7 Authors for Black Girls Getting Back Into Reading
At some point in the not-so-distant past, you may have said to yourself ‘I’m going to read more.’ That very statement may be the reason why you chose to click on this article. Reading for pleasure can seem like a daunting task, but having the right novel, genre, and author makes all the difference. We’ve curated a list of 7 BIPOC authors that will help you cut down on the screen time and jump back into reading.
1. Mimi Grace
Simple love stories with relatable characters is a tried and true formula that Mimi Grace has perfected. The author has published several sexy romcoms, and we’ve enjoyed every single one. Grace’s titles include three installments of the Lovestruck series, but our favorite has to be her debut novel Along for the Ride. The story follows Jolene and Jason as they help their loved ones move across the country. The pair are forced to put aside their tumultuous relationship and navigate an unexpected roadtrip. On their journey, they discover a romance bubbling beneath the surface of all the tension.
2. Aaron Foley
Patrons of CNN, PBS News, or MLive may have come across some of Foley’s work in journalism in the past. Foley’s first fiction novel Boys Come First has received positive feedback from the public, and has certainly been on our TBR for a while. The novel is set in Detroit, MI and follows three Black men as they navigating their ever-changing lives. The novel gives a comedic, yet poignant glimpse into the experiences of gay, Black, millennial men through the eyes of the three protagonist: Dom, Remy, and Troy.
3. Talia Hibbert
If you’re a TikTok user and been following Black book bloggers on the platform, you’ve probably heard about Talia Hibbert. Her Brown sisters trilogy has received a lot of praise online over the past few years, but unlike many things on TikTok we can confirm that Hibbert’s novels actually live up to the hype. Readers are offered comedic and heartwarming stories that also offer glimpses into navigating Black womanhood, neurodivergence, power dynamics in relationships, and living with chronic illnesses.
While the book trilogy can be read in any order, we suggest starting with the first novel in the series for the best reading experience. Get a Life, Chloe Brown follows the eldest of the Brown sisters as she navigates her hostile relationship with her building manager, Redford. Though the two have a mutual dislike for each other, they make an agreement to work together towards their ultimate goals as something more slowly develops.
4. Renee Ahdieh
If you were obsessed with legends, fairytales, and adventure growing up, then this one is for you. Renee Ahdieh’s novels create magical experiences by exploring classic tales of cultures from around the world. While still falling into the YA Fantasy genre, Ahdieh’s books are a great for any reformed Twilight lovers looking for a more nuanced and engaging read.
The Wrath of the Dawn, is the first novel in a two-part series following heroine Shahrzad. The king of her region has been inexplicably marrying a new bride every night, only to have her killed the next day. The cycle has continued for 71 days and the townsfolk are terrified. When the king’s most recent victim is none other than Shahrzad’s best friend, she becomes determined to get answers. But when both the king and the circumstances are not at all what she expects, she will have to do her best to save herself and everyone around her.
5. Octavia E. Butler
Science fiction lovers will instantly be drawn to the writings of Octavia E. Butler, as her books often delve into the interesting (yet very realistic) paths the future could take. Butler is the author of several books and a master of dystopian fiction and afrofuturism. Her work is citied as the spiritual predecessors to many critically-acclaimed favorites like The Water Dancer, and gives Black feminist perspective missing from books like The Handmaids Tale.
We recommend new Butler readers start with her 2005 novel Fledgling. The story follows a young women suffering from amnesia who wakes up with unexplainable needs and abilities. When she discovers the truth of her identify and that she is in-fact a genetically modified, 53-year-old vampire, she must navigates her new reality as she tries to learn about her stolen past and those threatening her chance at a future.
6. Jasmine Guillory
As another staple among contemporary Black romance writers, Jasmine Guillory has many novels that are perfect for anyone looking to dive back into reading. Guillory’s books typically focus on career-driven Black women as they navigate love and relationships. While we’ve enjoyed all of her works, we recommend readers that are new to her novels start with her installment in the Meant to Be anthology series being released by Disney publishing.
Her installment, By the Book, gives a modern take on Beauty and the Beast. We follow Isabelle, an aspiring book editor, as she navigates being asked to stay in the home of Hollywood bad-boy Beau Towers. The couple navigate mutual distrust and hesitation as they work to finish Beau’s novel for the sake of both their careers.
7. Quinta Brunson
Abbot Elementary has quickly become one of America’s favorite new sitcoms. Series creator Quinta Brunson’s rise to Hollywood prominence seems to have happened overnight, but many know that Brunson has been in the game for a while. There’s still no ETA on when the next season of Abbot will be coming to our screens, but we can still get a taste of her special brand of heart-warming comedy through her memoir.
In She Memes Well, Brunson shares insights in her life growing up in Philly, her days as an internet creator, and how the world around her has shaped her perspective. The novel gives great insight into who this rising star is and how her life lessons can help us along our own paths.
Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below if you do check out any of these recommendations and feel free to share any authors we missed with the rest of the BBG community!
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