Celebrate Life Through These Uplifting Black Narratives
Dive into a collection of stories that showcase joy, resilience, and the everyday experiences of Black characters. These books highlight the beauty of life, friendship, and love without centering on racism. Discover the richness of Black literature that celebrates thriving and living fully.
A Wizard of Earthsea
267 pages
The Earthsea books are a hidden gem, featuring a black hero in a richly crafted world that often goes unrecognized.
The Wedding Date
337 pages
This romance is incredibly enjoyable, with a charming plot that makes it hard to put down.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
316 pages
This book is a must-read for its relatable characters and engaging storyline that keeps you hooked.
Reclaim Your Marriage
169 pages
This book explores themes of racial identity but can be a tough read, as it may resonate too closely with personal experiences, potentially leaving readers feeling worse.
My Sister, the Serial Killer
A blackly comic novel about lies, love, Lagos, and how blood is thicker - and more difficult to get out of the carpet - than water.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
207 pages
This book offers a deep dive into the life of its protagonist, showcasing the beauty and struggles of her journey, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate rich, character-driven narratives.
Binti
96 pages
If you're into sci-fi, Nnedi Okorafor's Binti series is a must-read; it's captivating and has really drawn me in.
Akata Witch
386 pages
While I found the plot of Akata Witch appealing, the narration didn't resonate with me, but it could be worth checking out for those who enjoy fantasy and magic.
The Wedding Date
337 pages
This series features successful black protagonists and offers a super fun take on romance, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Transcendent Kingdom
243 pages
This book is a powerful exploration of a young woman's struggle to connect with her mother, set against the backdrop of belief and doubt in Christianity. It's a very real and moving story that delves into family dynamics and personal challenges.
American Gods
671 pages
American Gods offers a unique perspective with its biracial main character and explores the clash between ancient gods and modern technology, making it a thought-provoking read.
Anansi Boys
354 pages
Anansi Boys features a predominantly black cast and shifts the focus away from racism, providing a fresh narrative that delves into the lives of African gods in America.
Queenie
352 pages
With "fresh and honest" (Jojo Moyes) prose, this novel is a relatable exploration of what it means to be a modern woman searching for meaning and for love in today's world.
Speaking of Summer
305 pages
“Powerful.” —The Washington Post “Fiercely astute.” —Tayari Jones, O, The Oprah Magazine “A voice for the invisible.” —Essence A sister seeks to uncover the truth about her twin’s disappearance in this critically acclaimed novel hailed as “a powerful song about what it means to survive as a woman in America” (Jesmyn Ward, National Book Award winner) On a cold December evening, Autumn Spencer’s twin sister, Summer, walks to the roof of their shared Harlem brownstone and is never seen again. The door to the roof is locked, and the snow holds only one set of footprints. Faced with authorities indifferent to another missing Black woman, Autumn must pursue the search for her sister all on her own. With her friends and neighbors, Autumn pretends to hold up through the crisis. But the loss becomes too great, the mystery too inexplicable, and Autumn starts to unravel, all the while becoming obsessed with the various murders of local women and the men who kill them, thinking their stories and society’s complacency toward them might shed light on what really happened to her sister. In Speaking of Summer, critically acclaimed author Kalisha Buckhanon has created a fast–paced story of urban peril and victim invisibility, and the fight to discover the complicated truths at the heart of every family.
Fledgling
321 pages
Fledgling, Octavia Butler’s last novel, is the story of an apparently young, amnesiac girl whose alarmingly un-human needs and abilities lead her to a startling conclusion: she is in fact a genetically modified, 53-year-old vampire. Forced to discover what she can about her stolen former life, she must at the same time learn who wanted—and still wants—to destroy her and those she cares for, and how she can save herself. Fledgling is a captivating novel that tests the limits of "otherness" and questions what it means to be truly human.
