The Free Black Women's Library

[The Free Black Women's Library]

monlatablereviews.com

The Free Black Women’s Library Reading Challenge

[The Free Black Women's Library]

The 2018 Free Black Women’s Library Reading Challenge

The brilliance, imagination and creativity of Black women is as expansive as the sky, join book lovers from all over the world in fun exploration of Black women’s literature all year long by participating in The Free Black Women’s Library Reading Challenge for 2018.

Our goal is to read for at least one to three hours every day, so that by the end of the year we have read at least 20 very different books by Black women, if not more!! :) 

Books can be read in any order.

Share your books and opinions via social media (w/a photo of the book) using some or all of the following hashtags to connect to others taking part in the challenge. Feel free to create your own rating system and definitely let us know about the books you’ve enjoyed!!

#TFBWL2018 #TFBWLReadingChallenge #FreeBlackWomensLibrary #BlackWomanBibliophile  #BooksbyBlackWomen

Please tag The Free Black Women’s Library in all your posts & stay tuned for more info!!

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!! ——- Away We Go!!

A vintage Black Feminist/Womanist Text (published before 1999)

A contemporary Black Feminist/Womanist text (published between now & 1999)

An LGBTQ book: fiction, poetry or short story collection

An LGBTQ book: non fiction, memoir, autobiography, collection of essays

A book by a revolutionary/freedom fighter/political organizer or abolitionist

A book on self care, lifestyle strategy or personal development

A book on beauty, hair, fashion or style

A romance or erotica novel

A book that centers friendship between women

A YA novel

Any book by Toni Morrison

Any book by Alice Walker

Any book by Zora Neale Hurston

Any book by Octavia Butler

Any  book by a Caribbean author

Any  book by an African author

An Afro-futurist novel (science fiction, speculative, fantasy)

A book on health & healing (mental, emotional, physical)  

A book on spirituality, religion or sacred ideology

A book that takes place in your hometown

A book with a one word title

A book with a name in the title

An book that came out in the past year

A book recommended by someone you love, trust or respect

A book that is or became a play or film

An urban fiction story

A memoir or autobiography

A book where characters speak Patois, Creole, Geechee, Black vernacular/slang, non standard English

A book from your childhood, a classic or award winner 

A banned book

[The Free Black Women's Library]

First Free Black Women’s Library acquisition of the year courtesy of Tracy Chambers Vintage 💕📷
Mfon Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, a stunning collection of photos shot by Black woman photographers from all over the world, brought to us by two of the best @laylahb & @adamadelphine 💕📷🙌🏾
Thank you dear Helen for this awesome donation, it’s deeply appreciated!!

[The Free Black Women's Library]

abc7ny.com

The Free Black Women's Library on ABC's "Here and Now"

[The Free Black Women's Library]

You Were Great - So Positive

Good afternoon,

I just saw your interview with Sandra Bookman. You were great! I didn’t know anything about the library! It’s such a wonderful reality.

Do you have a schedule for NYC? I know you said you are “based in Brooklyn” but where? I also heard you say that you were going to Baltimore and Chicago. I do hope I will see the library before you go. I know there are books I would love to read.

Lastly, I have several books to donate. Is there another way to get them to you besides mailing? Also, Thanks so much for creating a truly positive and exciting resource for all races and genders.

Blessings,

Andrea Anthony

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Thank you so much!! I am working on the schedule for 2018 and plan on bringing the library to different locations in NYC. I started the library in Brooklyn and will open it once a month at a different spot. If you like you can drop off our book donations at the next pop up coming up on December 12th. I will post the information here on the tumblr page shortly. Thanks!!

[The Free Black Women's Library]

books

hi, have many books by black females that I will gratefully give to your library.  will u be in harlem 2017-18.  thank u

Hi, yes I will be in harlem in 2018, I am working on securing locations and dates and will post the information here, once it’s confirmed. Thank you!!

[The Free Black Women's Library]

A few weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by the legendary Sandra Bookman for the lifestyle and culture tv series “Here and Now”
I was so nervous my entire script flew out of my brain as soon as the camera started to roll.
I’m still incredibly grateful for the opportunity. My interview airs today!!

[The Free Black Women's Library]

splinternews.com

The Free Black Women’s Library gives away books and black girl magic

Walking up to the Free Black Women’s Library felt like approaching a stoop sale or block party, but much more artistic: The sidewalk was lined with tables covered in impressive wax print Adinkra cloth atop which sat piles and piles of skillfully arranged books—all the words and stories of black women. I found Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison commingling with Sapphire and Iyanla Vanzant on one table; another, all children’s books. Some people chatted, others read silently, more still perused the tables for books they may have never heard of, but might want to take. Everything about the space was welcoming. More importantly, everything about the space welcomed me.

Emma Bracy

Great article from last year on The Free Black Women’s Library 

[The Free Black Women's Library]

Toni Morrison 💕
Maya Angelou 💕
Zadie Smith 💕
Zora Neale Hurston 💕
Alice Walker 💕
Beautiful assortment of Black iconic writers picked up by the gorgeous @mallit313 last week at The Free Black Women’s Library!! So so good!!! 🙌🏾📚👌🏾☺️