12 Books by Black Authors Challenge

bookishlyariel's profile picture bookishlyariel Host

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
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

Good Dirt

Charmaine Wilkerson

368 pages • 2025 • 14 editions

fiction historical literary emotional informative reflective medium-paced
Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi

Goodnight Racism

Ibram X. Kendi

32 pages • 2022 • 3 editions

fiction childrens race emotional reflective medium-paced
Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher

Red Clay

Charles B. Fancher

381 pages • 2025 • 6 editions

fiction historical challenging dark reflective fast-paced
The Sable Cloak by Gail Milissa Grant

The Sable Cloak

Gail Milissa Grant

320 pages • 2025 • 3 editions

fiction historical emotional hopeful informative medium-paced
People of Means by Nancy Johnson

People of Means

Nancy Johnson

368 pages • 2025 • 5 editions

fiction historical literary emotional informative reflective medium-paced
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

All My Rage

Sabaa Tahir

374 pages • 2022 • 31 editions

fiction contemporary young adult emotional reflective sad medium-paced
A Season of Light by Julie Iromuanya

A Season of Light

Julie Iromuanya

256 pages • 2025 • 5 editions

fiction literary medium-paced
Let Us March On by Shara Moon

Let Us March On

Shara Moon

384 pages • 2025 • 3 editions

fiction historical race medium-paced
The Air Between Us by Shameka S. Erby

Coming Home: The Elements Series #1

The Air Between Us

Shameka S. Erby

149 pages • 2024 • 3 editions

fiction erotica lgbtqia+ romance emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You by A'ja Wilson

Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You

A'ja Wilson

192 pages • 2024 • 5 editions

nonfiction feminism race self help emotional funny reflective medium-paced