Reading is my favorite thing to do. If I had the opportunity to just sit around and read books for the rest of my life, I would happily do so. Sadly, no one is offering me this opportunity and my kids keep insisting that i stop reading to do boring things like drive carpool and cook dinner.

When left to my own devices, I pick a lot of books with murders and intrepid female detectives that solve them. This is not doing anything for my intellect so I also try to pick books that will teach me something or reflect my basic principles of living.

Which brings us to Black History Month and what I plan to read in observance. The obvious choice would be to read actual Black history but I’m taking a different approach. I decided to read books by current authors and to purchase the books instead of borrowing them from the library. I figure, in my own small way, I’m letting the publishing industry know there is a market for books written by Black authors.

Well, ok, I’m reading one book by a dead Black author. I’m finally reading Kindred by Octavia Butler which has been on my list forever and I’m doing it as an audio book. Time travel and history and a kickass female heroine all in one book? Yes, please!

Anyway, these are the books by living authors that I have picked up so far. I will probably choose several others as the month goes on (I’m a fast reader) so suggetsions are welcome!

• Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid
• Red At The Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
• Children Of Virtue And Veangance by Tomi Adeymi
• The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré
• Feminism Is For Everybody by bell hooks
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I want to read the upcoming book by Homegoing author Yaa Gyasi soooooo much but it won’t be out until September. Something to look forward too but I get so impatient!

Anyway, that’s my list so far. If I add more titles, I’ll post about them! In the meantime, I’m on Goodreads as Rebekah Kuschmider and I post what I’m reading there regularly. a