The theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Week at the University of Utah is “Becoming the Beloved Community.” There are several events planned, so be sure to check those out. In the meantime, here are some recommends from librarian Allyson Mower to checkout to celebrate.

Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna 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.

The Cooking Gene by Michael Twitty

I highly recommend this book! It explores food history and the deep, significant, and sustaining impact west African foodways have had on American food, but it also brings in family history, personal history, and the type of complex reckoning that comes when conducting African American genealogy.

Feed My Sheep
The Life of Alberta Henry By Colleen Whitley

Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts

Beautiful poetry from a compelling perspective—and I like the use of blackout text.