A lot has happened in the world over the past couple weeks that hasn’t been reflected on the podcast because June episodes were recorded in mid-May. So, I wanted to bring you this special bonus episode to highlight some books by black authors that I’ve loved over the past couple years. 

These are stories of the lives of particular black characters and people that have stuck with me (in many cases for years) since I read them. 

I’m also looking to highlight more stories by and about black people moving forward on the podcast.

This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

Favorite Books by Black Authors (Fiction) [3:04]

2 Auto-Buy Authors

• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [4:24]
• Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones | Buy from Amazon [6:10]
• The Mothers by Brit Bennett (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [7:37]
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [9:36] 

An Old-Time Favorite Author (Stephen L. Carter)

• The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter | Buy from Amazon [10:01]
• Palace Council by Stephen L. Carter | Buy from Amazon [11:50]
• Back Channel by Stephen L. Carter (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [12:49]

Under the Radar Gems

• An Untamed State by Roxane Gay (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [15:28]
• My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite | Buy from Amazon [17:23]
• The Mother by Yvette Edwards (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [19:07]
• The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [20:14]
• The Star Side of Bird Hill by Naomi Jackson (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [21:31]

Super Buzzy Books You’ve Probably Already Heard Of

• Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [23:03]
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Buy from Amazon [23:37]
• The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead | Buy from Amazon [24:18]

Favorite Books by Black Authors (Nonfiction) [25:09]

2 Memoirs I Loved

• Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [25:39] 
• The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore | Buy from Amazon [28:10]

Super Buzzy Books You’ve Probably Already Heard Of

• Becoming by Michelle Obama (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [29:56]
• Born A Crime by Trevor Noah | Buy from Amazon [31:29]

Other Books Mentioned

• We Wish You Luckby Caroline Zancan (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [8:30]
• The Underground Railroadby Colson Whitehead | Buy from Amazon [24:30]
• Yes, Chefby Marcus Samuelsson | Buy from Amazon [27:55]
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates | Buy from Amazon [33:19]
• Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi | Buy from Amazon [33:19]
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo | Buy from Amazon [33:31]
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin | Buy from Amazon [33:31]
• Deacon King Kong by James McBride | Buy from Amazon [34:05]
• Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo | Buy from Amazon [34:17]

Other Links

• Anti-Racist Reading List from Traci at The Stacks Podcast
• Read Black Stories (Fiction by Black Authors) Reading List from Traci at The Stacks Podcast
• My Book by Black Authors List
• Ep. 58: 2020 Summer Reading Guide Special
• Season 2, Ep: 16 of Currently Reading Podcast (my guest appearance)
• Novel Pairings Podcast
• Ep. 34: Sara Hildreth (@fictionmatters)
• Ep. 40: Byrd Leavell (Literary Agent)

Next Episode

A full length episode featuring Morgan Hoit (@nycbookgirl), Associate Marketing Manager at Avid Reader Press (airing June 24).

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