5 Amazing Books by Black Authors
I wrote this for Black History Month, but as you can see I’m a little late getting this out there. However, I still wanted to give you guys a list of inspiring, top-tier books written by black authors in recent years. Honestly, this list is too short because there are so many more books I’d love to add, but these are some of my favorites I’ve read over the past year. If you’ve been looking to add more black repertoire to your shelves or just want something different, then I highly recommend you head to your local B&N after reading this.
Whether you're a fan of explosive historical fiction, looking to connect with your African roots, or looking for self-help from a black perspective, you’ll find superb books to add to your list. So keep scrolling to find my top 5 books by Black authors!
P.S. I know this is a little late for Black History Month and I apologize, February just kind of flew by before I could decide on all my top picks. Also, I vote we move Black History Month to any other month that is not the shortest in the calendar year, just saying…
‘Harlem Shuffle’ - Colson Whitehead
Harlem Shuffle - click to buy
Ok, so in all honesty this did not start off as one of my favorite books and here’s why. It’s deep, poetic prose is so introspective, analytical, and ruminative that you kind of get lost at times and forget what the point of one paragraph is. But it’s very, very detailed and expertly structured to give you a colorful accurate depiction of 1960’s Harlem.
It begins with a struggling furniture salesman trying to make it in the volatile racial climate of the Civil Rights Era with drug dealers and junkies on every corner. To give his small family a better life and because of his familial loyalty to his no-good cousin Freddie, he agrees to a dangerous deal that takes him down a path he’d tried to fight his entire life. Filled with numerous heists, drug peddling crooks, shady cops with envelopes, and infuriating but loveable characters, this crime novel tackles moral, social, and racial issues beautifully.
‘Deacon King Kong’ - James McBride
Deacon King Kong - Click to buy
Although it’s rambling, page long narratives keep your head spinning, this was an unforgettable novel. It’s so similar in style and subject to Harlem Shuffle because it also takes place in 1960’s New York amongst the rampant drug crimes and commonplace racial tension.
The focus of the main storyline involves a young baseball player turned drug dealer who is randomly shot by the bumbling, heedless old “deacon” for reasons unknown until the very end. Around this crime and main plot, author James McBride expertly weaves a multitude of ludicrous characters and gripping mini storylines. It was one of the funniest and most engaging books that I’ve enjoyed in a long time. By the end of this comical, energetic book, I did not want to say goodbye to the good old deacon and his other laughable friends. This book is what got me hooked on James McBrides books, like I’m obsessed with him now.
(There will be a post of all my favorite James McBride books coming soon! BOLO!)
‘Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex’ - Michael Todd
How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex - Click to buy
Many of you have probably heard of Michael Todd and even read his book. I was late to the party on this one. Thankfully, my niece put me on to this young, fiery pastor and his inspiring book which she gifted me for Christmas. At a time in my life when I’m just starting to figure out dating, this book is exactly what I needed to help me realign my dating expectations. His delivery is so easy-going, understandable, and relatable at times, it felt like my best friend was talking to me. (There were definitely some Amens thrown in during my readings.)
I personally love books that tackle multiple stages/subjects at once. He flows gracefully from dating to marriage to sex. This will definitely be a book I come back to throughout my life, so if you need some godly relatable advice on these subjects I highly recommend this book.
‘When Stars Rain Down’ - Angela Jackson Brown
When Stars Rain Down - Click to buy
By now you may have worked out that I have a soft-spot for historical fiction, such as this next novel which happens to be my absolute favorite on this list. “When Stars Rain Down” is a coming-of-age story taking place within the fictional southern town of Parsons, Ga amid explosive racial tensions. Even more, there's a bit of a love triangle between the heroine, Opal Pruitt, her troublesome but handsome neighbor Cedric, and Jimmy Earl, the innocent, kind white boy she grew up with. Throw in Klan shenanigans and you’ve got romance, personal growth, and violent conflicts rolled into one unforgettable novel.
‘Americanah’ - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t finish reading this book and I can’t remember why. Nevertheless, I wanted to feature it here because I thought it had lots of promise and was beautifully crafted. It centers around Nigerian-born Adichie, who immigrates to the U.S. leaving behind her first love Obinze in Africa. They explore their personal, national, and racial identities in Western cultures until they reunite many years later in their home country. I’m sure lots of people can relate to it, especially immigrants who have come to America seeking a better life. It juggles questions of identity, and the differences between Africans and African-Americans. The tender love story interwoven across three continents kept me wondering how it would all turn out.
Not So Fun Fact: There was going to be a movie adaptation - which then became an HBO series - produced by the one and only Lupita Nyongo. Unfortunately, the ten episode series was scrapped during the pandemic and there seems to be no future plans to continue it. :(
Let me know your favorite books by black authors or if you’ve also read any of these!
