Category: Monthly Book Recommendations

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Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-February 2024

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

As Black History Month comes to a close, I wanted to make sure you get a few literary gems to add to your cart!! An array of Black and diasporic stories waiting to be read!! Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!

Check out February’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:

  • The Neighbor Favor ~Kristina Forest
  • Long Way Down ~Jason Reynolds
  • Rise To The Sun ~Leah Johnson
  • How to Die Famous ~Benjamin Dean
  • Blood at the Root ~Ladarrion Williams
  • The Church on Ruby Road ~Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
  • Legendborn ~Tracy Deonn
  • Shubeik Lubeik~Deena Mohamed
Photo Collage of February’s Book Recommendations

As an Extra Bonus...Check out this queer Black indie bookstore in Vancouver, Washington, The Romance Era Bookshop!! Check out a quick tour from their IG page below:

And as always, remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-January 2024

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Well, we are almost a month into 2024, how are you feeling?? Still, needing a good book to read? Needing to replenish your library? Looking for your next literary escape? I got you covered!! Starting a new year with a new list of recommendations.

Check out January’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:

  • A Love Song for Ricki Wilde ~Tia Williams
  • Black Meme ~Legacy Russell
  • Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and The Love Story That Awakened America ~Joy-Ann Reid
  • James ~Percival Everett
  • The Blueprint ~Rae Giana Rashad
  • Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir ~Walela Nehanda
  • Dead in Long Beach, California ~Venita Blackburn
  • The American Daughters ~Maurice Carlos Ruffin

And as always, remember you can always go back and check out 2023’s lists and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

An Extra Bonus…For all my candle and book fans, check out this literary treat below…

You can purchase this candle and others at Noble Objects!!

Posted in Celebration, Feature Spotlight, Holiday Celebration!!, Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations and Holiday List-December 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

Season’s Greetings!! We are officially in the Christmas Holiday Season!! A wonderful time of the year to sing Christmas carols, light a candle for Hanukkah, bake some gingerbread cookies, check out the neighborhood Christmas decorations, or even travel with family and friends! While you are doing these fun things make sure you add a couple of literary treats in the mix too!!

Check out these December Book Recommendations below:

  • The Color of Family ~Jerry McGill
  • Joy and Pain: A Story of Black Life and Liberation in Five Albums ~ Damien Sojoyner
  • A Quick Ting on Crime ~Franklyn Adoo
  • The Changeling ~Victor Lavalle
  • The New Brownies Book: A Love Letter to Black Families ~Karida L. Brown
  • The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation ~Raquel Willis
  • Like Thunder ~ Nnedi Okorafor
  • The Spite House ~ Johnny Compton

As an extra bonus, here’s a Holiday Book List to get you further in the spirit!!

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com
  • Love in Winter Wonderland ~Abiola Bello
  • Christmas in Lagos ~Sharon Abimbola Salu
  • A Christmas to Remember ~Beverly Jenkins
  • Twelve Dinging Doorbells ~Tameka Fryer Brown
  • A Piece of Black Cake for Santa ~Yolanda T. Marshall
  • Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas ~Maya Angelou
  • Brown Baby Jesus ~Dorena Williamson

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

“Christmas enters, streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope and singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.”

~Maya Angelou, Amazing Peace

Posted in Feature Spotlight, Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-November 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

A Season to be Thankful!! Nothing like being thankful with a good book to read! Check out November’s monthly recommendations!

  • Revolutionary Acts: Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain ~Jason Okundaye
  • Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion ~Mitchell S. Jackson
  • Do Remember! The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes ~Evan Auerbach and Daniel Isenberg
  • The Talk ~Darrin Bell
  • The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder to Oscar ~Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD and Mark H. Harris
  • My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of Languages ~Uma Menon
  • Akim Aliu Dreamer ~Akim Aliu
  • Woman of Light ~Kali Fajarod-Anstine

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

I am not going to die, I’m going home like a shooting star. -Sojourner Truth

Posted in Feature Spotlight, Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-October 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist
Photo by Charles Parker on Pexels.com

When are in full Autumn mode!! So what better way to finish out the month than to find a good book to dive into! Much like in the summer, I quite enjoy sitting on my balcony, feeling the cool breeze come through, while the sun hits my face! To get you in the Fall mood, I have a nice selection of literary treats for you to pick from below.

Get those coins ready!!

Check out this month’s recommendation below:

  • Family Meal ~Bryan Washington
  • Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Novel ~Leesa Cross-Smith
  • How Far You Have Come ~Morgan Harper-Nichols
  • Black Joy ~Edited by Charlie Brinkhust-Cuff and Timi Sotire
  • Holler, Child ~Latoya Watkins
  • You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty ~Akwaeke Emezi
  • The Princess of Thornwood Drive ~Khalia Moreau
  • Danni’s Juke Joint Comfort Food: Modern–Day Recipes, Ole Skool Flavas ~Danni Rose

As an extra bonus spotlight, check out this Black-owned bookstore in Houston, TX called “Kindred Stories”!!

Don’t forget to support your local bookstores and libraries!!

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

“The writer cannot expect to be excused from the task of reeducation and regeneration that must be done. In fact, he should march right in front.”

