8 Books By Black Women To Help Cope With The Impending Shenanigans Of Trump’s Second Presidential Term

Time and time again, the world has failed Black women, yet each time, they collectively pick themselves up by the bootstraps, rise, and try again—no matter how stacked the odds may be.

Reality continues to settle in after the 2024 presidential election, in which President-elect Donald Trump reclaimed the presidency against Kamala Harris, the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to be elected and inaugurated as Vice President.

Smiling woman reading a book near large window in cozy living room on a relaxing autumn afternoon

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While it’s a hard pill to swallow, it’s not something new. Black women have endured an America that Trump led before, and we will endure it again.

Since the beginning of time, books by Black women writers have served as the unsung architects of empowerment, solace, and resistance, essential for surviving in America—a country built on our backbone but never kind to Black women.

For centuries, we’ve been able to find comfort in the literature of figures like Phyllis Wheatley, who documented verses that challenged the dehumanization of Black bodies while also showcasing intellectual brilliance in a world that has always attempted to silence it.

Women like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Audre Lorde have transformed trauma into triumph through collections of poetry and prose that spoke (and still speak) directly to the souls of Black women, offering both calls to action and the release of strong emotions that so many Black women have never been allowed to be vocal about.

As we prepare for the shenanigans of yet another Trump America, one where violence, ignorance, and downright hatred are exalted, here are eight books by Black women to help cope with the impending shenanigans that are sure to come.

1. all about love: new visions x bell hooks

01/20/99 Black feminist Bell Hooks during interview for her new book. Said the feminist writer who a

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A classic, this work explores love as an act of healing, transformation, and will in our personal and collective lives.

hooks challenges the status quo about relationships and their significance in readers’ lives by offering personal anecdotes, cultural critique, and philosophical insights exploring love in various dimensions, including communal, familial, romantic, and self-love.

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2. The Salt Eaters x Toni Cade Bambara

This novel explores both healing and the intersections of community, mental health, and spirituality through the journey of Velma Henry, a woman recovering from a suicide attempt.

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3. Their Eyes Were Watching God

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A literary classic from renowned author Zora Neale Hurston, this story follows protagonist Janie Crawford through her journey to self-discovery by way of love and independence. Showcasing Hurston’s masterful storytelling, Their Eyes Were Watching God serves as a timeless tribute to the strength of Black women while also shining a light on the personal freedom that is associated with self-love.

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4. Sula x Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison At The Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner

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Toni Morrison’s novel offers a peek into the complexities of Black female friendships through the main characters, Sula Peace and Nel Wright. It focuses on themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and loyalty.

It also highlights how women’s relationships help shape their identity and resilience.

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5. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings x Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou speaks at Congregation B'nai Israel

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In her groundbreaking memoir, Maya Angelou uses her journey through racism and resilience to showcase the importance of finding one’s voice and reclaiming agency in a world that too often attempts to silence Black women.

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6. Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People x

Nikki Giovanni - Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival

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In this poetry collection, Nikki Giovanni celebrates Black heritage and self-discovery. It also shows accessibility for women like Giovanni, who knew all too well about a world that went to great lengths to silence them.

In this body of work, she offers messages of hope and illuminates the unassailable power of self-worth.

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7. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot x Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism is a collection of essays centered around the experiences of marginalized women. It addresses issues ranging from food insecurity to education and beyond.

This novel directly challenges mainstream feminism to be more inclusive and intersectional. (See our article about dropping the idea of being an ally following the 2024 presidential wlection results here.)

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8. Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit x Queen Afua

Think of this as your textbook for healing yourself through community and self-love. Following the holistic practices of African spiritual traditions, this collection by Queen Afua offers practice rituals and wisdom to help women heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It serves as a roadmap to reconnection with one’s sacred feminine energy.

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