Reading is an essential part of life that exposes one to different worlds, experiences, and perspectives. In the past few years, several books have come out that showcase the diversity and complexity of human experiences. Here are some books that everyone should read.
- “What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky” by Lesley Nneka Arimah is a collection of short stories that explore the relationships between parents and children, the post-apocalyptic future, and human desires through magical realism. Arimah’s storytelling is both vivid and powerful, as she weaves in elements of African folklore into her stories.
- “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi is a multi-generational saga that starts with two half-sisters born in different villages in Ghana during the 18th century. The book is categorized as historical fiction and highlights the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the lives of African people and their descendants.
- “Sing, Unburied, Sing” by Jesmyn Ward is a powerful novel that delves into the raw truths about American life as well as a family’s struggles and bonds in Mississippi during the early 21st century. Ward’s writing is poetic and lyrical, and she draws on her experiences growing up in Mississippi to create a sense of place that is both vivid and haunting.
- “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama is the first volume in “The Presidential Memoirs” where Obama takes readers on his life journey, from being a young man finding his identity to his first term as America’s first Black president. Obama’s writing is reflective and introspective, and he offers insights into the complexities of leadership and the importance of community and collaboration.
- “Becoming” by Michelle Obama is a memoir where Michelle Obama takes readers through her life journey, from growing up in Chicago to her time as the first lady at the White House. In the book, she shares her struggles and triumphs, as well as her perspectives on race, gender, and leadership.
- “When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, and Angela Y Davis (Foreword) details the ongoing racial injustices against Black lives as well as the meaning behind being a Black woman in America. Khan-Cullors’ writing is both personal and political, and she draws on her experiences as a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement to offer insights into the complexities of activism and social change.
- “Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” by Ibram X. Kendi is a well-researched historical narrative about racism in America. Kendi’s writing is accessible and engaging, and he offers insights into the history of racism and the ways in which it has been perpetuated and challenged over time.
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas is a story about racial injustice and the Black Lives Matter movement from a teenager’s perspective. The book offers a powerful commentary on race and power in America, and Thomas’ writing is both insightful and emotionally resonant.
- “A Song Below Water” by Bethany C. Morrow is all about two best friends, Tavia and Effie, who are trying to survive their junior year of high school while dealing with secret identities, a haunted past, racism, and sexism. Morrow’s writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and she offers insights into the complexities of identity and intersectionality.
- “War Girls” by Tochi Onyebuchi is situated in a riveting yet war-torn Nigeria in 2172, where two sisters, Onyii and Ify, join the fight in order to see a better future full of hope and peace. Onyebuchi’s writing is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, and he offers insights into