This Close to Okay
304 pages
A powerful, vibrant novel about the life-changing weekend shared between two strangers, from the award-winning writer Roxane Gay calls "a consummate storyteller." On a rainy October night in Kentucky, recently divorced therapist Tallie Clark is on her way home from work when she spots a man precariously standing at the edge of a bridge. Without a second thought, Tallie pulls over and jumps out of the car into the pouring rain. She convinces the man to join her for a cup of coffee, and he eventually agrees to come back to her house, where he finally shares his name: Emmett. Over the course of the emotionally charged weekend that follows, Tallie makes it her mission to provide a safe space for Emmett, though she hesitates to confess that this is also her day job. What she doesn’t realize is that Emmett isn’t the only one who needs healing—and they both are harboring secrets. Alternating between Tallie and Emmett’s perspectives as they inch closer to the truth of what brought Emmett to the bridge’s edge—as well as the hard truths Tallie has been grappling with since her marriage ended—This Close to Okay is an uplifting, cathartic story about chance encounters, hope found in unlikely moments, and the subtle magic of human connection. Longlisted for the 2022 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award Longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Awards Book of the Month December Pick Good Housekeeping Book Club February Pick Marie Claire Book Club March Pick Most Anticipated by Elle, Today (according to Goodreads), The Millions, She Reads, and Real Simple Recommended by Refinery29, Shondaland, Oprah Daily, Washington Post, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Electric Literature, Bookriot, Parade, Harper's Bazaar, and more
Ivy's League
218 pages
By any measure, she is a success. By any measure that is, except her own. Ivy Livingstone has entree into Washington DC's political elite, lives in an exclusive neighborhood and sends her son to a sought-after private school. But her beautiful life is a gilded cage. She is independent, but alone. And unfortunately, very few men are confident enough to believe they are in Ivy's league. Eli Thomason has all the confidence in the world, except when it comes to his own judgment about women. And his attraction to Ivy Livingstone proves him right. She is everything he shouldn't want - a woman above his station and beyond his means. He overreached once before and still lives with the heartbreaking consequences, so why does he find it so difficult to leave Ivy alone? And if their own baggage isn't enough, Ivy and Eli have to contend with circumstances around them that seem to confirm their worst fear - that the bond they're beginning to build can't possibly last."
The Year of the Witching
318 pages
The Handmaid's Tale meets The Village in this stunning feminist debut . . . Shortlisted for the GoodReads Choice Awards 2020 for Best Debut Novel and Best Horror Novel . . . 'A magnificent, raw slice of folk horror, dark with threat and clenched with suspense . . . a brilliant debut to chill the brightest summer day' DAILY MAIL 'Thrillingly brisk and bracing . . . it takes the best tropes of horror and witchcraft and gives them a refreshingly feminist twist.' S.A. CHAKRABORTY, author of The City of Brass Born on the fringes of Bethel, Immanuelle does her best to obey the Church and follow Holy Protocol. For it was in Bethel that the first Prophet pursued and killed four powerful witches, and so cleansed the land. And then a chance encounter lures her into the Darkwood that surrounds Bethel. It is a forbidden place, haunted by the spirits of the witches who bestow an extraordinary gift on Immanuelle. The diary of her dead mother . . . Fascinated by and fearful of the secrets the diary reveals, Immanuelle begins to understand why her mother once consorted with witches. And as the truth about the Prophets, the Church and their history is revealed, so Immanuelle understands what must be done. For the real threat to Bethel is its own darkness. Bethel must change. And that change will begin with her . . . And readers have been bewitched: 'I absolutely could not put it down' ***** 'Hecking scary and tense, it gave me goosebumps more than once' ***** 'Absolutely stunning read' ***** 'A truly OUTSTANDING read! I am so glad I picked up this book' *****
Domino Falls
368 pages
It began on Freak Day—that day no one could explain, when strangers and family members alike went crazy and started biting one another. Some thought the outbreak was caused by a flu shot, others that it was a diet drug gone terribly wrong. All anyone knew is that once you were bitten and went to sleep, you woke up a freak.
