So You've Finally Read: The Hate U Give

Yes, I'm finally getting back to these. This week, I'm doing The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This book has been everywhere (for damn good reason too!) and it just recently might have bumped up on your radar thanks to that author who tried to cheat her way onto the NYT best seller list.
If that got your attention, and you picked this up and you read it and loved it...here are some more books to look into afterwards:

Some fiction to read next:

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendon Kelly

I personally have not gotten to this one yet, but I have heard really good things (and its been nominated for a bunch of awards). It sounds like it'd be a good one to dive into if you want more books that make you think about current race relations.

Another one to read after this: The Boy in the Black Suit also by Jason Reynolds

This Side of Home by Renee Watson

This one deals with gentrification more then police violence, but from what I've heard it does go into cultural identity a bit like The Hate U Give touches on a bit.

Another one to read after: Piecing Me Together also by Renee Watson




Some Non-Fiction related books to read so you don't become a Hailey:

On Intersectionality: The Essential Writings of Kimberle Crenshaw by Kimberle Crenshaw

Hailey was pretty much a textbook example of White Feminist. To avoid that, I recommend reading up on intersectionality and why it's important. I'd start with Crenshaw.

One to read after: Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks

You Can't Touch My Hair: and Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

Robinson tackles everything from black hair to race in this hilarious memoir that I highly recommend.

One to read after: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson

Dyson speaks directly to White Americans and deftly explains how yes, actually we do live in a racist world still. And even better, gives us tips on how to be better allies at the end.





Some Non-Fiction related books that touch more on some topics brought up:

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

If you have seen all the news footage featuring this month's cop who killed a black person and walked free, read this book and somehow still think the system is perfectly fair and totally not racist, read this book. If you still think that after reading this and all the stats in it...I don't think anyone can help you.

The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by various authors, edited by Jesmyn Ward

A fantastic essay collection from last year that touches on a lot of topics mentioned in The Hate U Give.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Coates talks to his son about race relations in this powerful memoir. Good one to read if you were confused about Starr talking about how Khalil wasn't following the rules of being pulled over by the police.