2021 Reading List | What I’m Reading This Year

Welcome to my 2021 reading list!

Reading is easily one of my favorite activities of leisure. Time always feels like it is in short supply, so instead of making a goal of reading a specific number of books, I decided it was a better idea to find a few and focus on them. 

1. Hooded: A Black Girl’s Guide to the Ph.D. by Dr. Malika Grayson

This one was such an easy choice. I’m on track to finish my master’s degree this year and my plan is to apply to Ph.D. programs in the near future. Obtaining a doctoral degree has always been my goal, but it takes quite a bit of planning to get there. I’ve been seeking out others who are either currently enrolled in their program or have finished it, and Dr. Grayson’s book fits right in. She chronicles her journey through the Ivy Tower and shares her experiences as a black woman in higher education.

Find it here on Amazon and on Dr. Grayson’s website

2. Our Time is Now by Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is easily one of the most popular names in politics right now. The former Gubernatorial candidate has been credited for turning the state of Georgia “blue”, which had a major impact on the 2020 presidential election and empowered the state to elect their first Black democrat as a senator. Our Time is Now chronicles the history of voter suppression, the attack on democracy, and the importance of justice.

Find it here on Amazon

3. Lead From the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams

You cannot become a great leader overnight- at the very least, it takes time, effort, and research. I added this book to my 2021 reading list solely because I saw that Stacy Abrams had another book besides Our Time is Now. Lead from the Outside highlights the roadblocks minorities face in their quest to obtain positions of leadership while sharing Abrams’s own experiences. 

Find it here on Amazon

4. The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab 

The next industrial revolution is certainly not something I think about daily, but when I saw this book I became very interested. In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Klaus Schwab presents a framework for ways leaders can maximize the benefits of technology in reshaping our society. He uses this book to start a discussion on how we can help to ensure that the next industrial revolution drives progress for humankind.

Find it here on Amazon

5. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport 

Minimalism has been popular for a while now, definitely for good reason. Digital Minimalism caught my eye because the practice was familiar, but the term was not. Very often many of us find ourselves plugged into social media, which takes away time for more fulfilling tasks. I thought this was a great companion to Deep Work, and I’m looking forward to reclaiming more of my time. 

Find it here on Amazon

6. Deep Work by Cal Newport

The ability to focus on a cognitively demanding task without distraction is called deep work. Newport offers practical advice on how to improve your work ethic to reach your maximum potential. Two people recommended this book to me and I’m so happy they did! I want to be more intentional with my time this year, and pushing distractions to the side is the key. 

*Not pictured, I haven’t picked up a copy yet!

Find it here on Amazon

7. Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block

Pushed was originally on my list for last year, but I couldn’t get to it in time. I made sure to include it on my 2021 reading list because maternal and child health is so important, yet feels very overlooked. From 2007-2016, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio (PRMR) for black women with at least a college degree was 5.2 times that of their white counterparts. C-sections, inductions, and epidurals are discussed and their impact on expecting mothers.

 Find it here on Amazon

8. A Promised Land by Barack Obama

This was easily one of the most highly anticipated books of last year and I was excited to get my hands on a copy. Reading about the life of prominent figures before they become household names is something I really enjoy. With the first volume of his presidential memoirs, President Obama reflects on his time in the White House and gives context to his decision-making.

Find it here on Amazon

9. The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran

Ta-Nehisi Coates posted this on his Instagram a while back and it was immediately added to my list. According to the U.S. federal reserve, the average white family has eight times the wealth of the average Black family. Black families’ median and mean wealth is also less than 15 percent that of White families. I’ve been aware of this gap, but I’ve never actually taken the time to read about it. With this choice, I hope to gain a better understanding of the links between Black banking, segregation, and what changes need to be made moving forward. 

Find it here on Amazon

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I hope these books catch your eye as quickly as they caught mine. I’ll post reviews of these books as I finish them. Also, I’m always open to suggestions and comments. 

Until then, happy reading!