10 Contemporary Fiction Novels by Black Authors to Add to Your TBR

Hello again! I’m back with a book recs post, and this time I’m hoping to highlight some writers of color that you NEED to be aware of.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months (figuratively, of course; COVID-19 has forced us all to live under a rock in an almost literal sense), you’ve noticed a cultural reawakening to the systemic oppression and silencing of people of color — especially Black people — in the United States. 

While civil rights and restorative justice are at the forefront of the movement for equality, every aspect of our lives is affected by white supremacy, and what we read is no exception.

I’m sure I’m not alone in the fact that for most of my life, and all throughout school, my reading list was blindingly white (not to mention male — but that’s a discussion for another day). 

But there are so many great options out there that were not written by old white guys!

If you’ve recently been inspired to branch out in your reading, I humbly present this list of recently-published novels by Black authors that will not disappoint!

1. Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid

This potent story has dry wit, an ominous undercurrent that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and a lovably 100% human main character. Reid does an amazing job getting into the heads of problematic white people and showing just how easy it is to be part of the problem — even when you think your intentions are the best.  

2. The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This stunning novel set during the height of slavery is a masterclass in subtle magical realism. Coates is a truly lyrical and profound author, and I want to read everything he’s ever written! Next up for me is his memoir, Between the World and Me.

3. An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones

If you’re looking for a mix of contemporary adult drama and a discussion of our criminal justice system, check out An American Marriage. Celestial and Roy’s lives are torn apart when Roy is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. He spends years in prison, and their relationship experiences twists and turns as a result. It’s a romance that handles the complexity of life brilliantly while examining how someone’s entire existence can be altered by a tragically mistaken arrest.

4. The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett

This is one of my favorite novels in recent memory! Two light-skinned twin sisters go separate ways as adults: one chooses to pass as white and disappear from the lives of everyone she knew, and the other spends decades trying to find her. It’s got the quirky intrigue of a mystery and the heartbreaking realness of a drama, and every single character is both lovable and uniquely flawed. It’s a fascinating look into race and the concept of how much of identity is a choice. 

5. Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This one is still on my TBR, but I’ve heard amazing things about it. The struggle of immigrants is often portrayed in one or two stereotypes, so I’m excited to delve into this novel following two siblings from Nigeria, one who ends up in America and the other who becomes undocumented in London. 

6. Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi

Don’t miss this one! Yaa Gyasi’s mature and gripping writing style makes her seem much older than her 31 years — and if you can get over your envy of her talent, you won’t be sorry you tried Homegoing. It’s a sprawling multi-generational tale that wrestles with the American heritage of slavery, connecting our history with our present in an unbelievably human and compelling story.

7. The Sun is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon

Okay, this one is technically young adult fiction, but it’s too good not to put on this list. Another heart-wrenching look at victims of the immigration system, The Sun is Also a Star is a beautiful romance told over the course of just one day in New York City. Natasha is getting ready to be deported with her family back to Jamaica when she meets Daniel, the son of Korean immigrants who’s fighting to carve his own path. When they meet, you really start to believe in love at first sight.

8. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

I’ve got to throw another YA novel into the mix while I’m at it! This one was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It deals with heavy issues in a truly graceful way that instead of weighing you down, leaves you energized.

9. Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams

If you’re looking for a bold and hilarious novel with deep social commentary, check out Queenie. It’s a ridiculously fun read that forces you to evaluate some of life’s hard questions while you’re at it. What’s not to like? 

10. Sing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn Ward

This novel is a wrenching tale about two children in Mississippi who go on a journey with their mother from their grandparents’ house to meet their father, who was recently released from prison. It’s an astoundingly beautiful Southern epic that you won’t want to miss.