Black Authors I'm Currently Reading & Loving

This Black History Month, I wanted to curate a list of incredible books written by Black authors. Last year I glanced at my checked out books and realized I hadn't really read anything from the Black perspective... so I made a conscious effort to change that in 2022. The cultural contributions of Black authors should not be constantly overlooked, so why not start by diving into some of these books and seeing where they take you this year?

"How We Fight for Our Lives" by Saeed Jones

From award-winning poet Saeed Jones invites readers into a coming-of-age memoir that tells the story of a young, Black, gay man from the South. He walks the reader through his struggle to carve out a place for himself - within his family, country, community, and even his own self. 

"We Love You, Charlie Freeman"
​by Kaitlyn Greenidge

​The Freeman family (made up of Charles, Laurel, and their daughters, teenage Charlotte and nine-year-old Callie) are invited to the Toneybee Institute to participate in a research experiment. They learn they will live in an apartment on campus with Charlie, a young chimp abandoned by his mother who they will teach sign language to. But then Charlotte discovers the truth about the institute and it's... something.

"Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing is a heart-tugging story of two sisters, Effia and Esi, who have very different destinies. One sold into slavery, the other as a slave trader's wife. This story follows the eight generations of their descendants. From Ghana to the United States, this debut historical fiction novel illuminates how slavery destroyed the lives of those who were taken and those who stayed.

"Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid

​I could not believe how good Kiley Reid's debut novel was - I couldn't put it down! Such a Fun Age is a page-turner that is centralized around race and privilege. The story starts with a young, Black, female babysitter (who is wrongfully accuesed of kidnapping) and her well-intentioned employer. That's all I'm giving away because I want you to go get this book as soon as possible.

"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. Yet, one sister lives with her Black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Brit Bennett expertly weaves together multiple generations of this family - from the Deep South to California - from the 1950s to the 1990s and is truly compelling.

"More Than Enough" by Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth became the youngest editor-in-chief in Condé Nast's 107-year-old history and the second Black person to ever hold the title after being promoted to EIC of Teen Vogue. This is part-manifesto, part-memoir and is filled with fantastic nuggets of advice.

"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams

Meet Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, who is constantly comparing herself to her white, middle class peers. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie seeks comfort in others... the book can get a bit graphic so there is a trigger warning for detailed sexual encounters, as well as abuse throughout Queenie's life.

"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

I finally read this book after it "made it big" awhile ago. I'm not sure why I put it off (I think my local library just never had it available) but this was such a stunning read on the POV of someone who was directly affected by police brutality. Starr is such a compelling character who takes you through the complex issues surrounding race relations, police brutality, and death. Such a great read!

"The Other Black Girl" by Zakiya Dalila Harris

A dynamic thriller, The Other Black Girl follows Nella (the only Black employee at a publishing house) and  Hazel (a Black employee who starts one day). While the two initially bond, this novel beautifully unravels an issue many minorities face in predominantly white spaces: pitching them against one another. The book revolves around race politics and is such a compelling read.

"Love in Color" by Bolu Babalola

I have this habit of writing down or highlighting passages I really like. For Love in Colour, I wanted to highlight everything Bolu Babalola wrote. Babalola beautifully combined folktales from West Africa with reimagined Greeky myths, Middle Eastern lore, and other global tales to create a whole new world. Just WOW.​

"BECOMING" By Michelle Obama

I admire former first lady Michelle Obama so much, yet hadn't been able to get around to read this book until lately. Not only does she take you through her childhood and formative years, she opens up about her marriage, life before and after the White House, and what she feels about the everchanging political climate.

"MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING" BY MARLON JAMES

STOP. If you haven't read the first book in the Dark Star Trilogy, "Black Leopard, Red Wolf," this second book in the trilogy is just as breathtaking as the first. James brings to life a beautiful world by weaving African mythology, fantasy and history together.

Which of these titles are you going to pick up or borrow?
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