The Reading List #4: Celebrating Black Stories, Legacy, and Liberation
New Voices, Bold Legacies — April's Must-Read Books by Black Authors
Rewrite Your Rules: The Journey to Success in Less Time with More Freedom – April 1, 2025 by Morgan DeBaun
In her important book, Rewrite Your Rules, DeBaun encourages you to rethink the basic principles that shape your life.
This isn't just about small changes; it's about deeply reimagining your potential and freeing yourself from societal limits to create your own path. DeBaun goes beyond challenging norms—she breaks them down completely. With her experience as a business leader and the heart of a trusted friend, she offers a refreshing alternative to the harmful hustle culture.
Each chapter is filled with practical advice for tackling key life questions and letting go of outdated beliefs. Whether you're reevaluating your job, relationships, or daily routines, Rewrite Your Rules empowers you to focus on what matters most.
This straightforward guide is one you'll return to often, no matter where you are in life, to build a fulfilling existence that balances financial success with personal happiness.
DeBaun shows that true success is based on authenticity, purpose, and the courage to follow your own path.
The Family I'm In – April 1, 2025 by Sharon G. Flake
Sharon G. Flake’s groundbreaking novel The Skin I’m In ushered in a vibrant new voice that vividly lit up the literary landscape, quickly establishing itself as a modern classic that has been cherished and passed down through generations of readers. Its sequel, The Life I’m In, further illuminated the power of these unmistakable voices, opening the hearts and minds of teens everywhere to the complexities of life and identity. Now, in The Family I’m In, we are reintroduced to John-John and Caleb, lifelong friends who have navigated their relationship since childhood and are now confronting the myriad struggles and triumphs that come with becoming young men. They find themselves living in a world where many Black boys face the weight of generational expectations, fears of an uncertain future, and the challenges of navigating the delicate balance of being “nice” kids who simply want to be authentically seen for who they truly are. Together, Caleb and John-John work through the intricacies of family illness, the difficulties posed by divorced parents, the rigorous challenges laid out by teachers who ask probing, hard questions, and the curious girls who seem to think they have all the answers to life’s complex dilemmas.
Happy Land – April 8, 2025 by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Nikki hasn't seen her beloved grandmother in many years, but when she receives an unexpected call requesting her presence in the picturesque region of western North Carolina, she quickly agrees to make the journey. After enduring years of silence that stemmed from a painful rift between her mother and grandmother, Nikki is resolute in her determination to uncover the hidden truths that lie buried beneath the surface. Instead of the family answers she anticipates, her grandmother, the enigmatic Mother Rita, shares an astonishing tale woven with history about a mystical kingdom nestled in the mountains and their remarkable ancestor, Queen Luella. It feels almost like a fairy tale—an account of royalty emerging from the lineage of freed people. As Nikki delves deeper into the rich narrative surrounding the Kingdom of Happy Land and the ancient ruins concealed within the verdant woods, she begins to understand that her family's identity and the secrets they harbor are intricately tied to this land. It becomes her legacy to safeguard before it is irretrievably taken away. Inspired by true events, "Happy Land" is a captivating novel that explores the profound stories that ultimately define us and the immense bravery it takes to truly dream.
Fugitive Tilts: Essays – April 15, 2025 by Ishion Hutchinson (Author)
In Fugitive Tilts, the talented poet Ishion Hutchinson employs a rich tapestry of prose to present a beautifully curated partial biography of love: a profound love for poetry discovered in the innocence of childhood, a deep love for home that is marked by the bittersweet experiences of constant departures and nostalgic returns, and a passionate love for influential literary works and artists—such as the adventurous narrative of Treasure Island, the soulful melodies of John Coltrane, and the vibrant Jamaican music that shaped his youth—all of which guide him through life like benevolent angels. Drawing inspiration from Derek Walcott’s poignant idea that “the sea is history,” Hutchinson artfully infuses the sea into his narrative, whether he is reminiscing about a transformative trip to Senegal or honoring the legacy of his beloved grandmother through a thoughtful reflection on a mesmerizing painting by Édouard Vuillard. Through this unique and poignant perspective, Hutchinson bravely tackles multifaceted questions regarding heritage, and artistic influence that continuously shapes our understanding. These varied and evocative essays, spanning different times and places, empower Hutchinson to create a rich space for confronting and enduring the emotional pains of both the past and present, inviting readers to experience their own journeys of reflection and discovery.
Black Power Scorecard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It – April 15, 2025 by Andre M. Perry
Historically, Black Americans have sought power primarily to secure equal legal protections and rights that should inherently belong to all citizens. However, true and meaningful power in America extends far beyond the confines of simple democratic rights; it is intricately tied to economic strength and ownership—ownership of oneself, one’s home, one’s business, and one’s creative endeavors. In this crucial discourse, Andre M. Perry employs thorough research to meticulously measure the actual power that Black Americans wield in various domains.
