With that goal in mind, and because I am obsessed with classic literature and want to encourage everyone to read as many classics as possible, I come to you today with a list of ten amazing classics by ten incredibly talented Black authors from America and the UK.  The genres range from memoirs to novels and even a play, and I have organized them by publication year, from the 18th century to the 20th.  I hope you will take some time throughout 2021 to check some of these out and perhaps use them as a starting place for exploring the history of Black literature in the West.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano

First published in 1789, this autobiography was the first African slave narrative to gain a big readership.  Olaudah Equiano was kidnapped as a child from his African village and taken as a slave to the Americas, until he managed to purchase his freedom as a young man.  He then lived as a freedman in London, England, where he supported the abolitionist movement and wrote his memoirs to expose the harsh reality of life as a slave.  Equiano’s writing style can seem dry by today’s standards, but in terms of Black history in the West, it is a must-read.

Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup

You have probably heard of the movie, but did you know it was based on a book?  First published in 1853, this is the autobiography of Solomon Northup, who was born free in New York state but was kidnapped into slavery for twelve years.  Like Equiano before him, but intended specifically for an American audience, Northup used his memoir to chronicle and raise awareness of the horrors of slavery, which was still legal at the time of its publication.

Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands, by Mary Seacole

Moving now into the 19th century, this is the autobiography of Mary Seacole, a mixed-race freewoman from Jamaica who worked as a nurse/doctress for the British during the Crimean War.  Like all the great Victorian writers, Seacole’s prose is witty and engaging, and her story will leave you wondering why Florence Nightingale gets all the attention when Seacole predated her as a nurse practitioner.  First published in 1857.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs

First published in 1861, this slave narrative offers the perspective of female slaves, not only Harriet Jacobs herself but also the experiences of other slave women whose voices were not otherwise being heard.  Jacobs escaped the sexual harassment of her master, but she wanted to ensure that white women knew of the sexual abuse and cruelly truncated motherhood that female slaves so often had to endure.  This autobiography was published at the start of the U.S. Civil War, and it helped to fuel the abolitionist cause.

Passing, by Nella Larsen

Published in 1929, this is the story of two childhood friends, Irene and Clare, who are both mixed-race and light-skinned.  However, while Irene marries a Black man and lives as a Black woman in 1920s Harlem, Clare marries a white man and “passes” as white.  This is a thoroughly engaging exploration of race, class, and gender in 20th century America.

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston

First published in 1937, this novel is presented as the oral account of middle-aged Janie Crawford’s eventful, turbulent, and often scandalous love life.  Because it is written in African-American dialect that can be difficult to read for those unfamiliar with it, I highly recommend listening to this one on audiobook to get the full effect of Janie’s spicy storytelling.

Native Son, by Richard Wright

Arguably the Crime and Punishment of 1930s Chicago, this best-selling novel from 1940 tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man who accidentally kills a white woman.  The book shows how inescapable the effects of racism are and explores the moral degeneration of a human being whom society has cornered like a rat.

Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison

First published in 1952, this groundbreaking and highly influential novel is not to be confused with the science fiction novel of a similar name.  The narrator of this book is not invisible in the literal sense but in the figurative sense of not being seen as who he truly is, since everyone who looks at him sees only the colour of his skin and makes their assumptions from there.  We follow the narrator on a mind-bending journey that includes everything from a “battle royal” of young Black men to shock treatments in a hospital to a secret society of Black nationalists.  It’s a wild ride and a true literary masterpiece.

Go Tell It on the Mountain, by James Baldwin

This semi-autobiographical novel, first published in 1953, takes place over a 24-hour period in the life of a teenaged boy who is struggling with his relationship with his father, the Christian church, and his own sexuality.  Baldwin was told that the exploration of homosexuality in his works would alienate much of his Black audience, but many of his books, especially this one, have long been considered American classics.

A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry

This play is the story of the Younger family, who are trying to decide what to do with a large life insurance payout, and who find that their white neighbours don’t appreciate their achievement of the American dream.  The play opened on Broadway in 1959 and broke new ground as the first true-to-life theatrical depiction of the African-American experience.  Not only that, but it is considered one of the best plays ever written.

