Black History Month 2026: A Celebration Beyond My Bookshelf
Black History Month has always been one of my favorite times to shape my reading life with intention, with stories by Black authors, about Black futures, Black magic, Black resistance, Black joy and Black love. Normally, I’d be stacking my nightstand with a carefully curated TBR, ready to sink into new worlds and honor the voices that shape our literary landscape.
But this year looks a little different.
With a big move on the horizon next month, my books are already packed away in neatly labeled boxes. My February reading plans won’t unfold the way I imagined, and honestly, that’s okay. Black History Month isn’t defined by how many books I finish—it’s defined by the stories, creators, and histories I choose to uplift.
So instead of a traditional TBR, I’m sharing the books I planned to read. Stories that will be waiting for me on the other side of this move, ready to be devoured the moment I crack open those boxes again.
The TBR That Will Have to Wait (But Not for Long)
Immortal Dark & Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma
An Ethiopian‑inspired Dark Academia, fantasy duology filled with vampires, witches, ancient magic, political intrigue, and a heroine fighting for her destiny.
Blood at the Root & Bones at the Crossroads by Ladarrion Williams
A Southern gothic fantasy rooted in ancestral power, generational trauma, and the magic Black families carry through the bloodline. This one has been calling my name for months. I’ve been told to think Harry Potter but make it HBCU.
Blood Debts & Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton‑Walker
A New Orleans-set duology blending family secrets, magical legacies, and the fight for justice. I already know these books are going to hit that perfect blend of heart, history, and high stakes.
What This Month Means to Me
Even without a stack of books beside me, I’m still celebrating Black History Month with intention. I’m honoring the authors who expand our imaginations. I’m uplifting the stories that challenge, heal, and empower. I’m making space for Black creativity in all its forms—literature, music, film, art, and everyday brilliance.
And honestly, there’s something poetic about carrying these stories with me into a new home. A new chapter. A new space to read, reflect, and grow.
Whether You’re Reading or Resting…
Black History Month is a celebration, not a checklist. If you’re reading a dozen books, amazing. If you’re resting, relocating, or simply surviving, that’s valid too. Our stories are still here. Our history is still here. Our joy is still here.
And my TBR? Oh, it’s waiting patiently.
As soon as I’m unpacked, these books are coming out first.
Let’s Talk! I’d love to hear from you. Black History Month is richer when we celebrate it together.
• How are you honoring Black History Month this year, through books, music, film, rest, or something entirely your own?
• Have you ever had a month where life completely rearranged your reading plans, and how did you pivot?
• Which Black authors or stories have shaped you the most, whether recently or years ago?
• If you had to pack up your entire library tomorrow, which book would you keep out of the box for comfort?
• Which of the books on my “packed‑away TBR” are you most curious about — the dark academia vampires, the Southern gothic magic, or the New Orleans family saga?
• What’s one Black fantasy title you think everyone should read at least once?
