Inspiring reads for BHM and beyond

By Yolanda T. Marshall

This Black History Month, deepen your understanding of Black life, resilience, and brilliance through stories that go beyond headlines and delve into personal experiences. From the hidden stories of hockey pioneers in Black Aces to thoughtful reflections on love, loss, and nature in The Snag, these books let readers see history through compelling personal stories. In Black Public Joy, explore how celebration, community, and resistance influence our daily spaces. Collectively, these works honour Black legacy, creativity, and joy, making them inspiring and meaningful reads for this month and beyond.

                                            Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey’s Black Trailblazers

Written by Julian McKenzie

“The game of hockey has long been considered a predominantly white sport in nearly every facet of its being. But if you look through the annals of the game, you will find Black players who have created longstanding hockey moments. We know, or think we know, these people as hockey players. But do we know how they got here as people? And what about the multitude of factors that have helped shape who they are? Black Aces tells these stories, going deeper than traditional media has covered. The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie talks to Hall of Famers, Olympic Gold medalists, World Champions, Stanley Cup playoff heroes, and auteurs of hockey history. Completing this modern portrait are the voices of up-and-coming players who look toward the future and the defining moments of their own.” – Triumph Books, Feb. 2026.

The Snag: A Mother, A Forest, and Wild Grief

Written by Tessa McWatt

“Every day, we hear about and experience griefs, large and small, in our families, friendships, communities, and worldwide. The grief of a loved one passing. The grief of a way of life ceasing to exist. The grief of the global pandemic, war, and climate collapse. As her mother’s dementia advances and she can no longer live independently, Tessa McWatt confronts personal and political losses and finds herself wandering in a forest asking, ” How do we grieve? And what can we learn from nature and those whose communities are rooted in nature about not only how to grieve but also how to live? From the newest seedling to the oldest snag in the forest, there is meaning to be found in every stage of a tree’s life, all of which contribute to a thriving forest community. In this forest thinking, Tessa begins to find answers to her questions about how to live (for each other), how to grieve (radically), and how to die (with love and connection). The Snag is an essential book about living and dancing and singing and praying, even in the face of unimaginable sadness, and in this way, growing together and supporting one another, like the trees in the forest.” – Random House Canada, May 2026.

                                                      Black Public Joy: No Permit or Permission Required

Written by Jay Pitter

“How much safety, belonging and delight do you feel when you walk through a park? Hang out in a coffee shop? Ride the subway to work? Explore a new neighbourhood? Now, how much do you know about how history, urban planning, culture and even your personal upbringing impact those feelings, and overall access to public joy? For well over a decade, Jay Pitter has been thinking about public space and how it can be designed not only to contribute to social equity but also to inspire joy for everyone. Her award-winning work helping cities navigate complex issues such as reimagining Confederate monument sites, creating cultural districts, and adopting gender-responsive street design compels her to ask: “How can I ignite public joy?” hiking, dining, cycling, and frolicking punctuated by hashtags such as #BlackJoy and #BlackOutdoors. Pitter draws on her practice expertise and research to situate these moments and online conversations within the phenomenon of Black public joy. Pitter acknowledges the egregious place-based violations her community has faced—historical and contemporary, while unapologetically bending the book’s narrative arc toward public joy. Declaring that Black public joy is so powerful that even the auction block could not extinguish it, Pitter guides readers through an underexplored placemaking journey. In addition to uncovering historical rituals, the book builds on the current groundswell of Black-led initiatives, highlighting hiking, dining, cycling, and frolicking, punctuated by hashtags such as #BlackJoy and #BlackOutdoors. Pitter draws upon her practice expertise and research, delving more deeply to situate these moments and online conversations within the phenomenon that is Black public joy.” –  McClelland & Stewart, January 2026.

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