The unofficial start of summer is upon us, which means it’s time to pack your bags and head to the beach. Lucky for you, June is loaded with amazing titles from Black authors that you won’t be able to put down. From a steamy summer romance about friends who become something more to the origin story of one of the most powerful members of the Marvel Universe, these are the Black books we can’t wait to read in June.
“Everything and Nothing at Once: A Black Man’s Reimagined Soundtrack for The Future” by Joél Leon (June 4)
In “Everything and Nothing at Once,” Bronx native Joél Leon shares a collection of essays that reflect his experience growing up Black in America and how he learned to free himself of the stereotypes he once thought defined his place in the world.
“Love Out Loud: Building a Relationship and Family From Scratch” by Terrell and Jarius Joseph (June 4)
LGBTQ+ influencers Terrell and Jarius Joseph share how they’ve created a loving family and a thriving business in “Love Out Loud,” a guidebook designed to help families of all kinds live the life of their dreams.
“A Love Like The Sun” by Riss M. Nelson (June 11)
“A Love Like The Sun” is the steamy summer romance we need this June. The story centers around Laniah and Issac, two friends who start a fake relationship to save Laniah’s business. But, of course, their feelings go from fake to very real and they have to decide whether to stay in the friend zone or follow their hearts.
“We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance” by Kellie Carter Jackson (June 4)
In “We Refuse,” historian Kellie Carter Jackson writes about the history of Black resistance to white supremacy – from Martin Luther King’s non-violence to Malcolm X’s “by any means necessary” approach – and offers Black people a path forward toward liberation.
“Storm: Dawn of a Goddess” by Tiffany D. Jackson (June 4)
In “Storm: Dawn of a Goddess,” Tiffany D. Jackson gives us the origin story of Storm, a member of Marvel’s X-Men. Even if you aren’t already a fan of the series, you’ll want to devour the story of how Ororo Munroe goes from a teen thief on the streets of Cairo to one of the most powerful members of the Marvel Universe with the ability to control the weather.
“Farewell, Amesthystine” by Walter Mosley (June 4)
Detective Easy Rawlins is back in “Farewell, Amethystine,” Walter Mosley’s latest mystery. This time he’s trying to help a woman find her missing ex-husband. But while he works on her case, he falls deep into the memories of his own past.
“Magic Enuff: Poems” by Tara M. Stringfellow (June 25)
From Tara M. Stringfellow, the bestselling author of “Memphis,” comes “Magic Enuff,” a collection of poems that capture all that is strong, resilient and beautiful about Black womanhood.
“Curvy Girl Summer” by Danielle Allen (June 11)
Danielle Allen’s “Curvy Girl Summer” is described as “Bridget Jones’s Diary” meets “Survival of the Thickest.” When her family suggests that she’s too much for a man to handle – literally, Aaliyah James sets out to find true love before her thirtieth birthday. But after going on way more blind dates than she would like, a local bartender makes her see that love is closer than she thinks.
“Devil is Fine” by John Vercher (June 18)
“Devil is Fine” is the story of a biracial man mourning the death of his teenage son. As he tries to deal with his grief, the man finds out he’s inherited a plot of land from his estranged grandfather – land he learns is a former slave plantation owned by men on his white mother’s side of the family.
“One of Our Kind” by Nicola Yoon (June 11)
“One of Our Kind” is bestselling author Nicola Yoon’s latest novel. The story, set in an all-Black gated community, follows a couple who moves their family to the community to find like-minded neighbors and enjoy a better quality of life. But everything changes when they learn a terrible secret about the community and its founders.
“Motherland Herbal: The Story of African Holistic Health” by Stephanie Rose Bird (June 11)
“Motherland Herbal” is a celebration of African holistic healing. Stephanie Rose Bird shares recipes for cleaning, health and wellness, self-care and more that are steeped in African tradition.
“The message of this book is: hold onto your yams, your collards, watermelon, and roots. There is magic, mystery, connection, and healing stored within them,” she writes.
“The Grandest Garden” by Gina L. Carroll
“The Grandest Garden” is a beautiful coming of age story from author Gina L. Carroll. The story centers around Bella, a young woman trying to start her life as a photographer in New York City. But in order to be successful, she has to overcome the trauma of her childhood.
“Soul Step” by Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams (June 4)
“Soul Step” is a beautiful children’s book from mother-daughter duo Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams. The book explores the tradition of step in the Black community and the loving relationship between a mother and daughter.
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