80+ Must-Have Books by Black Authors
Take a long, hard look at your bookshelves. Does your collection properly represent the diversity of our world today? Specifically, how many books by black authors do you own?
If you’re anything like me, the answer is, very few. It’s an unfortunate reality and one we need to actively change.
We should be asking ourselves, why are more authors of color not mainstream? Why are best-sellers lists filled with white authors? What can I, as a reader and consumer, do to help change that?
It’s time we start supporting authors of color and giving them the recognition they deserve, not only during times of protest, but every. single. day. And as you continue to read, I encourage you to start being more mindful of the authors you buy. This is just a small part that you can do to work toward creating a more equal community.
So to get you started on your journey to diversifying your shelves and supporting authors of color, below you’ll find tons of amazing, highly-rated books by black authors from almost every genre. Enjoy!
*Please note, this blog contains affiliate links so I will earn a small commission for anything that you purchase. However, all of my earnings made through this blog will be donated to Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). NAZ strives to end generational poverty and build a culture of achievement in Minneapolis for all low-income children of color.
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Contemporary Fiction By Black Authors
This section offers a wide variety of books from the contemporary and literary fiction genres. These stories tell the tales of love, racial disparities, coming-of-age experiences, marital woes, and so much more.
What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons
“Stunning . . . The debut novel examines the complicated, strange proximity of love, grief, and loss, and how this manifests in the body . . . Clemmons skillfully draws on the humor that stems from the duality of conflicting cultures. Her prose is funny, fragile, and unflinchingly candid. Her characters are as flawed as they are honest, confronting their own fragmented relationships and identities.” – BOMB
Shop What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons here >>
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
“Such a Fun Age keeps it real on race, wealth, and class….Subtly illustrat[es] the systemic racism in America and the ways that we’re routinely perpetuating it or being subjected to it on a daily basis. The question that will sit with readers for days after finishing the book: What role do I play?” – Marie Claire
Shop Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid here >>
I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan
“The reader finds herself torn between gritting her teeth at how right McMillan gets the relationships between best friends, ex-spouses, ex-lovers, parents and children and putting the book down to laugh out loud. Run, don’t walk and pick up this exuberant summer read.” – BookPage
Shop I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan here >>
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
“[Red at the Bone] subtly explores the ways in which desire can reconfigure our best-laid plans, and its expansive outlook suggests how easily, in African-American life, hard-won privileges can be dissolved.” – The New Yorker
Shop Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson here >>
What is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
“Flirting with the speculative, Oyeyemi weaves stories about living puppets and their puppet masters, old diaries not meant to be opened, ancient libraries, and secret gardens. It’s hands-down my favorite book of the year thus far.” – The Chicago Review of Books
Shop What is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi here >>
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
“Tayari Jones’s wise and compassionate new novel, An American Marriage is a clear vision of the quiet devastation of a family. It is beautifully written, with many allusions to black music and culture — including the everyday poetry of the African-American community that begs to be heard.” – The New York Times Book Review
Shop An American Marriage by Tayari Jones here >>
Loving Day by Mat Johnson
“Loving Day is wonderful satire, sharp and funny about so many contemporary themes and anxieties, including race, money, family, sex, and love. Mat Johnson has a deep comic gift, and his laughs always come with real thought and feeling.” – Sam Lipsyte, author of The Ask and The Fun Parts
Shop Loving Day by Mat Johnson here >>
Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward
“Salvage the Bones expands our understanding of Katrina’s devastation, beyond the pictures of choked rooftops in New Orleans and toward the washed-out, feral landscapes elsewhere along the coast.” – New Yorker
Shop Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward here >>
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
“Allen writes in a sharp, lively voice that is full of warmth and humor…Touching on issues of professional womanhood, race, and family, the author crafts a novel that is both timely and enjoyable.” – Kirkus Reviews
Shop Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen here >>
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
“A debut novel by a young woman from Cameroon that illuminates the immigrant experience in America with the tenderhearted wisdom so lacking in our political discourse.” – The Washington Post
Shop Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue here >>
We Cast A Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin
“Set in the post-post-racial South, We Cast a Shadow tells the story of a man…desperate to pay for his biracial son to undergo demelanization. It is this desperation that haunts this novel and, in this desperation, we see just how pernicious racism is, how irrevocably it can alter how a man sees the world, himself, and those he loves. It is a chilling, unforgettable cautionary tale, and one we should all read and heed.”—Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist
Shop We Cast A Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin here >>
Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson
“Another Brooklyn is a breathtaking account of growing up female and black in a time of conflicting pressures and crushing assumptions, and in doing so creating a lifetime of memories.” – Seira Wilson, The Amazon Book Review
Shop Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson here >>
The Mothers by Brit Bennet
“As much as The Mothers is steeped in black culture, it’s also pointedly, poignantly universal in its depiction of young love and friendship and hard choices.” – Entertainment Weekly
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The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
“A gripping and brilliant novel based on a true story about a boys’ reformatory school in Florida in the 1960s. Whitehead is one of the most daring and gifted authors writing these days, and I will never miss one of his books.” – Elizabeth Gilbert, author of City of Girls
Shop The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead here >>
Contemporary Romance by Black Authors
If you enjoy fun, flirty stories of love, you’ll adore these contemporary romances written by authors of color.
