Essential Reading for Black History Month

We are well into Black History Month, so if you’re looking to stack your TBR full of books by Black authors, you’re in the right place. The list below covers ground from memoir to self-help, from Black history to social commentary, and there are even activity books below, for those who want to further educate themselves. With no further ado, let’s get this February reading goal started!


Mary Kay McBrayer is the author of America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster. You can find her short works at Oxford American, Narratively, Mental Floss, and FANGORIA, among other publications. She co-hosts Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that analyzes your favorite horror movies from the perspectives of women of color. Follow Mary Kay McBrayer on Instagram and Twitter, or check out her author site here.