-Chinua Achebe 

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-September 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Fall is upon us and I can’t wait for the leaves to begin falling and changing colors! Getting you ready for the semi-warm days and cool nights! While the days will soon become shorter, there is still time to curl up on your couch, in the local cafe, or even on your balcony!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This month I put together a little literary buffet of YA novels, historical fiction, cookbooks, and a few special nods to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!!

Without further ado, check out this month’s book recommendations below:

  • Thieves’ Gambit ~Kayvion Lewis
  • Salsa Magic ~Letisha Marrero
  • For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food: Interviews, Inspiration, and Recipes ~Klancy Miller
  • Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed ~Edited by Saraciea J. Fennell 
  • We Are All So Good At Smiling ~Amber McBride
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store ~James McBride
  • Where the Rhythm Takes You ~ Sarah Dass
  • Let Us Descend ~Jesmyn Ward

Don’t forget to support your local bookstores and libraries!!

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

“Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” -Toni Morrison (Song of Solomon)

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar, Resources

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-August 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Another month has coming and the reading lists continue! Hopefully you were able to enjoy the summer with a few good reads. But just in case you need a new literary fix, you know I always got you covered!

Check out this month’s book recommendations below:

  • Honey & Spice ~Bolu Babalola
  • The Secret to a Southern Wedding ~Synithia Williams
  • The Fraud ~Zadie Smith
  • Forgive Me Not ~Jennifer Baker
  • Forged By Blood ~Ehigbor Okosun
  • The Unsettled ~Ayana Mathis
  • As You Walk On By ~Julian Winters
  • Ander & Santi Were Here ~Jonny Garza Villa

Don’t forget to support your local bookstores and libraries!!

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

“But surely to tell these tall tales and others like them would be to spread the myth, the wicked lie, that the past is always tense and the future, perfect.” -Zadie Smith (White Teeth)

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On The Radar, Resources

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-July 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

It’s the end of the month and the summer is in full effect! LEO SEASON!! Tis the season for some summer reading. Whether you are needing a new book to read, or restocking your library, I got a few new literary finds that should do the trick!

Photo by Cats Coming on Pexels.com

So grab your coins, visit your local bookstore, and carry on diving into your next literary rabbit hole. Check out this month’s list below:

  • Trinity: A Novel ~Zelda Lockhart
  • A Song of Salvation ~Alechia Dow
  • Holler, Child ~LaToya Watkins
  • Family Lore ~Elizabeth Acevedo
  • Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Massacre in Her Own Words ~Viola Ford Fletcher
  • Invisible Son ~Kim Johnson
  • Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class ~Blair LM Kelley
  • Promise Boys ~Nick Brooks

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!

“Nobody’s as powerful as we make them out to be.” -Alice Walker 

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration, Monthly Book Recommendations, Resources

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 20-Celebrating Literary Black Joy (Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-June Edition)!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

I am truly a sucker for a good book. Getting caught up in a good book definitely brings me much joy!! Books on top of Books, this is definitely something that you will not see a shortage of whether in my home or office. Black joy is not limited to one idea, much like reading diversely is not limited to one genre of interest.

Thus, today’s #BlackJoy moment is all about celebrating Black literary work that encompasses Pride, Juneteenth, and Summer Solstice! Along with my monthly book recommendation list, I am including books that exude and channel Black Joy!!

Photo by nappy on Pexels.com

Black Joy Book List

  • The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World ~Jessica Nabongo
  • It’s Not All Downhill From Here ~Terry McMillan
  • Open Water ~Caleb Azumah Nelson
  • Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins
  • Friday I’m in Love ~Camryn Garrett
  • A Lowcountry Bride ~Preslaysa Williams
  • You So Black by Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D
  • A Garden of Black Joy: Global Poetry from the Edges of Liberation and Living ~Black Table Arts
  • Meals, Music and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen ~Alexander Smalls

——-

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-June Edition

  • Jubilee ~Margaret Walker
  • Power & Magic The Queer Witch Comics Anthology ~Edited by Joamette Gil
  • Black Queer Freedom : Spaces of Injury and Paths of Desire ~GerShun Avilez
  • Palmares by Gayl Jones
  • Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope ~Kwame Alexander
  • Charming As a Verb ~Ben Philippe
  • The Brightest Day: A Juneteenth Historical Romance Anthology ~Kianna Alexander, Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart, & Piper Huguley
  • Beasts of Prey & Beasts of Ruin ~Ayana Gray

Happy Pride Month!! Happy Juneteenth!! and Happy Summer Solstice!!

By sharing these lists I hope they bring you much joy as you read them and please feel free to share these awesome literary treats/books by Black authors with your friends and family!!

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!!

“Never be afraid to sit a while and think.” ~Lorraine Hansberry

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-May 2023

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Graduation Season is in effect! The school year is coming to a close. Travel Plans are being made! And Summer is just around the corner! With that said, it’s time for you to get your summer reading list together! And I am here to help you make some selections so that you can drift into that literary dreamstate!

Check out May’s List Below:

  •  Last Summer on State Street ~Toya Wolfe
  • What the Fireflies Knew ~Kai Harris
  • Anywhere You Run ~Wanda M. Morris
  • The God of Good Looks ~Breanne McIvor
  • The Three of Us ~Ore Agbaje-Williams
  • Dances ~Nicole Cuffy
  • Before I Let Go ~Kennedy Ryan
  • You Think You Know Me ~Ayaan Mohamud

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!!

“Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”

—Mary McLeod Bethune