Our author of the month for October is the brilliant Dorothy Koomson.
Born in 1971, Dorothy Koomson is a bestselling author of adult fiction books with over 2 million books sold. She has earned her title ‘The Queen of the Big Reveal’ with her nail-biting psychological thrillers, which pack an emotionally devastating punch.
Dorothy Koomson has been a strong advocate for Black authors to write the stories they want to tell without compromising their vision.
Try her latest novel ‘My Other Husband’ which critics are calling one of her best yet. This expertly crafted novel is full of twists and turns sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
James Baldwin was a black writer before the Civil Rights movement; a gay writer in homophobic mid-century America; a passionate maverick stylist who was swept into the destructive arena of politics.
In fiction, he drew heavily on his own self and was prepared to explore difficult truths about his life. He understood guilt and rage in a way few of his contemporaries did. But it was in his essays, Hilton Als argues that, unencumbered by the requirements of narrative form, character, and incident, that his voice was most fully realized.
First published in 1953, Baldwin’s first novel is a short but intense, semi-autobiographical exploration of the troubled life of the Grimes family in Harlem during the Depression.
When David meets the sensual Giovanni in a bohemian bar, he is swept into a passionate love affair. But his girlfriend’s return to Paris destroys everything. Unable to admit to the truth, David pretends the liaison never happened, while Giovanni’s life descends into tragedy.
The story of the suicide of jazz-musician Rufus Scott and the friends who search for an understanding of his life and death, discovering uncomfortable truths about themselves along the way.
Since it was first published, this famous study of the Black Problem in America has become a classic. Powerful, haunting, and prophetic, it sounds a clarion warning to the world.
Written during the 1940s and early 1950s, the essays collected in ‘Notes of a Native Son’ capture a view of black life and black thought at the dawn of the civil rights movement. This book inaugurated Baldwin as one of the leading interpreters of the dramatic social changes erupting in the United States in the 20th century and it is the book that established Baldwin’s voice as a social critic.
In his introduction to the book Baldwin describes the writer as requiring ‘every ounce of stamina he can summon to attempt to look on himself and the world as they are’. This collection contains ‘Fifth Avenue, Uptown: A Letter from Harlem’, polemical pieces on the tragedies inflicted by racial segregation and a poignant account of his first journey to ‘the Old Country’, the southern states.
October is Black History Month, an awareness month and a nationwide celebration of black history, arts and culture throughout Britain. As well as applauding achievements and success over the decades, the month also provides a vital reflection on the challenges that remain. In this way the month plays a vital role in raising awareness of British social history and the continued importance of identity, social equality and integration
Black History Month is essential in promoting learning, providing information and contributing to community cohesion. For over 30 years it has shone, and continues to shine, a beacon of light on the facts about Black history, heritage, legacy and the on-going struggles for equality and justice. More than that, it educates, informs and inspires many to be proud of who they are and to understand history, origins and the right to exist as equals.
This year we started the celebration early, with our ‘Among the Shelves’ blogs, in which we looked at Contemporary Fiction, Children’s books, Adult non-fiction and Poetry. If you haven’t already checked them out, we can highly recommend it for some powerful, inspirational reads. For this October, and Black History Month, we have put together a collection of awe-inspiring biographies and autobiographies, remarkable classics and eye-opening history books. All of which have been carefully selected by our staff, and can be found as eBooks or eAudiobooks through the BorrowBox app – or as physical books on our shelves.
Inspiration is the strangest thing, How it travels one spirit to another, transforms how we think
Akala
Biographies/Autobiographies
What is the difference of a biography and an autobiography? They both tell the life story of a person, the difference lays with who tells it. A autobiography is a life story written by that person, if it’s written by someone else, it’s a biography.
These 12 autobiographies and 2 biographies tell the life stories of 14 incredible people, their lives, struggles and achievements. They will give you a glimpse behind the curtain of some historical important persons, famous individuals and, most important, 14 unique, incredible human beings.
Classic Fiction
A classic is a book that’s exemplary or noteworthy, a book that will still be read and enjoyed 10, 20 even 100 years from when it’s published. These 12 classic works of fiction range in publication from 1912 all the way to 1998, and whilst some critique the society at the time, others show us how life once was and why this month is so important.
Historic Non-Fiction
While biographies, autobiographies, poetry and fiction can give us a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes; an opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Sometimes, what we want, what we need, is the facts. A retelling of events, a look at a time period or just cold, hard facts on what life once was. That is why we thought it was important to include books that shows a range of time periods, from the 15th century all the way to the 21st.
Most of these books are available through the BorrowBox app, have a look for our special Black History Month feature for all the books. If you prefer physical books, almost all of these titles can also be found as physical books that you can reserve for a small charge.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King Jr.
If you liked this blog, don’t forget to check out our ‘Among the Shelves’ blogs and follow us to get notified when we publish a new blog!
October is Black History Month, an awareness month and a nationwide celebration of black history, arts and culture throughout Britain. The events, articles, study and remembrance throughout the country make October worth celebrating each year.
