slip of a story when
chose it as one of her eight Desert Island Books. A short but devastatingly brilliant novel about two light-skinned Black women in 1920s Harlem—one who embraces her heritage and another who passes as white. What starts as a story of rekindled friendship slowly unravels into something much darker, exploring race, identity, and the price of deception. Larsen’s writing is crisp and sharp, and this book is just as relevant today as it was when first published nearly a century ago.A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
I’ve got a well-loved, tear-stained copy of this book on my shelf, its pages dog-eared and worn from countless rereads. Set in 1940s Louisiana, it follows a young Black man wrongfully sentenced to death and the teacher tasked with helping him find dignity in his final days. It’s a deeply moving, quietly devastating story about racism, injustice, and the power of education. Gaines’ writing is simple but incredibly affecting, making this one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones is a genius at writing about family, love, and betrayal, and Silver Sparrow is no exception. The story follows two sisters—one who knows her father is a bigamist, and one who doesn’t—exploring the impact of secrets and lies on a family. Beautifully written and emotionally gripping, this novel is filled with unforgettable characters and a story that quietly pulls you in. If you loved An American Marriage, this one won’t disappoint.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
A searing, deeply personal letter from Coates to his teenage son about race, history, and the Black experience in America. It’s raw, lyrical, and urgent—a book that feels like an intimate conversation everyone needs to hear. Part memoir, part social commentary, it’s an essential, thought-provoking read that forces you to see the world through a different lens.
Selected Poems by Langston Hughes
I’ve never been a poetry reader per se, but Langston Hughes’ poetry is impossible to resist. His words hum with rhythm, history, and a deep understanding of the Black experience in America. Whether he’s writing about love, struggle, hope, or jazz, his poems are timeless, lyrical, and full of life. If you haven’t read Hughes before, Selected Poems is the perfect place to start—and The Weary Blues is a personal favourite.