12 Books by Black Authors Challenge

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18 participants (70 books)

01 Feb 2025—28 Feb 2025

Overview

Goal: Read 12 books by Black authors in 12 categories. Each book you choose will offer a unique perspective on Black experiences, history, and culture.

Challenge Ideas:

1. A Classic by a Black Author
  • Example: "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison or "Native Son" by Richard Wright.

2. A Contemporary Novel by a Black Author
  • Example: "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett or "Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid.

3. A Memoir by a Black Author
  • Example: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou or "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois.

4. A Book of Poetry by a Black Poet
  • Example: "The Essential Gwendolyn Brooks" by Gwendolyn Brooks or "The Tradition" by Jericho Brown.

5. A Historical Fiction Novel by a Black Author
  • Example: "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi or "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead.

6. A Novel About the African-American Experience in the South
  • Example: "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker or "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.

7. A Thriller/Mystery Novel by a Black Author
  • Example: "The Cutting Season" by Attica Locke or "The Last Minority" by Tana French (exploring race and crime).

8. A Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel by a Black Author
  • Example: "Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi or "Kindred" by Octavia Butler.

9. A Book Exploring Black Feminism
  • Example: "Sister Citizen" by Melissa V. Harris-Perry or "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

10. A Book That Explores the Black Diaspora (Africa, Caribbean, etc.)
  • Example: "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or "Everything Inside" by Agha Shahid Ali.

11. A Young Adult Book by a Black Author
  • Example: "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas or "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson.

12. A Short Story Collection by a Black Author
  • Example: "The Thing Around Your Neck" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or "Jesus’ Son" by Denis Johnson (incorporates African-American stories)

Challenge Books

All books added
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Skyland #1

Before I Let Go

Kennedy Ryan

391 pages • 2022 • 41 editions

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed

When Stars Are Scattered

Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed

264 pages • 2020 • 15 editions

nonfiction graphic novel memoir middle grade emotional sad slow-paced
There's a Monster Behind the Door by Gaëlle Bélem

There's a Monster Behind the Door

Gaëlle Bélem

171 pages • 2020 • 6 editions

fiction literary dark funny medium-paced
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

The Weight of Blood

Tiffany D. Jackson

10h 55m • 2022 • 17 editions

fiction horror thriller young adult dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Isabel Wilkerson

14h 26m • 2020 • 35 editions

nonfiction history politics psychology race sociology challenging informative reflective medium-paced
A Promised Land by Barack Obama

The Presidential Memoirs #1

A Promised Land

Barack Obama

29h 11m • 2020 • 53 editions

nonfiction memoir politics informative inspiring reflective slow-paced
On a Woman's Madness by Astrid H. Roemer

On a Woman's Madness

Astrid H. Roemer

265 pages • 1982 • 13 editions

user-added

fiction lgbtqia+ literary challenging dark emotional medium-paced
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

The Dark Star Trilogy #1

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

Marlon James

620 pages • 2019 • 50 editions

fiction fantasy historical lgbtqia+ adventurous challenging dark slow-paced
Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat

Krik? Krak!

Edwidge Danticat

4h 52m • 1995 • 13 editions

user-added

fiction literary short stories emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Losing Sight by Tati Richardson

Losing Sight

Tati Richardson

320 pages • 2025 • 4 editions

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced