Penguin reissues works of African American William Demby, a contemporary of Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin. His first novel, Battlecreek, came out in 1950. Catacombs was published in 1965 while he was in Rome. The cover art is Romare Bearden's The Intimacy of Water (1973). #Blackbooksky #Booksky

Before Coco Gauff, Serena & Venus Williams, and Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson was the most celebrated Black athlete of the mid-20th century. She was the first African American to win titles at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. We should learn more about her. #Blackbooksky #Booksky

Dorothy Louise Porter Wesley (1905–1995) was a librarian, bibliographer, and curator who expanded the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. She was the first African American to earn a degree in library science from Columbia University. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

Approaching the centennial of Black History Month, let's recall Carter G. Woodson, who initiated Negro History Week, which later expanded to a month in 1970. February highlights may introduce unknown or lesser-known histories—let's celebrate! #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

My current read. It's been a while since I bought a book to read right away. I watched an interview with the author Howard Bryant and Bomoni Jones discussing Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. I love the writing and story so far, and will be reading Bryant’s previous works. #Blackbooksky #Booksky

Ernest J. Gaines is an author I enjoy for his storytelling, particularly his portrayal of Black life in Louisiana. I’ve read *A Lesson Before Dying* and his latest novel, *The Tragedy of Brady Sims*. I look forward to reading *A Gathering of Old Men*. #Blackbooksky #Booksky #Blacksky

I listened to @thesullivansummer interview with W. Ralph Eubanks discussing his new book, When It’s Darkness on The Delta, on New Books in African American Studies podcast. I bought the book, but I enjoyed the interview. I also enjoy Eubanks’ writing. #Blackbookysky #Booksky #Blacksky

Last Sunday, I posted biographies of figures who may not be well-known. Today, I’m posting books about or related to the Civil Rights Movement (Black Freedom Movement). I hope these books pique your interest in learning and studying the movement. Happy Reading! #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

People are reading The Count of Monte Cristo this month, and PBS's Masterpiece Theater will air an 8-part series starting March 1. Check listings. I recommend reading this biography of Alexandre Dumas’ father, Thomas-Alexandre Dumas. #Blackbooksky #Booksky #Blacksky

Some biographies to read in 2026. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #booksky

It's a cold, rainy night on the East Coast. I'm doing a reading challenge that includes a book about sports, which led me to 19th-century cycling. While figures like Jack Johnson and Jackie Robinson are well-known, Major Taylor is considered America's 1st. Black sports Hero. #Blackbooksky #Booksky

The opera Porgy and Bess, more famous than Heyward's 1925 novel, is set in Charleston near African American Cabbage Row. Heyward was accused of stereotyping. A 1959 film directed by Otto Preminger, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge with an all-Black cast. #Blackbooksky #booksky #Blacksky

Marie Ndiaye, a French author new to me, has written over 14 novels and stories. I chose her novella, Self-Portrait in Green, about a nameless narrator obsessed with green women and haunted by the Garonne. It's under 100 pages and written as diary entries. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

August Wilson is one of my favorite playwrights. A revival of Joe Turner's Come and Gone is coming to Broadway this year. I plan to see it, but I’m reading it before going to the play. Joe Turner’s is considered Wilson’s play from the American Century Cycle (a total of ten plays). #Blackbooksky

I’ve been waiting for Carrie Gibson's book, The Great Resistance: The 400-Year Fight to End Slavery in the Americas, and I purchased her other books due to my interest in Caribbean and Latin American history. It's essential to read about the enslaved people's fight for freedom. #Blackbooksky

I'm not a sports person like my brothers, but I read about sports for their cultural, historical, and political aspects. Some of the best writers are sports journalists. I recommend Howard Bryant’s works. I bought Arthur Ashe: A Life nearly ten years ago, and it’s time I read it. #Blackbooksky

December marks the 70th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott—December 5, 1956 - December 20, 1956. The Thunder of Angels chronicles the stories of people involved in the boycott with interviews and first-hand accounts. It's a fascinating read. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

I read Gayl Jones’ Corregidora twice, and believe it’s time to read her other books I’m going to read her second novel, Eva’s Man edited by Toni Morrison. Not enough people read Gayl Jones or at least her first book. Her stream of consciousness is lyrical blues. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

There’s nothing wrong with reading Wole Soyinka’s work, an autobiography of his childhood years. #BlackBooksky #Blacksky #booksky

A biography of Jermain Wesley Loguen (February 5, 1913 - September 30, 1879), who escaped from slavery in West Tennessee and became an Abolitionist and bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church—a contemporary of Frederick Douglass who refused to buy his freedom. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

I haven’t read Brandon Taylor’s books yet, but I will after Minor Black Figures. I’m interested in his story set in New York’s art world, about a gay Black painter. It also explores friendship, creativity, belief, and what it means for a Black artist to create Black art. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

