Books to read for Black History Month

Black and British by David Olusuga
The historian’s essential, bestselling book for anyone wanting to gain an understanding of the forgotten histories of Black people in the UK was published in an illustrated children’s edition at the end of last year.

Just Sayin; My Life in Words by Malorie Blackman
The much-loved author and former Children’s Laureate’s own story of becoming a writer will be published by Stomzy’s #MerkyBooks imprint later this month.

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams
The second novel from the breakthrough author of Queenie is an uplifting tale of finding identity in a broken family whose roots are in many different places.

Manifesto on Never Giving Up by Bernadine Evaristo
The author’s fearless account of her own life, from growing up with institutionalised racism to becoming the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize.

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel
The devastating comic voice that made I May Destroy You such a deserved onscreen hit flies the flag for diversity and inclusion in a passionate autobiographical declaration against fitting in.

Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye
The history of modern Britain told via the stories of the groundbreaking Black musicians from Lord Kitchener to Stormzy whose song soundtracking the changing times.

African and Caribbean People in Britain by Hakim Adi
A major new history of Black people in Britain by the first historian of African heritage to become a Professor in the UK is being launched as part of Black History Month.

If these books have inspired you to start writing, here's an exercise to get you going inspired by a quote from the great Toni Morrison.