It’s hard to believe we’re already into the second month of 2024. But February is coming in hot with great titles for book lovers of all ages, including historical fiction, poetry collections and a beautiful children’s book about climate change. And of course, because it’s February, there are some great romances too.
Since it’s still too cold to go anywhere, you might as well stay inside and check out the books we can’t wait to read this February.
From Tia Williams, the bestselling author of “Seven Days in June,” comes “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde,” a gorgeous romance set in Harlem. Ricki Wilde is looking forward to starting a new life opening a flower shop in New York City. But her world is upended when she unexpectedly meets a handsome stranger who she can’t forget about, no matter how hard she tries.
MSNBC’s Joy-Ann Reid takes an in-depth look at the lives and legacy of civil rights champions Medgar and Myrlie Evers in “Medgar and Myrlie.” With the blessing of the Evers family, Reid shares the story of the couples’ work on the front lines of the struggle and how even after Medgar’s assassination, Myrlie worked to continue their activism.
Comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Dulcé Sloan shares hilarious essays on everything from selling toys at a Miami flea market to dating a mechanic to get free service on her car in “Hello, Friends!” If you know Dulcé, you already know this book is going to be funny AF.
Climate writer Mary Annaïse Heglar’s “The World is Ours to Cherish” is a beautiful picture book designed to teach young readers about the impact climate change on the planet and encourage them to cherish all of the natural wonders around us.
“Brooklyn” is the story of a hustler and master manipulator whose reign of terror ends up costing her her life. But after years of using people to get what she wants, justice comes from an unlikely place.
Set in the year 2030 in a Texas where Black women have no choice in where they live, what they do for a living, or who they marry, “The Blueprint” tells the story of a young Black woman who becomes the concubine of a powerful white government official and must face the dangerous consequences.
“Thick With Trouble” is the first poetry collection for adults from award-winning YA author Amber McBride. Booklist calls it “[A] vibrant exploration of growing up as a Black woman in the American South.”
As states around the country try to figure out what reparations for the descendants of slaves could look like, Marcus Anthony Hunter encourages us to look beyond economics and find a comprehensive solution. In “Radical Reparations” he writes about addressing political, legal, social and spiritual compensation for African American communities to provide a path forward.
“Bless the Blood” is a YA poetry and essay collection about a Black cancer patient who faces medical racism after being diagnosed with leukemia in their early twenties.
Inspired by the story of her cousin who served in the Women’s Army Corps, Sheila Williams’ “No Better Time” is a beautiful novel about the friendships and sacrifices made by Black women serving in World War II.
Born out of an article she wrote for The Atlantic about the intergenerational wealth gap, Maura Cheeks’ “Acts of Forgiveness” is a moving novel about a struggling Black family’s debate on whether or not the country’s new reparations program will really make their lives better.
In “Wake Up America” Keisha N. Blain has curated a collection of original essays from Black female politicians, activists and scholars on how we can create a more equitable political future. Black Lives Mattter cofounder Alicia Garza, California Senator Laphonza Butler and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee are among the contributors to this powerful anthology.
If you’re looking to lose yourself in a romantic novel, check out Kristina Forest’s “The Partner Plot.” Celebrity stylist Violet Greene is ready to focus on her career after a devastating public breakup with her ex-fiancé. But when she runs into her high school sweetheart, Xavier, in Vegas, the two have a reckless night that ends with them waking up next to each other wearing wedding rings. But could their reckless marriage be the best thing that’s happened to them?
We can’t wait to sink our teeth into “The American Daughters,” Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s historical novel about a secret ring of Black female spies working together to sabotage the confederacy in 19th Century New Orleans.
