Welcome to the first installment of my monthly book review! I will attempt to keep consistent, since I do read a good number of books per month, but don’t shoot me if I miss a month and have to lump a bunch together in one post!
All of the books in this review are written by and about Black people, both Africans and Black Americans. This collection of books was quite fitting for Black History Month, although that is not why I chose them. I have been actively searching for books and novels in my library that are written from a different perspective, and I found these to be the most interesting. All book titles are linked to an Amazon listing.
My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King
I am writing this review before I even finish the book, because I am already that moved by it! It is a beautifully written autobiography/memoir about the wife of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Naturally, everyone knows who MLK was, but few people know that his notoriety is almost entirely due to his wife’s efforts to immortalize his name after he died. Aside from all the work she did throughout his entire life to support the nonviolent movement, she fought tirelessly to gain the national recognition she felt her husband and his message deserved. Without her endless crusade to continue his legacy, both to honor him and to serve the millions of people around the world whom she spent her life fighting for, MLK would certainly not be the widely known hero he is today. Her story is inspiring, uplifting, and a great reminder to remain humble no matter how well-known you are or how much you achieve in life.
This book was both educational and moving, but so well written that it never got boring or dry. I will admit that I am a little biased (it is written by a psychologist and I was a psych major in college, and any book that talks about race in America is up my alley), but I believe that it is relevant enough that anyone would be remiss to pass up on this book. It starts off with the longest prologue I have ever read – over 70 pages explaining all the ways racism has or hasn’t changed since the original version was published 20 years ago – but it ties beautifully into the rest of the book and is more captivating than tedious. The rest of the book is divided into several sections about both sides of racism (White and Black); how psychology is both affected by and an influence of race and racism; and a discussion of the psychology of racial identity development. The latter was what I found the most interesting, both because as a former psych major I find those theories fascinating, and because I have struggled with my own racial identity for the last few years (see last post). This book expanded my perspective and knowledge about race in a profound way, and I feel as though this should be required reading for anyone living in this country!
Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo
I legit FLEW through this book – it took me about four hours start to finish. It was ALMOST as good as one of my favorite books ever, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, so if you read and enjoyed that book you will love this one! Plot wise, all I will say is that it is about a couple who goes through some marital challenges that involve difficulty conceiving, an attempt at bringing in a second wife, and some other attempted solutions that go south. I don’t want to reveal too much about what happens, so go pick up a copy and read it to find out for yourself!
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I first heard of this author after her TED talk on feminism, and this was the first novel of hers that I have read. Even though it was over 600 pages long, it took me less than a week to read it! The book takes you on a journey through the main character’s entire life, and by the end, you feel as if you have lived her life in the span of a week (or however long it takes you to read it). Her writing style pulls you in right away, and is as poignant as it is inviting. She addresses many racial disparities and oddities that the main character encounters as a first generation immigrant from Nigeria, cleverly and eloquently incorporated into the novel via her blog. If you have even remotely good taste in reading you will enjoy this! Seriously, don’t sleep on it.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is more or less the transcription of the above-mentioned TED talk. At about 50 pages, it is more of a pocket guide/source of inspiration than a book. However, as an outspoken feminist I believe it is still a worthwhile read! If you don’t want to buy it or can’t find it at the library, watch the TED talk here.
What books have you read lately that you loved? Are you reading anything good now? Comment below and let me know!
