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
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel

Listen to Your Sister

Neena Viel

352 pages • 2025 • 10 editions

fiction horror thriller adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced
Just Our Luck by Denise Williams

Just Our Luck

Denise Williams

384 pages • 2025 • 6 editions

fiction contemporary romance funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give #1

The Hate You Give

Angie Thomas

453 pages • 2017 • 143 editions

fiction contemporary young adult emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

Needy Little Things

Channelle Desamours

8h 6m • 2025 • 10 editions

fiction mystery speculative fiction young adult emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Reise ohne Wiederkehr oder Die geheimen Hefte des Michel Adanson by David Diop

Reise ohne Wiederkehr oder Die geheimen Hefte des Michel Adanson

David Diop

240 pages • 2021 • 19 editions

fiction historical literary dark emotional reflective medium-paced
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Earthseed #1

Parable of the Sower

Octavia E. Butler

345 pages • 1993 • 91 editions

fiction classics dystopian literary science fiction challenging dark tense medium-paced
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

James McBride

12h 21m • 2023 • 36 editions

fiction historical literary emotional reflective medium-paced
Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved Trilogy #1

Beloved

Toni Morrison

321 pages • 1987 • 185 editions

fiction classics historical literary magical realism dark emotional sad slow-paced
Jazz by Toni Morrison

Beloved Trilogy #2

Jazz

Toni Morrison

240 pages • 1992 • 60 editions

fiction classics historical literary challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
The Duchess Effect by Tracey Livesay

American Royalty #2

The Duchess Effect

Tracey Livesay

10h 6m • 2023 • 6 editions

fiction romance emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced