Books every black girl should read

Summer can be a great time to catch up on good reads..

With the long-awaited down time, you might find yourself unsure of what to read. Here’s Blk Girl Culture’s list of

Books for the culture

1. “Black Girls Rock!” edited by Beverly Bond, multiple contributors

“There was just something beautiful and boss about the essence of black girls.” (Bond XV)

“Black Girls Rock!” is an emotionally appealing and riveting book that compiles essays written by notable black women (e.g. Solange, Danai Gurira, etc)  about black culture, feminism/womanism, success and much more. A great read for those who need who relish in the lives of black women and want tips to physical, emotional/mental and spiritual success.  

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Girls-Rock-Owning-Rocking/dp/1501157922

2. Indigenous Australia for Dummies” by Prof. Larissa Behrendt

“Many women already know that their greatest success and their best ideas are the ones most easily co-opted and claimed by the man around them—in the workplace, in the home, in politics.” (Behrendt 158)

“Indigenous Australia for Dummies” is an interesting and very informative read for those wanting to learn more about the Indigenous tribes of Australia. I recommend this book because I’ve noticed a lot of people via Twitter have been posting pictures of some Aborigine people with a bit of information but not enough to fully inform those about the Indigenous people of Australia.

https://www.amazon.com/Indigenous-Australia-Dummies-Larissa-Behrendt/dp/1742169635

3. “The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights with on African American family” by Gail Lumet Buckley

“All this can be yours if you join the party.” (Buckley 196)

“The Black Calhouns” is an interesting and quite fun read. The late and wonderfully talented actress and activist Lena Horne’s daughter dives deep into family roots to talk about the struggles of African Americans during the Civil War, Reconstruction era, and more. Notable figures like Langston Hughes and Frederick Douglass are named in some parts of the book. I highly recommend this book for everyone to read because of the historical significance and richness of black history.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0802126278/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Books for emotional/spiritual appeal

1. Black Maria” by Aracelis Girmay

“But the President/ & his long memory, they think they know/better.” (Girmay 19)

“Black Maria” is book of poems that ridicule politics, racism, and injustice while also reflecting on life, self-being and nature. Girmay offers grit, emotions and a powerful voice in each and every one of her poems. Girmay’s poems are not your average poems and require some critical thinking but are nonetheless powerful and well written.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Maria-American-Poets-Continuum/dp/1942683022

2. “Blackballed: The Black and White Politics of Race on America’s Campuses” by Lawrence Ross

“You’re pretty… for a black girl.” (Ross 140)

“Blackballed” is an absolute must-read for EVERY black college student! Ross tackles the history of racism and systemic abuse of black college students from the Reconstruction Era to the present in the presence of their white counterparts. Ross also talks about the appearance of blackface and other racist activities that white students have (and still do) partook in. Ross does a fantastic job with breaking down the racial discrepancies black students (especially those at PWIs) face in college campuses around the U.S. Literally every chapter in “Blackballed” is informative and emotionally compelling. You will not want to put this book down.

https://www.amazon.com/Blackballed-Black-Politics-Americas-Campuses/dp/1250131545

3. “Magical Negro” by Morgan Parker

“Does it hurt. Why did you come here. What do you want. Are you filming this. Do you live in this neighborhood. Do you have a picture. Do you feel comfortable.” (Parker 31)

“Magical Negro” is a riveting, emotionally and spiritually fulfilling poetry book that highlights so much of black culture that we know today. From gentrification to fetishism and outlandish emotions, Morgan Parker does a fantastic job with conveying ethos throughout each and every one of her poems. Not a single poem is a bore and you’ll be wanting to read the book over and over again. “Magical Negro” is a bold and emotionally colorful book that will have you laughing, crying, and punching the air all throughout.

https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Negro-Morgan-Parker/dp/1947793187

Intriguing reads

1. “Confession of an Economic Hitman” by John Perkins

“Much has changed in thirty-five years.” (Perkins XXXII)

Conspiracy theorists, gather around for you will learn the truth about some of the most scandalous government controversies! “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” is a must-read! The book is filled detailed information about controversies such as 9/11, oil companies, Indigenous peoples’ rights, and international relations. After reading this book, I felt more knowledgeable about what really goes on within the government and I can guarantee you will too. At first, the book starts off slow but gets more intense and deep the further you read. You will need to have a notebook and a drink nearby to keep up with all of the controversies Perkins talks about in his book.

https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Economic-Hit-John-Perkins/dp/0452287081

2. “Boy, Snow, Bird” by Helen Oyeyemi

“I’m Guly.” (Oyeyemi 126)

If you liked Oyeyemi’s “Mr. Fox”, you will surely love “Boy, Snow, Bird”. “Boy, Snow, Bird” is loosely follows the story of “Snow White” that deals with the topics of colorism and identity. Like “Mr. Fox”, “Boy, Snow, Bird” requires you to pay close attention to the characters and the dialogue throughout the novel as the plot can get confusing at times. Overall a great, fun, and interesting read; there is not a dull moment with Oyeyemi’s language throughout the novel.

https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Snow-Bird-Helen-Oyeyemi/dp/1594631395

3. “American Spy” by Lauren Wilkinson

“I hope that nothing about your adult lives will require you to be as paranoid as I was.” (Wilkinson 9)

“American Spy” follows the confessions/narratives of American spy, Marie Mitchell. Marie Mitchell is a black intelligence officer for the FBI and is sent out to overthrow Thomas Sankara, the former President of Burkina Faso. Throughout the book, Mitchell is telling her two children about the things she’s done and talks about the questioning of her decisions throughout her time as a spy. Wilkinson does a fantastic job with making “American Spy” a captivating and emotionally compelling read. The novel starts off intense and only gets more intense as the chapters go along. I recommend this read specifically because there are not a lot of books that cast a black woman as a spy so I think this book is refreshing in that sense. Not to mention, I find it interesting how Wilkinson incorporates a notable African leader (Thomas Sankara) in this book, considering the possibility that many African Africans have not heard of him.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Spy-Novel-Lauren-Wilkinson/dp/0812998952/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22P4OEHW6R1BZ&keywords=american+spy+lauren+wilkinson&qid=1561953033&s=books&sprefix=american+spy%2Cstripbooks%2C182&sr=1-1