“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” – Audre Lorde
During a book club meeting, we were recently talking about Stacey Abrams’ Lead from the Outside. There was this wholly unique feeling of reading words by a woman who is so accomplished, so focused, and so succinct—and, at the same time, you can tell she is only getting started.
Malcolm X said there is no more disrespected person in America than the Black woman. Black women are continuously (and forcibly) restrained by sexist and racist institutions that target their intersectionality.
And yet, Black women continue to grace us with their talents, their wisdom, their heartache, their triumphs, and their continuous struggles against pre-built notions of who they might be.
We’re in a deep time of struggle right now, but there is some light to be found—whether through rifling through your dog-eared copies of The Bluest Eye or by looking forward to contemporary stories by writers like Raven Leilani or Kiley Reid.
Here are a few of our favorite books by Black women writers who lent us a look inside their hearts. We thank you so much.
Aliya’s Picks
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: This was a book that I STRUGGLED to put down. The story, imagery, and themes are really compelling. Also, I know you're not supposed to judge on this blah blah, but the cover is really cool.
Wow, No Thank You by Samanatha Irby: A super funny (and relatable) read. I highly recommend it!
Lauren’s Picks
Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim: Written by the founder of the online book club that I love for great book recommendations on the regular, Edim's book is an inspiring collection of essays by black women writers on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes and after. Not only did I enjoy this read (a lot) but I read it during a time in my life when "busy" was my default and Rhimes really helps you re-evaluate that.
Caileen’s Picks
On Beauty by Zadie Smith: When I was in high school, all of my favorite writers were white men, because that’s all we read. Zadie Smith changed all of that. I’d also recommend pretty much everything she has ever written, but On Beauty is my personal favorite—which is why all of the pages of my original copy are falling out.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones: Speaking of high school reading, this should be taught in every classroom. It’s an exploration of bias, love, the flawed prison system in America, and the tremendous fallout at the intersection of all three. An American Marriage opened my eyes in a way only a great book could.
Fiction Books by Black Women
While we compiled this list, we were reminded of books we loved, books we want to re-read, all the stunning books that have been released in the past few years, and all the books we needed to add to our "to-read" list. Here are a few books by Black women that are on all of those lists.
From contemporary fantasy to historical fiction, there's a story in here for every reader.
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
- Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
- The Mothers by Brit Bennett
- Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- Luster by Raven Leilani
- Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
- An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
- Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
- Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
- Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Non-Fiction, Memoir, or Historical Books by Black Women
Many of these books feature painstaking research into trauma, injustice, and pain inflicted on Black women—but that's not even all of it. They also show resilience, unbreakable drive, and a look toward the future.
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
- Lead From The Outside by Stacey Abrams
- Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis
- Ain’t I a Woman? by bell hooks
- Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women by Brittney C. Cooper
- Black Women's Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability Edited by Stephanie Y. Evans, Kanika Bell, Nsenga K. Burton, and Linda Goler Blount
Poetry + Essays by Black Women
We are part of the crowd that was blown away by Amanda Gorman's 2021 Inauguration poem, The Hill We Climb. It begged the question, "When was the last time we sat and read poetry?"
- The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde
- The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
- Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham
- Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
- I’ve Been a Woman by Sonia Sanchez
- In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens by Alice Walker
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey
- Magical Negro by Morgan Parker
Books We’re Looking Forward to Reading in 2021
There are so many Black women writing their stories right now—and we cannot wait to read them. Here are a few books by Black women that are being released in 2021. We are looking forward to reading as many as possible this year.
- Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford
- Black Girl Finance by Selina Flavius
- Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans
- Carefree Black Girls: A Celebration of Black Women in Pop Culture by Zeba Blay
- Dear Miss Metropolitan by Carolyn Ferrell
- How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
- The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
Other Amazing Book Lists
We could have continued to build this list forever, but there are some great lists of books by Black women—as well as book clubs, reading groups, essays, and so much more. Here are a few we came across (and we'd highly recommend bookmarking these!)
- The ZORA Canon: The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written by African American Women
- Roxane Gay’s 2021 Book Club (!!!)
- What Can I Do? Anti-Racism Resources for People Looking For a Place to Start
- 11 Personal Finance Books by Black Women
- The Ultimate Gift Guide to Shop Black Women-Owned Businesses
Black and Black Women-Owned Bookshops to Support
We know that it can be easier to buy books from a place that sends them within 24 hours—we’ve all done it.
However, consider supporting one of these bookshops while growing your bookshelf. Support small Black-owned businesses where you can. The world is a better place for it. The asterisk (*) denotes Black women-owned bookstores.
- Semicolon Bookstore*
- Books and Crannies*
- Eso Won Books
- Harriett's Books*
- Loyalty Bookstore*
- Detroit Book City
- Sisters Uptown Bookstore*
- Black Stone Books
- Fulton Street Books*
- Brain Lair Bookstore
- Ashay By The Bay*
- The Lit. Bar*
- Mahogany Books
Here are even more Black-owned bookstores compiled by WRBG.
