From roxane gay to michelle obama to tanehisi coates, these writers are. There are countless books out there that i have read and hold near and dear to my heart. Maya angelou and 9 other bestselling black authors exploring themes of racism, oppression and violence, these african american writers have rightfully earned their. See our mustread list, featuring black authors such as. To celebrate black history month, weve included 26 books by black authors from the last two centuries, all of which are mustread works. Often referred to as a spokesman for african americans and women through her many. In recent years, even more literary works from black authors are being recognized with prestigious awards and welldeserved spots on best seller lists.
However, the following 10 love stories in chronological order have been able to accomplish this monumental task and thus allowed us to experience some the. Our 11 favorite books written by black women authors in. Black history month may be over, but that doesnt mean you cant celebrate black writers every day. Midnights children won the booker prize as well as the james tait black memorial prize in 1981. Books by black authors that should be on everyones. Mat johnson is the author of the novels drop, hunting in. The best african american romance novels by black authors. 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. Top 12 must read books by black authors for 2019 black. This has so much good info about famous black female leaders, and is paired with great illustrations as well.
Ten novels and their authors is a 1954 work of literary criticism by william somerset maugham. The list also includes nonamerican authors resident in the usa and american writers of african descent. Hughley is a famed american standup comedian, actor, political commentator, and radio host. I read over and over again her short story, the gilded six bits.
One of her bestknown novels kindred, published in 1979, tells the story of a black woman who must travel back in time in order to save her own life by saving a white, slaveholding ancestor. Solely reading black authors was a more tangible way to learn about myself and to discover more contemporary black writers. The top 100 bestselling black authors authors of african descent on 1 to 24. These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. The poignant words of tanehisi coates, who won the national book award, are all too vital given todays racial. Americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, the hate u give by angie thomas, their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurst. Hope wabuke is a southern californiabased writer and a contributing editor at the root. To celebrate black history month i would like to share a few extraordinary african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors with you. List of african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors. The 16 best books of the year by black authors the root. Maya angelou and 9 other bestselling black authors. Below are 21 of the best black british authors who have published work worth reading and sharing with others.
Acclaimed american poet, author and activist maya angelou was born in st. In honor of toni morrison, i want to share five quotes from black authors that are sure to give you the push you need to write something fantastic 1. Maugham collects together what he considers to have been the ten greatest novels and writes about the books and the authors. Ask people to name black authors of science fiction and fantasy and only a few names will be repeated, if any names are known at all. This novel is surely one of the greatest novels by indian authors of all time. Mcmillan, now 66, spearheaded the black book movement by making contemporary black fiction marketable. From fiction to nonfiction, there were some undoubtedly moving books by black authors that deserves a spot on everyones bookshelf or kindle. Best books by black female authors fiction, nonfiction. A striking portrait of black life during the civil war and reconstruction, this 1892 work was among the first novels published by an africanamerican woman. The way rushdie gives the account of the fictional events keeping the actual historical events intact is really amazing.
Your literary knowledge is incomplete if it does not include the african american genre. Richard wright 19081960 writer of the famous fourpart series, uncle toms children 1938, wright is remembered for fearlessly writing about the black mans struggle against and suffering in a heavily racist society. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their stories authentically, and. From don quixote to american pastoral, take a look at the 100 greatest novels of all time the 100 greatest nonfiction books the 2015 version of the 100 best novels. Its refreshing to read novels, poetry and works from a wide range of writers such as african american authors, for instance. So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors. But as with all of aboulelas novels, her focus is essentially intimate, the story of small lives and loves.
There is so much depth and wisdom to be found in poems by black authors and other writing from this tradition. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. If you want more black romance novels, check out our best bwwm novels here. Go tell it on the mountain by james baldwin, nobody knows my name by james baldwin, if beale street could talk by. Questia compiled this list based on the mostread africanamerican authors in their library a list of most influential africanamerican authors might also include fellow omahan, malcolm x, the. Two of his most controversial books were, native son 1940 and black boy 1945. Perhaps the mostfamous aspect of the novel is its cover arta piercing face projected onto a dark blue night sky and lights from a cityscapean image that is also found, in a slightly different configuration, within the text.
She admits she hasnt found a sufficient answer to this. From literary icons to fresh, buzzworthy talent, here are 25 great books by africanamerican authors you should add to your reading list today. The 15 best works of fiction by black authors in 2014. The book was famous then, but if you havent heard of it, allow chicago magazine to outline the plot. But no matter the scope, black writers are using literature as a way to explore race and the effects of racism on the world around us. Home black women authors good reads must read books reading lists summer reading 12 books by black women that will keep you turning pages all summer long summer reading 12 books by black women that will keep you turning pages all summer long by shonette reed with barbeques, beaches, and vacations just around the corner, a summer reading list is. African american fiction classics, african american.
The first installment in adeyemis megapopular ya fantasy starts off. In these fifteen superb stories, this essential author of african american fiction gives us compelling portraits of a wide range of unforgettable characters, from sassy children to cunning old men, in scenes shifting between uptown new york and rural north. 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. Amazons most read charts rank titles by the average. Amazons most sold charts rank books according to the number of copies sold and preordered through, amazon books stores, and books read through digital subscription programs once a customer has read a certain percentage roughly the length of a free reading sample. The ways of white folks page 1 of 3 previous next page. You can also join our book clubs for all the best african american romance stories sent to you at a huge discount.
Our 11 favorite books written by black women authors in 2018 its not too late to add these titles as stocking stuffers. Buy products related to black authors books and see what customers say about black authors books on free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Compiling a list of my favorite books by black authors was no easy task, but here are the books and authors that i think everyone should know about. By joimarie mckenzie december 18, 2018 december 21, 2018. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to personal memoirs. An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club wellread black girl, on the importance. Black authors have inspired a whole generation to stand up for themselves, and have even bared their intimate life for the sake of becoming role models for the future generations.
These are stories featuring black women and white men, so a different style of urban fiction. The bluest eye by toni morrison, beloved by toni morrison, their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston. And does that question undermine this extraordinary moment for black male writers. What follows is a list of prominent black authors who have left a mark on the. Thanks to the work of african american authors, the world can better understand both the struggles and triumphs of black people in america. These books by famous black authors each capture and celebrate the black experience. This is a list of africanamerican authors and writers, all of whom are considered part of africanamerican literature, and who already have wikipedia articles. Victoria aveyard cassandra clare sarah dessen john green sarah j. From wise artists like maya angelou to new voices like marlon james and kiley reid, and leaders like the obamas, weve gathered some of the best books by black authors to add to your reading list. This author was able to put it in a story where i was able to relate to most characters of all varying colors in the book. Top 10 famous romance novels of all time famous authors. Growing up as a black girl writer, various books and writers sustained me. Her robust unveiling of black human experiences were the literary nourishment to my young mind.
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