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
“What a charming, warm, sexy gem of a novel. I couldn’t put The Wedding Date down. I love a good romance and this delivered from the first page to the last.” – Roxane Gay, author of Hunger
Shop The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory here >>
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
“A prime example of how complex and insightful romances can be. Farrah Rochon deftly explores what it means to go viral, the unique joys of strong female friendships, and the particular struggles of Black women in the workplace, all within a great love story.” – Jasmine Guillory, author of The Wedding Date
Shop The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon here >>
Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
“Absolutely charming… a flawless balance of humor, heat, sweetness, and depth, and I loved every page.” – Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test
Shop Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert here >>
The Best Worst Man by Mia Sosa
“The plot is classic “enemies to lovers” and is executed perfectly…slow-burn romance done perfectly right…A captivating love story about two people who bring out the best in each other both professionally and personally.” – Kirkus Review
Shop The Best Worst Man by Mia Sosa here >>
Young Adult (YA) Books by Black Authors
From fantasy to romance, this section has a wide variety of stunning YA books by black authors that all YA-lovers need in their collection.
Everything, Everything Nicola Yoon
“This heartwarming story transcends the ordinary by exploring the hopes, dreams, and inherent risks of love in all of its forms.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Shop Everything Everything Nicola Yoon here >>
With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
“Acevedo compassionately challenges her readers with a wide variety of topics, including cultural and personal identity and the needs and desires of older women, something that is so often forgotten…This sophomore novel is simply stunning.” – Booklist (starred review)
Shop With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo here >>
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
“The Girl with the Louding Voice is a beautifully rendered, achingly real portrait of Adunni, a young woman finding her strength and shaping her destiny in modern day Nigeria….Brava to Daré for bringing this compelling character out of the shadows and into our lives.” – Tara Conklin, author of The House Girl and The Last Romantics
Shop The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare here >>
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
“… Adeyemi keeps it fresh with an all-black cast of characters, a meaningful emphasis on fighting for justice, a complex heroine saving her own people, and a brand of magic made more powerful by the strength of heritage and ancestry.” – Booklist, Starred Review
Shop Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi here >>
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
“Set in a world of ancient magic, Brown spins a fantastical tale that is full of heart, adventure, and intrigue. Readers will delight in the lush details of a world and characters so vividly drawn that they leap off the page.” – Rena Barron, author of Kingdom of Souls
Shop A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown here >>
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them By Junauda Petrus
“The most gorgeous, profound, spiritually uplifting, queer Black Afro-futuristic-magical, ancestral love oracle/book I’ve ever read in my whole life.” – Gabby Rivera, author of Juliet Takes a Breath and America
Shop The Stars and the Blackness Between Them By Junauda Petrus here >>
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
“Magnetic and addictive, Kingdom of Souls turns ambition into sacrifice and blood into power. Magic is always worth the price—and the pain—and this book is black girl magic at its finest.” – Dhonielle Clayton, author of The Belles
Shop Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron here >>
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
“While acknowledging that society is quick to slap labels onto black teens, the author allows her heroine to stumble and fall before finding her footing and her voice…a compelling coming-of-age story for all teens.” – School Library Journal
Shop On The Come Up by Angie Thomas here >>
Let Me Hear A Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
“Exceptional storytelling, well-crafted, true-to-life dialogue, and the richly drawn Brooklyn landscape will draw readers into this fast-paced blend of mystery, budding romance, and social commentary.” – Kirkus Reviews
Shop Let Me Hear A Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson here >>
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
“The start of a bold and immersive West African-inspired, feminist fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice.” – Amazon
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A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
“Morrow masterfully blends the real lives of Black girls in contemporary Portland with a mythic world of sirens, gargoyles and other supernatural creatures to create a compelling coming-of-age story in which two sisters, bound by love and fate, find their voices and their power.” – Rebecca Roanhorse, author of Trail of Lightning and Star Wars: Resistance Reborn
Shop A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow here >>
Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard
A fun tale about a half-mortal girl whose older siblings, the ancient Greek gods, are disguised as humans living in Portland. She must keep their identities secret, while still navigating the trials of being a teenager such as new friends, cute boys, and issues at Mount Olympus.
