Black History Month might be coming to an end next week, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep learning those important history lessons that weren’t taught in school or supporting Black creators.
Did you know that in the U.S., roughly 6% of books are written by Black authors? This summer, I’ll be joining the small percentage of Black authors in the industry when my lifestyle guide comes out — I hope to fill you in with more details about my book as soon as I get the green light from my publisher.
In the meantime, I’ve spent most of the past couple of years reading a variety of titles from Black authors, and so I wanted to share some of my favorite books that you can enjoy during Black History Month and beyond.
4 Books by Black Authors on Amazon
Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades is a great YA title that felt like Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars meets Get Out. I cannot believe how young the author is: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is exceptionally talented and wrote her debut novel as a college student. I can’t wait to see more work from her. And I also think she’s an author to watch.
The Vanishing Half
I also love how this book tackled the issues of race, bigotry, and belonging, as these sisters ultimately rejected their upbringing and went off to carve their own identities. As an adult, it makes you think: what happens when you move on from your hometown to reinvent yourself? And how will those choices trickle down within your family?
Becoming
In all seriousness, if for some reason you haven’t read Becoming yet, it’s a must-read. It’s a beautiful, honest, and humbling story of the First Lady that’s sure to inspire you when you need it the most. Michelle Obama has had an extraordinary life and is also incredibly brilliant. But I love how this memoir makes her seem more down-to-earth and relatable. I don’t listen to too many audiobooks, but after reading Mrs. Obama’s memoir, I had to turn around and listen to it again on Audible (it is completely worth it — something about her voice is just so comforting!)
The Hate U Give
This book follows a Black teen who is caught between two worlds: her elitist prep school and the low-income neighborhood she resides in. Starr witnesses the death of one of her best friends at the hands of the police and is caught in the aftermath. I struggled mentally during the George Floyd protests, and I cried while reading this (and have re-read it a few times). It’s an excellent, gut-wrenching story that is a must-read.
What about you? Which are your favorite books by Black authors? Let me know in the comments below!
Top Photos by Tom McGovern
![THE BEST PLACES TO CATCH SPRING BLOOMS IN @visitpasadena 🌸
After an extremely wet winter, I’m looking for all the spring blooms here in SoCal! Pasadena is only 20 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles, and is packed with some of the most stunning botanical gardens in the area — and definitely should be on your list to visit this spring!
Gardens to Visit in Pasadena This Spring (SAVE this post for later!)
🌸 @descansogardens — look out for Cherry Blossoms in their Japanese Garden, stroll through the Rose Garden and don’t miss the lilacs!
🌸 @nortonsimon — you could spend hours viewing the art here both indoors and outdoors in their Sculpture Garden
🌸 @arlingtonpasadena — a free, three-acre garden that’s home to an orange grove & Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree art installation
🌸 @thehuntingtonlibrary — you won’t want to miss their Cactus Garden, the Conservatory, the Japanese Garden, and the Chinese Garden
🌸 @langhampasadena — enjoy afternoon tea here & take a stroll through their Japanese Garden for Cherry Blossoms!
My fellow SoCal friends — anywhere else I should check out for spring blooms this year? Let me know! 📸 by @foodphotographer [ad]](https://www.aliciatenise.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Thank you for the recs! Ace of Spades is the only one of these I haven’t read – it’s on my to-read list!
Do you ever read romance? I love Jasmine Guillory’s books (starting with The Wedding Date).
I read a lot of fantasy and highly recommend (if you’re into the genre) The Gilded Ones, The Rage of Dragons, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, and Children of Blood and Bone. Or anything by N.K. Jemisin or Nnedi Okorafor.
Oooh I don’t read romance too often, but I’m also not opposed to it either! Adding the Wedding Date to my list!
I know I’m not Alicia but thank you for these recs! I’ve read all of the above and I’m always looking for more.
Thanks for the excellent recommendations! I hadn’t yet read Ace of Spades, so I picked it up based on your recommendation and could not put it down! I don’t usually read YA but this was riveting (and terrifying!)