As well as applauding achievements and success over the decades, the month also provides a vital reflection on the challenges that remain. In this way the month plays a vital role in raising awareness of British social history and the continued importance of identity, social equality and integration
Black History Month is essential in promoting learning, providing information and contributing to community cohesion. For the past 30+ years it has shone, and continues to shine, a beacon of light on the facts about Black history, heritage, legacy and the on-going struggles for equality and justice. More than that, it educates, informs and inspires many to be proud of who they are and to understand history, origins and the right to exist as equals.
This year, to celebrate Black History Month, we’ll be looking at some of the incredible black British authors who are, or have, contributed to the wonderful world of books and the literary culture. There are so many talented black authors it’s hard to choose one, which is why in this blog we’ll be shining a light at 20 of these incredible authors – all of whom have books you can borrow from Hampshire Libraries. To browse their books, click or tap the author’s name for a full list of the books available to borrow.
Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.
Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut
Ade Adepitan is a British television presenter, wheelchair basketball player and now children’s author, he was awarded an MBE for services to disability sport in 2005. His first book was published in 2018.
Beloved children’s author Atinuke, spent her childhood in both England and Nigeria. She’s most known for the ‘Anna Hibiscus’ – and ‘The no. 1 car spotter’ -series.
Yaba Badoe is a Ghanaian-British documentary filmmaker, journalist and author, who writes fictional books aimed at teens and young adults. Her first novel, True Murder was published in 2009.
Floella Benjamin was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to broadcasting, and in 2010 she was awarded the title ‘Baroness’. She’s written over 20 books for both adults and children, her most recent book ‘Sea of Tears’ was published in 2012.
Humour breaks down boundaries, it topples our self-importance, it connects people, and because it engages and entertains, it ultimately enlightens.
Malorie Blackman is a children’s author who’s written over 50 books for childrens, teens and young adults. She was awarded an OBE in 2008, and held the position of Children’s Laureate from 2013 to 2015.
Valerie Bloom is a children’s writer and poet, she received an MBE in 2008. She was born in Jamaica in 1956, she was six years old when Jamaica attained full independence from the United Kingdom. Her most recent poetry collection, Jaws and claws and things with wings was published in 2013.
Joseph Coelho is from Roehampton, just outside London. He’s an author, performance poet and playwright. Starting May this year, he’s on a Library Marathon, the aim of which is to join a library in every region of the UK. His latest book A Year of Nature Poems, was published earlier this year and contains 12 poems – one for each month of the year.
Diana Evans is an author, journalist and critic. Her latest book Ordinary People was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction award. Her first novel was published in 2005, and she’s since written another three books for adults.
Bernardine Evaristo holds an MBE, a FRSL, a FRSA and a FEA, she’s the author of eight novels. Her latest novel Girl, Woman, Other is currently shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and for the Gordon Burn Prize.
Sometimes the things you’re convinced you don’t want turn out to be the thing you need the most in this world.
Aminatta Forna is a Scottish-Sierra Leonean author of four novels, one memoir and one anthology. She was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to literature, and have been awarded a number of awards and honours.
Born in Brighton, Patrice Lawrence writes books for both adults and children. Her 2016 novel, Orangeboy, won the ‘Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Children’.
Andrea Levy was born in London 1956, she’s most known for her two novels Small Island and The Long Song. Her books explore topics related to British Jamaicans and how they negotiate racial, cultural and national identities. Andrea Levy sadly passed away 14 February 2019.
Dreda Say Mitchell is a crime author, broadcaster, journalist and freelance education consultant, born in London in 1965. In 2005, she was the first black British author to win the The John Creasey Dagger.
Nadifa Mohamed is a Somali-British novelist, currently living in London. Her debut novel, Black Mamba Boy, was both longlisted and shortlisted for a number of awards when it first came out. In 2013, she featured on Granta magazine’s ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ list.
Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.
Charles Ignatius Sancho was a British composer, actor, and writer. He is the only black Briton known to have voted in the 18th century for members of parliament in Westminster. A collection of his letters was published two years after his death in 1782.
Zadie Smith is an award winning author from London, her debut novel White Teeth became a best-seller and won a number of awards. Four of her books have been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, one of which, On Beauty won in 2006.
Ben Bailey Smith is an English rapper, comedian, actor, screenwriter, radio presenter and voice-over artist, also known by his stage name Doc Brown. He’s written two picture books, both of which can be found in Hampshire Libraries.
Alex Wheatle is an author of books for young adults and adults. He received the London Arts Board New Writers Award in 1999 for his debut novel Brixton Rock. In 2008 he was awarded an MBE for services to literature
Born in 1958, Benjamin Zephaniah is a writer, dub poet and playwright. He’s most known for his poetry and teen fiction novels. In 2008 he was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers.
Every moment happens twice: inside and outside, and they are two different histories.
