Bookmarked by Shay is a literary corner for readers who love thoughtful stories, rich history, and books that linger long after the final page. Curated by writer and educator Shay Miranda, the blog centers on book reviews, themed reading lists, and recommendations—with a particular love for historical fiction, diverse voices, and culturally grounded narratives. It’s a space for intentional reading and discovering books that don’t just entertain, but deepen how we understand the world and ourselves.
The Black Historical Fiction Decades Reading Challenge
On a summer day in 2022, I finished reading Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, and it changed the way I approached reading forever. Suddenly I knew if I wanted an accurate account of Black history, I had to look to historical fiction written by Black authors. With this, I created the Black Historical Fiction Decades Reading Challenge.
This challenge consists of ten books, with each book set in a different decade of the twentieth century. From Gilded Age New York and the first Black millionaires to the Rodney King protests and police brutality, this challenge covers the most eventful century of Black American history, full of great achievements despite systemic barriers.
Over last year, I posted my recommendations for each decade, but feel free to choose any that speak to you. Click the button below to read more posts regarding this challenge.