12 Must-Read Books By Black Authors - Learning From Literature

The historical suppression of black voices in literature has resulted in many remarkable works going unnoticed or underappreciated, similarly to but even more so than women. However, despite facing systemic barriers to education and publication, black authors have contributed immensely to American literature, offering unique perspectives that expand our understanding of culture, identity, and society. By overlooking these voices, we miss out on essential narratives that challenge, inspire, and resonate deeply with readers of all backgrounds.

Commemorating Black History Month, here are 12 must-read books by black authors! You can explore one influential work for every month of the year, with genres ranging from historical fiction to fantasy.

Enjoy!

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

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The Nickel Boys is based on the true story of a Florida reform school that operated for 111 years and committed devastating atrocities against boys of color. Numerous secretly-buried bodies were uncovered, and abuse of students was revealed through the late 1900s.

Set in the early 1960s, Elwood Curtis is a studious black teenager inspired by MLK and the Civil Rights marches. Falsely convicted, Curtis ends up at the Nickel Academy in Florida, where he encounters the harsh reality of systemic racism and brutality.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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Expanded from a short story she wrote in college, Thomas’ novel debuted at #1 on The New York Times best-seller list, where it remained for 50 weeks.

The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, a black teenager who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a police officer. As Starr grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, she navigates between the predominantly black neighborhood where she lives and the affluent, predominantly white private school she attends.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

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For Invisible Man in 1953, Ralph Ellison was the first African-American writer to win the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction.

From the Deep South to the streets of Harlem, the unnamed protagonist introduces a world that seems foreign. Reflecting on the racial divide, he realizes that he is “invisible” – seen only through the lens of societal prejudice and preconceived ideas and ultimately overlooked entirely.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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Bennet’s historical fiction debuted at number one on The New York Times fiction best-seller list in 2020, widely making the top lists of the year’s best.

Twin sisters Desiree and Stella’s paths diverge against the backdrop of the American South in the 20th century. Desiree returns to her hometown with her dark-skinned daughter, while Stella passes as white with a new identity. The Vanishing Half explores race, identity, and belonging in a world shaped by prejudice and perception.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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The debut novel of Chinua Achebe has sold over 10 million copies in 45 languages, becoming a staple in schools across America and Africa as the standard-bearer of modern African literature.

Okonkwo, a proud and ambitious Igbo warrior in pre-colonial Nigeria, continuously grapples between tradition and change, particularly with the arrival of European colonizers. Through Okonkwo’s struggles and the broader upheaval within his community, Achebe explores the consequences of cultural collision.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

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Maya Angelou’s groundbreaking autobiographical piece, published in 1969, tell the formative years of the acclaimed American writer. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was nominated for the National Book Award and remained on The New York Times bestseller list for two years.

Growing up in the racially segregated South, from the trauma of being abandoned by her parents to the challenges of navigating racism, Angelou’s narrative is a powerful testament to resilience and the human spirit. Through her renowned storytelling, she captures the joys, sorrows, and triumphs of her journey to self-discovery and empowerment.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

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The Underground Railroad is immensely popular, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, National Book Award for Fiction, Arthur C. Clarke Award, and Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence while also having a TV miniseries adaptation.

Cora, a young slave in the antebellum South, escapes the brutality of her Georgia plantation, discovering the existence of a literal underground railroad — a secret network of tunnels and tracks that lead to different states. With each stop, she encounters allies and adversaries, confronting the horrors of slavery.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

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Beloved is an American staple, included on my list of 93 Classic Books To Read. The tale is based on the heartbreaking story of Margaret Garner, an escaped slave who, in 1856, chose to kill her children rather than see them return to slavery.

Set in the period after the American Civil War, Sethe, a former slave, grapples with the haunting trauma of her past as she seeks to rebuild her life. When a mysterious young woman appears, Sethe is forced to confront the horrors she thought she had left behind.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

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Initially published in 1937, Their Eyes Were Watching God was poorly received and out of print for nearly 30 years due to readers’ rejection of its strong, black female protagonist.

The novel follows Janie Crawford’s journey of self-discovery in the early 20th-century rural South. As Janie navigates societal expectations and pursues her dreams, she ultimately finds her voice and the courage to pursue her own path. Hurston captures Janie’s quest for independence and fulfillment in a world determined to confine her.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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Alice Walker’s masterpiece won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. It arrives at #17 on the list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000–2010 because of explicit content (specifically violence).

The Color Purple explores the life of Celie, a poor African-American girl living in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. While attempting to overcome abuse, rape, and oppression, Celie writes letters to God, eventually finding her voice and identity.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

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The Fifth Season is the first novel in Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy. It was awarded the Hugo Award; the most prestigious award given for best science fiction and fantasy novels.

Set in a world called the Stillness, the land is plagued by cataclysmic natural disasters known as Seasons. Society is divided between many species, such as orogenes, guardians, and geomests. As the latest Season approaches, three unlikely heroes are drawn together, navigating a treacherous landscape of power, magic, and ancient secrets.

Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin

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This semi-autobiographical tale was included in Modern Library and Time‘s 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

In 1930s Harlem, the novel follows John’s spiritual and emotional journey as a young African-American boy grappling with faith, identity, and family dynamics. John confronts his desires with the expectations of his strict religious upbringing, while revealing the backstories of John’s mother, biological father, and fanatically religious stepfather.

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