Black voices are worth listening to 365 days of the year, not just in February. However, the celebration of Black History Month may serve as a reminder to evaluate the narratives that surround us and with which we choose to engage. Whether you want to introduce new perspectives into your reading or celebrate a rich history, there are many books that center on the Black experience. It can be hard to pick just one. Below you will find some of the Outlook’s favorite books by African American authors from this past year.
Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley
For anyone feeling hollowed out by the litany of grief that envelops our news cycles, family systems and church communities, there is plenty of grace to be gained from her bodily prayers … invitations to contemplation … and calls to an undivided life. — Emily McGinley
Creating a Culture of Repair: Taking Action on the Road to Reparations by Robert Turner
“(T)hose who dismiss the idea of reparations will appreciate [Robert Turner’s] heartfelt and forward-facing approach that does not point fingers … He does, however, hold everyone accountable.” — Antonia R. Coleman
Magic Enuff by Tara M. Stringfellow
“The arc of Magic Enuff bends toward hope, however, offering readers a benediction in a slim volume of poetry that reveals deeper truths upon each re-reading.” — Amy Pagliarella
Have You Got Good Religion? Black Women’s Faith, Courage and Moral Leadership in the Civil Rights Movement by AnneMarie Mingo
AnneMarie Mingo highlights Black churchwomen’s moral leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, showcasing their faith, courage, and theo-moral imagination. — Hunter Farrell
How Ableism Fuels Racism: Dismantling the Hierarchy of Bodies in the Church by Lamar Hardwick
Race, disability and the church intersect in this important new work by Lamar Hardwick, a Black autistic pastor. — Amy Pagliarella
The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward by Malcolm Foley
“The Anti-Greed Gospel” pairs theology with practical approaches: economic solidarity, creative anti-violence, and prophetic storytelling. — Sterling Morse
Anti-Racism as Daily Practice by Jennifer Harvey
Jennifer Harvey shares specific techniques and habits to help White people become active anti-racists. — Amy Pagliarella
The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity by Greg Garrett
Greg Garrett agrees with Baldwin on the questions that lead from bad faith to one based on wisdom and truth: “Who is God, who am I, what is sacred community, how are we supposed to live, why exercise faith?”
The Wounds Are the Witness: Black Faith Weaving Memory into Justice and Healing by Yolanda Pierce
Yolanda Pierce’s “The Wounds Are the Witness” explores Black faith, memory, and justice, urging us to reclaim our wounds as a path to healing and action. — Nannette Dixon
What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman by Lerita Coleman Brown
“In What Makes You Come Alive, … Brown walks with us through Thurman’s inimitable life and commitments as he summons us into centering down, encountering the natural world, paying attention to sacred synchronicity, unleashing inner authority, and recognizing the genius of the religion of Jesus.”
The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay
In his new book of essays, New York Times best-selling author Ross Gay shows how delight and critical rage can coexist — and we are made better by attempting to hold both.
Walking Through the Valley: Womanist Explorations in the Spirit of Katie Geneva Cannon by Emilie M. Townes, Stacey M. floyd-Thomas, Alison P. Gise Johnson, and Angela D. Sims, editors
“I was prepared for this book to focus on Black pain and trauma but … The authors focus on liberation, redemption and transformation rather than the trauma.” — Quantisha Mason-Doll
Dear Revolutionaries: A Field Guide for a World Beyond the Church by Lenny Duncan
“Duncan writes for those who want to know they do not face their finite disappointment in the church alone, yet hold infinite hope for the world beyond the church.” — Nannette Banks
Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community by Luther E. Smith Jr.
Luther E. Smith Jr. proclaims that Hope is Here! as he invites us to practice and pursue justice in our churches and communities.
Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves by Chanequa Walker-Barnes
Amy Pagliarella and Shani McIlwain review Chanequa Walker-Barnes’ new book where she writes: “We are our bodies. There can be no spiritual life that does not engage the body.”
Presbyterian Outlook supports local bookstores. Join us! Click on the links above to purchase our suggestions from BookShop, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. As an affiliate, Outlook will also earn a commission from your purchase.
Want to join our monthly newsletter for book lovers? Sign up here.