The Gilda Stories
366 pages
*Recommended by Reese Witherspoon's Book Club! *Voted One of Book Riot's Most Influential Queer Books & Horror Novels of All Time! Before Buffy, before Twilight, before Octavia Butler’s Fledgling, there was The Gilda Stories, Jewelle Gomez’s sexy vampire novel. This remarkable novel begins in 1850s Louisiana, where Gilda escapes slavery and learns about freedom while working in a brothel. After being initiated into eternal life as one who "shares the blood" by two women there, Gilda spends the next two hundred years searching for a place to call home. An instant lesbian classic when it was first published in 1991, The Gilda Stories has endured as an auspiciously prescient book in its explorations of blackness, radical ecology, re-definitions of family, and yes, the erotic potential of the vampire story. "The Gilda Stories is groundbreaking not just for the wild lives it portrays, but for how it portrays them--communally, unapologetically, roaming fiercely over space and time."—Emma Donoghue, author of Room "Jewelle Gomez sees right into the heart. This is a book to give to those you want most to find their own strength."—Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard Out Of Carolina Jewelle Gomez is a writer, activist, and the author of many books including Forty-Three Septembers, Don't Explain, The Lipstick Papers, Flamingoes and Bears, and Oral Tradition. The Gilda Stories was the recipient of two Lambda Literary Awards, and was adapted for the stage by the Urban Bush Women theater company in thirteen United States cities. Alexis Pauline Gumbs was named one of UTNE Reader's 50 Visionaries Transforming the World, a Reproductive Reality Check Shero, a Black Woman Rising nominee, and was awarded one of the first-ever "Too Sexy for 501c3" trophies. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
381 pages
The debut novel from the triple Hugo Award-winning N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season ***WINNER of the Locus Award for Best First Novel*** ***WINNER of the RT Reviewer's Choice Award*** ***Shortlisted for the Tiptree, the Crawford, the Nebula, the Hugo, the World Fantasy, the David Gemmell and the Goodreads Readers' Choice Awards*** Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky - a palace above the clouds where gods' and mortals' lives are intertwined. There, to her shock, Yeine is named one of the potential heirs to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with a pair of cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history. But it's not just mortals who have secrets worth hiding and Yeine will learn how perilous the world can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably. The Inheritance Trilogy begins with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, continues in The Broken Kingdoms and concludes in The Kingdom of Gods. Also by N. K. Jemisin: The Broken Earth trilogy The Fifth Season The Obelisk Gate The Stone Sky The Dreamblood Duology The Killing Moon The Shadowed Sun
The Good House
496 pages
*From the author of The Reformatory—A New York Times Notable Book of 2023* Award-winning author Tananarive Due's critically acclaimed story of supernatural suspense, as a woman searches for the inherited power that can save her hometown from evil forces. The home that belonged to Angela Toussaint's late grandmother is so beloved that the townspeople in Sacajawea, Washington call it the Good House. But that all changes one summer when an unexpected tragedy takes place behind its closed doors, and the Toussaint's family history—and future—is dramatically transformed. Angela has not returned to the Good House since her son, Corey, died there two years ago. But now, Angela is finally ready to return to her hometown and go beyond the grave to unearth the truth about Corey's death. Could it be related to a terrifying entity Angela's grandmother battled seven decades ago? And what about the other senseless calamities that Sacajawea has seen in recent years? Has Angela's grandmother, an African American woman reputed to have "powers," put a curse on the entire community? A thrilling exploration of secrets, lies, and divine inspiration, The Good House will haunt readers long after its chilling conclusion.
My Sister, the Serial Killer
241 pages
ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME • BOOKER PRIZE NOMINEE • “A taut and darkly funny contemporary noir that moves at lightning speed, it’s the wittiest and most fun murder party you’ve ever been invited to.” —MARIE CLAIRE Korede’s sister Ayoola is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead, stabbed through the heart with Ayoola’s knife. Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood (bleach, bleach, and more bleach), the best way to move a body (wrap it in sheets like a mummy), and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit. Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realize that she’s exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she’s willing to go to protect her.
