Before I am a poet, singer-songwriter, thespian or anything else, I am a bookworm. Books take you into a world that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience. Whether that be fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry, plays… The list goes on and on. In particular, I want to shed light on some books that have made me appreciate my heritage and black skin more.

"Native Son" - Richard Wright

I read this for an African American literature class and I still can’t seem to wrap my head around the genius that is this narrative. Definitely a good insight on the 1930s' Chicago experience.

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" - Zora Neale Hurston

Hurston was such an underrated writer during her life, and I can’t seem to understand why. This novel sheds light on rural Florida in the early 20th century and was the first novel that made me appreciate the American southern experience.

"Black Feeling, Black Thought, Black Judgment" - Nikki Giovanni

Although this is a collection of poetry, this is still an influential piece for many young writers like myself. Giovanni’s poetry gives so much story and intent with each poem, and it gives great insight to the 1960s' “revolution” within the black community. I haven’t even finished it yet and it’s a favorite.

"For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf" - Ntozake Shange

This should go without saying, due to the movie adaptation and what not, but there are people out there that still haven’t read this masterpiece. Please, if you don’t do anything this summer, read it. You’ll love it.

"Citizen" - Claudia Rankine

This is the newer one on the list, but it’s one of my favorite collections of poetry right now. It depicts a visual image that is very unsettling and really made me question if I had a place in today’s society because of racism and other struggles. It's very eye-opening.

"The Autobiography of Malcolm X" - Malcolm X & Alex Haley

Malcolm X is one of my favorite activists, so I may be a bit biased, but nonetheless this is a good read. It’s a bit different from the others because Haley is a journalist that derived a book from his countless interviews with Malcolm X, but it also makes this even more unique.

"The New Jim Crow" - Michelle Alexander

I actually haven’t read this one, but everyone I know that has read it has had great experiences with it. The book talks about racial issues including discrimination and mass incarceration related to black males in the U.S. Maybe we can read it together?

"The Color Purple" - Alice Walker

Yes, I know the movie is good, but you should still read the book. The story line and relevance is so real. Even today, I am shocked by the confessional tone and raw realness of the history in the novel. Please read it for the culture.

"Song of Solomon" - Toni Morrison

Honestly, anything Morrison touches is gold, and this book is a good example. This piece of work appeals to your senses and tugs at your heartstrings because of the reality that the characters were living in. Great read, and you could probably read it in one sitting.

"The Souls of Black Folk" - W.E.B. Du Bois

This one is probably the read that will take you awhile, but I promise that it’s worth it. In this piece, Du Bois draws from his own experience in the form of essays, and it is more eye opening than anything. I recommend this being something you read piece by piece so you can understand everything.

This is just a small list of the great literature based on the African American experience. So if you haven’t learned anything else from this article, remember books tell you so much about yourself and others. Think before it’s illegal!