Shop Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard here >>
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
“Relationships take a central role in this passionate novel, as Reynolds delves into the emotional experience of Jack’s inner circle, giving them and their interpersonal connections depth. It’s an intense ride and readers are likely going to want to stick with Jack to the (real) end.” – Shelf Awareness
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The Voice In My Head by Dana L. Davis
“An endearing and compelling coming-of-age story. Dana L. Davis captures the messy, complicated love of family in a road trip novel that redefines what it means to truly live.” – Nancy Richardson Fischer, author of When Elephants Fly
Shop The Voice In My Head by Dana L. Davis here >
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
“A really special book with much to say about black female identity, sexual politics, group chats, emotional becoming in a way that feels totally unforced. Filthy, funny, and profound.” – Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti
Shop Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams here >>
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi
The stories, all worth savoring, share a celebratory outlook on black teenagers fully and courageously embracing life.” – Publishers Weekly
Shop Black Enough by Ibi Zoboi here >>
Daughters of Nri by Reni K Amayo
When a gruesome war results in the Gods departing Earth, the only remnants of their existence lie in two twins who were separated at birth, who grow up believing they are human. This fantasy novel explores an epic journey to self-discovery as these sisters find their way back to one another.
Shop Daughters of Nri by Reni K Amayo here >>
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
“As we continue to fight the battle against police brutality and systemic racism in America, THE HATE U GIVE serves as a much needed literary ramrod. Absolutely riveting!” Jason Reynolds, coauthor of ALL AMERICAN BOYS
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Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite
“Alaine’s adventures in Haiti were so intense and engaging, I could almost feel the dirt beneath my fingernails, could almost smell the peanuts and plantains. But I think my favorite part was ultimately the female empowerment that permeated every part of this tale, past and present. – Alethea Kontis, NPR
Shop Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite here >>
Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
“A highly needed work for the #MeToo movement. . . . Watson and Hagan do not disappoint in this powerful story of two girls who take a stand against injustice while learning how to navigate a world that seeks to silence them.” ― School Library Journal
Shop Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan here >>
Calling My Name by Liara Tamani
“This debut coming-of-age novel showcases the complex relationship between family, spirituality, and self. On her journey to discovering herself, Taja learns the importance of recognizing self-worth and feeling like you truly belong.” – Brightly
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Dear Martin by Nic Stone
“A powerful, wrenching, and compulsively readable story that lays bare the history, and the present, of racism in America.” – John Green, author of Turtles All the Way Down
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What Momma Left Me by Renée Watson
“Serenity Evans is a strong African-American character who will resonate with girls who are facing transitions of their own, large or small.” ― School Library Journal
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The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert
“Colbert’s latest novel brilliantly delves into first loves, forbidden romance, rebellion, and family expectations-all of which teens will strongly relate to.”―Booklist, starred review
Shop The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert here >>
The Sun Is Also A Star Nicola Yoon
“An exhilarating, hopeful novel exploring identity, family, the love of science and the science of love, dark matter and interconnectedness–is about seeing and being seen and the possibility of love… and it shines.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
Shop The Sun Is Also A Star Nicola Yoon here >>
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
“This is a story about friendships, finding first loves, and continuing to discover yourself even after you thought you had all the answers… It’s going to change lives.” – Mason Deaver, author of I Wish You All the Best
Shop Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender here >>
Not So Pure And Simple by Lamar Giles
“Not So Pure and Simple manages to put real issues in the spotlight, like toxic masculinity and societal pressures on youth while still being a funny, heartfelt, and wildly charming read!” – Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here
Shop Not So Pure And Simple by Lamar Giles here >>
Thriller & Mystery Books by Black Authors
For all of you thriller lovers, it’s time to add some of these must-have books by black authors to your list!
