I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

A book so good it was banned at West Point! While books banned by the Trump government deserve to be read for that reason in general this autobiography of Maya Angelou's childhood and youth especially deserves it. You get an insightful and very thorough look into life in the rural South, the pervasive racism, the importance of church life and how people use it in their own ways and an adventure story of running away. I feel like every American should read/listen to it but it's also very impressive for everyone else. If you like audiobooks try to get this one which is read by Maya Angelou herself which adds another layer to the story being told.

autobiography of her childhood growing up poor in America in the 1930s and 40s.

Audiobook (read by her!) added to the experience (its on libby, maybe free via your LPL).

Not an easy read at times - traumatic experiences - but, wow, what a story shared by a master storyteller.

Maya Angelou is an incredibly talented writer with a gut wrenching story that provides invaluable insight into modern American history. By far the best book I read this year.