Happy Friday! Here’s another book of letters: Claude McKay: Letters in Exile, a collection of correspondence with Alain Locke, Langston Hughes, and W.E.B. Dubois while abroad. These letters offer wit, wisdom, insight, and sometimes an irascible temper. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

Princeton University published The New Negro: A History in Documents, 1937-1937, an anthology that traces how Black people used it to challenge Jim Crow. It features writings by figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, Charles S. Johnson, and Alain Locke. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

A new biography of the first Black Governor, P.B.S. Pinchback, in the U.S. during Reconstruction. He briefly served as Louisiana’s governor, but we must understand the historical context. Also, I like a biography that’s under 300 pages. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

It's my birthday month, and I love fall. That means getting some books for both occasions. I recently bought books by authors I haven't read before, and I don't see much about them on social media. #Booksky #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

A novella with skillful writing and storytelling. You can't go wrong with reading Ernest J. Gaines. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

Since it’s Labor Day weekend, here are two books to think about reading. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

I'm reading Alain Locke: The New Negro Aesthetic Selected Writings, edited by Jeffrey C. Stewart. I've long since wanted to read Locke's writings, the philosophical architect of the Harlem Renaissance. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

Minor Notes, Volume I is an anthology series of Black poets from long-out-of-print collections and journals. I‘m glad this book exist, and waiting for volume II. #BlackBookSky #Blacksky #Booksky

Happy Friday! I enjoy reading short story collections and look forward to adding this book to my collection. Make Your Way Home by Carrie R. Moore is a collection of 11 stories across the American South. Lastly, I love a lovely cover. #Blacksky #BlackBookSky #Booksky

I enjoy a good coffee table book. Prose of the People has wonderful photographs and descriptions of Black bookstores across the U.S. #BlackBookSky #Blacksky

I love this title: Putting Myself Together: Writing 1974— by Jamaica Kincaid. It is a collection of her nonfiction writing, including early pieces for The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and Ms Magazine. I’m looking forward to reading this work. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

It's National Book Lovers Day! #BlackBookSky #Blacksky

Books aren’t my only interest and love; films are another. I subscribe to Criterion Collection, and couldn’t resist purchasing (it was on sale) the Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist DVD box set, which includes eight of his films. #Blacksky #Blackbooksky

I ordered Honoree Jeffers's book on Monday from Resist Books. I wasn't expecting to get Mishaving at the Crossroads until Friday or Saturday, but it came today—yay! Buy at your local independent bookstore. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #booksky

A heartfelt summer read that explores enduring love amidst the challenges of Alzheimer's. As the patriarch changes, the family faces heartbreak, highlighting the strength of love. Highly recommended! #Blackbooksky #Booksky #Blacksky

Dorothy West is known for her novel, The Wedding. Her 1948 debut, The Living Is Easy, is notable for being one of the few novels by Black women in the '40s, following Cleo Judson, the daughter of sharecroppers, as she tries to join Boston’s Black elite with her daughter Judy. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

Toni at Random has arrived in time for summer reading. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #booksky

More books by Caribbean writers. #BlackSky #Blackbooksky #booksky

June is a month of appreciation, including Black Music Month. Here are some books on singers, musicians, and the Blues. #Blacksky #Blackbooksky #booksky

Since I posted fictional works, here are several nonfiction books for Caribbean Heritage Month. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #booksky

It’s Caribbean Heritage Month. Here are some books to explore. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

A history on African American soldiers during World War I. #blackbooksky #blacksky #booksky

Books on Mississippi culture and history. #BlackBookSky #Booksky #Blacksky

The Afterlife of Malcolm: An Outcast Turned Icon’s Enduring Impact on America by Mark Whitaker, an exploration Malcolm X’s legacy affect on culture, politics, and civil rights. A question: how should we think of Malcolm X’s political philosophy in the 21st century? #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

I have novels to read in my stack to read for a while, and Imbolo Mbue, How Beautiful We Were is a book I’m reading this year. The story is about a fearless young woman from an African village who fights against an American oil company that’s slowly poisoning them. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

I enjoy reading short-story collections, and I have a good number of them on my bookshelves Here’s a collection published in 2024 by Ucho Okonkwo titled A Kind of Madness. This debut short-story features 10 stories set in present-day Nigeria concerning mental illness. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky

I'm eager to explore new histories. "Freedom Ship" by Marcus Rediker examines enslaved people's escapes by sea. Up to one hundred thousand fled the antebellum South, many by ship. I expect this book to be a fascinating read and plan to enjoy it this summer. #Blackbooksky #Blacksky #Booksky

Unfortunately, I didn't know about the Haitian writer Frankétienne until his passing in February 2025. Dézafi was first written in 1975 but translated into English in 2018. It's a zombie story, but not an ordinary one we've read or seen. #Blacksky #Blackbooksky #Booksky