Johann Hunt
Writers have the power to stir emotions through their works, and Black American writers are no different. This selected list of novels and their authors covers themes ranging from social justice to romance. Each book has earned its place through prestigious awards, influence, and/or consensus. Get ready to explore 15 books spotlighting African American literary talent.
Indigo By Beverly Jenkins
This historical romance, set in 19th-century Michigan, tells the story of Hester Wyatt, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and Galen Vachon. Despite their struggle for freedom, their love and courage take center stage. The book highlighted Beverly Jenkins’ well-known knack for weaving romantic and historical narratives.
The Color Purple By Alice Walker
“The Color Purple” follows the powerful, heartbreaking journey of Celie, an African American woman in the early 20th-century South. Through letters to God, she shares her painful fight to rise above abuse and oppression. The novel was turned into a musical and multiple films and earned both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award.
The Underground Railroad By Colson Whitehead
In this powerful reimagining, the Underground Railroad becomes a real, working train system as it follows Cora’s gripping escape from slavery. Winner of the National Book Award in 2016, the novel blends history with vivid fiction, revealing the brutal truths of enslavement while challenging the distorted portrayals of this dark period.
The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas
Centered on Starr Carter, a teenage girl who witnesses the shooting of her friend, this novel confronts police brutality and systemic racism. Its powerful impact and widespread acclaim led to it winning the William C. Morris Award and the Coretta Scott King Award in 2018.
Beloved By Toni Morrison
Set in post-Civil War America, this novel examines the legacy of slavery as Sethe, an escaped woman, is haunted by her daughter’s ghost. The book contributed to Morrison receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. Years later, it was adapted into a horror drama film starring Oprah Winfrey.
Invisible Man By Ralph Ellison
Ralph Ellison made an impactful debut with his first novel, “Invincible Man.” While it explored a range of themes, its heart centered on the African American experience in a racially divided society. The book won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1953, making Ellison the first Black writer to achieve this honor.
Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston
This one throws light on the life of Janie Crawford while exploring themes of love, freedom, and self-discovery in 20th-century Florida. Although it wasn’t widely appreciated at first, it has become a seminal work in African American literature. In 2005, it was adapted into a movie with Halle Berry playing the protagonist.
Parable Of The Sower By Octavia E. Butler
Set in a dystopian future, this sci-fi novel follows Laura Olamina, a young woman with the ability to feel others’ pain as she strives to create a new society. It tackles pressing issues like climate change and social inequality, earning a spot on the New York Times Notable Books of the Year list.
Roots: The Saga Of An American Family By Alex Haley
Alex Haley’s book was personal and based on his ancestor, Kunta Kinte, a Gambian sold into slavery. The 1996-published book sold 15 million units in its first seven months and won a special Pulitzer Prize. A television miniseries based on the book was released the following year.
Go Tell It On The Mountain By James Baldwin
This semiautobiographical novel examines an African American teenager’s relationship with his family and church. Set in 1930s Harlem, it shows the positive and negative influence of the Pentecostal church on the protagonist, John Grimes. The book has been praised for its deep insights into current personal and societal struggles.
An American Marriage By Tayari Jones
Famous for her heartfelt depictions of African-American life, Tayari Jones struck a chord with this novel. It delves into the emotional toll of wrongful incarceration on a young African-American couple’s marriage. The book earned widespread acclaim, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2019.
Before I Let Go By Kennedy Ryan
This contemporary romance centers on a divorced couple learning to co-parent while confronting lingering emotions and unresolved issues. As they face past wounds and the possibility of rekindling their love, the story delves into themes of grief, mental health, and second chances. In 2023, Universal Television and Peacock announced plans to adapt the story.
The Vanishing Half By Brit Bennett
The story follows twin sisters who lead starkly different lives—one in the black community, the other in the white. With its poignant exploration of colorism and domestic abuse, the novel received widespread acclaim and was longlisted for multiple prestigious awards, including the National Book Award and the Orwell Prize.
The Nickel Boys By Colson Whitehead
Inspired by a real reform school in Florida, this novel follows the harrowing story of two boys who suffered abuse during the Jim Crow era. It serves as a stark reminder of the brutality endured by students at Dozier School. In 2020, Whitehead won his second Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for this powerful work.
Brown Girl Dreaming By Jacqueline Woodson
This memoir shares Woodson’s experiences growing up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s. It gives readers a detailed account of events that shaped her journey to becoming a writer. In 2014, it was honored with the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.