Over the years, I’ve read countless fantastic fictional books by Black authors, and now I’m sharing my favorites with you.
This post was originally published during Black History Month in 2023 (and then revamped and republished in 2024). However, this is a not-so-gentle reminder that it’s absolutely vital to read both non-fic and fictional books by Black authors and amplify Black voices all year long. Diversifying your shelves isn’t just for one month each year, but should be a continuous journey.
My hope in sharing my favorite books by these astounding Black authors is that you’ll discover new ways to integrate these stories into your life and share them with others as well. In addition to that, I want to encourage you to continue following and supporting bloggers and creators in marginalized communities for the absolute best book recommendations all year round.
I strongly believe that education can come in many different ways, including reading fiction. I’ve learned so much about different races, cultures, and periods in history due to the plethora of fictional books I’ve read over the years. These stories are often painted by the author’s life and worldview and I’m so thankful for how that allows my own mindset to evolve. I’m not as educated as I’d like to be. I come short in so many areas. But I’m continuing to learn, grow, and support. This is a reminder that it’s important to continue reading books that expand your mind and give you a fresh perspective.
related posts
12 Queer Romance Books That You’re Going to Love // 12 Books With Mental Health Rep That You Must Read // 12 Magical Realism Books to Read for an Escape
40+ Books by Black Authors You Have to Pick Up Right Now
Below, you can click through to the StoryGraph page to read the synopses. I’ve also included links to purchase from your favorite retailer. Any book that is part of a series has received an *asterisk to mark it. I’ve begun with SFF and moved from there into contemporary and romances. Visit my StoryGraph account to see my updates and ratings as they go live – and check out my bookstagram account for more aesthetic photos of books and coffee!
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
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coconut wax bookish candle (ESPRESSO10) | wooden cake tray | single-serve French press | mug & saucer | similar birdcage | sweater | blue light-blocking glasses | pine cones | pillow | cinnamon sticks
Have you read any of these phenomenal fictional books by Black authors?
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Great post for Black History month! I’ve read several of these I really enjoyed them. I particularly enjoy audiobooks that are narrated by Black performers as well.
My hope is that this post will go well beyond Black History Month. It’s so incredibly important to me to be diversifying my shelves all year long, not just for one month. That’s why there are so many books on this list – they’re all favorites that I’ve read over the years and just had to share with everyone!
This is such a great list! Definitely bookmarking for later reference. I’m also excited to read A Psalm of Storms and Silence as well as Children of Blood and Bone very soon.
I saw that both of those were on your backlist challenge and it made me so happy! I hope you love them as much as I do. A Psalm of Storms and Silence is truly one of my favorite books of all time. Maybe that’s a little odd for a sequel, but I’ve never highlighted more quotes than I did while reading that book! My Kindle looked like someone just had a field day with the highlight button haha!
Majority of them are already on my to-buy list, so hopefully I’ll be able to get to them in a short period. Absolutely, I love With The Fire On High. Opposite of Always was nice too, but I didn’t like it the same way as the first one
I love hearing that so many of them are on your list already 🙂 I hope you love them! I gotta ask though: what do you mean by you didn’t like it the same way as “the first”? Opposite of Always is a standalone and was Justin’s debut novel, so I’d love to understand what you’re referring to!
Terrific post. I’ve only read one book on this list, but I’ve enjoyed many books by black authors. I just finished The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest and it was wonderful.
I sure do hope that you pick up some of the others! I think you’d love The Boyfriend Project series and Talia Hibbert’s books 🙂 I have The Neighbor Favor on my TBR for when it comes out. Love Kristina’s books so much!
Yes! I am always looking for books to add to my wishlist! I already have ‘Beasts Of Prey’ on my wishlist BUT not the one with this gorgeous cover! I’m definitely buying this copy now! 🙂
Hehe if I’m honest, I had a tough time deciding which cover to choose for that one just because they’re both so pretty! But after reading it, I felt like this cover best represented the story 🙂
Great post! I just caught up on the Legendborn series last month, and I’m hoping to finally start Children of Blood and Bone this year, as well as Beasts of Prey. Thanks for sharing!
Love hearing that! Legendborn is one of my favorites. Tracy puts some special sauce in those books, I swear. They’re addictive! I was on vacation when I read Bloodmarked and I literally couldn’t put it down haha
Such an amazing list Stephanie! I have read several already and can spot some of my favourites like Legendborn and Children of blood and bone, so will add some that caught my eye for the next few months x
That makes me so happy! I can’t wait to hear what you think of some of the others once you pick them up 🙂
I am SO excited about Legendborn. I’ve seen lots of hype around it, so when Illumicrate did a reprint I decided to snag them for myself. I think they’ll arrive later this year. Can’t wait to see how this author incorporates Arthurian legend.
I’m typically not a huge fan of Arthurian retellings, but I personally think Legendborn is spectacular. It’s really unlike anything else I’ve ever read and Bloodmarked made me SOB (but like in a good way soooo). I just can’t wait for the next book in the series!