Suggested Reading

These books are written from a variety of perspectives, each offering unique insights into topics such as healing, mental health, identity, race, and systemic oppression. My recommendation is that you read and reach your own conclusions about why I have suggested these particular works. Equally, my suggestions are just that—suggestions. I’ve shared them with you based on my personal and professional preferences, as these books have significantly shaped my understanding of these issues (one way or another!). Some have left me feeling angry, exhausted, motivated or enlightened, and everything in-between! I recognize there are countless other incredible books out there, some which I have read but have not shared here, that deserve attention. Most of these books are available as hard copies, audiobooks and Kindle, and I recommend you buy from a Global Majority or Independent bookstore, if this is viable for you. If you think there are others I should add to this list, drop me a line—I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Mind, Body, and Spirit

Books exploring personal healing, self-love, and holistic wellness.

• "The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love" by Sonya Renee Taylor
  A powerful exploration of radical self-love and the cultural standards that often alienate marginalized communities from embracing their full selves.
• "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies" by Resmaa Menakem
  A transformative guide to understanding and healing racial trauma, with a focus on somatic practices.
• "You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience" edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
  A collection of essays by BIPOC authors exploring vulnerability and resilience in the context of healing and community care.
• "Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice" by Rupa Marya and Raj Patel
  This book explores the links between health and structural injustices, offering a new perspective on healing our bodies and the world.
• "What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World" by Prentis Hemphill
  Hemphill offers a visionary guide on the principles of embodiment, illustrating how personal healing can lead to collective change.
• "Loving Corrections" by Adrienne Maree Brown
  A collection of essays that provide a roadmap towards collective power, righting wrongs, and true belonging through the practice of loving correction.

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Books offering insights and tools for mental health, resilience, and trauma recovery.

• "Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Depression, and Stress" by Angela Neal-Barnett
  Practical tools and culturally relevant advice for managing mental health.
• "Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self" by Thema Bryant
  A healing-centred guide by a leading psychologist that addresses trauma and helps readers rediscover their authentic selves.
• "Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting" by Terrie M. Williams
  A ground-breaking look at the hidden mental health struggles within Black communities.
• "Living While Black: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Racial Trauma" by Guilaine Kinouani
  A guide to understanding and overcoming the mental and emotional toll of racism and discrimination.
• "The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color" by Natalie Y. Gutiérrez
  A comprehensive guide addressing the unique experiences of complex PTSD in BIPOC individuals, offering tools for healing and resilience.

Food, Nutrition, and Wellness

Books celebrating ancestral foodways and holistic health.

• "Decolonize Your Diet: Plant-Based Mexican-American Recipes for Health and Healing" by Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel
  A celebration of ancestral foodways that connect BIPOC communities with their heritage while promoting health and wellness.
• "The Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed" by Bryant Terry
  A vibrant cookbook combining plant-based recipes with cultural storytelling and health insights.
• "Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity" by Queen Afua
  A holistic health manual rooted in African traditions and practices for physical and spiritual wellness.

Cultural and Systemic Insights

Books examining historical and systemic oppression and their effects on communities.

• "The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice" by Staci Haines
  This book delves into the interconnection between personal healing and social transformation, emphasizing somatic practices as tools for addressing trauma and fostering social justice.
• "Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present" by Harriet A. Washington
  A detailed history of medical exploitation and its ongoing impact on Black communities' health.
• "Policing the Womb: Invisible Women and the Criminalization of Motherhood" by Michele Goodwin
  A deep dive into reproductive justice and the ways healthcare systems impact BIPOC mothers.
• "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race" by Reni Eddo-Lodge
  An essential read that explores the history of racism in the UK and its ongoing impact on society.
• "Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire" by Akala
  A compelling memoir and analysis of race and class in the UK, offering insights into the legacy of Britain's racialized empire.
• "Black and British: A Forgotten History" by David Olusoga
  A comprehensive history that reveals the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean.
• "Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot" by Mikki Kendall
  A critical examination of the modern feminist movement, highlighting its failures to address the needs of marginalized women.
• "The Psychosis of Whiteness: Surviving the Insanity of a Racist World" by Kehinde Andrews
  A provocative exploration of whiteness and its impact on society, exposing how systemic racism is upheld by denial and psychosis.

Spiritual and Ancestral Healing

Books exploring ancient wisdom, environmental knowledge, and spiritual balance.

• "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman
  A poignant exploration of cross-cultural healthcare, spirituality, and the intersections of tradition and modern medicine.
• "Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit" by Queen Afua
  A seminal guide for women seeking to connect with ancient wisdom and holistic health practices.
• "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  A poetic blend of Indigenous knowledge and environmental science that speaks to holistic health and balance.

Memoirs and Fiction

Stories of self-discovery, identity, and community.

• "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair
  A lyrical and poignant memoir about Sinclair’s journey of self-discovery and breaking free from a strict Rastafarian upbringing in Jamaica.
• "Sweetness in the Skin" by Zara Dinnen
  A novel exploring themes of belonging, family, and identity, centring the experiences of BIPOC individuals navigating life in the UK.
• "Mother Country" by Safiya Sinclair
  A collection of poetry that reflects on motherhood, migration, and identity, connecting personal and political themes in powerful ways.

Centring Decolonial Practice for Mental Health

Books focusing on decolonized approaches to healing and therapy.

• "Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma, and Politicizing Your Practice" by Dr. Jennifer Mullan
  A transformative guide advocating for decolonized approaches to therapy, centring the experiences of marginalized communities.