The Ancient Nine by Ian K. Smith
“With a masterful hand, Ian Smith has written a novel that immerses us in the dark intrigue of one of the country’s oldest secret societies. The Ancient Nine is thrilling, exciting, and shocking from beginning to end.” ― Michael Eric Dyson, author of Tears We Cannot Stop
Shop The Ancient Nine by Ian K. Smith here >>
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson
“An expertly written spy thriller . . . that tackles issues of politics, race and gender . . . Like the best of John le Carré, it’s extremely tough to put down. It marks the debut of an immensely talented writer who’s refreshingly unafraid to take risks, and has the skills to make those risks pay off.” – NPR
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Down the River Unto The Sea by Walter Mosley
“A wild ride that delivers hard-boiled satisfaction while toying with our prejudices and preconceptions . . . The darker and uglier the story gets, the more Joe King Oliver comes alive. . . . The journey is fun and joyful. . . . A fitting work for a world riddled with dark contradiction.”― Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times
Shop Down the River Unto The Sea by Walter Mosley here >>
Finding Gideon by Eric Jerome Dickey
“Must-read romance…A cerebral, sometimes sensual, sometimes suspenseful, and quite a memorable ride.”—USA Today
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Fantasy Books by Black Authors
There isn’t a strong presence of authors of color in the adult fantasy genre, but the ones below have been very highly-rated and are certainly worth the read!
The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, #1) by Evan Winter
“The Rage of Dragons takes the best parts of epic fantasy and sets them in a refreshing and inventive new world, a gripping tale that makes clear the true cost of war and colonialism with one of the most enthralling hero’s journeys I’ve read.”― S. A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass
Shop The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter here >>
Black Leopard by Marlon James
“He’s produced a sprawling fantasy novel set in a dark-age Africa of witches, spirits, dazzling imperial citadels and impenetrable forests. In a genre dominated by imagery derived from the European middle ages, Black Leopard, Red Wolf feels new and exciting.” — Wall Street Journal
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Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
“The heart of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is story — the yearning for a narrative to help us understand ourselves, the pain of the gaps we’ll never fill, the truths that are failed by words and must be translated through ritual and song …. Ward’s writing throbs with life, grief, and love, and this book is the kind that makes you ache to return to it.” — Buzzfeed
Shop Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward here >>
War Girls (War Girls, #1) by Tochi Onyebuchi
“Set amid the horrors of war in a world ravaged by climate change and nuclear disaster, this heart-wrenching and complex page-turner, drawn from the 1960s Nigerian civil war, will leave readers stunned and awaiting the second installment.”- Publishers Weekly, starred review
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Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
“Callender’s first adult novel draws race relations, conquest, magic, and politics into an imaginative, layered story that will keep readers twisting until the end. The author’s personal experience growing up in St. Thomas lends to the rich setting and postcolonial themes.”― Library Journal (starred review)
Shop Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender here >>
Historical Fiction by Black Authors
Historical fiction is a predominantly white genre, but there are some amazing options from authors of color. Check out the following and add them to your shelves!
