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11 BOOKS BY BLACK FEMALE AUTHORS FOR YOUR TBR

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at ODU chapter.

In these last few winter days of February, I cannot help but hope that March on the horizon will bring warmer weather as spring draws near here in Virginia. Whether the temperature outside warrants a cozy evening in or a rare afternoon under the sun, a fresh, new read comes in handy either way. Below, in honor of Black History Month, I’ve compiled a list of astounding books by Black female authors from varying genres for your TBRs this upcoming season.

“The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts” by Soraya Palmer

Pages: 288

Topics: Fantasy, LGBT, Folklore, Sisterhood, Modern Setting

Brief: Set in an “alive and unpredictable world,” Palmer’s debut novel carries the narrative of a Caribbean family through a recollection of memories and experiences as two sisters seek to discover themselves as well as their familial past.

“Ties That Tether” by Jane Igharo

Pages: 306

Topics: Contemporary, Romance, Adult, Cultural Identity, Mother-Daughter

Brief: A Nigerian woman struggles between fulfilling her promise to marry within her culture as her heart aches for a Spaniard. A lighthearted, fun read that maintains a balance of finding your identity, familial tensions and a sound romantic comedy.

“Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson

Pages: 385

Topics: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Family, Culture

Brief: The fate of two siblings is warped after the death of their mother, who has left them a black cake and an eight-hour message with cryptic insight on her past and their lineage. The novel touches on social issues and features multiple POVs.

“Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi

Pages: 400

Topics: Fantasy, Romance, Sapphic

Brief: Two elven sisters are thrown from the harsh circumstances they were raised in and into the world of the Fae, where they struggle with old loyalty and new ties as they adjust to a foreign world.

“Sweethand” by N.G. Peltier

Pages: 361

Topics: Contemporary, Chick Lit 

Brief: This lighthearted romance features a pastry chef whose mother couldn’t be more eager to find her a partner and a musician with whom she has never gotten along with (and has conveniently always crushed on her). A fun read featuring forced proximity, good chemistry and dual POV.  

“Ace of Spades” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Pages: 470

Topics: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Academia

Brief: Mystery solving in a dark academia setting with lies, twists and character development. Many who reviewed drew comparisons to TV shows “Gossip Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars,” as the plotline centers around an anonymous individual who seeks to publicly expose the secrets of the only two Black students who attend a private high school.

“The Two Lives of Sara” by Catherine Adel West

Pages: 320

Topics: Historical Fiction, Romance, Found Family

Brief: Set in the 1960s, “The Two Lives of Sara” tells the story of a young woman with-child searching for a place of peace, who is met with struggle and seeks to persevere. An emotional read with rich characters woven into a tale of resilience and hope.

“Weightless” by Evette Dionne

Pages: 272

Topics:  Nonfiction, Memoir, Feminism, Self Discovery, Body Positivity 

Brief: Author Evette Dionne writes of her experiences as a Black woman with a larger body, as well as the aversion, misdiagnoses and ignorance of today’s culture. A vulnerable, brutally honest read that invokes reflection and consideration of the world we live in today.

“Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi

Pages: 544

Topics: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Africa

Brief: Magic is removed from the kingdom and a young woman who has been through tragedy must work with a rogue princess to take a stand against a brash monarchy. Internal struggles with her powers and feelings leave readers hooked into this action-packed read with vibrant worldbuilding.

“The Unfortunates” by J.K. Chukwu

Pages: 305 

Topics: Contemporary, LGBT, Dark Academia, Real Life Topics 

Brief: A thesis-styled narrative of a Black college student whose Black classmates keep dying.  Readers follow her throughout the course of her chaotic sophomore year and her journey through grave circumstances. Described as impactful, memorable, and messy. TW: Mentions of grief, suicide and depression. 

“House of Marionne” by J. Elle

Pages: 400

Topics: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Academia

Brief: A seventeen-year-old with forbidden magic in her veins is constantly on the run until her entrance into a secret society of magic elites. To rid of her magic, the society presents her with three challenges that make her question what she’s been running from the entire time.

With these eleven stories, I aimed to highlight a variety of stories that are rich, colorful and imaginative. Although there is utmost importance in remembering history, there is a world of Black literature beyond Black trauma and all deserve recognition. Happy reading!

Cristina Rodriguez Velez is the Senior Editor of Her Campus at Old Dominion University. She is a third-year student and is majoring in English with a concentration in Technical Writing. She aspires to be a copyeditor for a major journalism publication so that information and culture are communicated to the world in the best quality possible. When she’s not writing articles for this chapter, she is likely writing or rereading a good book.