February is a time to honor and celebrate Black history and culture. In this post, we’re sharing a mix of new, upcoming, and notable releases by Black authors, highlighting powerful stories to add to your reading list this month and beyond.

A Dream A World Anew by The National Museum of African American History & Culture, Kinshasha Holman Conwill and David W. Blight

Created to commemorate the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, this stunning volume offers a sweeping exploration of African American history and creativity. Through insightful essays and significant objects from the museum’s collection, it traces the journey from slavery and Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. The book also honors the extraordinary cultural contributions of Black artists, writers, and performers who have shaped the nation. Richly illustrated and deeply informative, it underscores how central African American history is to the American story.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Framed as a heartfelt letter to his son, this acclaimed work examines the weight of American history through the lens of one Black family’s experience. Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on his journey from childhood to adulthood while exploring how the construct of race has shaped the nation’s ideals and contradictions. Blending intimate storytelling with sharp historical insight, he challenges readers to confront difficult truths about power and inequality. Urgent and eloquent, the book offers a profound meditation on legacy, love, and freedom.

Black AF History by Michael Harriot

In this bold and darkly humorous reexamination of America’s past, Michael Harriot dismantles the myths that have long defined the nation’s narrative. Spotlighting overlooked moments and untold accounts from Black history, he reveals how traditional versions of events leave out essential truths. With wit and clarity, Harriot connects historical injustice to present-day realities. Eye-opening and incisive, this is history told with honesty and edge.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

This inventive, genre-bending novel follows Zelu, a disabled Nigerian American writer who has always felt like an outsider in her ambitious family. After losing her job and facing yet another rejection, she pens a bold science fiction epic about androids and AI, never expecting it to transform her life. When the book propels her to sudden fame, she struggles to retain control of her voice as the world reshapes her story. Blending sharp insight with emotional depth, the novel explores art, identity, and the power of storytelling to redefine what it means to be human.

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1920sHarlem, this captivating novel tells the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the woman whose vision helped spark the Harlem Renaissance. As the first Black woman to serve as literary editor of The Crisis, she champions emerging voices like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen while shaping a cultural movement. Behind her professional success lies a complicated secret that threatens her ambitions. Sweeping and intimate, the novel illuminates the passion and perseverance behind a transformative literary era.

Inharmonious by Tammye Huf

Set in the segregated South during and after World War II, this sweeping love story follows three young Black men whose decision to enlist after Pearl Harbor changes everything. Military service reveals the stark contradictions of a divided America, especially for one soldier mistakenly enlisted as white, altering the course of their intertwined lives. Back home, the woman who loves them must navigate heart break and uncertainty as war reshapes her future. As victory abroad gives way to inequality at home, each must confront identity, sacrifice, and belonging.

Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

In this sweeping and award-winning history, Ibram X. Kendi traces the origins and evolution of racist ideas in America. Through the lives of five influential thinkers, he demonstrates how these ideas were deliberately constructed to justify inequality and uphold discriminatory policies. With clarity and depth, Kendi reveals how deeply embedded this thinking remains in American society. By examining this history, he equips readers with the tools to recognize and challenge it.

The Autobiography of Malcom X by Malcom X and Alex Haley

In this powerful and deeply personal autobiography, Malcolm X recounts his transformation from a troubled youth to a fearless advocate for Black empowerment. Speaking candidly about faith, identity, and political awakening, he traces his rise within the Nation of Islam and the convictions that ultimately led him to forge his own path. Written with Alex Haley, the narrative captures a man continually evolving in his understanding of justice and freedom. His story remains essential to understanding America’s past and present.

‍The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams

In this richly layered multigenerational saga, seven generations of Dupree women are bound by secrets, survival, and an unbroken line of daughters. When fourteen-year-old Tati begins searching for the truth about her father, she uncovers a history marked by forbidden love, buried choices, and a legacy stretching back to slavery. As each woman’s story unfolds, past and present intertwine in unexpected ways. Lyrical and powerful, the novel celebrates resilience, inheritance, and the enduring strength of Black women.

Young King by Lerone Martin

Before he became a civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr. was a young man searching for his voice and purpose. This compelling biography traces his formative years, exploring the experiences and influences that shaped his faith and commitment to justice. Through vivid storytelling and fresh research, it reveals the personal struggles and early revelations that prepared him for national leadership. Insightful and inspiring, it shows how greatness begins long before the world takes notice.

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah-Shelton Harris  

Leigh Wilde has survived more than most, including a tragic accident that leaves her unexpectedly free. Seeking a place to disappear, she finds refuge on a secluded flower farm in rural Alabama, where hard work and quiet kindness offer the first sense of peace she has felt in years. As she begins to open her heart to the people there, she dares to imagine a different future. The life she is building, however, depends on whether she can finally face the past she left behind.

As we honor Black history this February and beyond, may these stories inspire reflection, conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the voices that continue to shape our world. Explore these titles and more in store and online.

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