Reading Recs

An important book in an important time. An American Marriage is a powerful story about an African-American couple. A husband wrongly sent to prison for 12 years, and the events that occurred before, during, and after his sentence that will shape lives forever. ~Tess Dowd, Academic Hall

This is a beautifully written and heart breaking novel set in the post-depression era. It explores the concepts of race, poverty, jealousy, and injustice. ~Jasmine Jones, Class of '22

Austin Channing Brown enchants readers with her voice, wit, and story in "I'm Still Here." The book captures the issues facing Black people in America in a clear, succinct, accessible narrative. Brown's personal experiences and insights will help you help others to understand systemic racism, implicit bias, microaggressions, and more. ~Eric Sentell, English

Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 with her collection Annie Allen. She was also the poet laureate of Illinois from 1968 until her death in 2000. Her poems are exquisite, especially when read aloud. This collection includes one of my personal favorites, The Bean Eaters. ~Liz Rudloff, Kent Library

An exiting and eventful existentialist novel with themes of racism and education in the context of the American 1920's. ~Jose Mino Lara, Southeast Online

Long before Rosa Parks, in 1854, Lizzie Jennings fought back for her right to ride a public streetcar in New York City. She was late for church but denied entry and assaulted when trying to board an empty streetcar reserved for whites only. A respected educator and determined granddaughter of a patriot who fought in the Revolutionary War, Lizzie took her case to court. Her case was presided over by Chester Arthur who would be the future 21st president of the United State of America. She won against the streetcar company and paved the way for others to fight for their right to ride! E.B. Lewis' beautiful watercolors as well as historical documents in the author's notes help bring this story to life. ~Stephanie Hallam, Kent Library

Ms. Gay is one of my all time favorite authors. She writes so candidly and helps me to better empathize with people who don't look like me. I encourage everyone to check out her work! ~Roxanne Dunn, Kent Library

A young black man nearly drowns in a river, and a mysterious power saves him. Hiram Walker journeys through the eastern US and sees (and experiences) the most horrific parts of slavery. Tormented by the selling of his mother, Hiram resolves to save others by joining The Underground--where the mysterious power that saved him proves that it can save others, too. ~Tess Dowd, Academic Hall

This is a great work documenting this currently little-known migration of black citizens out of the south over decades. Based on extensive interviews of three migrants from different southern states and realities, the author recounts their stories of migrating across the country in different decades so that the reader gets a good overview of this Great Migration and the motivators behind it. This really should be required reading in U.S. history class. ~Tiffany Comfort, Campus Life & Event Services