Now here are seven classics not originally written in English.  I am a firm believer in reading classic literature from every part of the world and getting to know other cultures through what they read, but it can be difficult to know where to start.  Everyone knows that Russian classics such as War and Peace and French classics such as Les Miserables are long and dense, and you are not alone if they have intimidated you into avoiding Russian and French literature altogether.  (They are utterly amazing, though, and I promise that reading them isn’t as unattainable as you may think!) However, the books I have chosen for this list are shorter, relatively easy to read, and downright fun.

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux

I know what you’re thinking.  “Isn’t that a musical?” Yes, it’s a fantastic musical.  But the book the musical is based on is just as fantastic and has the added bonuses of extra characters (The Persian being cut out of the story in the musical is a travesty), higher stakes (Raoul isn’t told to “hold up your hand to the level of your eyes” for nothing), and the conviction that the entire thing actually happened (Leroux swears in the Prologue that he did his research and it’s a true story, and he makes you believe it).  I’m a huge fan of French literature, so huge that it’s my minor here at Athabasca, and I always recommend The Phantom of the Opera to anyone who wants to read French literature but doesn’t know where to start.

Synopsis: Christine Daae is just a background dancer at a French opera house, until a mysterious voice begins giving her singing lessons and arranging events at the opera house, often quite violently, to raise her status to diva.  Is this disembodied voice really the Angel of Music that her late father promised to send her from Heaven when he died?  Or is it a Phantom that haunts the opera house?  Originally published in French in 1909; translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos.

The Plague, by Albert Camus

It may seem a little bit on-the-nose to recommend a book about a plague during a pandemic, but I would have recommended this book whether we could all relate to it on that level or not.  It is one of the most gripping and beautifully written books I have ever read; in a review I wrote for this book shortly after reading it, I described it as “agonizingly beautiful.” I read it quite a few years ago, but those who have read it in the time of COVID-19 have marvelled at Camus’ insight into the way human beings behave during a lengthy quarantine.  However, it is chiefly a story about the resilience of the human spirit.

Synopsis: An outbreak of the bubonic plague in a North African town brings out the best and the worst in the town’s inhabitants.  Originally published in French in 1949; translated by Stuart Gilbert.

The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank

It may seem strange to include a nonfiction title in this list, and one written by a child at that, but this is a life-changing, must-read book.  I’m sure you know the story of Anne Frank, but have you read it in her own words?  She was an eloquent young lady who deserved to have a voice in this world and to be remembered for generations.  With all the current political unrest and most of us having experienced lockdown (to a less drastic degree), this book may move you now in ways it couldn’t have done just months ago.

Synopsis: While hidden away with her family in a secret annex during the Nazi occupation of Holland, a young Jewish girl with big dreams of being a writer keeps a diary of her hopes and fears, her experiences and perceptions, her joys and sorrows.  Originally published in German in 1947; translated by B.M.  Mooyaart-Doubleday.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

I don’t usually consider books less than fifty years old to be classics, but for The Alchemist I will make an exception.  This book was destined to be a classic from the moment it was published.  It is disappointingly short, but packed full of philosophical and spiritual insights and wisdom that will blow your mind with their effortless simplicity.  However, if you read it as a novel, you will probably wonder what all the fuss is about.  The story is an allegory, almost a fairy tale, and should be read with that in mind.

Synopsis: Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, sets off on a quest for treasure and meets many interesting characters along the way who guide him on his path to his true destiny and the fulfillment of his dream.  Originally published in Portuguese in 1988; translated by Alan R.  Clarke.

One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez

This book was my introduction to magical realism (a fiction genre in which strange, supernatural elements are added to otherwise realistic settings), and I’m here to say that it should be yours, too.  Don’t be fooled by the title; the “solitude” here is mostly geographical (a town cut off from the cultural progress of the rest of the world) and perhaps metaphorical.  This novel is full of colourful characters and entertaining storylines, and, while at times the similar names of some of the characters can be a bit confusing, it is well worth the effort.  This book is considered one of the greatest literary masterpieces of the world for a reason.

