February is Black History Month, and also the perfect time of year to spend cozied up in a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. Although Black literature has a history that is certainly too rich to cover in just one month, the First for Women editors have compiled a list of some of our favorite books written by Black authors for your reading pleasure.  

From classics to contemporary, romance to fantasy — we’ve even got a cookbook in there — these books have entertained us, educated us, made us laugh, and made us feel seen. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do today, and for months to come. 

The Best Books by Black Authors

Poems, songs, and books are time capsules in the Black community. For me, how generations of family and loved ones have evolved through poems (in particular) leaves a strong connection to my heritage. This collection of poems perfectly embodies that. Reading a variety of works by lesser known poets was really eye-opening and allowed me to get a different look into what triumphs and struggles Black people were going through during key moments in history, whether it be the Harlem Renaissance or the post-modern era.

This book was really well-thought out and put together by both of the editors so I can’t recommend it enough if you’re looking to diversify your poetry palate! —Alexandria Brooks, assistant editor