Happy Black History Month! We hope that February has already been filled with lots of joy for our beloved Black community. We know that 2025 has had a rough start and we want to uplift some Black bookish creators that we think you should follow, support, and engage with. Below you’ll find some excellent influencers to follow and a book that they recommend you check out ASAP!
Aaliyah, @bookedwithcurls
Hi everyone! I’m Aaliyah and as long as I can remember I liked reading books since elementary school and middle school. It slowly stopped in high school and got back into it after high school. It changed my life and I’m very grateful for it. Making a bookstagram was the best decision I made as I made some really good friends.
I would recommend All I’ve Wanted All I’ve Needed by A.E. Valdez. This book is such a masterpiece! It is a slow burn but the characters will have you fall in love with them! You would love how the storytelling is in this book! I recommend anything from this author!
Jules, @readbyjules
Hi there! I’m Jules, a Haitian-American, quintessential New Yorker, and millennial currently living in the South. As a Reading Rainbow, Scholastic Book Fair, and library kid, I’ve been a book lover and avid reader from the very beginning. My first literary loves were the classics (The Care Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Sweet Valley High and Goosebumps). As an adult, I’ve rekindled my love of reading and my favorite genres include: thrillers, YA, and contemporary romance. However, if the cover catches my eye, I’m giving it a shot (*enter never ending TBR list* IYKYK 😂).
If you’re looking to dive into a powerful, revelatory read, I highly recommend Girl Gurl Grrrl: On Womanhood and Belonging in the Age of Black Girl Magic. Through personal essays and cultural commentary, Kenya Hunt explores what it means to be a Black woman in today’s world, tackling complex issues of identity, community, and the transformative power of Black girlhood. Unflinchingly honest and beautifully written, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand the realities of everyday life for Black women.
Morgan, @prettylittlebookshelf
Morgan Menzies is based in the DMV/NYC area. She is a literary enthusiast, community builder, and founder of prettylittlebookshelf – a space where every reader feels seen and valued. Morgan loves sharing all things books and connecting with fellow book lovers both online and in person through book club discussions, book swaps, DIY workshops and more. When she’s not reading, you can find Morgan exploring independent bookstores and trying new hobbies.
James by Percival Everett completely captivated me—easily making it my favorite book of the year. The way Everett seamlessly blends sharp wit, deeply moving moments, and a thought-provoking exploration of identity and resilience is nothing short of brilliant. Its layered storytelling and unforgettable characters kept me hooked, and I found myself reflecting on its themes long after I turned the last page. James may be a retelling but in my opinion it is the original and an instant classic.
Shannon, @shelf.of.shan
I’m a writer and bookstagrammer living in the Atlanta, GA area. I love reading books by Black women, literary fiction, essay collections, and nonfiction that digs me further into my latest research rabbit hole. When I’m not burrowed into my couch with a book, I’m traveling (and visiting indie bookstores wherever I am!), turning my thoughts and experiences into essays on my blog, Shannon Sometimes, or eating in a new-to-me restaurant in my city.
I recommend Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self, an exceptional short story collection by Danielle Evans. Short stories can be hit or miss, but hear me out—these hit. Evans wrote impressively well-developed characters and complex plots that explore themes like race, girlhood, womanhood, and friendship with sharpness, wit, and pure talent.
Bezi, @beingabookwyrm
I’m a marketer and fantasy nerd who loves celebrating Black authors writing speculative fiction and over-analyzing fantasy adaptations! I wrote my M.A. thesis on Black women in fantasy media, and my favorite genres to read include fantasy, Afrofuturist sci-fi, romance, and contemporary YA fiction centering Black characters. I currently work as an assistant marketing manager for Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and as a part-time bookseller at The Ripped Bodice.
My recommendation is and will always be Legendborn by Tracy Deonn! As someone who studied Arthurian legends and medieval literature in undergrad and grad school, and then wrote part of my thesis on Gwen in BBC’s Merlin, first reading Tracy’s re-imagining of the lore in 2020 that centered Bree – a contemporary, complex, magical Black girl – was so powerful. I felt so particularly seen. And there’s so many other reasons to love the series: the poignant depictions of grief, the North Carolina setting, the romance, the plot twists. The series has only gotten better and better, and having gotten a sneak peek at book 3, Oathbound (since I work on the series at S&S) I can’t wait for the fans to see what’s coming!!
Keisha, @theblerdlibrary
I was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised by the weirdest quartet of individuals ever forced together for a common goal. I love comic books, silence, movies, TV, musicals, philosophical discussions, and music. As the resident introvert, I am usually adopted into friend groups and have been known to disappear for extended times to recharge the old battery. I’m an HBCU alumnus (1854) and former educator in Philadelphia with over 10 years of experience in the education system. When I’m not corralling my husband, kids, dog, and chickens, I’m on my blog, Deconstruction & Blerdom, and social media as @theblerdlibrary, where I talk about all things QT+BIPOC speculative fiction in books and comics.
