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You may still be trying to squeeze in your last holiday shopping, but we’re already thinking about 2024 – well, the books, at least. Whether you’re looking to escape with historical fiction or get some practical advice to help you achieve your goals, the new year plans to bring great new books for readers of all ages.

Check out some of the books by Black authors coming in January we can’t wait to read.

“I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free” by Tabitha Brown (January 30)

“I Did a New Thing” is the perfect book to help you get 2024 off to the best start. Whether it’s trying a new food or updating our wardrobe, Tabitha Brown encourages us to step outside our comfort zone to create positive change in our lives.

“Get the F* Out Your Own Way: A Guide to Letting Go of the Sh*t that’s Holding You Back” by MJ Harris

If you need someone to give it to your straight, look no further than MJ Harris. His new book, “Get the F* Out Your Own Way” hopes to help you identify the ways in which you block your own blessings and give you the tools you need to let it all go. Spoiler alert: part of the process involves getting rid of toxic people.

“Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks” by Crystal Wilkinson (January 23)

Crystal Wilkinson’s “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts” is so much more than a cookbook. Along with the recipes, she shares stories passed down between generations of Black women in her family who called Appalachia home.

‘Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote’ by Dinah Johnson (January 2)

“Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote” is a picture book biography that teachers young readers ages 5 – 9 all about the journalist, educator and legendary civil rights activist.

‘And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self’ by Common (January 23)

Rapper, actor and activist Common is here to help you live your best life in the new year with “And Then We Rise,” his guide to taking care of your mind, body and spirit.

‘Courtesy of Cupid’ by Nashae Jones (January 2)

“Courtesy of Cupid” is a middle grade novel from Nashae Jones. The story centers around Erin Johnson, a teen who learns on her 13th birthday that she has magical powers, and that her father is actually Cupid, the god of love. But when she tries to use those powers against her rival, Trevor, to win the job of Multicultural Club president, she learns that he’s not as bad as she thinks – and things get complicated.

‘First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed The Game’ by Nadirah Simmons (January 30)

Women don’t always get the credit they deserve for their amazing contributions to hip-hop. But “First Things First” is about to change that. The book honors amazing women who have made historic achievements in the game, like Queen Latifah – the first rapper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Lauren Hill – the first woman to win a GRAMMY for Album of the Year.

‘Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum’ by Antonia Hylton (January 23)

In “Madness,” award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton tells the story of Crownsville Hospital, one of the nation’s last segregated asylums located in Maryland. She paints a vivid account of the inhumane conditions, including Black patients forced to undergo experimental treatment without their consent.

‘The House of Plain Truth’ by Donna Hemans (January 30)

“The House of Plain Truth” is a gripping story about family secrets and sacrifice. When her father dies, a woman is sent on a mission to find her estranged siblings and learn the truth about a secret that tore her family apart.

‘My Block Looks Like’ by Janelle Harper (January 2)

Bronx native Janelle Harper pays tribute to her neighborhood in “My Block Looks Like,” a picture book that celebrates all of the sights and sounds that make the Bronx special.

‘The American Queen’ by Vanessa Miller (January 30)

Set in the mid 1860s, “The American Queen” is a gripping novel based on actual historical events. The book centers around Louella, a freed slave whose hope leads her to become the only known queen of a kingdom built on American soil.

‘On Thriving: Harnessing Joy Through Life’s Great Labors’ by Brandi Sellerz-Jackson (January 2)

In “On Thriving,” Brandi Sellerz-Jackson draws from her life experiences and work as a doula to guide others past the obstacles blocking their ability to live their best life.

‘A Seat at the C-Suite Table: Insights from the Leadership Journeys of African American Executives’ by Chuck Wallington, PhD (January 19)

 

Hear directly from Black male executives about how they found their way in a corporate world designed by and for white men in “A Seat at the C-Suite Table.” The subjects of the book provide personal stories and advice intended to inspire the next generation of Black business leaders.

‘Come and Get it’ by Kiley Reid (January 30)

Kiley Reid, the bestselling author of “Such a Fun Age” is back with a new novel, “Come and Get It.” The story centers around Millie Cousins, a resident advisor at the University of Arkansas who finds herself in a sticky situation with a visiting professor.

‘Of Greed and Glory’ by Deborah G. Plant (January 9)

From the editor of The New York Times bestselling book “BARRACOON” comes “Of Greed and Glory.” Plant explores the many ways aspects of slavery are still with us today.

‘Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism’ by Jenn M. Jackson PhD (January 23)

In a series of essays, “Black Women Taught Us” looks at how Black women have been at the center of liberation movements throughout history, leading and organizing others on a path to change.

‘So Let Them Burn’ by Kamilah Cole (January 16)

In “So Let Them Burn,” Faron Vincent is a young woman who used her power to liberate her island from its enemies. But things get complicated when Faron’s sister forms an unlikely bond with an enemy dragon and forces her to make a difficult choice.