“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” – Maya Angelou.
Just like any other body organ, the brain requires activity to remain healthy. Reading stimulates the brain, no matter how old you are. The more stimulated the brain, the more neurons it develops.
Reading helps enhance cognitive function. You retain information more easily, have better long term memory, and you get better emotional control.
Books by black authors are some of the best sources of knowledge and mental stimulation. The black experience is the human condition.
Black people have been at the center of human development since the dawn of time.
They have been at the center of wars, construction, music, film, and many other events. All along the way, authors have captured and retold these stories.
1. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person– Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is an award-winning director and producer.
This book was inspired by a year where the author said yes to every opportunity. Saying yes to everything is a difficult proposition for anyone, but it led Shonda Rhimes to incredible success. She became successful beyond her wildest dreams.
2. The Road to Redemption: Overcoming Life’s Detours, Obstacles, and Challenges-Lucinda Cross
This is a spiritual book by the internationally known speaker and TV personality Lucinda Cross.
She is the president of Activate Worldwide and an expert in leadership and business.
Her book encourages self-examination. It talks about believing in yourself and changing how you live your life.
3. The Autobiography of Malcolm X-Malcolm X and Alex Haley
Malcolm X needs no introduction. He was one of the most outspoken civil rights leaders who did not shy away from the potential powder keg that is racial relations in America.
The book is written through the eyes and ears of the journalist Alex Haley. It covers black pride and pan-Africanism from the perspective of Malcolm X.
4. What I Know For Sure- Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is one of the most inspirational black authors. She overcame rural poverty to become one of the wealthiest people in America.
The book is an account of her life through her eyes. It covers everything from the food she eats to the books she reads.
5. Hidden Figures-Margot Lee Shetterly
Recently made into a movie, hidden figures chronicles the story of black women in NASA who played an integral part in the success of the Apollo moon program.
The book covers events in NASA from the 1930s to the 1960s. In those days, black people and women were seen as inferior, so their contributions to the space program were kept hidden.
6. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl-Issa Rae
This is a contemporary book by the popular TV series creator Issa Rae.
The book is a collection of personal essays by the author. It is a humorous account of awkward events in her life that ultimately shaped the woman she is today.
7. We Should All Be Feminists-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls ‘You can have ambition, but not too much’.” Is a sample by Beyoncé of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the hit song “Flawless”
The quote is a perfect encapsulation of the author’s philosophy. She is an avowed feminist.
In the book, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie makes the argument that feminism should be embraced by all.
8. Long Walk to Freedom-Nelson Mandela
There is no better inspirational story than the one of Nelson Mandela. He survived 27 years in prison then went on to lead the country that tormented him.
Long walk to freedom is an autobiography by Mandela. He talks about everything from his early life, education, struggles against apartheid, and life in prison.
9. Becoming-Michelle Obama
Life as a first-lady always looks idyllic and perfect from the outside, but in “Becoming” Michelle Obama takes us deep inside her mind. She looks back from her perch with hindsight.
Her writing is forthright, and she talks about life as the first lady and the struggle for the white house.
10. The New Jim Crow-Michelle Alexander
Mass incarceration is a stain on modern-day America. A disproportionate number of black Americans are in the American prison system. Michelle Alexander delves into this phenomenon in this book.
It goes against the conventional point that systemic racism ended after the civil rights era passed.
Michelle Alexander makes the point that modern mass incarceration has stark similarities to the Jim Crow era.