I love Justina Ireland’s writing, so I recommend the YA historical fantasy novel Rust in the Root. Published in 2022, we follow a young Black girl named Laura Ann Langston, whose only goal is to get her mage’s license. Unfortunately, she has two significant obstacles ahead of her: the country’s future is leaning towards the tech industry, so magic is not as accepted. And she’s Black, living in a fantastical United States with the same systemic oppression. We follow her journey from only wanting the simple mage license to seeing her save the world. Ireland does a phenomenal job weaving in American history with mystical elements and creating characters and situations you can’t help but laugh and fall in love with!
Monique, @theroomiesdigest
Full-time reader and part-time clown, I love discovering new favorite reads and adding way too many books to my TBR. 💖
Death of the Author is one of Nnedi Okorafor’s most recent masterpieces! She expertly weaves a story within a story and challenges how we move throughout the world. Perfect for fans of Octavia Butler or anyone craving masterful storytelling!
Letitia, @bookshelfbyla
I’m Letitia, and I’ve been a bookstagrammer for almost four years. I review books for a site called BookBrowse and have an online and in-person book club called What the Lit Read. I have a soft spot for debut authors, literary fiction, and memoirs. By the end of the story, I seek to experience a rollercoaster of emotions, desire to connect with the characters, and hope to feel that I’ve just spent time with someone real and learned something about life.
The Rest of You by Maame Blue is a clever and poignant debut novel that chronicles a Ghanaian family of women over three decades, from 1995 Ghana to modern-day London. It delves into how secrets, grief, and trauma can influence our sense of self, family, and friendships, arriving at a bittersweet yet hopeful ending. This book is perfect for fans of Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi and Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu.
Candice, @blackbiracialandbookish
Hello, y’all. I’m Dr. Candice Nicole Hale, a friendly and outspoken book lover from Alabama. My favorite genres include historical fiction, women’s fiction, memoir, and YA literature. I’m definitely rooting for everybody Black when choosing, reading, or recommending books. I love a compelling story, dual timelines, polyvocal perspectives, and well-developed character arcs and Black and other POC’s stories demand a larger space.
When I’m not reading, I binge-watch series across several platforms, or catch a movie matinee on discount Tuesdays with a small popcorn and a blue raspberry ICEE. I also enjoy playing “fake” fetch with my dog Dexter, and spending time with my family.
I’ve been part of the bookish community since December 2020 and I cherish the connections I’ve made. I have taught literature, composition, African American Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies for 17 years at the college level. I hold a Ph.D. in English Literature and turned my hobby into my passion.
I always recommend Kiese Laymon’s Heavy because it resonates deeply with my own experiences growing up in the Deep South. Laymon’s raw vulnerability and reflections on black families, love, and identity are both powerful and transformative. His memoir sparks those tough but necessary conversations that help us unpack our own lives and heal. It’s a book that stays with you, encouraging growth and understanding in ways that are both personal and communal. Heavy shows us how to maintain Black abundance when the world expects us to be “mee-guh” [meager].
V, @simplyreadwithv
Howdy, I am “V” or better known on Booksta as SimplyReadWIthV. June of this year will make it 3 years since I joined the Booksta Community and it was the best thing I’ve done. I have enjoyed connecting with other people who have a love for reading. I am an educator (18 years) by day and a super mom at night (2 littles). I love Hist & Southern Fiction, RomComs, Fantasy, and Lit & Contemporary Fiction.
In honor of Black History Month I would highly recommend The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips. It is the only book ever written by this author, but it is one of my favorite books. It is based out of rural Georgia in the late 1950’s from the perspective of Tangy Mae who is the darkest and brightest child out of Rozelle’s 10 children. Tangy wants to continue her education while her mother rather her become a housekeeper. Rozelle is worse than the mother in the movie “Mommy Dearest”, because she is outright evil. She will never win mother of the year due to her cruel treatment towards some of her kids.
Milly, @itsabookishworld_
I’m Milly! A queer, pickle-loving bookworm who balances my passion for reading with a career in clinical research. I thrive on laughter, finding joy in the little things, and happily married to my beautiful wife. Whether I’m diving into the latest novel or savoring my favorite snack, I approach life with a sense of humor and a warm, adventurous spirit.
I recommend The Color Purple for its powerful storytelling and deeply moving exploration of resilience, identity, and the strength of women. Alice Walker’s prose is raw and beautiful, pulling readers into a world of emotional depth, while offering a profound reflection on race, sexuality, and personal growth. It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
A literary omnivore and influential Bookstagrammer, Layne applies her vivid creativity for every title we promote by deftly coordinating news coverage and events for authors, writing and editing diverse content for social media, and assisting with Books Forward’s social media engagement initiatives.
As a former special education teacher, Layne firmly believes in the importance of literature and accessibility. This unique point of view is an asset in her publicity efforts as she works to reach readers across various platforms and demographics.
Layne received her Bachelors of Arts in Creative Writing and Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and her Masters of Art in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She lives in New Orleans with her loyal, but sadly illiterate cat, Macaroni.