Synopsis: Macondo is a utopian city almost frozen in time by its isolation from the rest of the world, until the day that the railroad arrives.  The story follows one family through multiple cyclical generations as the world begins to intrude on Macondo.  Originally published in Spanish in 1967; translated by Gregory Rabassa.

Dead Souls, by Nikolai Gogol

This is another book in the category of “don’t judge a book by its title.” Believe it or not, Dead Souls is a comedy! It comments on and satirizes the Russian practice of landowners buying and selling the “souls” of serfs who farmed their land, and it does so with more wit and humour than one typically expects from a Russian classic.  Unfortunately, the second part of this novel was never completed, but that shouldn’t deter you from reading and enjoying the first part.  This book is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of Russian literature.

Synopsis: A mysterious man named Chichikov arrives in a small town and attempts to buy the names of dead serfs, “dead souls,” from landowners who are tired of paying taxes on serfs who have not yet officially been declared dead by the census takers.  But what use could they possibly be to him?  Originally published in Russian in 1842; translated by Robert A.  Maguire.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

If you feel you’re ready to dip your toes into the deeper, darker side of Russian literature, this would be a good place to start.  It’s short, which is rare for Russian classics, but packs a powerful punch.  Solzhenitsyn wrote this book shortly after being released from a Russian gulag, or forced-labour prison camp, and his vivid and engaging writing brought awareness, criticism, and ultimately the end of the gulag system.

Synopsis: An in-depth account of 24 hours in the life of an inmate of one of Stalin’s forced-labour camps.  Originally published in Russian in 1962; translated by H.T.  Willetts.

This question used to leave me flummoxed, because there are hundreds of amazing classics out there, and who am I to decide which ones should get bumped to the front of the line?  However, after years of encountering this question everywhere I go and studying the reactions of people I have guided on their classics quest, I have settled on a pretty solid set of recommendations.  With apologies to everywhere else in the world, my recommendations usually begin with British literature, since those are generally the most well-known and easily read, yet still somewhat challenging classics for beginners.  So, without further ado, I present to you the seven classics every classic-lit newbie should read.

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

You might think it’s strange that I begin this list with a children’s classic, but if you haven’t read The Secret Garden as an adult, you haven’t really read it.  There is so much in this book for a discerning adult mind, and I will forever stand by the opinion that it is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books ever written.  I also believe that it is the perfect way to prepare your brain for the marvellously rich writing of the nineteenth and early twentieth century classics.

Synopsis: Mary Lennox, an English girl born and raised in India, finds herself transformed overnight from a spoiled little rich girl to a somewhat neglected orphan on a boat back to England.  She is taken to live with her elusive uncle, Archibald Craven, in his creepy manor on the Yorkshire moors, where she becomes intrigued by the mystery of a secret, walled-in garden.  Originally published in 1910.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

I debated for years which of Dickens’ works should be read first, but then I realized how few people have actually read A Christmas Carol.  This is hands-down the best place to start if you have never read Dickens before (or if you were forced to read one of his longer novels in high school and hated it).  It’s a novella that was designed to be read aloud in one evening, so it won’t take up much of your time, but it is also hugely entertaining and moving and wonderful, so you might find that it leaves you wanting more.  The story is exactly what you think it is, since most Scrooge adaptations stick fairly close to the source material, but it will give you a sense of Dickens’ writing style and show you that he is not to be feared but to be enjoyed.

Synopsis: Much-loathed miser Ebenezer Scrooge spends one memorable Christmas being visited by several spirits who teach him that there is more to life than money and meanness.  Originally published in 1843.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

If you have never read Pride and Prejudice, approximately half of the pop culture references you have ever heard have gone over your head.  Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration (is it, though?). However, this is undeniably one of the most popular, beloved, referenced, and retold classics in existence, and for good reason.  Its wit and satire have inspired countless authors in the 200+ years since its publication, and the entire romantic-comedy genre owes many of its tried-and-true tropes to this novel.  The prose is also very approachable for a beginner.  It’s a must-read for anyone who is interested in the classics.

