Weve also included books across genresfrom young adult to science fiction to romantic novelsthat will keep you. My best of books include non fiction, fiction, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, memoir, and short stories. May 06, 2019 the following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. A prolific writer known for his colorful portrayals of black life from the 1920s1960s, hughes wrote plays, short stories, poetry, several books, and contributed the lyrics to a broadway musical. Black is the body was one of oprah magazines 25 most anticipated books of 2019, and now its out and in its second printing. They range from fun and zany to gutwrenching and heartbreaking, and some are a mix. Jan 28, 2020 a 2015 winner of the national book award for nonfiction, the renowned journalist and writer pens a profound letter to his son about what it means to be black in america in the 21st centurya place in which you struggle to overcome the historical trauma of your people while trying to find your own purpose in the world. Overdrive rakuten overdrive borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. From fiction to nonfiction, there were some undoubtedly moving books by black authors that deserves a spot on everyones bookshelf or kindle.
Celebrate black history month with fiction and nonfiction books by african american authors. So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors. Marlon james invents ghoulish and glittering new worlds in perhaps the most ambitious novel of the year, the fantasy epic black leopard, red wolf. In the florida projects, sixteenyearold jayson struggles with the harsh realities of his life which include an abusive mother, a drugaddicted father, and not fitting in at his predominately white school, and bring. She is a kimbilio fiction fellow, a vona voices alumna, and the former online editor of wellread black girl. Best books by black female authors fiction, non fiction. Dec 22, 2015 from fiction to non fiction, there were some undoubtedly moving books by black authors that deserves a spot on everyones bookshelf or kindle.
Top authors science fiction, fantasy and horror mystery and thriller romance general fiction young adult and childrens fiction all genres search for author book series. From achebe to zora, youll discover a wide variety african american and black writers from all over the world. These authors write books about the dark and twisted underbelly of life crime, murder. Whether its through thoughtful essays, gripping fiction, or haunting poems, contemporary black authors have been publishing a number of books. Black christian reads christian fiction authors writing. Read on for 25 middle grade books by black authors across all genres. Mcmillan, now 66, spearheaded the black book movement by making contemporary black fiction marketable.
Lets talk about books because, as usual, the past year has been an amazing one for books by black writers. It apparently speaks volumes about the target audience of the books set in this genre. This is a list of fantasy, science fiction, or speculative fiction being published by black authors in 2019. One is the nationality of many black urban fiction authors african american. Read the biographies, discover the published books, and watch videos for more than 3,300 black, afroamerican, african and authors of african descent from the caribbean, europe, the americas, and the entire african diaspora. Her 1992 book waiting to exhale and the 1995 film starring angela bassett and whitney houston, helped usher in a new era for both black authors and the viability of black womens voices. Dianca london potts earned her mfa in fiction from the new school. The poignant words of tanehisi coates, who won the national book award, are all too vital given todays racial climate, while producer extraordinaire shonda rhimes makes overcoming a personal obstacle. This year was filled with thoughtprovoking, pageturning, nailbiting and aha inducing literature. Richard wright was a black author who wrote novels, poems, nonfiction, and short stories. Black history month is almost here, and with that comes the celebration of one of the most vibrant and vital cultures in the united states, along with lots of black history books to read. The only problem is narrowing a list to under 30 books standouts when all the books.
The central analogy for this first collection of sf stories and essays by black authors is dark matter, the scientific term for a nonluminous form of matter not directly observed, but whose existence is deduced from its gravitational effects on other bodies. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their stories authentically, and bookworms seeking good reads can choose from an array of fiction, poetry, historical texts. Most of his works are focused on racial topics, particularly on the discrimination and violence suffered by the african american during the late 19th to mid. A 2015 winner of the national book award for nonfiction, the renowned journalist and writer pens a profound letter to his son about what it means to be black in america in the 21st centurya place in which you struggle to overcome the historical trauma of your people while trying to find your own purpose in the world. Books by black authors overdrive rakuten overdrive. This books subtitle is a century of speculative fiction from the african diaspora. Best black urban fiction authors black urban fiction books. Aug 31, 2019 black, books, common core home nation. Chris schluep, an amazon books editor, put together this list of ten fiction titles to commemorate black authors. The top 100 bestselling black authors authors of african descent on 1 to 24 african american literature book club celebrating our literary legacy since 1997 black literature is for everyone african american literature book club. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to personal memoirs. I mean theyre also great books in and of themselves, obviously, ranging from magical realism to funny personal essays to epic love stories.
