1. Marley Dias gets it Done, and So Can You! by Marley Dias, founder of #1000blackgirlbooks, with forward by Ava DuVernay! Mark your calendars, book lovers, because Marley Dias will be HERE, at your very own Richmond Public Library, on May 5th! More details coming soon.

2. This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (white) America by Morgan Jerkins. I cannot speak highly enough of this book, seriously.

3. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. No list would be complete without the founder and owner of The Bechdel Test, “which asks whether a work of fiction features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man.”

4. Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston by Valerie Boyd. Zora Neale Hurston is the very definition of interesting. I would read a book about her hats.

5. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. I have to include fiction because, #fictionforever, and also because #ferranteforever

6. Becoming Unbecoming by Una, a graphic novel “is a no-holds-barred indictment of sexual violence against women and the shame and blame of its victims that also celebrates the empowerment of those able to gain control over their selves and their bodies.”

7. All the Women in My Family Sing: Women Write the World. Essays on Equality, Justice, and Freedom (Nothing But the Truth So Help Me God), edited by Deborah Santana

8. Agnes Martin: Pioneer, Painter, Icon by Henry Martin. Learn more about Agnes Martin and listen to her in her own words here.

9. Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper. When Roxane Gay says “I encourage you to check out Eloquent Rage out now” you probably should.

10. Singing Ain’t Enough: The Inspiring Story of Maggie Ingram by Joy Harris. Ms. Harris will be the featured Books for a Better World author in May at the Hull Street Library. Join us on May 8th at 6:30.

11. Overlooked by the New York Times

“Since 1851, obituaries in the New York Times have been dominated by white men. Now we’re adding the stories of 15 remarkable women.”  (only 15?)  This Times piece was a joy to read, thus pushing this list to the uneven number 11.