PowellsBooks.Blog
Authors, readers, critics, media − and booksellers.

One can't go wrong in choosing a book by Zora Neal Hurston. — Dr. Alaiyo Foster, Executive Director

Dr. Foster's other favorites:
Invisible Life by E. Lynn Harris
Black Boy by Richard Wright

This book brings to attention the hard-to-accept truth that search engines are meant to be subjective to societies' stereotypes and how we research information. — Symone Sparrow, Program Manager

For fun, I just started reading Halsey Street. It's a good, entertaining read. — Symone

I learned this poem as a child growing up in Chicago. It is a powerful poem, turned book, that reminds Black children of their greatness. — Paula Byrd, Interim Program and Development Associate

Though written in 1903, this book could have been written today, particularly with its framing of the concept of "double consciousness," a condition describing the internal conflict of African Americans in that society (and today). Revealing in that it requires reflection upon the conditions back then, and where we are now. — Marcus

This book to me, through its amusing and poignant storytelling, illustrates how very well oppressed people understand their oppressors, frequently to the obliviousness of those very oppressors. It also identifies the resilience and strength necessary to get past that reality. — Marcus

Invisible Man chillingly describes the sad reality of being invisible to the larger world by dint of your color or perceived station. It chronicles the struggles of one wrestling with such issues in the midst of alleged "change." It demands reflection and a review of what you believe, whoever you are as the reader. — Marcus

As the father of three daughters who matured in largely dominant culture demographic worlds, and dealt with self-image issues in ways their young counterparts did not have to (and which were occasionally fomented by those young counterparts), this book is an absolute celebration and affirmation of their (and all little Black girls') absolute and undeniable beauty, uniqueness, and worth, through the lens of their definitely nappy hair.
— Marcus

This has been an incredible tool to use with mothers in the Family Preservation Project as they ponder what kind of mother they want to be, and what sort of children they want to raise. It is beautifully written and quick to consume and we use it frequently to start discussion during class and the individual sessions with incarcerated women. Regardless of whether or not the material resonates with the values of the mothers, it never fails to incite deep and meaningful conversation and analysis of how to best raise children. — Heather

My absolute favorite kids' book is Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney! It is such a fun story, with an incredible reading cadence, with real voice shining through. This retelling of Little Black Sambo strips away the racism of the original, and reclaims Sam as a hero for children today.
— Beverly Ajie, Director of Youth Services

Other BGC Portland staff recommendations:
The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard
How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

And the work of:
Octavia Butler, Amiri Baraka, bell hooks, and Richard Wright!

I’m sure you're familiar with this one, so I won’t belabor the point. This book clearly outlines and defines racism rooted in the creation of a racialized caste system in this country and demonstrates how that caste system continues to negatively impact Black people. — CJ

This book is a literary demonstration of African and African American storytelling through a Southern lens. It is one of my favorite pieces of literature because of how it is carefully and intentionally woven together. I’ve read it several times and can’t stop rereading it. The Bluest Eye could also be on this list for me as a literary masterpiece, which also speaks to the Black woman’s experience. — CJ

This autobiography could be called Malcolm: From Little to X. Malcolm X’s journey to become a prominent, direct, unapologetic, and stigmatizing leader for racial justice is so honest you can’t help but FEEL some truths about what it means to be Black in America when you are reading it. We are lucky to have the opportunity to learn the layers and nuances of Malcolm X from his experiences in his own words. — CJ

A current entry from Angela Davis, one of the world’s greatest intellectuals in the struggle for human rights. None of the research-based expressions of Angela Davis are new in this collection. But, she applies them through articles, interviews, and essays to expose current manifestations of oppression. — CJ

As one of the most prolific writers in modern American history (post-European influence), Langston Hughes could be on this list for the entire body of his work. This book is on this list because it shows that the Black experience is not singular. So many aspects of his life and socialization were not common for Black people in his time. Yet, he stands as one of the foremost voices of Black experience in history. It is not unreasonable to call Langston Hughes the greatest and most prolific American author of any race. — CJ

Black women have to combat racism… and sexism. Issues of beauty, patriarchy, abuse, and freedom are at the forefront in this autobiographical piece by Maya Angelou. The brutal honesty with which she tells her own story reveals many aspects of a Black woman’s struggle to become a whole, free, and complex woman. — CJ

Only one word for this one: Powerful. — CJ

This graphic novel was written by a Black Portland writer named David F. Walker and coillustrated by a Black Portland artist named Damon Smyth. It is gaining national attention and is appropriate for both adults and youths that are 13 and up. It is absolutely wonderful and features vignettes that explain why Douglass made many of the decisions that he made. [We] can’t recommend this particular book enough. — BCLA Leadership Team