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Welcome to 28 days of celebrating Black History and Library Lover's Month. Middlesex County has been home to some incredible history makers, such as author Ann Petry, civil rights leader Constance Baker Motley, and Venture Smith, who started life as a slave and became a great entrepreneur.

Join CFMC in celebrating Black History Month and the impact of Black/African American achievements, culture, and heritage, especially right in our own backyard.

Middlesex County has seen remarkable individuals accomplish great things over the years. One way we're celebrating this month is by reading and being inspired by powerful role models. There are so many books that showcase the accomplishments and contributions of Black/African American people throughout United States history, as well as reflect upon injustices, and help us to understand how we can all more forward for a better today and brighter tomorrow for all.

Did you know?

Ann Petry's 1946 debut novel The Street became the first novel by an African-American woman to sell more than a million copies.



In fact, Ann Petry was an Old Saybrook resident. Her daughter, Liz Petry, an author in her own right, resides in Middletown today. Two incredible individuals and talented authors that remind us of all the talent among our neighbors to be shared.

What better way to meet new authors, explore Black History Month, and celebrate our local libraries than to take a trip to your local library to find your next great read.

The books featured below are all by local authors here in Connecticut!

Scroll down to get recommendations on your next book, whether it be for this month or any month!

The Street

by Ann Petry

At Home Inside: A Daughter's Tribute to Ann Petry

by Elisabeth Petry

Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters

by Elisabeth Petry

The Other Black Girl

by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Blackout: How Black America Can Make its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation

by Candace Owens 

Goliath

by Tochi Onyebuchi

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

by Janae Marks



The sequel, On Air with Zoe Washington, releases on February 14, 2023!

Soul Food Sunday

by Winsome Bingham

Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963

by Sharon Robinson

If you're interested in more book recommendations, please visit your local library.

Did you know?

In 1995, the General Assembly established the Connecticut Freedom Trail as a way to recognize and mark sites in Connecticut commemorating the abolition of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the history and movement of African-American residents toward freedom.

Here are Freedom Trail sites in Middlesex County:

• Benjamin Douglas House, Middletown
• Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church, Middletown
• James Pharmacy, Old Saybrook
• Leverette Beman Historic District, Middletown
• Lyamn Homestead, Middlefield
• West Burying Ground (Washington Street Cemetery), Middletown
• William Winters Neighborhood, Deep River