Black History Month Reading List

Since 1976, every United States President has designated February as Black History Month. The theme for Black History Month 2023 is “Resistance.” For centuries, Black people have used Resistance to fight oppression, slavery, Jim and Jane Crow laws, segregation, and more. To learn more about Black History Month and this year’s theme, visit https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/


Cover of Black Cowboys of Texas

Black Cowboys of Texas

Sara R. Massey

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DBC00028

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Cover of The Black President

The Black President: Hope and Fury in the Age of Obama

Claude A. Clegg

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB108441

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Cover of The Black Joke

The Black Joke: One Ship's Battle Against the Slave Trade

A. E. Rooks

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB108782

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Cover of Story of Motown

The Story of Motown

Peter Benjaminson

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB111271

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Cover of Vigilance

Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad

Andrew K. Diemer

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB113332

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Cover of The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth

The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth

Cheryl Willis Hudson

Diverse collection of short stories, essays, and poems from notable writers and artists who share their personal experiences and discussions about racism, identity, and self-esteem. Features stories filled with love, acceptance, truth, and peace. Includes supplemental material. Commercial audiobook. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2020. 

Book Length: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB101996

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Cover of Four Hundred Souls

Four Hundred Souls: a Community History of African America, 1619-2019

Keisha N. Blain and Ibram X. Kendi

A "community" history of African Americans spanning the four centuries between 1619 and 2019 that contains pieces from ninety writers, each covering the span of a few years. Each period of time is explored in a variety of ways, including essays, short stories, vignettes, and polemics. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021.        

Book Length: 14 hours, 5 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB102425

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Cover of Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison

Classic novel of man's search for identity. Follows a young black man from his youth in a Southern town through the depression years in Harlem, where he examines and rejects the values thrust on him by both whites and blacks. 

Book Length: 17 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB009600

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Cover of Another Country by James Baldwin

Another Country

James Baldwin

A talented black musician, his beautiful sister, and his white friend strike out against the conventions of sex, race, and society. Violence and explicit descriptions of sex. 

Book Length: 14 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB016421

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Cover of Punching the Air Ibi Aanu Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Punching the Air

Ibi Aanu Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

A novel in verse. Sixteen-year-old Amal's bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison. Fighting despair and rage, Amal turns to the refuge of his words, his art. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2020.

Book Length: 4 hours, 32 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB102501

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Cover of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

The Hate U Give

Angie Thomas

When sixteen-year-old Starr Carter witnesses the fatal shooting by a police officer of her childhood best friend, Khalil, she is afraid to speak out. But remaining quiet and safe is difficult with rising tensions between the police and the community. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Book Length: 11 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB101117

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Reading Lists

South Carolina Talking Book Services creates and manages suggested titles reading lists for our patrons. Check out some of our lists below.