As November comes to an end, it’s time to look forward to all of the buzz-worthy books set for release in December. The last month of the year promises to be exciting for book lovers, with a new book by Iyanla Vanzant and a collab between best-selling authors Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson on the horizon.
Suggested Reading
Whether you’re looking for an uplifting book full of inspiration to help you get through the holiday season or a cozy romance that’s perfect for warming you up on a cold day, these are the books by Black authors that we can’t wait to read in December 2025.
“Spiritual Hygiene: A Practical Path for Clean Living, Inner Authority and Divine Freedom” by Iyanla Vanzant (Dec. 30)
“Spiritual Hygiene” is the latest release from Iyanla Vanzant, inspirational speaker, life coach and author of bestselling books like “In the Meantime.” The book is inspired by the life of Iyanla’s daughter, Nisa, who tragically passed away in 2023, and is designed to help readers release toxic emotional patterns, reconnect with their divine purpose and heal from some of life’s worst moments.
“Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel” by Jewell Parker (Dec. 2)
Jewell Parker Rhodes’ bestselling novel gets the graphic novel treatment in “Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel.”After 12-year-old Jerome is shot and killed by a police officer who thinks his toy gun is real, his ghost can see the pain the incident has inflicted on those he left behind. When he meets the ghost of Emmett Till, it helps him understand the role of historical racism in the events surrounding his death.
“There’s Always Next Year” by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson (Dec. 2)
From bestselling authors Leah Johnson (“You Should See Me in a Crown”) and George M. Johnson (“All Boys Aren’t Blue”) comes “There’s Always Next Year,” a rom-com that is perfect for the holiday season. This double love story is written from a dual point of view and focuses on two Black, queer cousins who are trying to put their lives back together after a New Year’s Eve they’d rather forget.
“The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter” by Brionni Nwosu (Dec. 1)
“The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter” is author Brionni Nwosu’s debut novel. The book introduces readers to the main character, Nella Carter, a former slave who makes a bargain with death in which she is promised eternal life if she can prove humanity is worth saving. The deal takes her on a beautiful journey across the world through several lifetimes where she experiences joy, despair, love and loss.
“Between Good and Evil” by Rochelle Alers (Dec. 16)
“Between Good and Evil” follows the stories of three friends growing up in New York City over three decades and how they navigate danger, temptation and scandal on the road to fulfilling their ambitions.
“God Don’t Make No Mistakes” by Mary Monroe (Dec. 16)
“God Don’t Make No Mistakes” is a novel about two friends whose faith is put to the test when they face serious betrayals that make them rethink who they can really trust.
“Amanda Gorman: Poet and Activist” by L’Oreal Thompson Payton (Dec. 16)
“Amanda Gorman: Poet and Activist” introduces readers ages four to six to Amanda Gorman, the young Black woman whose poem, “The Hill We Climb” was read at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Her inspirational story is just the thing to give young readers the confidence to follow their dreams.
“Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing” by Tara Pringle Jefferson (Dec. 2)
“Bloom How You Must” looks at the rich history of self-care and wellness as a survival strategy in the Black community. The book combines personal stories, expert advice and exercises that can help readers put their own form of self-care into practice.
“We Will Rise Again” edited by Annalee Newitz, Dr. Karen Lord, and Dr. Malka Older (Dec. 2)
If you’re looking for hope during these challenging political times, check out “We Will Rise Again,” a beautifully curated collection of stories, essays and interviews written to inspire the social justice movements of the future.
“The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum” by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Dec. 16)
Set in the 1920s, “The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum” tells the story of Harriet Stone, an educated single Black woman and her 12-year-old foster child, who move from Connecticut to Harlem after they are invited by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum. The latter also owns a boarding house for independent women. But when Junetta is murdered, it sends Harriet on a journey unlike anything she’s ever experienced before.
“Power of Persuasion” by Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery) (Dec. 16)
This month, readers will be treated to a paperback reprint of Stacey Abrams’ romantic suspense novel, “Power of Persuasion” The story centers around a romance between a beautiful and strong-willed tech executive and a newly crowned king whose throne is threatened.
“Edge” by Tracy Clark (Dec. 2)
“Edge” is a gripping new detective novel from author Tracy Clark. At the center of the story is Detective Harriet Foster, who is working with her team to find the source of a dangerous new drug that is killing people on Chicago’s streets before it takes of one of their own.
“Through the Telescope: Mae Jemison Dreams of Space” by Charles R. Smith Jr. (Dec. 2)
“Through the Telescope” is an inspiring children’s picture book written for readers ages four to eight. The book tells the story of a young Mae Jemison and what she saw through her telescope that inspired her to become the first Black woman to travel to space.
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