October is Black History Month, an awareness month and a nationwide celebration of black history, arts and culture throughout Britain. The events, articles, study and remembrance throughout the country make October worth celebrating each year.
As well as applauding achievements and success over the decades, the month also provides a vital reflection on the challenges that remain. In this way the month plays a vital role in raising awareness of British social history and the continued importance of identity, social equality and integration
“Dig deeper. Look Closer. Think bigger.”
Black History Month is essential in promoting learning, providing information and contributing to community cohesion. For the past 30+ years it has shone, and continues to shine, a beacon of light on the facts about Black history, heritage, legacy and the on-going struggles for equality and justice. More than that, it educates, informs and inspires many to be proud of who they are and to understand history, origins and the right to exist as equals.
This year we have two great events happening at Chandler’s Ford Library and at Winchester Discovery Centre:
Black History Month: Portchester Castle at Chandler’s Ford Library Saturday 3rd November 2018 2.30pm
In 1796 over 2000 Black men, women and children were imprisoned at Portchester Castle. Until recently their presence at the castle had been forgotten.
This talk will tell the story of who they were and how some of the most important figures in the fight against slavery in the Caribbean came to be imprisoned at Portchester Castle in Hampshire. Price: £4.00 https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php?productid=51991
Ma Bessie and Her Blues Troupe at Winchester Discovery Centre Thursday 8th November 2018 8.00pm
Bessie Smith (15th April 1894 – 26th September 1937) nicknamed “Empress of the Blues” and regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era. Ma Bessie (Julia Titus) and her Blues Troupe featuring internationally acclaimed drummer Sam Kelly, Paul Jobson, Richard Sadler, Tony Qunta, Chuck Lloyd and Kevin Davy perform a narrated show incorporating many of Bessie’s songs.
The show chronicles her life from a one-room shack in Blue Goose Hollow, to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of that time, to the tragic accident on Route 61 in September 1937 that ended her life aged 43 years. Age Restriction: Over 14 years Image credit: Dawn Fletcher-Park. Price: £14.00 advanced, £12.50 concessions, £16.00 on the door https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php?productid=51817&cat=&page=1
Have a look though the wonderful collection of books available in our libraries:
David Olusoga’s ‘Black and British’ is a rich and revealing exploration of the extraordinarily long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa. Unflinching, confronting taboos and revealing hitherto unknown scandals, Olusoga describes how black and white Britons have been intimately entwined for centuries.
This volume chronicles a young boy’s journey from the horrors of Jamaican slavery to the heart of London’s literary world, and reveals the unlikely friendship that changed his life.
Award winning novel from the author of the critically beloved Pym (“Imagine Kurt Vonnegut having a beer with Ralph Ellison and Jules Verne.”—Vanity Fair) comes a ruthlessly comic and moving tale of a man discovering a lost daughter, confronting an elusive ghost, and stumbling onto the possibility of utopia.
See further book selections and displays in branch and ask staff for recommendations or help finding specific titles or subjects.
October is Black History Month, an awareness month and a nationwide celebration of black history, arts and culture throughout Britain. Now marking its 30th anniversary, the events, articles, study and remembrance throughout the country make October worth celebrating each year.
As well as applauding achievements and success over the decades, the month also provides a vital reflection on the challenges that remain. In this way the month plays a vital role in raising awareness of British social history and the continued importance of identity, social equality and integration
“Dig deeper. Look Closer. Think bigger.”
Black History Month is essential in promoting learning, providing information and contributing to community cohesion. For the past 30 years it has shone, and continues to shine, a beacon of light on the facts about Black history, heritage, legacy and the on-going struggles for equality and justice. More than that, it educates, informs and inspires many to be proud of who they are and to understand history, origins and the right to exist as equals.
It’s also a month where libraries can celebrate the extent and diversity of their stock and for the 30 year anniversary we have produced a specially themed book list on our online catalogue to get you started.
David Olusoga’s ‘Black and British’ is a rich and revealing exploration of the extraordinarily long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa. Unflinching, confronting taboos and revealing hitherto unknown scandals, Olusoga describes how black and white Britons have been intimately entwined for centuries.
This volume chronicles a young boy’s journey from the horrors of Jamaican slavery to the heart of London’s literary world, and reveals the unlikely friendship that changed his life.
Award winning novel from the author of the critically beloved Pym (“Imagine Kurt Vonnegut having a beer with Ralph Ellison and Jules Verne.”—Vanity Fair) comes a ruthlessly comic and moving tale of a man discovering a lost daughter, confronting an elusive ghost, and stumbling onto the possibility of utopia.
See further book selections and displays in branch and ask staff for recommendations or help finding specific titles or subjects.
Hampshire Libraries host the digital Britannica Junior, Student, and Adult encyclopedias.
This month they have put together a microsite about Black History Month where you will find links to articles about some of the people we find most inspiring. Britannica have created some great activities for students like a quiz, crossword and word search, plus a very special timeline so students can see just where all these amazing people fit into history.
Hampshire Libraries 