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
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Transcendent Kingdom

Yaa Gyasi

264 pages • 2020 • 56 editions

fiction contemporary literary emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen

Dixon, Descending

Karen Outen

10h 42m • 2024 • 6 editions

fiction contemporary adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
Pretty: A Memoir by K.B. Brookins

Pretty: A Memoir

K.B. Brookins

240 pages • 2024 • 5 editions

nonfiction lgbtqia+ memoir emotional informative reflective medium-paced
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

The Art of Scandal

Regina Black

292 pages • 2023 • 8 editions

fiction contemporary romance emotional medium-paced
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

Faebound #1

Faebound

Saara El-Arifi

386 pages • 2024 • 55 editions

fiction fantasy lgbtqia+ romance adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Harlem Rhapsody

Victoria Christopher Murray

385 pages • 2025 • 7 editions

fiction historical literary informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Death of the Author

Nnedi Okorafor

435 pages • 2025 • 19 editions

fiction literary science fiction thriller adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
Bemused by Farrah Rochon

Bemused

Farrah Rochon

344 pages • 2025 • 5 editions

fiction fantasy young adult adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing

Yaa Gyasi

300 pages • 2016 • 97 editions

fiction historical literary emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver

Neighbors and Other Stories

Diane Oliver

320 pages • 2024 • 13 editions

fiction historical literary short stories challenging emotional reflective medium-paced