Lantern would like to believe that our books are of interest to anyone—no matter their color, creed, or sexual orientation. However, Black History Month is a good heuristic to draw attention to titles by African-American authors.

Unlike those in so many anthologies, Sistah Vegan's two dozen voices are not only very diverse in terms of the educational, social, and economic backgrounds, but they have markedly different—and sometimes completely antithetical—perspectives. In other words, the book is like a large and rambunctious conversation between friends who have no trouble calling each other out, but remain respectful and supporting.

Another book that I relished is Sister Vegetarian's 31 Days of Drama-Free Living by Donna Beaudoin who for a full month provides personal stories, practical tips, mouthwatering recipes, and empowering thoughts that will help you avoid the drama and negativity of family members, coworkers, and your own doubts as you set about supercharging your day by eating healthily, exercising with energy and joy, and becoming aware of your own strength.

By turns exuberant, mordant, self-aware and sharply observed, Joseph Holland's From Harlem with Love is part memoir of thirty years of activism on behalf of the dispossessed, part history of a storied neighborhood, and part celebration of the culture that emerged in the early parts of the twentieth century from this part of Manhattan: a culture that would reshape America.

All told, these books offer a compelling vision of a diverse and vital community engaged in finding a better way forward for themselves and other Americans.