Conjure Women by Afia Atakora
“Secrets, heartache, and healing fill this story spanning two generations of women living in the South before and after the Civil War. Atakora’s writing grips you from the first page of this soon-to-be-published novel. It’s no surprise that she is being hailed as a successor to Toni Morrison.”— The Week
Shop Conjure Women by Afia Atakora here >>
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
“Thanks to Ms. Gyasi’s instinctive storytelling gifts, the book leaves the reader with a visceral understanding of both the savage realities of slavery and the emotional damage that is handed down, over the centuries. . . . By its conclusion, the characters’ tales of loss and resilience have acquired an inexorable and cumulative emotional weight.” —The New York Times
Shop Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi here >>
A Brief History Of Seven Killings by Marlon James
“A prismatic story of gang violence and Cold War politics in a turbulent post-independence Jamaica.” — The New Yorker
Shop A Brief History Of Seven Killings by Marlon James here >>
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
“Enthralling. . . . One remarkably resilient woman is placed against the hopes and struggles of millions of African Americans who held this nation to its promise.” — The Washington Post
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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
“Bennett’s gorgeously written second novel, an ambitious meditation on race and identity, considers the divergent fates of twin sisters, born in the Jim Crow South, after one decides to pass for white. Bennett balances the literary demands of dynamic characterization with the historical and social realities of her subject matter.” – The New York Times
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Flygirl by Sherri Smith
“This well-told, interesting story moves along at a good clip . . . A vibrant picture of WWII women and of Jim Crow as it was then.” – Kirkus Reviews
Shop Flygirl by Sherri Smith here >>
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Coates balances the horrors of slavery against the fantastical. He extends the idea of the gifts of the disenfranchised to include a kind of superpower… In the end, it is a novel interested in the psychological effects of slavery, a grief that Coates is especially adept at parsing…”— Esi Edugyan, The New York Times Book Review
Shop The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates here >>
Memoirs by Black Authors
These memoirs and heartbreaking, beautiful, and eye-opening. If you want to begin to educate yourself on cultural differences, racism, and the life-experiences of our black community, this is where you need to start.
Black Is The Body by Emily Bernard
“Black Is the Body is one of the most beautiful, elegant memoirs I’ve ever read. It’s about race, it’s about womanhood, it’s about friendship, it’s about a life of the mind, and also a life of the body. But more than anything, it’s about love. I can’t praise Emily Bernard enough for what she has created in these pages.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Shop Black Is The Body by Emily Bernard here >>
Ordinary Light by Tracy K Smith
“Smith writes as a daughter who has lost her mother and is thinking of her own daughter. . . . She offers her painstaking reflections on what went into the making of her.” — The New York Times Book Review
Shop Ordinary Light by Tracy K Smith here >>
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
“Throughout her career, author Elaine Welteroth has often been the only black woman in the room. Learn how she broke down barriers—across several different intersections—to succeed in the media and fashion industries and become one of her generation’s changemakers. . . . Welteroth’s words may be just what you need to take back your confidence and head down the path toward a new job.” — Forbes
Shop More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth here >>
You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson
“Phoebe Robinson has a way of casually, candidly rough-housing with tough topics like race and sex and gender that makes you feel a little safer and a lot less alone. If something as wise and funny as You Can’t Touch My Hair exists in the world, we can’t all be doomed. Phoebe is my hero and this book is my wife.”— Lindy West, author of Shrill
Shop You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson here >>
How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
“Jones’ explosive and poetic memoir traces his coming-of-age as a black, queer, and Southern man in vignettes that heartbreakingly and rigorously explore the beauty of love, the weight of trauma, and the power of resilience.”— Entertainment Weekly
Shop How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones here >>
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
“[A] compelling new memoir . . . By turns alarming, sad and funny, [Trevor Noah’s] book provides a harrowing look, through the prism of Mr. Noah’s family, at life in South Africa under apartheid. . . . In the end, Born a Crime is not just an unnerving account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the author’s remarkable mother.”— Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
Shop Born a Crime by Trevor Noah here >>
Becoming by Michelle Obama
An intimate memoir from our former first lady. Michelle Obama chronicles the events that shaped her, from growing up in the South Side of Chicago to her adult years as a professional executive. It’s a deeply personal story that you won’t want to miss.
Shop Becoming by Michelle Obama here >>
Poetry & Essays by Black Authors
Open your eyes and heart to the life-experiences of these authors through their poems, verse, and essays.
Helium by Rudy Francisco
Rudy’s debut poetry collection blends personal and political topics such as self-reflection, cultural critiques, race, gender, and more into this masterpiece of poems.
