No-Nonsense Book List

Somewhat extensive, but ever-growing books to face the days ahead.

This year, I am taking reading seriously in a new way. In previous years, I prioritized the number of books, but I realized that quality makes a significant difference. At the end of last year, I looked at my bookshelf and noticed I had some great books. I gave myself a little pat on the back. BookTok has influenced my perception of this; people often vocalize the number of books they read in a year, which always makes me feel like I'm starting the year behind. So I'm telling myself to leave that mindset in 2024! Another thing I'm trying to leave behind is buying new books. Even though it’s fun, and bookstores are wonderful. I am convincing myself that they are still okay to visit for suggestions and to see what others are reading. Even if I happen to buy a new one, oops! I don’t make the rules. I'm aiming to commit to buying used books or renting from the local library, which I hope to remind myself of throughout the year.

This year, I want to retain my reading—to remember what it means to read for me. In times like this, I am reminded that I am a reader who likes to understand and dissect the world around me. My TBR, I believe, has always reflected this sentiment. This list goes back nearly five years. It's crazy how much can change in that time—and how new fears can arise.

I wanted to share because we could all use some collective reminders—ones that feel highly impactful for understanding the political climate and neurosis. I want this list to serve as a touchpoint throughout the year for me—but also as a way to share some books you could add to your list.

I am a nonfiction girl. I love many genres, but nonfiction is the one I collect, consume, and take note of the most. This collection is books started, read, new to, and re-reading. For growth and spirit to flourish. That being said here are some of the books, I am excited to read this year, and in the following years to come. In no particular order. Also, this post is too long to be read in email, oop!

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Race, History & Politics

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

I started reading this book four years ago. I marked up every single page, and I read and learned so much. Then, somehow, I accidentally spilled water on it. This book and I have been through a lot together, haha. It has circulated for quite some time and talks about urban planning, redlining, and segregation in the United States. Pick it up!

The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois

rented from UT, whoever rented this before me marked it up...I think they liked it

On hold from my school library, and someone heavily annotated it. This book, I was told, is life-changing—a must-read if you have an interest in Black studies. Guilty! W.E.B Dubois, a writer, sociologist, designer and so much more—pioneered the study of Black people and how they were viewed in this country. He was the first Black person to earn a PhD at Harvard and co-founded the NAACP. I learned even more about him when I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. last November. Written in 1903, this book offers a visceral look into the Black experience, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint.

When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramsey

This book has circulated my TBR since it came out in 2023. It outlines the Crack epidemic and its effects in America. I have heard only great things. The Black community is the definition of resilience. Out of must, beauty, and trials and tribulations, this country has brought and subjected folks to. Although I’ve learned about various ebbs and flows, I still have a lot of questions. I don’t own a copy but I plan on renting it from the library.

The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappé

This book is about the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in 1948. The author being Jewish himself takes on a critical lens diving deep into the genocide and conflict. I’ve heard this book talk of the conflation of anti-Zionism and antisemitism and its ability for a group of individuals to both be oppressed and oppress others. This is something I have noticed in many conversations and highly sought to be informed about. Will report back.

A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraquib

Hanif is one of my favorite writers and happens to be from the same hometown as me. So I have an extra love for him. This book outlines Black performance and its interwoven nature with American culture. One of my favorite classes taken was about Black performance and it was so beautiful and eye-opening. I started this book and am already gobbling it up.

Whiteness as Property by Dr.Cheryl Harris

In this PDF Cheryl Harris talks about whiteness and its strong impact on ownership and how property is seen. It establishes that race is highly properticized, and how history has shown us this, with the removal of Indigenous people and slavery’s establishment in the US. I honestly need to revisit it, it played a huge role in my MFA research and trajectory. Here is the link to download.

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

I’ve heard this is a must-read for understanding Poverty here in the United States. Something I experienced and know all too well. It’s taken me a while to muster up the courage and strength to pick it up. But I know I need to read it, this year already serves as a continuous reminder.

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Color, Art, Architecture & Design

Chromophobia by David Batchelor

I’ve used many excerpts from this book in various papers. It outlines the fear of color as it pertains to Western culture. It dissects the contemporary urge to purge all things color. I’m sure you’ve seen the resurgence of minimal, beige, simple, simple, simple. Something that I think is truly violent, clouds and weirdly “colors” so much of design thinking and framework. I love color and learning about its many perceptions. So this is my kind of book. If you love color, theory, and design, I think you will like this also.

