Books by Black authors we should have read in high school
Plus a literary mystery and what the publishing world may look like this fall
Hey readers,
I don’t have much to share in my preamble this week. I’ve been trying to sit back, listen, and learn, while trying to figure out if and how I should be using my platform at this time. I feel that what I have to offer mostly lies in my work in the classroom, so over the next weeks on Instagram, I’ll be sharing books by Black authors that I’ve enjoyed teaching with the hope of helping other educators diversify their curriculum. I’m also sharing 6 books by Black authors that I think should be curricular staples in high schools in today’s email.
Even if you’re not a teacher, you may have more say than you think in the books that show up in classrooms in your community. If you’re a parent, take a look at the book lists from your children’s classes (if they aren’t readily available, email the department chair or someone in administration to request them). If you don’t see a diverse representation of voices on those lists, contact school administrators and the English department chair about adding more and offer suggestions if you have them. Remember, school board elections are also very important to this kind of work so even if you don’t have kids in the school system, pay attention to who is running your community’s schools. It makes a difference, as we recently saw with these book bans in Alaska.
Ok…let’s get into some books.
This week in books.
This week I read…
Why We Act by Catherine Sanderson. My book club read this and got to have a discussion with the author, which was extremely interesting. Sanderson is a psychology professor and, in this book, she explores the reasons why good people stand by and let bad things happen. Sanderson’s conclusions were both illuminating and helpful for anyone who wants to develop the moral courage to intervene when they see something they know is wrong. While it’s very applicable to the present moment (and it includes a chapter that discusses police violence), I wanted more discussion of the way sociological factors like race, class, gender, and religion play into the bystander effect. For that reason, I’m glad I started reading White Fragility while I was still processing this one. Amazon | Bookshop
Tea by the Sea by Donna Hemans. This book was gifted to me by the independent publisher, Red Hen Press, and I’m so glad it came across my path. The story begins the day Opal is born in Jamaica. Her father, Lenworth (for reasons that become clear if not forgivable over the course of the novel) takes her from the hospital and flees, leaving Opal’s young mother Plum utterly distraught. The book then follows Plum, Lenworth, and Opal over the next 17 years as they each seek to heal and as Plum searches high and low for her missing daughter. It’s a beautiful and heart wrenching family saga that explores secrets, grief, longing, and the pain that comes from doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. This is a great title to add to your list as part of Caribbean Heritage Month and a must-read for anyone who loves a multigenerational family saga. Amazon | Bookshop
Passing by Nella Larsen. I first read this book my senior year of college and it became an instant favorite. This week I reread it for an episode of Novel Pairings, and I absolutely loved discussing it with Chelsey. That episode will drop on June 23rd and the book is only 100 pages long so there’s plenty of time to read it beforehand! Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. This one has shown up on so many lists of recommended antiracist reading, and, while I’d started it before, I somehow hadn’t finished it. The book’s mission is to help white people understand how whiteness operates internally and structurally to preserve white privilege and oppress people of color. I have mixed feelings about choosing a book by a white woman as my first venture into antiracist reading at this time, but I am finding it to be immensely helpful in my own thinking. Amazon | Bookshop
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins. Set in 1820s London, this book is about a Frannie, a Jamaican-born maid who is put on trial for murder. Margaret Atwood described this one as “Wide Sargasso Sea meets Beloved meets Alias Grace” so how could I not pick it up? Amazon | Bookshop
And I put aside:
The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe. I think Thorpe is an excellent writer and I hope to return to this one (maybe even this month). I had been listening to it on audio and, while the narration was fine, I think I’ll switch to print for my next go. Amazon | Bookshop
6 books by Black authors I wish were part of every high school curriculum.
Top pick: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. For a depiction of racism, slavery, and colonialism that spans centuries and continents and a celebration of sisterhood, family, and friendship. Amazon | Bookshop
Passing by Nella Larsen. A superior replacement for The Great Gatsby that explores racism, colorism, and complicated female friendships within an utterly propulsive story. Amazon | Bookshop
The Color Purple by Alice Walker. For a book that lovingly depicts the lives and loves, sorrows and joys of Black women in the southern U.S. Amazon | Bookshop
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. For an examination of race in America from an outside perspective and a stunning story of coming to age and discovering what it is you truly want. Amazon | Bookshop
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. For a beautifully written letter to his son in which conveys the truths about being a Black man in a country founded on white supremacy. Amazon | Bookshop
Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. For an honest and essential history of racism in the United States written specifically to empower young people. Bookshop
Bookish reading.
Traci of The Stacks Podcast updated her antiracist reading list with 27 additional titles.
Books about antiracism are flying off the shelves and onto bestseller lists.
While you’re reading your antiracist titles, be sure to also investigate why you picked them up and how you’re approaching them by reading Lauren Michele Jackson’s article What is an Anti-Racist Reading List For?
This NPR article discusses how only reading within singular cultures harms our worldview.
This is an incredibly list of books featuring powerful Black women—I noticed a few favorites and have added more to my own TBR.
I like this list of books for children and teens that address race, and it’s helpfully organized by age group.
Vox has up a list of books that specifically address past and present police brutality in America and what we can do to make a change now.
Listen to the Here and Now team discuss their summer reading plans.
Lots of books whose spring publications were delayed are going to be landing this fall, and that’s going to create an interesting literary landscape.
Listen to a brief interview with Megha Majumdar, author of A Burning.
End notes.
Watching: The Great on Hulu, which is hilarious and a must-watch if you loved The Favorite.
Listening: I’m going through The Stacks Podcast’s backlist and listening to episodes about books I’ve read. Next up is the Friday Black episode.
Making: My way through the 30 day The Great Unlearn course. And lots of batches of brownies just so I can eat the batter.
Following: @theconsciouskid
Loving: That our Virginia creeper vine is coming in strong despite having been ravaged by beetles last summer.
I hope you’re all taking good care of yourselves and each other, and doing your work to improve our world.
Until next week, all the best and happy reading!
Sara
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