Shop Helium by Rudy Francisco here >>
Don’t Call Us Dead: Poems by Danez Smith
“Don’t Call Us Dead is poet Danez Smith’s ferocious second collection. With humanity and heart, Smith contemplates the assaults on a black, male body in America ― police brutality, violence, and AIDS, and the resulting culture of danger, suspicion, grief, psychological pain, and resistance.”― BuzzFeed
Shop Don’t Call Us Dead: Poems by Danez Smith here >>
We Want Our Bodies Back by Jessica Care Moore
“Imbued with heartache, anger, celebration, and rejuvenation, the poems in We Want Our Bodies Back reflect the sui generis funktified flyness that jessica Care moore has exemplified as an independent artist, activist, publisher, and curator for nearly a quarter-century. . .” – Tony Bolden, author of Afro-Blue: Improvisations in African American Poetry and Culture
Shop We Want Our Bodies Back by Jessica Care Moore here >>
Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim
“Edim’s collection of brief, pithy, and original essays by twenty-one distinguished black women addresses the question, ‘When did you first see yourself in literature?’ . . . Speaking directly to black women readers, this book contains a journey from which anyone can derive enjoyment and benefit.”— Publishers Weekly
Shop Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim here >>
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
“With a voice that rings clear off the page, Abdurraqib is an accomplished wordsmith, whose reflections on pop culture are intensely personal, political and utterly compelling.” ― CBC (Canada)
Shop They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib here >>
Anti-Racist Education by Black Authors:
Regardless of how anti-racist you think you are, we all need to continue to learn about the racial disparities within our world. These books will help guide your understanding of racism, white privilege, colorblindness, and more.
*Update: As of June 2020, many of the below books are currently sold out, but you can still order them and they will ship immediately upon availability!
Between the World and Me by Meby Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Written as a series of letters to his teenaged son, his new memoir, Between the World and Me, walks us through the course of his life, from the tough neighborhoods of Baltimore in his youth, to Howard University—which Coates dubs “The Mecca” for its revelatory community of black students and teachers—to the broader Meccas of New York and Paris. . .Ferguson, Trayvon Martin, and South Carolina are not bumps on the road of progress and harmony, but the results of a systemized, ubiquitous threat to “black bodies” in the form of slavery, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Coates is direct and, as usual, uncommonly insightful and original. There are no wasted words. This is a powerful and exceptional book.” – Jon Foro
Shop Between the World and Me by Meby Ta-Nehisi Coates here >>
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
“Simply put: Ijeoma Oluo is a necessary voice and intellectual for these times, and any time, truth be told. Her ability to write so smartly and honestly with strokes of humor about race in America is heaven sent and demonstrates just how desperately we all need to be talking about race, and perhaps, more importantly, this insightful book shows those in power or privilege how they need to listen.”―Phoebe Robinson, author of You Can’t Touch My Hair and Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay
Shop So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo here >>
Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
“Kendi has done something that’s damn near impossible: write a book about racism that breaks new ground, while being written in a way that’s accessible to the nonacademic. If you’ve ever been interested in how racist ideas spread throughout the United States, this is the book to read.”― The Root
Shop Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi here >>
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
“Alexander is absolutely right to fight for what she describes as a ‘much-needed conversation’ about the wide-ranging social costs and divisive racial impact of our criminal-justice policies.”— Ellis Cose, Newsweek
Shop The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander here >
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
This book discusses the psychology of racism and is for anyone seeking to better understand the current racial dynamics in America.
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The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
“The sheer strength of this book arises from its insistent linking of policing, prisons, public education, migrant labour, impoverished neighbourhoods and the fates of refugees. The Skin We’re In is about the interlocking forces besieging Black life in Canada; and it is also about organizing resistance and imagining futures in bravely intimate terms.” — David Chariandy, author of Brother
Shop The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole here >>
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo
**I am very aware that this it not a black author and this is the only author I have made ad exception for because I truly did not feel that I could create a section on anti-racism without the inclusion of this book.**
“A vital, necessary, and beautiful book, a bracing call to white folk everywhere to see their whiteness for what it is and to seize the opportunity to make things better now.” — Michael Eric Dyson
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White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
“An unflinching look at America’s long history of structural and institutionalized racism, White Rage is a timely and necessary examination of white anger and aggression towards black America . . . A compelling look at American history, White Rage has never seemed more relevant than it does today.” – Bustle
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How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
“A boldly articulated, historically informed explanation of what exactly racist ideas and thinking are . . . [Kendi’s] prose is thoughtful, sincere, and polished. This powerful book will spark many conversations.”— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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Obviously, this is just a small collection, but hopefully it shows you how prevalent authors of color actually are in each genre! So as readers, it’s our job to give them the praise and support that they and their work deserves!
I would love to know, what are some of your favorite books by black authors? Leave a comment below and let me know so I can continue to expend upon this list!
3 Comments
Caitlin
Wow! Thanks for compiling such a great list of books written by black authors!
Victoria
What a phenomenal list. Thank you for sharing
ปั้มไลค์
Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.