Here Where the Black Designers Are by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller

I had the honor of taking a class from Dr. Miller. She is a much-needed force. She has dedicated her career to helping Black people in Graphic design. Advocating, sharing histories, resources as well and her own experience. Which is something that my research focuses on. Ain’t that something! But she wrote a book about it! And I am so excited to read it.

Black Futures by Teju Cole Edited by Jenna Wortham and Kimberly Drew

My aunt and uncle gifted this to me. I’ve been slowly working my way through various chapters. It is an anthology of Black art, writing, and creative works and came out in 2020. When I first started reading it in 2021, it made me so emotional and overwhelmed. Creativity is one thing but to see so many talented Black folks bond together is so special. Doesn’t hurt that the spreads are beautiful and it looks good on my coffee table as well. <3

Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America, MoMA

I picked up this book during a solo trip to NYC in 2021 while visiting my cousin and seeing this exhibit. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite exhibits I’ve ever been to—I think it played a pivotal role in my decision to go back to grad school. This book catalogs the exhibit with images and the stories behind each installation, exploring how race structures American cities. The exhibit examines ten cities and offers an intervention for each.

Black Paper by Teju Cole

I think I bought this book in California. I knew nothing about it but the back was artistic and descriptive, and I found it so beautiful. This is a book of essays about politics, art, and the color Black. So far it feels transportive and so informed.

The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression, & Reflection by Anne H. Berry, Kareem Collie, Penina Acayo Laker, Lesley-Ann Noel, Jennifer Rittner, and Kelly Walters

I’ve been reading this book on and off for the past year, it is a thick one! It talks about so many things. It spotlights teaching, practices, research, and numerous stories. I think this book should be foundational for any design teaching and framework. This year, I aim to read through it and take more thorough notes. It is truly such a good one!

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Beauty and Body

Thick and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom

A reread and one of my favorite books. I read this a few years ago and would follow Tressie anywhere she goes. I think this book of essays truly changed my perception of self, culture, and society. This book explores beauty, Blackness, and womanhood—concepts I struggled to connect before reading it. As a Black woman navigating academia and life, I found Cottom’s words deeply resonant. Her writing is both honest and incisive, delivering facts with a rare blend of sharp analysis and personal truth. This collection of essays unpacks beauty, media, and money, revealing their complexities and intersections. Throughout the book, I felt profoundly understood—seen in a way that was both touching and affirming.

Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts

This book delivers a bold critique of Black women's bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. Using a Black feminist lens, it exposes how systemic forces seek to demonize and criminalize the lives of poor Black women.

Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings

Not to be confused with the book above. Fearing the black body outlines the historical development of pro-thin, antifat ideologies deployed in support of Western, patriarchal white supremacy. It is another must-read at the intersection of feminism and Black studies. So, I already know it’s a bit of me.

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Self-Development, Writing & Wellness

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

I started reading this a few years ago. It caught me at a time when I was already reading too much non-fiction so I had to put it down. It talks so clearly about trauma. How it informs your whole being and the mental load it bears. I’ve never read about PTSD and traumas in such an engrossing and encompassing way. I am taking oh so many notes.

The Selected Works of Audre Lorde

My auntie bought me this book. <3 I have slowly been getting into it and over being intimidated by its thickness. I have yet to read a full book by Audre Lorde. Despite hearing about the depths of her writing, beauty, and expertise. So I am excited to see what this collection will offer me.

Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma by Dr. Mariel Buqué

Intergenerational Trauma is something I think about daily. It’s honestly exhausting but necessary. I’ve heard this one touches greatly on it. I’m yet unsure if it is a little whoo whoo, you know. Not sure if I will mind it if it gets the point across but I am eager to find out. I need to read this book.

Building Bridges for Women of Color in Higher Education edited by Conchita Y. Battle and Chontrese M. Doswell

I randomly found this book in my local Little Free Library—there are at least five within walking distance, and it’s my new favorite thing. When I saw that it fit the bill for two things in the title, I knew I had to see it through. I have no background in this topic, but it seems to be a collection of authors, research, and resources for women in academia. I’ll let you know how it is!

Will I get to all these, doubtful? Are there so many I couldn’t even include? Absolutely. But an ongoing list is what makes reading so fun. I hope this reading year to explore new parts of myself, consciously tap into the world around me, and hopefully be able to understand more about myself and others. I think this is truly the best way to deal with things that feel so out of control and out of body. And to avoid the performance of heartbreak with no return. The world responds to us being and staying informed. To keep our heads up and hold each other.

That’s it, for now, Love ya, mean it!

XOXO, Ya Little Mama