Put these books by black authors on your must-read list
Growing up as a young Black girl in the South, I saw positive representations of Black and Brown excellence: My family members were college-educated, working professionals and pillars in their communities. They owned churches, shoe stores, homes and property, and they held themselves in high esteem despite some of the negative stereotypes presented on the news and in the media. I fondly remember my mother, who received her bachelor’s in English Literature, bringing home books by Black authors—titles like Before the Mayflower: A History of the Negro in America, Africans in America: America’s Journey Through Slavery, The Souls of Black Folk, The Color Purple and The Bluest Eye.
Even in my youth, I was aware of the power of reading, and when my parents shared with me that it was once illegal for Black people to know how to read, I embraced it even more. I devoured books that showcased the vast and uniquely diverse spectrum of Black life. And despite often reading books in school that presented Black people and their ancestry homogeneously, I have always felt empowered in my identity as a result of the knowledge I gained from books and the wise people around me.
In my teenage years, I decided to become an English Literature major, like my mother. I always understood that books provide an entry point into the minds of others. Like an invitation to a well-thought-out event, the best books leave an indelible imprint. Whether teaching or entertaining, the written word has a way of moving people while providing a greater understanding of a person, place or thing. That is certainly true of books by Black authors, which can highlight certain experiences and issues that often don’t receive the attention they deserve.
The books on this list include novels, memoirs, biographies and more, all written by Black authors in the past several years. While they deal with a wide range of issues—some are feminist stories, some are books about racism and others are pure entertainment—they all offer important and thought-provoking perspectives. They’re also page-turners, and many of them have racked up numerous awards and earned a place in the hearts of millions of readers. You’re about to see why.
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1. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
There has long been an unspoken connection between the Black and Jewish communities, both of which take center stage in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. The story opens with a mystery in 1970s Pennsylvania before jumping back in time to 1925. Here, in the thriving Chicken Hill neighborhood, Black and Jewish people live together, bound by secrets, ambition and survival. With his latest novel, New York Times bestselling author James McBride showcases his powerful storytelling and suggests love and a sense of community have the power to transcend the weight that is often placed on matters of race. It’s an excellent read worth savoring. Need more proof? A mere four months after its August 2023 publication, it earned the title of the best book of the year from both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