Black history month is a great time to highlight the work of black authors in the u. Apr 19, 2017 one is the nationality of many black urban fiction authors african american. We have the best stories around, as we have the best black authors and writers which fans love. Her words have been featured in lenny letter, the village voice, vice, and elsewhere. Nonfiction books by black women black women writers. But its a nice reminder that when you find yourself reaching for the notebook. Later this month, well be sharing a list of ten great nonfiction titles that honor black authors. Later this month, well be sharing a list of ten great non fiction titles that honor black authors.
Richard wright was a black author who wrote novels, poems, non fiction, and short stories. Overdrive rakuten overdrive borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos. The poignant words of tanehisi coates, who won the national book. For instance, ghosts play a central role in kheryn callenders hurricane child, jason reynoldss long way down, and jewell parker rhodess ghost boys. Author akwaeke emezi is a talented millennial nigerian fiction writer and artist with a graduate degree from new york university. Sea, swallow me and other stories by craig laurence gidney. Black christian reads is a community for readers and aspiring writers of christian and inspirational novels that feature africanamerican characters. Whether its through thoughtful essays, gripping fiction, or haunting poems, contemporary black authors have been publishing a number of books that are shaping our conversations about race for. Best books by black female authors fiction, nonfiction. Icymi, its black history monthwhich, of course, is not the only time you should be reading books by black authors. Most of his works are focused on racial topics, particularly on the discrimination and violence suffered by the african american during the late 19th to mid20th centuries in the southern and northern us. This february, were taking a look at recent history and celebrating contemporary icons and rising stars in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and more. From a mystery novel set in nigeria to a scifi graphic novel following the life of a warrior princess, this list of books by black authors has.
Clearly, we could all use some generational storytelling about now. Dont worry, we have the best titles coming out in 2019 written by black authors that are sure to have you cozying up on the couch this winter, or sharing with your book club this summer. Her memoir, planning for the apocalypse, is forthcoming from 37 ink. Get your own author profile on, or let us host your primary web presence. Feb 12, 2017 if you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. The best african american romance novels by black authors. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. To learn more about each author, visit their website below. Four of mcmillans books have been turned into films. Africanamerican authors from african and the african. You may also share your work with readers on our discussion forums just dive right. Sep 23, 2016 not only are all these authors blackamerican, canadian, jamaican, andor nigerianbut so are all the narrators.
In 1953, invisible man was awarded the national book award, making ellison the first africanamerican author to receive the prestigious honor for fiction. In one of 2019s most talked about novels, a 25yearold journalist in. Out african american writers know what its like to be a black person in america, and it shows in their writing. Dont worry, we have the best titles coming out in 2019 written by black authors that are sure to have you cozying. Nonetheless, it is only now that urban fiction authors have begun to attract interest from major publishers. This list includes middle grade, young adult, and adult books. The community is hosted by a group of bestselling and awardwinning christian authors who write stories of faith, family and love. If urban fiction with a healthy sprinkling of romance is your kind of thing, youll love afro romance book s african american books. Each novel, memoir, or collection of poetry or essays listed below is a powerfully written and completely captivating celebration of the black experience. With the only black girls in town, brandy colbert shows love and acceptance to young people learning hard truths. An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club wellread black girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature. This is a gorgeously written and wildly inventive collection of magical realist fantasy short stories. Jan 22, 2020 24 books written by black authors that we cant wait to read this winter. For all of these, though, the audiobook version is topnotch andgasp.
As ralph ellison wrote in invisible man, the world is a possibility, only if you discover it. These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. Weve also included books across genresfrom young adult to science fiction to romantic novelsthat will keep you turning the page. Check out these terrific titles for teens written by africanamerican authors. Top 12 must read books by black authors for 2019 black. May 08, 2019 read on for 25 middle grade books by black authors across all genres. Aug 06, 2019 icymi, its black history monthwhich, of course, is not the only time you should be reading books by black authors. The death of jayson porter by jaime adoff in the florida projects, sixteenyearold jayson struggles with the harsh realities of his life which include an abusive mother, a drugaddicted father, and not fitting in at his predominately white school, and bring him to. It quickly becomes apparent why the book appears on every best books lists out there.