Book Recommendations for Black History Month
Five books by Black Deaf authors for your TBR, and a few orders of business
But first, an order of business…
Dear Reader,
I’m having a baby this spring. It is, as with most endeavors, an exciting, strange, and scary time. Given capacity constraints related to the converging timelines of birthing human baby and release of book baby, I am unsure if I’ll be able to keep up with bonus content for paid subscribers, so I’ve decided to discontinue the paid option for this newsletter for the time being.
If you were previously a paid subscriber, I appreciate you greatly. Any payment paid for this month will be refunded today (via Stripe), and your email subscription will be rolled over to regular free mode.
That said, if at any time you read a letter you particularly enjoy, or generally want to support my work, you can find me at Buy Me A Coffee for a one-time or recurring payment of your choice.🤟
And now, back to your regularly scheduled program…
Looking for some recommended reading by Black Deaf authors for February (and beyond)? Here are a few time-tested recs, and a couple new editions, too!
Learn Black American Sign Language: A History and Complete Beginner’s Guide with Over 200 Words and Phrases
Franklin R. Jones Jr, PhD
Brand new guide with great pictures. If not the first of its kind, definitely the most comprehensive!
On Bookshop
ID: Book cover with Learn Black American Sign Language in yellow and a brown, red and green background with a patterned design. Three still photos of a Black person signing BASL are on the bottom of the book. The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure
Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, Ceil Lucas, Robert Bayley, and Joseph Hill
The OG experts and research that first brought the spotlight to the history and linguistics of Black ASL. Some case studies and ASL translations of chapters are also available on YouTube.
On BookshopChloe: A Novel of Secret and Lies
Connie Biscoe
I haven’t read this one yet, but Biscoe is the author of many popular novels, often exploring the complex inner lives and relationships of Black women protagonists. Sisters and Lovers was her debut, and a New York Times bestseller.
On BookshopSounds Like Home: Growing up Black and Deaf in the South
Mary Herring Wright
A memoir centering on Wright’s experience at a segregated school for Black Deaf children in North Carolina.
On Bookshop
ID: Light blue and green book cover with blue text reading Sounds Like Home and a white flower behind it. “Growing up Black and Deaf in the South Marry Herring Wright” in black text beneath. Swishing (Children’s)
Victorica Monroe, illus. Shawn Richardson
Exploring Victorica’s childhood as Black DeafBlind person through her love for basketball.
On Walmart.com
Want more Black Deaf History? Check out RIT’s info guide on Notable Black Deaf scholars, performers, athletes and beyond. Or find local chapters and events, as well as donation information, for the National Black Deaf Advocates here.Book Biz
Mother Tongue: A Memoir is available for preorder now. It’s officially out 5 May 2026. In the meantime, Goodreads is also doing a giveaway of 15 copies, which you can enter to win here.
Please keep an eye on this letter, and my website, for launch plans, tour events and information to come!
ID: Yellow book cover with black text Sara Novic Mother Tongue. In the center, white lettering says “New York Times Bestselling Author of True Biz” White ASL manual alphabet letters spell out the author name and title overlaid on the black text. You can also find free ways to support Mother Tongue (or any new book), in my previous letter here.
Human Biz
Our ability to spread Disability Rights Watch coverage remains spotty on social media, with some platforms obscuring the content. However, the website remains here. We are currently working to keep track of the impact of ICE-related violence on disabled people; however, a renewed attack on Section 504 by several states, as well the ongoing attempted movement of Special Education personnel from the Dept. of Ed to the Dept. of Labor and accompanying action items, will also be updated on the site later this week.
*
——————
