The temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter, but even though your best beach days may be behind you this summer, there is no shortage of amazing books by Black authors to read, giving you plenty of excuses to stay in and curl up with a pumpkin spice-flavored anything this fall.
Suggested Reading
From a new collection of works by Nikki Giovanni to a story about the women behind the legendary P-Funk sound, these are the books we can’t wait to read this September.
“The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs and Things” by Nikki Giovanni (September 2)
If you love Nikki Giovanni as much as we do, you’ll devour her latest work, “The New Book,” a collection of poems and other writings that are a thoughtful reflection of the times.
In one poem, she writes, “But what does 2020 mean to me; A chance to learn to open oysters; Talk to my friends; Catch up on my reading; Tell myself I am going to dust the house; Lie about it…Enjoy my own company not to mention football; And remember there will be tomorrow; Because there will be; And evil will go and good will come; I am Black; We have seen much worse.”
“Coloring With Coco” by Andrea Ballo (September 9)
Break out your crayons and colored pencils! From Andrea Ballo, the artist behind the viral TikTok account, Coloring with Coco, comes “Coloring With Coco: Rest and Reflect,” an adult coloring book full of images of confident Black women along with writing prompts and affirmations that are meant to bring out your best.
“Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic” by Seth Neblett (September 30)
In the 1970s, Parliament-Funkadelic was known for a unique sound that left an indelible mark on Black music. But while the world knows George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, there are women who played a key role in the band’s creative success whose stories are not widely known. Now, “Mothership Connected” tells the story of women behind the music, including Mallia Franklin, Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Debbie Wright and Shirley Hayden, and captures the highs and lows of this important era in music history. Author and son of Mallia Franklin Seth Neblett uses interviews with Franklin and other group members to bring a unique personal perspective to the story.
“Revenge of the Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell (Paperback edition available on September 30)
In “Revenge of the Tipping Point,” New York Times bestselling author Malcom Gladwell offers a follow-up to his hit “The Tipping Point,” giving readers a guide on how to navigate the strange times we’re living in.
Oprah Daily called it “a must-read for long-time Gladwell fans”
“It’s Me They Follow” by Jeannine A. Cook (September 23)
“It’s Me They Follow” is a love story that follows a lonely bookstore owner known for bringing couples together through books. But after helping others find love, she finally decides it’s time to find a little happiness of her own.
“We’re Alone: Essays” by (September 3)
“We’re Alone,” is Edwidge Danticat’s collection of essays that deal with America’s history of discrimination against the people Haiti from Thomas Jefferson to the AIDS epidemic to the present day.
“Hairiette of Harlem: The Great Birthday Surprise” by Tanya Wright (September
“Hairiette of Harlem” is a picture book geared towards young readers ages 6 – 11. The book tells the magical story of a young girl who uses her imagination to turn what she thought was a boring birthday gift into a magical surprise.
“The Waterbearers: A Memoir of Mothers and Daughters” by Sasha Bonét (September 16)
“The Waterbearers” is a new memoir from Sasha Bonét. In the book she writes candidly about Black motherhood, tapping into her memories growing up in Houston and the single Black women who helped raise her to become the woman she is today.
National Book Award winner Imani Perry called it “one of the most beautiful and truthful books I’ve ever read.”
“Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light” by Robin Allison Davis (September 16)
“Surviving Paris” is a memoir from author Robin Allison Davis. In the book, she writes about fulfilling her dream and moving to Paris as a young Black woman. But after suffering a series of setbacks while she’s there, she realizes that reality isn’t always as glamorous as our fairy tale-inspired fantasies.
“Nobody Can Give You Freedom: The Political Life of Malcolm X” by Kehinde Andrews (September 9)
“Nobody Can Give You Freedom” author Kehinde Andrews takes a close look at the words of the late civl rights leader Malcolm X to explore how we can apply his words today.
“The Bumpy Road to Better: Unlocking the Hidden Power in Hard Things” by Tim Timberlake (September 2)
Tim Timberlake experienced unspeakable loss after his father succumbed to cancer shortly after the two had a powerful conversation about life. Now, in “The Bumpy Road to Better,” Timberlake is on a mission to help others overcome hardships with advice on navigating life’s twists and turns and finding success.
“Champion: A Graphic Novel” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld (September 2)
“Champion” is a graphic novel for readers ages 12 and up. The story centers around a young basketball player who finds his dreams in jeopardy after he makes one bad decision which puts his future at risk.
“A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, Illustrations by Nikkolas Smith (September 2)
Inspired by the legendary Sam Cooke’s classic civil rights anthem “A Change is Gonna Come” is a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book which brings Black history to life for young readers.
“The Wilderness: A Novel” by Angela Flournoy (September 16)
“The Wilderness” is a beautifully-written novel about the twenty-year friendship between five Black women and how they’ve managed to find their way through the wilderness to navigate everything from marriage to motherhood in Los Angeles and New York.
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