Ten books by Black authors that you should read

Happy American Black History Month! To commemorate, here are ten book recommendations of all genres written by Black authors (in no particular order) - from back home and the diaspora - that you should check out.

Despite being dedicated to Black History Month, the books here can be enjoyed by everyone - regardless of race.

10. Legendborn - Tracy Deonn

While I did say that this book was written in no particular order - which it isn't - this book is definitely my least favourite out of the ten. Although not an avid fantasy reader, I dabble in the genre from time to time. Personally, this book and its sequel did not tickle my fancy, but is undoubtedly is an amazingly well written book, led by a female Black main character, and incorporates Black history. Those elements were definitely my favourite in the book, where Bree (FMC) goes into further detail about her family history and the way in which magic is tied into it. The book is very inclusive and diverse, with LGBTQ+ and characters of different ethnicities. It is labelled as 'Arthurian with a modern twist', so if you like King Arthur and his sword in the stone, then this book is for you. 4.36 rating on Goodreads.

9. Seven Days in June - Tia Williams

Proceed with caution when it comes to this book. There are trigger warnings regarding substance abuse, self harm, sexual and child abuse. Personally, I thought it was a lovely book that explored the relationship between two writers who were once romantically involved but became estranged; and we follow them as they find each other again. Although overall rated 4/5 on Goodreads, there are many mixed reviews, and you will either love or hate the book (I loved it).

8. His only wife - Peace Adzo Medie

One of my favourite reads from last year. The book follows Afi Tekple in (Ewe) Ghana, a young seamstress who was married off to an older man (Elikem). Eli was already spoken for by a woman his mother did not approve of, and the story follows Afi as she navigates married life as second choice in addition to now being a middle-class wife from someone who grew up poor, with dreams of being a seamstress. The book was written so well, and is one to read if you are looking for more African based novels. Rated 3.74 on Goodreads, and is part of Reece Witherspoon's book club.

7. Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

I will never not recommend this book. It follows the ancestry of two (half) sisters from Ghana in the 1800's who went on to lead very different lives. We follow their ancestry all the way to the 21st century, seeing how slavery stripped away the African Identity, and how their lives transformed as a result. A summary couldn't do this book justice, you need to read it to really feel the message that is being sent out. 4.5 on Goodreads, but deserves a 5.

6. The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett

Another book that touches on the impact of slavery but goes down a different avenue. Twins - Desiree and Estella - were inseparable until their 16th birthday when they ran away from their tiny town in Louisiana. Both extremely light-skinned, one went on to marry a dark-skinned man and return home with a dark child, while the other disappeared and changed their identity to fit into mainstream society as a white woman. The book was quite sad, but it didn't quite go in the direction I thought it would. Undoubtedly definitely good nonetheless. Rated 4.2 on Goodreads.

5. Reel - Kennedy Ryan

I have read a handful of Kennedy Ryan books and this one was my first and by far my favourite. None quite come close. Hollywood director Canon Holt comes across aspiring Broadway actress Neevah Saint and casts her in a biopic of the long-forgotten jazz/blues singer from the 1930's, Dessi Blue. Their love story is steamy and forbidden as the pair battle their own individual battles, one of which is Neevah's chronic illness. Ryan was in her BAG with this one, and I have been avidly waiting for the bonus scene since 2022. The book splits between Dessi's life and Neevah and Canon's, so you never feel overwhelmed with one story. 4.47 on Goodreads.

4. Rainbow Milk - Paul Mendez

Rainbow Milk is a different one, because not only does it centre the life of a Black British born Jehovah's Witness, but it is about the way he navigates his life as a gay man after he ran away from home to London from the Midlands since being outed in his community. Only 19 when he ran away, the book gives us an insight of his life before running away and after, what he endured, and the different journeys he embarked throughout. The book is a difficult read at first, and there is a trigger warning of neglect. Also, the first few chapters are written in an accent so if you are unfamiliar with Patois/ a thick Jamaican accent and the Dudley accent, you might be a little stuck. 3.9 on Goodreads.

3. Open Water - Caleb Azumah Nelson

Another male authored Black Brit book. Written less in prose and more in a poetic sense, I think the book was a beautiful insight and representation of life as a Black male in the UK, but specifically London, dealing with depression, discrimination from the police and love (or the lack thereof). A short, but at times difficult read. This was Azumah Nelson's debut novel, and also has another one called 'Small Worlds', which deals with the relationship between fathers and sons, faith and friendship from a male Black Brit's perspective. 4.05 on Goodreads.

2. The Colour Purple - Alice Walker

A classic. Written in the 80's, but based between the early and mid 20th century, The Colour Purple takes you through the life of African American Celie, who dealt with abuse at the hands of her father and husband, who finds strength to continue on in the hope that one day she would be reunited with her estranged sister, Nettie. A heart-wrenching insight into the lives of women in a post-slavery (Southern) America where the reality of freedom was dependent on a variety of factors. 4.27 on Goodreads.

1. All About Love - Bell Hooks This one is for my non-fiction readers. The late Bell Hooks was one of the best when it came to conversations surrounding race, gender, feminism and class. Written in 1999, 'All about love' challenged all of the different ways we view and understand love. Addressing all sectors of love, including platonic, familial and romantic, Hooks broke down the different understandings we have of it, while analysing the socio-economic factors that impact the way we see it too. This book can be triggering because if you haven't done the work to unlearn, she will definitely hit some sore spots you didn't even know you had; but it is a very necessary read if you want to start to build healthier relationships and have a healthier outlook on love. 4.07 on Goodreads.