10 Must-Read Books by Black Authors This Week

If your ‘to be read’ pile is looking a little light, get ready to add some serious weight! This past week has been a literary celebration, with 10 incredible Black authors dropping new titles across a spectrum of genres. From heartwarming romances to gripping dramas and insightful reflections, there’s a fresh story waiting to capture your attention.

Your Next Literary Obsession Awaits

Whether you’re craving something light and flirty, deeply personal, or delightfully messy, these new releases offer something for every reader. It’s the perfect reminder to not only dive into a good book but, more importantly, to support and celebrate stories told in our own voices.

Romance & Relationships

• **Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen:** The final installment of Allen’s Curve trilogy, this book follows Jazmyne Payne as she navigates life back home, focusing on a plus-size Black woman’s love story with a feel-good, yet realistic, ending.
• **The Art of Loving You by Natasha Bishop:** The second book in the “Forever Falling” series, this novel takes readers on a bucket-list road trip filled with sweet and spicy second-chance romance between Dani Jenkins and Micah Wright.
• **Summer Official by Rebekah Weatherspoon:** This YA sapphic romance explores the “opposites attract” dynamic between Saylor Ford and Heaven Goo-Campbell, leading to an unexpected summer romance.
• **Don’t Tell Me How It Ends by Adrienne Thurman:** A contemporary romance with a rom-com feel, this story features Kaia, a commitment-averse woman who finds her cynical views on love challenged by an unexpected match, Ro Jackson.

Thought-Provoking Narratives

• **Nasty Work by Ericka Hart:** Hart reimagines sex education, exploring how societal constraints have impacted marginalized communities’ experiences of pleasure and offering a path toward a more empowered view of sex and sexuality.
• **Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola:** In her debut novel, Akinola introduces estranged Nigerian-American siblings forced to confront family tensions, secrets, and their complex relationships with themselves and each other, exploring themes of forgiveness and self-love.
• **Soundtrack by Jason Reynolds:** A print adaptation of the acclaimed audiobook, this YA novel follows a group of NYC teens in the early 2000s forming a band and navigating unexpected success while revealing a moving coming-of-age story.
• **Through Mom’s Eyes by Sheinelle Jones:** Inspired by her “Through Mom’s Eyes” segment, Jones’ debut book shares life lessons from mothers of successful individuals, blending celebrity insights with her own parenting journey.

Guides and Deep Dives

• **Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life by Emma Grede:** Grede offers a no-nonsense guide to achieving meaningful success, providing practical tools for managing emotions, clarifying ideas, and making strategic decisions.
• **How Black Music Took Over the World by Melvin Gibbs:** Bass guitarist Melvin Gibbs delves into the Black diasporic roots of music, tracing rhythms from the African Diaspora and Southern Baptist traditions to contemporary stars like Beyoncé, showcasing its profound historical impact.