Okay, family, BHM just got a major upgrade!
February is shaping up to be a phenomenal month for Black authors across every genre imaginable. From household names dropping blockbuster memoirs to heartwarming adventures for young readers, these new stories are smart, fresh and unapologetically Black!
If you need a sign to start a new page-turner this month, this is it. So snuggle up with your coziest blanket and a steaming cup of coffee, here are five must-read books coming out in February by Black authors, you won’t want to miss them!
It’s Never Too Late: A Memoir
by Marla Gibbs
Image Credit: Instagram
Release Date: Feb. 24
After decades in Hollywood, starring in iconic sitcoms like The Jeffersons and 227, veteran actor Marla Gibbs definitely has a story to tell. The 94-year-old’s upcoming memoir, It’s Never Too Late, offers a heartfelt glimpse into her remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a trailblazing star.
With a casual and relatable tone, Gibbs reflects on the challenges she faced, the hurdles she overcame and the amazing life she built in an industry that often overlooked talent like hers. From her early days navigating the ups and downs of life to breaking barriers as a Black actress in a predominantly white landscape, her story is both inspiring and empowering. She proves that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, reminding us all that resilience and passion can lead to incredible achievements, no matter the obstacles.
Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons From The Black Church
by L. Michelle Smith
Image Credit: Instagram
Release Date: Feb. 10
The Black church in the U.S. has been a cornerstone for cultivating strong leadership within the Black community, serving as a vital training ground for many who go on to excel in the competitive corporate world. Ms. Smith’s latest book explores this rich tradition, highlighting how the values and skills honed in church settings – like public speaking, community organizing and empathetic leadership – can translate seamlessly into today’s fast-paced, digital world. She argues that even as church attendance declines, the essence of these teachings can still be harnessed to inspire younger generations.
Call & Response is a timely read that calls up the lessons learned within these sacred spaces, proving they’re not relics of the past, but essential tools for the future.
Where the Wildflowers Grow
by Terah Shelton Harris
Image Credit: Instagram
Release Date: Feb. 17
Leigh is the only one left from her family, the Wildes, and she knows this because she saw them all die. The sadness never really goes away, but even though she is constantly haunted by her loss, she presses on because she has a strong will to live. So, when the bus taking her to prison crashes, killing everyone else on board, she does what comes naturally to her – she survives.
While looking for a place to hide, Leigh unexpectedly finds a safe haven: a flower farm in a quiet part of Alabama, away from the rest of the world. What she doesn’t expect is to discover a new family there – people who have created something beautiful from their own struggles.
Acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris delivers a powerful and moving narrative in her latest work, exploring the intricacies of survival and redemption. The story challenges us to examine the thin line between merely existing and truly living, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make. Through rich, relatable characters and vivid storytelling, Harris weaves a tale that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, nudging us to know that even in our darkest moments, there is hope for renewal.
Time For a Change (The Rhythm of Time Series, 2)
by Questlove & S.A. Cosby
Image Credit: Instagram
Release Date: Feb. 17
Following their exhilarating escapade in Rhythm of Time, best friends Rahim and Kasia are back at it in Time for a Change, embarking on a new adventure that promises to be even more intense. This time, they’re not alone; they’ve teamed up with Aevum, a mysterious organization from the future that has a hefty mission for them: to avert disaster and safeguard the flow of history.
Their first task lands Rahim in beautiful Hawaii, where he’s supposed to recover a rock that Aevum claims is crucial for stabilizing the future. But just when it seems like everything is going according to plan, Rahim accidentally puts the entire mission in jeopardy, spiraling both him and Kasia into a tangled web of intrigue filled with a colorful array of time-travelers, each with their own hidden agendas. As they navigate this chaotic landscape, the stakes rise and the friends must rely on each other more than ever to decipher friend from foe while racing against time – not just to complete their mission, but to ensure that history remains intact. With unexpected twists and a dash of humor, their journey is a thrilling reminder that sometimes, the greatest change comes from the most unlikely places.
Keeper of Lost Children
by Sadeqa Johnson
Image Credit: Instagram
Release Date: Feb. 10
In the lively yet tumultuous backdrop of the 1950s, Keeper of Lost Children weaves together the lives of three compelling characters, each navigating their own journeys of love, identity and societal challenges.
Ethel Gathers, a proud wife of an American officer stationed in Occupied Germany, stumbles upon an orphanage teeming with mixed-race children abandoned by their German mothers and Black American GIs. Driven by compassion, she feels a profound sense of responsibility to help these children find loving homes, which challenges her to confront her own beliefs and societal norms.
Meanwhile, Ozzie Phillips, a Philadelphia native and volunteer in the recently desegregated army, finds his life forever altered when he meets Jelka, a local woman in Mannheim. Their relationship blossoms amidst the complexities of race and culture, forcing Ozzie to grapple with his own identity and the implications of love across boundaries.
Fast forward to 1965 Maryland, where Sophia Clark is presented with a chance to escape her unloving home by attending an elite all-white boarding school. This new environment opens doors she never imagined, but also reveals secrets that shake her understanding of herself and her heritage.
As the story toggles between these three lives, it beautifully illustrates how Ethel’s vision to care for the lost children intertwines their fates, reflecting the various forms of love – familial, romantic and self-acceptance – that can transcend societal barriers. Each character’s path is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of love, showing that in a world often divided by race and circumstance, connection and understanding can forge new beginnings and heal deep-seated wounds.