Synopsis: Elizabeth Bennet is the eldest of five sisters, all of whom are under significant pressure, especially from their mother, to marry well.  When a rich bachelor moves into the neighbourhood, he and his friend, a certain Mr. Darcy, cause a bit of a stir among the local unmarried ladies, but Elizabeth is having none of it.  Or is she?  Originally published in 1813.

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

I love Jane Eyre.  I really, really love Jane Eyre.  I have read it many times, and I will read it many times more.  It was one of the first “adult” classics I ever read, and I largely credit it (along with Charles Dickens) for my love of Victorian literature.  I think it has one of the most gripping plots ever written, and some of the best characters ever created.  However, there are parts of this book that seem to be unimportant and drag on forever.  Please stay with it!  I promise, those parts are not unimportant, they do come to an end, and the book as a whole is wonderful and very much worth the effort.  I firmly believe that this should not be the first classic that anyone tries to read (I struggled with it myself the first time around, but it was smooth sailing when I went back to it a couple years later), but if you have read my first few recommendations and feel you’re ready for a meatier literary diet, this is a must-read introduction to intermediate-level classics.

Synopsis: Jane Eyre has a rough childhood between an abusive aunt and a neglectful school, so when she becomes a woman, she is determined to be independent and content with whatever comes her way.  But what comes her way is a position as governess at the mysterious Thornfield Hall and an ill-advised attraction to its brooding master named Edward Rochester.  Originally published in 1847.

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

This one can be a bit controversial, but I personally love Dracula.  It’s quintessential Victorian gothic horror, which is enough of a draw right there, but it’s the focus on the teamwork between the main characters that makes this book the standout classic that it is.  Forget everything you know of Dracula from the movies and TV adaptations, and definitely forget everything you know about modern vampire stories.  This is a story of Good vs Evil, of friends becoming family, and of Abraham Van Helsing being the coolest nerd in history.  The story plays out through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, so you as the reader are able to piece together what is happening long before the characters do, which adds an extra level of tension to an already creepy tale.

Synopsis: Jonathan Harker unwittingly aids the mysterious Count Dracula in leaving Transylvania, the country he has terrorized for centuries, and finding his way to England, where the Count begins to prey on Harker’s fiancée, Mina, and her best friend, Lucy.  It will take the courage and moral fortitude of a motley crew to take Dracula down.  Originally published in 1897.

Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier

This is another gothic novel, but it was written a few decades after the Victorian era.  The most fascinating and genius thing about this book is that the title character is technically not even in it, yet she is present on every single page.  Are you intrigued?  You should be!  I have no hesitation in saying this is one of the best books ever written, and every book lover should read it.  It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve put it down, and you will always wish you could read it again for the first time.

Synopsis: A young woman known to us as simply Mrs. de Winter tells us the story of her days at Manderley, her husband’s country estate.  She is newly married and doesn’t know much about her husband’s past, but she soon comes to realize that his late first wife hasn’t lost her hold on her husband or his household quite yet.  Originally published in 1938.

Far from the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy

If you’ve made it this far down the list and feel in need of a bigger challenge than I have yet presented, you might be ready for some Thomas Hardy.  Hardy is one of the greatest British writers of all time, many of his books are in the classics “canon,” and few male writers of the period gave such an empathic insight into the plight of women, but I feel I should warn you that he has a tendency to rip a reader’s heart out, stomp on it for a while, and just when you think he is picking it up to mend it and apologize for being so cruel, he feeds it to you.  And it’s delicious.  And you can’t wait for him to do it again.  That said, Far from the Madding Crowd is one of his best but also one of his least heart-ripping novels, so it’s a fairly gentle place to start with this sadistically wonderful writer.

Synopsis: Bathsheba Everdene is a headstrong, independent woman to whom men would rather propose than have as a boss when she inherits her uncle’s farm.  Gabriel Oak is a shepherd who has vowed never to propose to her again after being turned down the first time.  Naturally, their paths keep intersecting while she experiences one disastrous relationship after another.  Originally published in 1874.

Until it rains.  Or until the mosquitoes start eating you alive.  Or until your sunburn gets so painful you can’t move.  Let’s face it, sometimes the outdoors is not so great.

