Required Reading for Black History Month: 10 Books to Add to Your List
Black History Month is a time for reflection, learning, and celebration of the robust history and culture of Black communities. One of the best ways to engage with Black history and experiences is through literature.
I wanted to compile this list of what I consider to be must-read fiction narratives that can help to illuminate the lives of Black Americans throughout the 20th century.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of books I would recommend reading but I think all of these are a great place to start when you are trying to engage with Black history and culture in America and beyond.
When you use my Bookshop.org affiliate link, I will earn a commission from your purchase. Books are linked below to my Black History Month Reads List.
Books I’ve Read and Recommend:
Passing by Nella Larsen (1929)
A nuanced and provocative exploration of racial identity, Passing tells the story of two childhood friends, Irene and Clare, who reunite as adults. Clare, who is passing as white, is drawn back to her Black roots, leading to a dangerous and tragic unraveling. Larsen’s novel is a classic meditation on identity, privilege, and the consequences of societal constraints.
In the 1920’s there was a lot of discussion about crossing racial boundaries and the “color line” between blacks and whites. The Great Migration exacerbated these discussions and anxieties when hundreds and thousands of Black Americans left the rural south for cities in the north and midwest.
If you’re not familiar with the concept and practice of racial passing in America, this novel spells it out well and holds up almost 100 years later. There was a recent Netflix adaptation which I loved and was faithful to the original novel. Another novel in recent years that also takes on the theme of passing in white society is “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)
A masterpiece of Black literature, this novel follows Janie Crawford’s journey toward self-discovery and independence. Hurston’s lyrical prose and deep cultural insight create an unforgettable exploration of love, resilience, and the search for freedom.
It took me a long, long time to appreciate this story. I first read it in high school and responded with a resounding “whatever!” to the narrative. But coming to this again years later, having gained some worldly experience and understanding of relationship dynamics, I really appreciated that a story from 1937 could impart such enduring wisdom in the 21st century.
The Street by Ann Petry (1946)
A gripping novel about Lutie Johnson, a single mother striving for a better life for herself and her son, Bub, in 1940s Harlem. The Street explores themes of systemic racism, gender roles, and economic struggle, painting a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by Black women in America.
When I first read this book, I struggled to put it down. This was my first foray into reading a story that so vividly painted a picture of Harlem life in the 1940’s. Growing up in New York, we so often heard stories of this time period as a golden era for Black Americans. Reading this book not only provided a healthy counter to that narrative I’d learned but also showed me how much the modern era continues to draw parallels to gender roles, racism, and economic troubles 80 years later.
Brown Girl, Brownstones by Paule Marshall (1959)
This coming-of-age novel follows Selina Boyce, the daughter of Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, as she navigates the challenges of identity, family expectations, and the American Dream. Marshall’s storytelling in Brown Girl, Brownstones is rich and deeply introspective, making it an essential read on the experiences of Caribbean immigrants in America.
This is a great read for people looking to understand historical context to Caribbean people migrating to Brooklyn in the early 20th century. To this day, Brooklyn remains a vibrant hub of Caribbean culture with a portion of Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights designated as “Little Caribbean” and “Little Haiti”. For a contemporary look at Caribbean community in Brooklyn, I recommend “Patsy” By Nicole Dennis – Benn
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (1977)
A sweeping and complex novel, Song of Solomon tells the story of Milkman Dead’s journey to uncover his family history and identity. Morrison blends magical realism, folklore, and historical context to craft a deeply moving narrative about heritage, self-discovery, and the power of storytelling.
Not to brag but my copy of Song of Solomon was autographed by Ms. Toni Morrison herself at a meet and greet and reading that I attended once at Manhattan College. It was years before I picked up the book to read it and when I did, I was completely blown away. Yes, the story is complicated with twists and turns throughout but, as only Toni Morrison can do, it comes together masterfully by the end.
The Wedding by Dorothy West (1995)
Set in an elite Black community on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1950s, The Wedding examines class, colorism, and interracial relationships through the lens of a young woman torn between love and societal expectations. Dorothy West masterfully weaves family history and social critique into this compelling novel.
I first learned of this story through the Oprah Winfrey-produced movie starring Halle Berry in 1998. I did NOT know about the history of Martha’s Vineyard and it’s significance as a popular summer vacation destination for Black elites (The Obama’s vacation there, ya’ll!). This story is an opportunity to witness just how the Black elite grew to prominence on Martha’s Vineyard. Fun fact, this book was edited by former first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy who was herself a resident of Martha’s Vineyard.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (2019)
This Booker Prize-winning novel weaves together the lives of twelve Black British women, exploring themes of race, gender, sexuality, and social change. Evaristo’s unique writing style and interwoven narratives in Girl, Woman, Other make it a modern classic that should not be missed.
Though this book takes place in the UK and revolves around the lives of Black women in England, I include it here anyway because this was a truly jaw dropping contemporary read for me that I’m still blown away 6 years later. As a reader, it came be interesting to take this novel as a juxtaposition between our lives in the US and the lives of our British counterparts, to compare and contrast and ultimately understand what we could potentially learn from one another.
James by Percival Everett (2024)
A fresh and thought-provoking retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, James reclaims the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man from Mark Twain’s novel. Everett’s version gives Jim a voice and complexity often denied to him in the original, offering a powerful meditation on race, agency, and history.
I actually just finished this novel a few days ago and it was not anything like I thought it would be. One element that stood out the most to me was the way that even to this day, Black Americans are still changing the way that they speak in certain surroundings. This is obvious but listening to Jim explain the reason for the code switching shows us that the more things change, the more they really do stay the same.
Books on My Reading List:
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958)
A cornerstone of African literature, Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, a leader in the Igbo community, whose life is upended by British colonialism. Achebe’s powerful storytelling provides essential insight into African history, culture, and the impact of colonial rule.
Somehow, despite multiple English classes in high school, a concentration in English literature at college, and decades of voracious reading, Things Fall Apart and I have never crossed paths. While this is not a story of the African American experience, the effects and echoes of colonialism that existed then in Nigeria are still prevalent now in the Black diaspora and in many ways affects us all.
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead (2023)
The second book in Whitehead’s Harlem trilogy, Crook Manifesto dives into 1970s Harlem through the eyes of Ray Carney, a furniture salesman who can’t quite escape his past in the criminal underworld. Whitehead blends historical fiction, crime, and social commentary in this gripping novel.
I love, love, L-O-V-E Colson Whitehead’s work. He is without a doubt among my top contemporary authors. I’ve read Harlem Shuffle but haven’t had a chance to pick this one up yet. It is on my TBR pile and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in Ray Carney’s life.
Why These Books Matter
Each of these books contributes to the broader conversation on Black history, identity, and resilience. They highlight different time periods, cultural perspectives, and historical events that have shaped the Black experience across the globe.
I’m working on a list of non-fiction books that will also highlight the Black experience in the United States so please keep an eye on this blog for that post to come out soon.
