While we should celebrate these authors year round, we can use this time to highlight stories from Black authors that are an amazing read. Below you’ll find our top 8 stories written by black authors to add to your reading list.
I tried to pick books from multiple genres to help me break out of my fantasy genre that I tend to stick to like super glue. From poetry to historical fiction, hopefully there is a book here that will speak to your literary loving soul.
*Disclosure: We only recommend books that we love and would read ourselves. This post contains affiliate links, as we are part of the Amazon Services LCC Associate Program and others, which may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
8. Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
Jumping back in time to the 1850’s, Yellow Wife takes its readers on a journey to see what a mother will do to protect her children. This book is truly gut-wrenching, taking us straight into the mind of a teenage slave. The daughter of the slave owner’s favorite slave, Pheby has what they call ‘yellow’ skin and beautiful wavy hair.
She was the favorite of her master’s late sister. Because of this, she was taught to read and write and play piano, skills not afforded to most people at that time. But as she grows up, tragedy after tragedy rains down on her.
This book will grasp your heart and never let go. While this particular story is not real, it is based on real people, places, and events. Wrapping up history in a beautifully written, harrowing novel, Sadeqa will keep you wanting more.
7. Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Themes of trauma, micro aggressions, and growing up gay in a small southern town are at the heart of this dramatic read.
Our main character is in college studying biochemistry. His past heavily influences his daily life. Trauma will make it hard to be close to people, growing up gay in a place that does not accept it will also take a huge toll. Real life is a campus novel that takes you into the day to day goings on of a man trying to live his life.
The way this novel is written is raw, crisp, and engaging. You’ll find yourself simply wanting to understand every aspect of his life as he battles his own demons along with all of the new issues that life throws his way.
6. Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie
It is 1948 in Kyoto Japan, in life after WWII. Confined to the attic of her grandparents estate and abandoned by her mother, Nori is a true outsider. She is the illegitimate child of an African American American GI solider and a Japanese woman. She does not question why she is in the attic alone.
She does not question why they force her to take chemical baths to lighten her skin. And she accepts being quiet. However, a sudden twist of fate sees Nori fond by her half brother, and she is finally allowed to have glimpse of the real world. And now that she’s achieved this level of freedom, she wants nothing more than to escape the confines of the attic and her oppressed life.
5. Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
It’s impossible to compile a list of stories by Black authors and not include Octavia E. Butler. The first book in the Xenogenesis trilogy, Dawn, really explores the common themes of sci-fi mixed with deconstructing gender norms and exploring how we work with the idea of non-human beings.
The story explores the idea of the earth becoming inhabitable. Humanity is saved by a race of aliens that end up putting the survivors into a sleep like state for hundreds of years, until they can be retuned to earth. But no good deed comes for free.
The price for the salvation of humanity comes at a cost – the race of aliens who have saved the humans are masters of genetic manipulation. And to save their own species they will merge their DNA with another species and create a subspecies that will continue on. And this is what they are asking of the survivors…
4. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
The Binti series is a sci-fi tale for the new ages. The series follows protagonist Binti, who has just been accepted into a prestigious university that is the best in the galaxy. But in order to accept this offer is to throw away her entire life. All knowledge comes at a price, but is the price being asked here too much?
If Binti decides to take this offer, she has to decide if she is willing to die for the knowledge she will gain. By choosing to go to this university she must be willing choose to go to a place that has offended a nightmarish race of aliens, and these aliens are ready to go to war over what’s happened.
3. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
One of the 10 best books of 2017, Sing Unburied Sing, follows the life of a family living in Mississippi. Along with this family, two ghosts tag along on their adventure. The family decides to take a road trip, and as they leave on their journey the ghosts-and their past-follows them.
Told from the perspective of the two kids, Ward explores issues racism and the impact of society on this family’s lives. If you’re looking for stories from Black authors that are heavily based in reality, this is the story for you.
2. Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Ada is born with “one foot on the other side”. Dealing with a fracturing of self and the creation of new identities, author Akwaeke Emezi gives you a glimpse of a life that is rare as she explores the creation of identities. Growing up Ada’s parents know something is deeply wrong with their daughter.
However it’s not until she grows up and begins attending college in America that her personalities make themselves known. After she experiences a traumatic assault, her personalities take the reins of her mind. After her incident Ada finds herself fading away and allowing her other selves take over and help protect her.
1. Hum by Jamaal May
When you crack open this book, you are opening a portal into a musical reimagining of May’s inner thoughts. Set in Detroit where Jamaal May himself was a teacher and a sound engineer, we’re treated to a unique look at another’s life. May explores the hum that exists between everything. From person to person, machine to origami art, you can feel the intentions behind them and what connects them.
These stories by Black authors and novels are inspiring, riveting, and compelling. Needless to say, they’re inspired choices to add to your library no matter your genre of preference.
