Happy Wednesday, bibliophiles!
Here in the U.S., February is Black History Month! I normally begin by talking about how critical it is in these times to uplift marginalized voices (in this case, Black voices) with the attacks on so-called “critical race theory” in elementary schools and the attempts in both the classroom and the government to whitewash our fraught, racist past. However, I find these posts becoming more relevant as the Trump administration strikes down D.E.I. initiatives and has started shutting down “identity months” among many federal agencies. As Trump and his cronies push us into an age (certainly not a golden one) that strips away the celebration and acknowledgment of the wonderful difference that makes up this country, it’s more valuable than ever to celebrate those who have historically been downtrodden. Especially since Trump has purported himself as a friend to Black Americans (then turned around and committed unspeakably racists acts during both terms already), we need to emphasize the truth: Black people are and will always be vital to this country, and their history and contributions are an irreplaceable part of American history. No policy, removal, or dismissal can change that.
As with all of the related lists I make each year, this is not an exhaustive list; I encourage you to always look further and discover books and authors of your own during Black History Month (and during the rest of the year).
For my lists from previous years, click below:
NOTE: while the header image just says YA, I’m including books of various age levels on this list. (I’m just too lazy to make a new header, sorry…)
Let’s begin, shall we?
THE BOOKISH MUTANT’S BOOKS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH (2025 EDITION)
FANTASY:
- Brooms – Jasmine Wells and Teo DuVall | MG, LGBTQ+, alternate history | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Nightward (Waters of Lethe, #1) – R.S.A. Garcia | Adult, epic fantasy, LGBTQ+ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Library of the Unwritten – A.J. Hackwith | Adult, paranormal, LGBTQ+ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- So Let Them Burn (Divine Traitors, #1) – Kamilah Cole | YA, high fantasy, LGBTQ+ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- No Gods, No Monsters (Convergence Saga, #1) – Caldwell Turnbull | Adult, urban fantasy | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Unbroken (Magic of the Lost, #1) – C.L. Clark | Adult, high fantasy, LGBTQ+ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Freshwater – Akwaeke Emezi | Adult, LGBTQ+, magical realism | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Sing Me to Sleep – Gabi Burton | YA, high fantasy, romance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SCI-FI:
- Countess – Suzan Palumbo | Adult, LGBTQ+, retellings | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Everfair – Nisi Shawl | Adult, LGBTQ+, alternate history | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Womb City – Tlotlo Tsamaase | Adult, dystopia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Catherine House – Elisabeth Thomas | Adult, LGBTQ+ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Rosewater (The Wormwood trilogy, #1) – Tade Thompson | Adult | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? – N.K. Jemisin | Adult, anthologies | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
REALISTIC/HISTORICAL FICTION:
- The Melancholy of Summer – Louisa Onomé | YA | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Your Plantation Prom is Not Okay – Kelly McWilliams | YA, romance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
- When the Vibe is Right – Sarah Dass | YA, romance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Whiteout – Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon (anthology) | YA, LGBTQ+, romance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor | Adult, literary | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! Have you read any of the books on this list, and if so, what did you think of them? What are some of your favorite books by Black authors that you’ve read recently? Let me know in the comments!
Today’s song:
That’s it for this year’s Black History Month list! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!
The Bookish Mutant 