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February 06, 2018

Black History Month: Our Book Picks

Black History Month: Our Book Picks

By: Donna Lefeber

February is Black History Month and it is a good time to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of black authors.  Recently, many authors – both established and rising new talents – have received prestigious book awards and prizes. We’re taking this opportunity to introduce you to those that we have enjoyed and are eager to recommend to our community of readers.  These books have compelling stories, universal themes, and prose that is a joy to read.


Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward – Historical Fiction, National Book Award, 2018



Good Lord Bird by James Mc Bride – Historical Fiction, National Book Award, HEPL Book Club Pick



What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons – National Book Critics Circle “Best Debut” list



No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Watts – Sarah Jessica Parker’s first pick for the ALA Book Club Central, NAACP “Best Debut” winner



Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat – HEPL Book Club Pick.  Author also writes essays and poetry.



“Broken Earth” Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin – Acclaimed fantasy series, starts with Fifth Season.



Sellout by Paul Beatty – Man Booker Prize, National Book Critics Circle



A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James – Man Booker Prize, American Book Award


Indiana can proudly claim its share of notable black authors, including:

Roxane Gay – This author’s short story collections and essays are consistently on the New York Times Bestseller List.  Ms. Gay is a professor of English at Purdue University. She has popular blog – roxanegay.tumblr.com.  Her most recent bestseller is Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body.

Adrian Matejka – Matejka is a professor and poet-in-residence at Indiana University, and he is Indiana’s Poet Laureate.  His third collection of poetry, The Big Smoke, was a 2014 Pulitzer Prize Finalist.  Learn more about this author here.  We invite you to meet Adrian at the Fishers Library on Saturday afternoon, April 28.

Snow is falling, and books are calling!  Let us recommend a book. Fill out our online MY NEXT BOOK questionnaire with your reading preferences and our librarians will send you a list of books and authors to try.  For a recommendation, visit us online.