Black History Month

In the UK, Black History Month takes place annually every October. To mark this, GCH Library team have put together a reading list featuring some of our Black History resources and highlighting some of the great fiction created by Black authors.

For more book recommendations check out the Black History Month displays! These can be found in both libraries and are regularly updated throughout October.

Non-Fiction 

Natives by Akala (St Michael's)

Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga (Both sites)

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge (St Andrew's)

Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann (St Andrew's)

Love and Justice: A Journey of Empowerment, Activism and Embracing Black Beauty by Laetitia Ky (St Michael's)

Black Londoners, 1880-1990 by Susan Okokon (St Andrew's)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr Maya Angelou (St Andrew's)

Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins (St Andrew's)

Black Poppies: Britain's Black Community and the Great War by Stephen Bourne (St Michael's)

Fiction

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (St Michael's)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Both sites)

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (St Andrew's)

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (St Michael's)

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (St Andrew's)

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron (St Andrew's)

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (Both sites)

Queen of Freedom - Defending Jamaica by Catherine Johnson (St Andrew's)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (St Michael's)

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (St Michael's)

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tolá Okogwu (St Andrew's)

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo (St Michael's)

Beloved by Toni Morrison (St Andrew's)

March by Lewis, Aydin and Powell  (St Andrew's - Graphic Novel)

When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando (St Michael's)

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (St Andrew's)

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (St. Andrew's)

Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone (St Andrew's)

For a great range of online and in person Black History Month events check out your local library too!

There is plenty going on throughout October and beyond. Lambeth Libraries in particular has a brilliant program of free events this year - click here for more info!