Curated by Librarian Allyson Mower

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Librarian Allyson Mower has put together a selection of books that highlight the values of justice, equality, and peace that Dr. King worked for. These powerful reads dive into the ongoing fight for civil rights, the importance of community, and the lasting impact of his legacy. Whether you’re looking to learn more or simply reflect on this historical day, these books are a great way to celebrate MLK Day.

The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
By Anna M. Tubbs

A compelling history that brings much needed attention to not only the role of mothers in society, but also the impact of Black women on American life.

My Soul Looks Back
By James Cone

Influenced by Dr. King as a young boy, James Cone seeks to answer the question of the origin, value structures, and crucial role of the Black church within the dehumanizing system of white supremacy.

Living the Dream : The Contested History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Daniel T. Fleming

An excellent study from an Australian historian on how Dr. King and MLK Day have come to be memorialized by Americans.

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
By Tricia Hersey

Highly recommend this book by theologian, minister, and chaplain Tricia Hersey. Hersey incorporates Dr. King’s philosophy of dignity and justice into her positioning about grind culture. You might best know Tricia Hersey from her work The Nap Ministry on Instagram.

The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
By Henry Louis Gates

Both a wonderful book and a documentary, Dr. Gates’s work shows the role of the Black church in a world of white injustice and brutality and it’s instrumentality in establishing a place of liberation and hope.