These Books, Flawless

In honor of Black History Month and my love for Michelle Obama, I write today to convince you to read. And not just read anything but read some novels by Black (!) female (!) authors.

I personally have not picked up a book out of self-interest since freshman year of high school…until recently. The book that reminded me of my long-lost love for reading was none other than Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming Michelle Obama” and honestly, how fitting as she is one of the most inspiring figures in my life. This book is just as relatable, heartwarming, and full of wisdom as Michelle Obama herself is and so deserving of a read. I mean, this is our First Lady speaking. Point proven.

Jazz music was pioneered by Black Women and if you didn’t know that then pick up this next book by Angela Davis titled, “Black Legacies and Black Feminism.” It explores the work of notable jazz artists like Gertrude Ma Rainy, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday and their contributions to jazz culture with plenty of intriguing facts to be learned along the way. On top of that its actually easy to read and I find myself not being able to put the book down. How often can you say that about a book you were initially assigned to read for a class?

This last one is the first fiction novel on my list written by Tomi Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American Black woman. “The Children of Blood and Bone” is the name and trying to get my hands on it was the game. Seriously, ever since I heard about this fantasy novel that stars a young girl of African descent, I knew I had to read it. I eventually did get to start, and the book is just so refreshing and vindicating because a Black heroine in a fantasy novel exists and I can now rest in peace. Please support this piece which is scheduled to become a trilogy and, I’m calling it now, will be in a theater near you soon.