3 Indie Books I’m Reading Right Now

This post includes affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.

Erica Ezeifedi, an Associate Editor originally from Nashville, TN, has made a home in the North East. Apart from her writing, she has experience as a victim advocate and in public libraries, focusing on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and offering free test prep instruction to students. In her spare time, she enjoys searching for her next favorite book and planning her next snack. You can find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.

Haymarket recently held a sale on poetry books to mark National Poetry Month, along with discounts on some of their other titles. Book sales always grab my attention, so I purchased a book that has been on my wishlist for ages, a collection by an author I’ve been wanting to read, and a completely new collection by a new poet.

Before delving into the books, let me give you a quick overview of Haymarket. It is a Chicago-based “radical, independent, nonprofit book publisher” that aims to support the fight for social and economic justice through their publications.

If you’re interested in some of their offerings, read on for a book about a groundbreaking Black feminist group from the ’70s, a poetic examination of the 1919 Chicago Race Riot, and verses from a Palestinian American poet exploring layered identities.

Book that has been on my wishlist for ages:

“How We Get Free” by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
This Lambda Award-winning book from 2018 delves into the legacy and impact of the founding members of the Combahee River Collective, a pioneering group of radical Black feminists active during the revolutionary ’70s. The book features interviews and essays by the group’s founding members reflecting on Black feminism.

A collection by an author I’ve been wanting to read:

“1919” by Eve L. Ewing
Through poetry and afrofuturist perspectives, Ewing explores the lesser-known Chicago Race Riot of 1919, also referred to as the Red Summer, which resulted in 38 fatalities, 500 injuries, and lasted eight days.

A new collection and poet for me:

“DEAR GOD. DEAR BONES. DEAR YELLOW.” by Noor Hindi
Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi delves into the different facets of her identity, examining and dissecting them while exploring how colonialism, patriarchy, religion, and other societal elements intersect with her identity.

**All-Access subscribers can discover 11 BIPOC books released this week below**

The comments section is moderated in line with our community guidelines to ensure a safe and supportive environment for readers.