And that’s when it hits you—your Netflix queue has been sitting there all through your long weeks of studying, growing longer and longer each time you hear about a trendy new show.  How will you ever make a dent in this thing?  Where should you even start?  What’s the point of trying if it takes you a full hour just to find something fun?

I’ve been in your shoes, my friends.  I’m here to make your search a little easier.

I won’t bother singing the praises of Netflix mega-hits like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and The Crown.  If you haven’t watched those yet, I’m assuming you have a darn good reason.  No, this is a list of the shows you may have overlooked, and, if so, you should move them to the top of your list.  They’ll all make for a perfect summer binge.

Alias Grace

Maybe you watched this limited series when it aired on CBC in 2017, but if you missed it then, you can watch it now on Netflix.  It’s based on the Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, which was based on the true story of a young woman named Grace Marks who was convicted of the murders of her employer and his housekeeper in the 1800s.  Did she really kill them?  If she did, how and why?  Watch her tell her compelling story and decide for yourself.  As a bonus, you’ll learn some Canadian history along the way.

Big Dreams, Small Spaces

If you have a green thumb, or if you wish you did, this is the show for you.  In each episode, British gardener extraordinaire Monty Don visits two separate families who each have small properties but, well, “big dreams,” and he guides them through the process of DIYing their unique but perfect dream gardens.  From gigantic mud heads to sensory gardens for special needs children, this show makes you feel like you can do anything with just a little patch of earth, a little bit of money, and a lot of imagination.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

If you love excellent comedy, but you haven’t yet entered the hilarious world of the 99^th Precinct, you have the most epic summer binge of all time coming your way.  Boasting one of the most diverse casts on television and some of the funniest lines ever written, this show is a must-watch.  Be warned: it is extremely quotable.  Watch with friends, or nobody will understand you ever again.  Nine-Nine!

The Good Place

If you haven’t been watching The Good Place, well, you’re probably going to The Bad Place.  This is the most unique show you’ll ever watch.  Is it a sitcom set in the afterlife?  Is it a serial dramedy?  Is that even a thing?  And how does it manage to talk about ethics and philosophy in every episode without being boring?  Watch it and find out.  If nothing else hooks you, the incredible performances from Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, and the talented newcomer supporting cast will.

The Haunting of Hill House

If having the crap scared out of you is your idea of fun, this is the show for you.  If complex and relatable relationships between family members are your thing, this is the show for you.  If fantastic writing and acting and directing are what you want in a show, this is the show for you.  It’s fantastic.  Watch it.  (But seriously, it’s terrifying, so viewer discretion advised.)

Lost in Space

If you enjoy watching TV with your kids, or if you want to keep them occupied while you do your summer coursework, this show will be your new best friend.  It’s based on the 1960s show of the same name, in which a family named Robinson becomes stranded in space with only a pilot, a bumbling villain, and a robot for company.  While there are plenty of throwbacks to the original show, this series is modern and brilliantly made.  And the Robinson family aren’t so alone in space this time—the new series boasts a diverse cast of supporting characters that reflects today’s multicultural world.  It’s good family fun in space and perfect for a summer binge.  (Also, the new robot is kind of hot.)

New Blood

Part buddy comedy, part murder mystery, this one-season BBC wonder is a must-watch for any crime drama fan, as well as for any millennial and/or first-generation citizen struggling to make ends meet.  The series revolves around Arrash and Stefan, young misfits in their respective workplaces who reluctantly team up to solve a murder.  They soon find they understand each other more than anyone else ever can, even though one is of Iranian descent and the other Polish.  The banter between the characters and the hilarious scrapes they get into make this one of the most charming crime dramas of recent years.

X Company

This is one of the greatest Canadian series ever made, but it seems to have been overlooked by many Canadians.  Set during WWII, it follows a team of Canadian/American/British spies from Camp X, a real spy-training school near Whitby, Ontario.  With its gorgeous cinematography and brilliant acting, it’s not just a show for history buffs or period drama fans.  The bond between the characters will draw you in, and their spy adventures will keep you on the edge of your seat through all three seasons.