Black History Month is a great time to read books by Black authors (but of course I encourage you to do that year-round, too). Here are a few you might consider:
Since it is the month to think about Black history, here’s a classic author who everyone should know. James Baldwin’s writing is insightful, witty, and brilliant, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. A good place to start is the novel If Beale Street Could Talk. Tish and Fonny are madly in love. When Fonny is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, they and their families pull together to clear his name and give their baby a loving home.
Lamar Grimes has written several YA novels, and one of my favorites is Spin. When rising music star Paris Secord is murdered, her former best friend and her leading groupie must figure out who killed her—without getting themselves killed by the killer or Paris’ obsessed fans.
For something lighter, try Belinda Kroll’s gothic historical romances. In Haunting Miss Trentwood, Mary’s father passes away but doesn’t leave her alone. His ghost keeps hanging around while she’s seeking the identity of her sister’s blackmailer.
And one of my favorite YA reads with a great cover is Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender. Felix is afraid that being black, trans, and gay is too much to get a happily ever after. As he sorts out his art portfolio and his plans for the future, he might find true love in the process.
What Black book or author do you recommend?