Maya Angelou is a renowned American poet, author, and civil rights activist best known for her seven autobiographies and her countless inspirational poems. She is often referred to as the “mother of the African-American literature” for her remarkable works throughout her lifetime. As a writer, Angelou has written numerous books ranging from poetry collections, autobiographies, essays and children’s books. Here is a look at the types of books that Maya Angelou wrote:
Poetry Collection
Angelou has written several poetry collections which include some of her most iconic works such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, “A Brave and Startling Truth”, “And Still I Rise”, “On the Pulse of Morning”, “Gather Together in My Name” and more. These works have given her several awards such as the “National Book Award” and the “Pulitzer Prize for Poetry”. Her works were included in school curricula and she has been nominated for poet laureate in several states.
Autobiographies
Angelou’s autobiography series which has six books chronicle her life from birth to her career in the civil rights movement. The first book in the series was “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” which was published in 1969 and received instant success. It was hailed as a remarkable autobiography which “accompanied African-American readers to political consciousness.” The other five books from her series also achieved acclaim and have been translated in languages like French and German.
Essays
Apart from her autobiographies, Angelou has written several essays. Her collections of essays include “Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now” and “Even The Stars Look Lonesome”. Her work has inspired the people and her words have provided them with comfort. She claims that her essays have become her “own diary of essays ever since I found out that I was a writer with something to say”.
Children’s books
Angelou has written several children’s books and her best work include “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” and “My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me”. She believed that children were wise, beautiful and pure individuals and she wanted to write books which would give them joy and instill in them moral values. Through her works, she wanted to help the young readers to “understand character and values”.
Cookbooks
Angelou wrote “Hallelujah! The Welcome Table” which is her one and only cookbook. It won the Best Cookbook in the World Award in 2004 at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. She has featured dishes from African and American backgrounds along with her favorite recipes. Maya Angelou is one of the few authors who have written a cookbook and have incredible success.
Screenplays, Plays and Music
As a talented artist, Angelou had written several plays and screenplays. These include “Prepare For A Wake”, “Cabaret for Freedom” and “Look Away.” She has also composed a few songs and featured in a few movies and television shows. Angelou also wrote a screenplay for the movie “Georgia, Georgia” which was the first full-length American feature written by a black woman.
Women’s Rights
Maya Angelou wrote a few works that focuses on females and their survival in this world. She wrote “The Heart of a Woman” which spoke about women’s rights and her love for black women. She also wrote essays for “Sisterhood Is Global”, a book that discussed the empowerment and liberation of women around the world. Her works showed her dedication to feminism and the uplifting of African-American women.
Other Books
Angelou wrote several other books that include “I Shall Not Be Moved”, “I Shall Not Be Moved: Conversations With My People”, “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die”, “A Song Flung Up to Heaven”, “Gather Together in My Name” and “The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou”. She has also written books that have lessons and insights into life such as “Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well”, “Even The Stars Look Lonesome”, “Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now” and more.
Religious Works
Apart from works on women and social issues, Angelou has written several religious books. These include “The Heart of a Woman”, “God’s Grateful Dead”, “A Brave and Startling Truth”, “Our Grandmothers”, “The Book of My Life” and “Sudan: An African Odyssey”. These works of religion and love touch on universal truths about God and life. Angelou’s books on religion were received by avid readers who appreciated her poetry and her way of speaking about God and life.
Story Books
Maya Angelou wrote several story books which include “Kofi and His Magic”, “Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children”, “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”, “Labrador: A Dane and a Bot”, and “My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me”. These books help young readers to explore the emotions and different life experiences that Angelou shares with them through her writing. These stories, as told by Angelou, provide the readers with a different perspective on life and the beauty of it.
