My Favorite Books by Black Authors
In the United States, February is Black History Month. Black books and Black authors need to be supported throughout the year, but I thought I would make a list anyways highlighting some of my favorite books written by Black authors.
I’m not going to give full on descriptions. Instead, here is a goodreads list that I will continuously update with new favorites, and add the books on this list so you can get full descriptions. However, I will give the genre, age range, and possible trigger warnings for each title. For more trigger warnings, I suggest StoryGraph as a source.
Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
Young adult speculative fiction
TW: r*pe, sexual assault, racism
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
Young adult horror historical fiction
TW: sexism, death of a loved one
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Young adult speculative fiction
TW: child abuse, sexual assault
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Young adult historical fiction
TW: death of a loved one
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Young adult contemporary fiction
TW: police violence, racism, death of a loved one
Jackpot by Nic Stone
Young adult contemporary fiction
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
and Dear Martin by the same author
Young adult contemporary fiction
TW: police brutality, racism
This is My America by Kim Johnson
Young adult contemporary fiction
TW: racism, police violence
Homie by Danez Smith
Poetry collection
TW: racism
Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert
Young adult contemporary romance
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Young adult contemporary
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Young adult/new adult urban fantasy
TW: death of a loved one/grief
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Adult literary historical fiction
TW: domestic violence, racism
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Young adult contemporary
TW: transphobia, blackmail, homophobia
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Young adult contemporary
TW: homophobia
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Young adult/adult memoir manifesto
TW: sexual assault, in*est, racism, homophobia
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Adult epic fantasy
TW: war
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Adult romance fiction
TW: racism, sexual assault
This does feature graphic sexual content, but it is consensual
Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Young adult fantasy
TW: violence, death, genocide
Hunger by Roxanne Gay
Memoir
TW: eating disorders, body talk, r*pe, racism, sexism, fatphobia
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Adult historical fiction
TW: racism, slavery
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Young adult story in verse
TW: racism, gang violence, death of a loved one
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Young adult contemporary horror fiction
TW: emotional abuse, physical abuse, minor/adult relationship, r*pe, pedophilia, slut-shaming, stalking, abuse, trauma, confinement, gaslighting
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Memoir
TW: racism, r*pe
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Adult historical fiction
TW: r*pe, in*est, child abuse, pedophilia
I could be here forever thinking of all my favorites, but these titles really speak out to me, even though it’s been quite some time since I’ve read some of these. If you have not read any of these titles, I suggest you doing so. I promise you that there is at least one book here you will enjoy. And be open about new experiences. I am not Black myself, but it is so important to educate yourself on life experiences you may never go through. Also, while fiction is great, it is important to do your own anti-racism work. Read books, listen to Black stories, and overall educate yourself. Also, many of these books focus on Black pain. Black joy is so important to read about, and there are so many titles that highlight black pain that I highly recommend you search for. I have only read a tiny portion of Black authors, and I strive to read more all the time, not just in Black History Month. Diverse stories are so important, and so please, read outside your comfort zone. You never know what you will find if you don’t try.