Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Books to Inspire and Educate
- Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day by deepening your understanding of the Civil Rights Movement through reading.
- Explore newly added books including "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr." and Coretta Scott King's memoir, "My Life, My Love, My Legacy."
- Discover a curated list of biographies, histories and personal accounts that provide context to the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
- Connect with the principles of justice and equality through the powerful stories of the leaders who shaped American history.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day invites reflection, service and learning. Beyond remembrance, the day asks us to deepen our understanding of the work Dr. King led and the unfinished work he named.
At Road Scholar, learning sits at the center of everything we do. Reading offers one direct way to engage with the ideas, histories and voices that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and continue to shape conversations around justice and equality today.
We’ve refreshed our Black History book list with titles that explore Dr. King’s life, his evolving vision and the broader movement around him. The selections span memoir, biography and historical analysis, offering multiple entry points into this history.
Selected Reading for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Here are a few of the new additions we’re excited to share:
- “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Martin Luther King Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson). This is an essential read that provides a comprehensive look at Dr. King's life and philosophy in his own words. Assembled from his autobiographical writings, this book offers a singular opportunity to understand the man behind the movement.
- “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” by Martin Luther King Jr. In his final book, Dr. King assesses the state of the Civil Rights Movement and lays out his vision for the future. It is a powerful and prophetic work.
- “The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.” by Peniel E. Joseph. This dual biography explores the lives of two of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting their converging and diverging paths. It is a nuanced and insightful look at their complex relationship and their shared goal of Black liberation.
- “My Life, My Love, My Legacy” by Coretta Scott King. This is a personal and intimate look at the life of Coretta Scott King and her partnership with Dr. King. It is a moving and inspiring account of her own activism and her unwavering commitment to her husband's dream.
Continue Your Journey
We invite you to spend time with these works on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and beyond. Reading remains one meaningful way to engage with Dr. King’s ideas and the movement he helped lead.
Explore the full updated list on our Bookshop.org page, then join our Facebook Social Justice group to share what you’re reading and hear from others in the community.