It’s February which means it’s Black History Month here in the United States! This is a time to celebrate, uplift, and share Black voices, Black stories, and Black joy. It’s also a time that white folks (including me) should prioritize educating ourselves on Black History and listen up to the stories and experiences Black folks are sharing - and keep that energy going all year round!
My February TBR is full of Black authors and I’m excited to continue prioritizing diversifying my bookshelf and my reading throughout the rest of the year and beyond. If you’re reading any of these books along with me, I would love to hear your thoughts, and if you’re reading any other books this month that you suggest, let me know on Discord, Twitter, Twitch, anywhere!
January Reads
- For Never & Always by Helena Greer ⭐ 3.5 digital ARC - pub. date November 28, 2023
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir ⭐ 4 audiobook
- Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban ⭐ 4 digital ARC - pub. date January 9, 2024
- A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers ⭐ 5
- Siren Queen by Nghi Vo ⭐ 4.5 January Discord Book Club selection
January Numbers
📖 read: 1186 pages
🎧 listened: 16 hours, 10 minutes
February TBR
- The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa February Discord Book Club selection
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn reading with streamer @Katskratchh
- Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser with Robyn Smith (Illustrator) graphic novel
- Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
- Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Black History Month - Books, Media, and More!
I built my February TBR by bringing forward books on my existing TBR written by Black authors, and by looking at recommendations and suggestions from friends on Twitter and other online resources. I’ll share those here!
- Twitter thread from @ashmq200
- Black Authors collection on Libro.fm
- Twitter thread from @616vivheart1
- TikTok video from @satrayreads
In addition to prioritizing Black voices and stories in my books this month, I’m also making time to watch documentaries that share Black experiences and Black History. Here are some that I plan to watch:
- Paris Is Burning HBO Max
- Summer of Soul Disney+
- The Black Beauty Effect Netflix
- The Two Killings of Sam Cooke Netflix
- A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks HBO Max
- Eyes on the Prize HBO Max
Saint Martin’s Press (SMP) Boycott
Social media influencers who create book content are currently boycotting Saint Martins Press (SMP) in response to their lack of accountability after an employer made harmful zionist, islamophobic, and racist statements. Please read more about this boycott from the Readers for Accountability carrd. I encourage fellow book-focused influencers to join me in boycotting SMP!
More Book Stuff
You can watch the VOD of the December Books with Bella stream and keep an eye out for future streams on my Twitch channel. If you miss a Books with Bella stream you can catch up on all of them in this YouTube playlist. I also post regularly on my book-focused Instagram.