Luster
179 pages
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A New York Times Notable Book of the Year WINNER of the NBCC John Leonard Prize, the Kirkus Prize, the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the Dylan Thomas Prize, and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2020 A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, The New York Times Book Review, O Magazine, Vanity Fair, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, Shondaland, Boston Globe, and many more! "So delicious that it feels illicit . . . Raven Leilani’s first novel reads like summer: sentences like ice that crackle or melt into a languorous drip; plot suddenly, wildly flying forward like a bike down a hill." —Jazmine Hughes, The New York Times Book Review No one wants what no one wants. And how do we even know what we want? How do we know we’re ready to take it? Edie is stumbling her way through her twenties—sharing a subpar apartment in Bushwick, clocking in and out of her admin job, making a series of inappropriate sexual choices. She is also haltingly, fitfully giving heat and air to the art that simmers inside her. And then she meets Eric, a digital archivist with a family in New Jersey, including an autopsist wife who has agreed to an open marriage—with rules. As if navigating the constantly shifting landscapes of contemporary sexual manners and racial politics weren’t hard enough, Edie finds herself unemployed and invited into Eric’s home—though not by Eric. She becomes a hesitant ally to his wife and a de facto role model to his adopted daughter. Edie may be the only Black woman young Akila knows. Irresistibly unruly and strikingly beautiful, razor-sharp and slyly comic, sexually charged and utterly absorbing, Raven Leilani’s Luster is a portrait of a young woman trying to make sense of her life—her hunger, her anger—in a tumultuous era. It is also a haunting, aching description of how hard it is to believe in your own talent, and the unexpected influences that bring us into ourselves along the way. “An irreverent intergenerational tale of race and class that’s blisteringly smart and fan-yourself sexy.” —Michelle Hart, O: The Oprah Magazine
Midnight Riot
322 pages
It's a fun little romp through London with a witty protagonist who brings real-world details to each scene, making it an engaging read.
Escaping Exodus
296 pages
“A sweeping, smart, stunning story that dazzles brighter than a star system . . . a true gem to be treasured” from the author of Minecraft: The Dragon (Booklist, starred review). Earth is a distant memory. Habitable extrasolar planets are still out of reach. For generations, humanity has been clinging to survival by establishing colonies within enormous vacuum-breathing space beasts and mining their resources to the point of depletion. Rash, dreamy, and unconventional, Seske Kaleigh should be preparing for her future role as clan leader, but her people have just culled their latest beast, and she’s eager to find the cause of the violent tremors plaguing their new home. Defying social barriers, Seske teams up with her best friend, a beast worker, and ventures into restricted areas for answers to end the mounting fear and rumors. Instead, they discover grim truths about the price of life in the void. Then, Seske is unexpectedly thrust into the role of clan matriarch, responsible for thousands of lives in a harsh universe where a single mistake can be fatal. Her claim to the throne is challenged by a rival determined to overthrow her and take control—her intelligent, cunning, and confident sister. Seske may not be a born leader like her sister, yet her unorthodox outlook and incorruptible idealism may be what the clan needs to save themselves and their world. “Don’t be alarmed—that dizzy pleasurable sensation you’re experiencing is just your brain slowly exploding from all the wild magnificent worldbuilding in Nicky Drayden’s Escaping Exodus. I loved these characters and this story, and so will you.” —Sam J. Miller, Nebula-Award-winning author of Blackfish City
My Soul to Keep
356 pages
When Jessica marries David, he is everything she wants in a family man: brilliant, attentive, ever youthful. Yet she still feels something about him is just out of reach. Soon, as people close to Jessica begin to meet violent, mysterious deaths, David makes an unimaginable confession: More than 400 years ago, he and other members of an Ethiopian sect traded their humanity so they would never die, a secret he must protect at any cost. Now, his immortal brethren have decided David must return and leave his family in Miami. Instead, David vows to invoke a forbidden ritual to keep Jessica and his daughter with him forever. Harrowing, engrossing and skillfully rendered, My Soul to Keep traps Jessica between the desperation of immortals who want to rob her of her life and a husband who wants to rob her of her soul. With deft plotting and an unforgettable climax, this tour de force reminiscent of early Anne Rice will win Due a new legion of fans.
Sleepless Vol. 2
148 pages
Nearly a year later in the court of Harbeny, Lady Poppy and Sir Cyrenic must forge ahead without each other. Cyrenic adjusts to life after being released from the Sleepless Vow. And though the future looks bleak, both Poppy and Cyrenic are fighters. Either they will claw their way out of the darkness, or take as many enemies with them as they can. This second volume of SLEEPLESS concludes the story of Poppy and Cyrenic. Collects SLEEPLESS #7-11
You Should See Me in a Crown
185 pages
A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time A Stonewall Honor Book A Reese's Book Club YA Pick Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?
