3 Thought-Provoking Book Recommendations

In Every Mirror She’s Black tells the intertwined stories of three Black women in Sweden — Brittany-Rae, a model; Kemi, an executive; and Muna, a cleaner and refugee, are linked in unexpected ways to the same influential white man in Stockholm . As their lives unexpectedly cross paths, they each face challenges around love, power, race, and identity, struggling to find belonging in a society that often views them as outsiders.”

I’m recommending this book with a pinch of salt. I say that because the progression and structure felt a bit uneven – at times it was choppy, and following three unrelated characters could make it difficult to see how their stories connected. When they did link up, it almost didn’t feel convincing. However, I loved the three women’s stories individually. Each comes from a very different walk of life, and the book digs deeply into racism, fetishism and tokenism, and what it means to experience Blackness in a white-dominated society – especially somewhere like Sweden, where these issues aren’t explored as much

Rootless is a powerful debut novel about Efe, a young Ghanaian-British woman who seemingly has it all – a devoted husband, a beautiful child, and a stable life in London. But when she abruptly leaves her family behind, the story unravels the hidden cracks in her marriage, motherhood, and identity, asking what happens when love isn’t enough to keep you rooted.

This was a difficult book to read, I was upset and devastated throughout, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy it. Not because it isn’t a good book, but because it made me so angry and frustrated. Rootless is unapologetic and unflinching in its portrayal of what so many women endure for the sake of motherhood, an experience often forced upon us, especially as Black and African women. When I think of thought-provoking books, this is the first that comes to mind. There’s so much to unpack and reflect on about our cultures and the expectations imposed on young women.

After her brother’s death, Cynthia is forced to leave London for a quiet town where she’s one of the only Black students at her new school. Caught between two very different brothers and haunted by secrets from home, Cynthia must navigate grief, love and identity in a world that cuts both ways

I love Candice Brathwaite — I’ve followed her for years and she has always been a passionate advocate for Black women. I don’t usually recommend YA books, but when it comes to thought-provoking reads, I have to suggest Cuts Both Ways. I read this three years ago and absolutely loved it. It follows two teenagers and explores what it means to be Black and British today, whether that means inner city London or the rural countryside side it touches in so many aspects of our experience.