I miss going to the local public library. (Home-bound for personal reasons.) Do you know the best thing about public libraries? They throw away old books. I mean … literally throw them out like trash. A bunch of books were sitting in a box, and the librarian told me I could take whatever I wanted. They were free because they were trash! Isn't that insane? “One man's junk is another man's treasure.” Getting old books that had been thrown out for free was like being given a gold mine! (Sigh.) Those were the good old days.
OK! Took a short trip down memory lane. Now let's get to the post. For your reading list, book club, whatever ... I'd like to suggest “The Black Girl in Search of God and SomeLesser Tales” by George Bernard Shaw.
📚 This book was published in 1946.
Why should you read it in 2026?
5 Reasons Why.
The title story is basically a philosophical journey about religion, belief, and truth. Those questions—Does God exist? Which beliefs make sense?—haven’t gone away. If anything, they’ve become more complex in a modern, globalized world.
2. It’s a
window into historical thinking
Shaw
wrote this in the early 20th century, reflecting debates around
Christianity, colonialism, and Western philosophy. Reading it now
helps you see how people argued about these issues back then—and
how much (or how little) has changed.
3. It’s
provocative (sometimes uncomfortably so)
Shaw
intentionally challenges religious institutions and cultural
assumptions. Some parts can feel dated or even offensive today,
especially in how race and empire are portrayed. But that discomfort
can be useful—it sparks critical thinking rather than passive
reading.
4. It’s
short but dense with ideas
Unlike
huge philosophical texts, this is relatively concise. You get satire,
storytelling, and argument all mixed together, making it more
approachable than, say, pure theology or philosophy.
5. It’s
still discussed in literature and philosophy circles
Shaw
was a major intellectual figure (Nobel Prize winner), and this work
is part of broader conversations about satire, religion, and colonial
critique. If you’re interested in those areas, it still comes up.
Bottom
line:
You’d
read it in 2026, not because it’s “current,” but because it
helps you THINK about belief, history, and how ideas evolve.
About the Author:
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, and political thinker, widely regarded as one of the most important dramatists in the English language. Largely self-educated, Shaw developed strong opinions on politics, society, religion, and art.
A committed socialist and a prominent member of the Fabian Society.
Advocated for social reform, women’s rights, and income equality.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his work.
Believe it or not! G. B. Shaw is considered one of the greatest playwrights after William Shakespeare.
Check out my other book suggestions on BlueSky.
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