Get A Life, Chloe Brown
220 pages
'I loved every page' Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient 'Smart, funny, and sexy' Meg Cabot, author of No Judgments and the Princess Diaries series Talia Hibbert delivers a witty, hilarious romantic comedy about a woman who's tired of being 'boring' and recruits her mysterious, sexy neighbour to help her get a life - perfect for fans of Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang! Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan and a list. After almost - but not quite - dying, she's come up with a list of directives to help her 'Get a Life': - Enjoy a drunken night out - Ride a motorbike - Go camping - Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex - Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage - And . . . do something bad But it's not easy being bad, even when you've written out step-by-step guidelines. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job: Redford 'Red' Morgan. With tattoos and a motorbike, Red is the perfect helper in her mission to rebel, but as they spend more time together, Chloe realises there's much more to him than his tough exterior implies. Soon she's left wanting more from him than she ever expected . . . maybe there's more to life than her list ever imagined? *** Why readers love Get A Life, Chloe Brown 'Funny, sexy and intensely romantic' Lucy Parker, author of The Austen Playbook 'Clever, sweet, sexy and brilliant' Carrie Ann Ryan, New York Times bestselling author 'So so so so good' Andie J. Christopher, USA Today bestselling author of Not the Girl You Marry 'A pure exuberant delight. I loved this book' KJ Charles, author of Proper English '[An] awesome book, so full of heart and warmth and feels!' Charlotte Stein, author of Never Sweeter 'Hilarious, heartfelt and hot' Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 'If you liked Jasmine Guillroy's The Proposal, you'll love Talia Hibbert's Get A Life, Chloe Brown' Marie Claire
Americanah
508 pages
10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A modern classic about star-crossed lovers that explores questions of race and being Black in America—and the search for what it means to call a place home. • From the award-winning author of We Should All Be Feminists and Half of a Yellow Sun • WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR "An expansive, epic love story."—O, The Oprah Magazine One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century • One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be Black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post–9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. At once powerful and tender, Americanah is a remarkable novel that is "dazzling…funny and defiant, and simultaneously so wise." —San Francisco Chronicle
Off the Record
337 pages
This book features a Black teen protagonist who is a brilliant writer. While she faces challenges, she gets the chance to write a celebrity profile and tackles #MeToo in a way that isn't explicitly trauma-focused.
The Missing American
450 pages
The first in a series of vibrant and suspenseful mysteries set in Ghana, it features a sharp female private detective and a rich cast of characters, making for an engaging read with deep cultural perspectives.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
275 pages
The first book in the multi-million copy bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series The one where it all begins Mma Ramotswe is the proud proprietor of the finest ladies' detective agency in all Botswana (also the only one). She spends her time, with a cup of redbush tea beneath the acacia tree, waiting for clients. When they come along, whether it is to enquire after a missing spouse or check the identity of a long-lost father, it is not The Principles of Private Detection that helps her to solve cases but old-fashioned common sense and a warm-hearted understanding of the fallibility of human nature - especially that of men. 'Among the greatest comfort-reads of all time' Sunday Times 'Jolly and exhilarating' Sunday Telegraph 'The Miss Marple of Botswana' New York Times Book Review 'A publishing phenomenon' Guardian
Full Disclosure
249 pages
One of the best books I read in 2020, it features an HIV-positive teen navigating high school and dating, focusing on her life rather than her struggles. It's super heartwarming and lovely to read.
Children of Blood and Bone
543 pages
This book immerses you in a captivating world of African black magic, exploring themes of discrimination against those with magical abilities, reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials. It's a compelling YA read that leaves you eager for more, as it's part of an unfinished series with only two books released so far.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Volume 1)
491 pages
If you're into YA or have kids, this book is a lot of fun!
Memorial
354 pages
This book offers a deep exploration of a strained relationship between two men, Mike and Ben, as they navigate personal challenges and family dynamics. The narrative is beautifully crafted, with Washington skillfully shifting perspectives to give each character a distinct voice, making it a compelling read.
Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles
282 pages
This hilarious murder mystery series set in Mahalia's restaurant is a delightful blend of humor and intrigue that keeps you entertained from start to finish.
Where the Line Bleeds
256 pages
This coming-of-age tale about growing up black in the South lingers in your mind long after reading, making it a thought-provoking experience.
The Obelisk Gate
287 pages
If you're a fan of fantasy and sci-fi, NK Jemisin's writing is a must-read!
Rivers of London
424 pages
This fantasy police series features a diverse cast, including black goddesses of the rivers and a protagonist who is half Sierra Leonean and half English. It's not just fun; it also offers insights into the geography and architecture of the locale.
The Rage of Dragons
526 pages
This book is an incredible African epic that has quickly become a favorite for many readers, including myself. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys epic fantasy!
Perdido Street Station
825 pages
This book offers a unique blend of fantasy and science fiction, featuring a captivating main character and an intriguing plot that keeps your attention with its bizarre elements.
Purple Hibiscus
288 pages
“One of the most vital and original novelists of her generation.” —Larissa MacFarquhar, The New Yorker From the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a privileged life in Enugu, Nigeria. They live in a beautiful house, with a caring family, and attend an exclusive missionary school. They're completely shielded from the troubles of the world. Yet, as Kambili reveals in her tender-voiced account, things are less perfect than they appear. Although her Papa is generous and well respected, he is fanatically religious and tyrannical at home—a home that is silent and suffocating. As the country begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili and Jaja are sent to their aunt, a university professor outside the city, where they discover a life beyond the confines of their father’s authority. Books cram the shelves, curry and nutmeg permeate the air, and their cousins’ laughter rings throughout the house. When they return home, tensions within the family escalate, and Kambili must find the strength to keep her loved ones together. Purple Hibiscus is an exquisite novel about the emotional turmoil of adolescence, the powerful bonds of family, and the bright promise of freedom.
Deacon King Kong
347 pages
*Deacon King Kong* is the funniest book I've read this year, cleverly weaving structural racism into its plot, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Catherine House
320 pages
Catherine House is an unsettling gothic thriller that offers a unique reading experience. While it may not be everyone's idea of a good time, it captivated me with its intriguing story and atmosphere.
Open Water
143 pages
WINNER OF THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD A NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION 5 UNDER 35 WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION “Open Water is tender poetry, a love song to Black art and thought, an exploration of intimacy and vulnerability between two young artists learning to be soft with each other in a world that hardens against Black people.”—Yaa Gyasi, author of Homegoing In a crowded London pub, two young people meet. Both are Black British, both won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong, both are now artists—he a photographer, she a dancer—and both are trying to make their mark in a world that by turns celebrates and rejects them. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. But two people who seem destined to be together can still be torn apart by fear and violence, and over the course of a year they find their relationship tested by forces beyond their control. Narrated with deep intimacy, Open Water is at once an achingly beautiful love story and a potent insight into race and masculinity that asks what it means to be a person in a world that sees you only as a Black body; to be vulnerable when you are only respected for strength; to find safety in love, only to lose it. With gorgeous, soulful intensity, and blistering emotional intelligence, Caleb Azumah Nelson gives a profoundly sensitive portrait of romantic love in all its feverish waves and comforting beauty. This is one of the most essential debut novels of recent years, heralding the arrival of a stellar and prodigious young talent.
Pym: A Novel
338 pages
The second half of *Pym* takes a wild turn, much like carrying a cake on a bus—it's a mess by the end, but still worth experiencing, especially with the inclusion of Snow Honkies.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
337 pages
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A pair of ex-best friends turned high school rivals must work together to survive the great outdoors—and each other—in this cozy enemies-to-lovers romance from the beloved author of the Brown Sisters trilogy. “A pure delight. This book is confirmation: no one does love stories like Talia Hibbert.”—Leah Johnson, author of You Should See Me in a Crown and Rise to the Sun Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He’s a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine. Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption—yet, she’s still not cool enough for the popular kids’ table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that’s how Celine sees it.) These days, there’s nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she’s surprised to find Brad right beside her. Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?
