Top #BLM Books you Need to Read Now!

With a rollercoaster of a month that’s left us reeling from the devastating death of George Floyd – at the hands of police brutality – the world is calling for non-black people to accurately educate themselves and our solidarity isn’t just a flash-in-the-pan support movement. This is our chance to pause, learn something, and fully understand the existence of systemic racism.

But this isn’t just about one singular occurrence, this is about everything the black community has had to deal with (and continues to) on a daily basis for years-and-years – which is quite frankly exhaustive and downright gut-wrenching. So, even if you claim to be anti-racist and forward-looking, there’s still so much more you can be doing to become the advocate the community needs you to be.

To help further enlighten you on the Black Lives Matter movement and acquaint yourself with its history, here are the books you need to be reading right now.

Beloved - Toni Morrison

With a tombstone reading one single word, Beloved, Toni Morrison's 1987 award-winning novel tells the story of former slave Sethe, and her traumatic life in Kentucky. This heart-wrenching read delves into the death of Sethe's baby daughter, examines her life as a slave in Sweet Home, and looks forward to the protagonist's time in Cincinnati.

Told with Toni Morrison's heart-stopping precision, Beloved won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The novel touches upon the catastrophic history of slavery as it follows Sethe's life throughout the book.

Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo

Penned by award-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, Girl, Woman, Other is a triumphant and beautiful read centered around the lives of twelve titular characters, based in the UK, and their personal journey over the past 100-years.

Whether it be a missed mother, lost lover or even a dose of hope, each individual protagonist is looking for something. Find out what it is by getting your hands on a copy.

How to be an Anti-Racist - Ibram X. Kendi

Renowned storyteller Ibram X. Kendi, the founding director of the Antiracism and Research and Policy Center, deep dives in his own jaunt from racism to antiracism.

A book that couldn't be more relevant to today's events if it tried, Kendi's How to be an Antiracist showcases how we can all be a force for good given the right tools, and touches upon incorrect myths and information shadowing our judgement.

From ethnicity to class, Kendi takes the reader on an enlightening journey designed to switch the lights on when it comes to racism.

Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson

New York Times bestselling author, Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy, offers a glimpse into the lives of people who've been wrongfully incarcerated and their fight for freedom. This incredible book has also been adapted for young adults to ensure the message gets across to all age groups, which portrays a powerful storytelling experience.

Stephenson compassionately examines the people whose lives have been hit by social injustice and how he continues to work on their behalf. So much so, a portion of the monies made from this book will go to a charity created to help Stephenson's important pursuit.

Why i'm no Longer Talking to White People about Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

This is the book i'm currently reading at the moment and it's eye-opening. After penning a heartfelt blog post titled 'Why I'm no Longer Talking to White People about Race', Reni Eddo-Lodge received numerous comments from white fans begging the writer not to give up on white people, which is why this book got published - to educate people.

Eddo-Lodge talks about black history in the UK and goes back centuries... I will let you know more once I've finished it!