In November of 2008, Penguin Books released the beautiful and collectible clothbound editions of classic literature with cover art designed by the talented Coralie Bickford-Smith. As an avid reader and book collector, I love seeing the way these editions look on my shelf, and plan to one day collect them all for my personal library.  But I can't help feeling incomplete knowing that there is not one single title by an African-American author included in the lineup of more than 60 titles.

I would love to see a selection of my favorite authors included in this space. It's so hard to find pretty hardcover books of classic African-American literature! So, perhaps adding Zora Neale Hurston or James Baldwin would be a good start?

Penguin Classics, I love what you're doing for the book lovers out there and would just love to see more of a variety for the hardcover selections.

And if you would like to see African-American authors and more authors of color included in the Penguin Classics Clothbound series, please sign this petition and spread the word! Every signature helps.

-Patience Randle of @InkandFable