Recommended Reads

This week’s Book of the Week is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, which deals with racial abuse and trauma in 1940’s America. We have put together a list of similarly anti-racist titles for you to look through and borrow.

Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love as children in Lagos, Nigeria. But when Nigeria falls under military dictatorship, Ifemelu knows she must flee to America to assure her future. There, she triumphs in her new life, all under the weight of something she has never had to think about before: race. Obinze hopes to join her but is refused entry to the country and instead moves to London. Thirteen years later the two come into contact online. But will they have the courage to meet again face to face?

An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones

Celestial and Roy are newly-weds who embody the American Dream. She is an artist and he a young executive; both are preparing for the rest of their lives together. Suddenly, the unthinkable happens when Roy is arrested for a crime Celestial knows he did not commit. Can their love last a 12-year prison sentence? And what will happen when Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned?

Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde

Sister Outsider is a collection of essays and speeches written by black feminist lesbian author Audre Lorde. Celebrated for her influential voice, this is an incredibly passionate work of literature and an essential read.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Eddo-Lodge’s book has shot to fame in the short time since its publication, highlighting the structural racism present in the United Kingdom. Eddo-Lodge looks to incidents from her own past to emphasise the systematic oppression and gentrification of black communities by white people. Taking an anti-racist approach, Eddo-Lodge’s book identifies the issues in our society which we are duty bound to fight against.

These books are available to download from our cloudLibrary here.  All you need is an RBKC library card and if you are not a member, just click here – it’s completely free to join and use our resources.