🌴 The Summer Reading List That Won’t Waste Your Time
twelve unforgettable books by Black authors that'll have you ignoring your devices
Summer is hot, humid, and the best time of the year! Fight ya momma on that one. I adore sitting poolside, beachside, or winding down after a long workday by delving into a good book. What’s a summer-appropriate read? IMO, when it’s super hot outside, we’re reading books that immediately capture us, that read easily and quickly, and leave us with deep feelings. Series have their place, but you may need to put the book down to take a trip, and being tethered to a series is not always convenient.
I love taking a solo book retreat every summer. This means going on a vacation by myself and bringing one book for each day of the trip. If I’m driving to the destination, I download an audiobook to start the book getaway right away. Engaging memoirs are the perfect companion for your next road trip. The biggest benefit of the book retreat is purposefully disconnecting from devices and letting your mind get lost in a light, engaging story.
The following list features books by Black authors from various genres. If you mainly stick to one genre, I encourage you to explore different ones and try something new to spice up your summer reading. Additionally, most of the books on this list were published before 2024, so they can be found at your local library. If your library doesn’t have a book on the list below, ask them to acquire a copy or donate one yourself to help keep works by Black authors available, especially during this time when book bans are affecting what’s accessible. The list is organized alphabetically by author.
📚 12 Books by Black Authors Worthy of Devouring This Summer
📕 A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole | Romance
Wouldn’t you also ignore a bunch of emails claiming you’re a princess from a small place in Africa? This retelling of the classic Cinderella story features Prince Thabiso and the lost Princess Neledi from the Kingdom of Thesolo. Especially when they declare you are betrothed! This fun and sexy romance is told in two parts with an irresistible plot. The story never feels rushed or outlandish, and that believability is what makes it truly special.
📖 Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux | Mystery
When Glory’s best friend is found dead, the police declare it a suicide. Glory is convinced there’s more to the story, and that’s where her investigation begins. I don’t come across many books with a protagonist over 50, let alone a lively, ornery Black woman. Arceneaux captures what it means to age and become invisible in a society obsessed with youth and beauty, while spinning a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I especially enjoyed the setting of Lafayette, LA, for the vivid descriptions of people and culture. I highly recommend this one for fans of cozy mysteries!
📗 Through The Storm by Beverly Jenkins | Historical Romance
What I enjoy most about Jenkins’ work is the care she puts into researching the setting of her novels. The reader receives plenty of accurate information about Black American life during Reconstruction and how those enslaved fought for their freedom. Then she humanizes the characters with a well-written love story featuring strong women leads paired with men willing to fight for their love. Her works are what make the genre worth reading.
📘 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Poetry & Young Adult
I will admit that I’m a super fan of Acevedo, and this is the work that made me so. Written in verse, I especially enjoy listening to it to capture the lyrical quality of the writing. Typically, I stay away from young adult fiction, but Acevedo captures teenage life amidst a world that wants children to be just that, while making adult choices. This coming-of-age story shares the life of a Dominican girl raised in NYC, with lots of secrets and slam poetry as her outlet.
📙 Sugar: A Novel by Bernice L. McFadden | Contemporary Fiction
Being from a small southern town myself, I understand the culture well. We don’t welcome newcomers easily, and those who arrive and keep to themselves even less so. When you combine moving a young prostitute who sells her wares next door to a grieving mother, sparks are bound to fly. However, McFadden goes deeper, showing how grief and longing influence a community. Though brief, the writing and storytelling take the reader on a quick and heartfelt journey. This bittersweet story could easily work well on screen.
📖 Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler | Science Fiction/Fantasy
Looking for a great summer book club pick? It’s hard to believe Butler wrote this over 30 years ago! Butler predicted our current situation by writing a work that explores the natural outcome of society. Butler tells a story set in a world after a climate disaster, featuring strong characters, compelling storytelling, and remarkable creativity. She addresses themes like racism, corporate greed, religion, and slavery under a different name. If you enjoy the story, be sure to pick up the sequel!
📙 The Mother of Black Hollywood by Jennifer Lewis | Biography
Lewis doesn’t sugarcoat the impact of mental illness on her life. In this memoir, she shares how she went from a small town in the Midwest to becoming a Hollywood darling. The book shares the lessons and insights Lewis learned from living with an undiagnosed mental illness and sex addiction. Listen to this audiobook to hear Lewis sing, laugh, and perform her life story.
📘 Born a Crime by Trevor Noah | Autobiography/Humor
This remains one of my favorite autobiographies because of its strong storytelling and humor. I recommend you listen to this book to hear the various dialects and extra flourishes Noah shares. It’s a coming-of-age story about how Noah became who he is today while discovering himself, all set against the backdrop of his mother surviving an abusive relationship. Listening to this work helped me realize how much I didn’t know about South Africa’s history and also educated me on some of the politics. I highly recommend picking up this book.
📗 Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson | Historical Fiction
If I’m going to read fiction set during slavery, it has to be accurate, concise, and creative. Although I enjoy historical fiction, I am definitely opposed to trauma porn. Johnson strikes the perfect balance, taking you into the dark realities of slavery while also showing the humanness and cunning those enslaved needed to survive. The writing is beautiful and emotive, allowing the reader to empathize while also recognizing the strength of those who were enslaved but survived.
📖 The Book of Pheonix by Nnedi Okorafor | AfroFuturism
You could simply read this book and enjoy its complex, engaging story. OR you could take a moment to explore the many aspects of African culture, language, and history. Then, this work will blow your mind! The story is straightforward yet original and creative. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with great depth. You could definitely read this, poolside, in one sitting.
📙 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett | Literary Fiction
If you’re not usually a reader of this genre, this book is perfect for you. I see this work as a modern version of Passing by Nella Larsen, suited for the 21st century. What occurs when identical twins choose very different life paths during a time when skin color influences more than just social status? Bennet skillfully guides us through different eras and generations to show how a single choice can dramatically shape a person’s entire life.
📕 Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez | Literary Fiction
During this time when women’s rights are gradually being taken away, this is the work everyone should read. We often think of choice and bodily autonomy narrowly, but there are many different aspects to that. We hear stories about women in big cities, but not about women and girls in rural areas who lack control or access to resources that ensure true freedom. This is for the reader who cares about good writing, so dive in!
❤️ Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby | Thriller & Suspense
The only truly likable character in this story is an innocent child, but I can’t recommend it enough. Cosby manages to have you rooting for villains while hoping for everyone to survive this fast-paced thriller. He has the unique ability to take his plotlines all the way to the gutter without trying to get the reader to empathize. Instead, Cosby forces us to face the world as grimy as it is. I’ve never read a book by S.A. Cosby that I didn’t enjoy, so I’m definitely taking his new book, King of Ashes, on vacation this summer.
There are many books I could add to this list, and I love a good series, so they are included. However, any book on this list that is part of a series can be enjoyed on its own. Whether you read just one book or twelve this summer, put down your devices and immerse yourself in a great story.
💭 What book(s) would you add to this list? Comment below!
Until next time,
I read about three of these so will definitely check out the rest.
This is a great list with several of my favorite reads. I’ve been making my way through all of Beverly Jenkin’s Historical Romances this year and absolutely been loving the ride. Now I need to create my own list to share while I make through my reading list. TFS!