The Black Power Scorecard evaluates a spectrum of factors including property ownership, business presence, wealth accumulation, education access, and social mobility, assessing how these elements influence the ability to define societal norms and, ultimately, the quality of life and longevity of Black communities across the nation. Perry highlights often neglected areas that are ripe for investment, which could not only help to reduce racial disparities but also yield benefits for the entire society.
Zeal: A Novel – April 22, 2025 by Morgan Jerkins
In the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem in 2019, Ardelia and Oliver joyfully celebrate their engagement, a moment steeped in promise and affection. Meanwhile, in Natchez during the tumultuous year of 1865, Harrison returns from the Union Army, eager to reunite with his beloved, Tirzah. Following a devastating tragedy that shakes his world, Harrison is forced to settle for a life with her rather than the love he truly desires. Simultaneously, in Louisiana, Tirzah is dedicated to teaching at a school for newly freedmen and comes across a newspaper advertisement that Harrison has placed. This unexpected discovery prompts her to contemplate the possibility of escape. Morgan Jerkins’s compelling novel intricately intertwines the stories of these characters and their descendants over a span of 150 years. Throughout the era of the Great Migration, Tirzah's family faces harsh struggles against entrenched authority, mirroring the profound losses endured by Harrison’s family. When Ardelia ultimately meets Oliver, the hidden secrets that have long rested within their families threaten to either bring about healing or inflict further pain. "Zeal" powerfully examines the enduring impact of choices across generations and the remarkable strength of love that withstands the trials of time.
Matriarch: A Memoir – April 22, 2025 by Tina Knowles
Tina Knowles, the mother of famous singers Beyoncé and Solange, stands as a revered matriarch—determined, wise, and undeniably influential. However, this story transcends her well-known family ties, revealing a rich and complex narrative. It begins with a spirited girl growing up in the vibrant backdrop of 1950s Galveston, Texas, the youngest of seven siblings, who finds herself immersed in the warmth of familial love and the uplifting sounds of Motown.
As she navigates the harsh realities of racial challenges and the societal limitations imposed on young girls of her time, her dreams grow ever bigger and bolder. Her adventurous spirit propels her away from the familiar comforts of Texas, as she yearns to seek a new life that lies beyond the confines of childhood.
Her journey is marked by deep grief, daring risks in love, bursts of creativity, and the heartfelt commitment to nurturing her immensely talented children.
This engaging narrative intricately explores profound themes of family love, heartbreak, loss, and the unwavering resilience that emerges through life’s trials. It poignantly reveals how a girl from Galveston can truly make a significant difference in the world, while also sharing the invaluable wisdom that is lovingly passed from mothers to daughters through generations, ultimately reflecting the broader tapestry of the American experience.
A Protest History of the United States – 22 April 2025 by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
In her remarkable new book, A Protest History of the United States, esteemed professor Gloria Browne-Marshall delves deeply into the rich and complex history of protests throughout the United States, spanning from the resilient Indigenous resistance to the contemporary climate demonstrations that reflect ongoing struggles.
Utilizing a variety of legal and archival materials, she thoughtfully highlights a diverse array of individuals, including the powerful Chief Powhatan, the iconic Muhammad Ali, and the passionate David Buckel, each of whom courageously stood against various forms of oppression.
Browne-Marshall emphasizes that, regardless of the immediate outcomes of these dissenting voices, the act of protest itself remains crucial for fostering and achieving lasting social change within society.
Concrete Dreamland: Coming of Age in Underground New York – April 29, 2025 by Patrick Dougher
Born in Brooklyn in 1963, Patrick Dougher grew up in some of the most turbulent and culturally impactful periods of NYC's history. Often neglected as a child by his parents—a father who struggled with alcohol addiction and an overworked mother who struggled to make ends meet—he learned to fend for himself. Now a renowned visual artist, musician, actor and writer, Dougher brings to the page his memories, struggles, personal revelations, and a life intimately tied to the realities of growing up Black and disenfranchised on the streets of one of the most remarkable cities in the world.
Concrete Dreamland is tragic and triumphant, gritty and hard, poetic and outrageously funny. Told in Dougher's brutally raw and courageously honest voice, these stories act as snapshots of a life lived in extremes: from gangsters to God, street style to sexuality, to recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. He tells of his adventures as a pre-hip hop “hard rock' and an original Black punk rocker surviving during the dangerous days of the crack and AIDS epidemic in NYC, while also sharing tales of racism, homelessness, and his many brushes with fame and death.
Audacious, unique, and moving, Concrete Dreamland is an unforgettable story of addiction, redemption, and life on the streets of a vanishing New York.