It’s that time again. With the start of a new month, comes a host of new titles from Black authors ready to hit the shelves of bookstores and libraries near you. If you’re looking for a great new read, you’re in luck. Whether poetry, sci-fi or memoirs are your thing, there’s something for everyone.
Suggested Reading
From amazing picture books to a highly-anticipated release from our Forever First Lady, these are some of the books we can’t wait to get our hands on this November.
“Makeover from Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discovery” by Ty Hunter - November 8
A stylist who has worked with stars like Billy Porter and Beyoncé definitely has a story to tell. And that’s exactly what you get in “Makeover from Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discover,” a memoir from celebrity stylist Ty Hunter. The book shares his story from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood. With beautiful color photos, a foreword by Beyoncé and an afterword by Billy Porter, this book will make a beautiful addition to your coffee table.
“Bigger Than Bravery: Black Resilience and Reclamation in a Time of Pandemic” edited by Valerie Boyd - November 8
“Bigger Than Bravery: Black Resilience and Reclamation in a Time of Pandemic” is an anthology of works from Black writers that explore all of the hope, fear, sadness and joy experienced during the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and the calls for racial justice in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Pearl Cleage, Tayari Jones, Kiese Laymon and Alice Walker are among the powerful voices included in the collection. Actor Courtney B. Vance says, “Valerie Boyd’s Bigger Than Bravery isn’t just an anthology; it is a survival guide.”
“Caste (Adapted for Young Adults)” by Isabel Wilkerson - November 22
The popular Oprah’s Book Club selection “Caste” has been adapted for young adult readers. Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Isabel Wilkerson explores the intersection of race, class and power in a way that’s appropriate for teens and tweens.
“A Sweet Lowcountry Proposal” by Preslaysa Williams - November 8
When Jaslene Simmons’ sister dies in a tragic accident, she puts everything on hold, including marrying Marcus, the man of her dreams. But when the two are drawn together again, they are forced to overcome their past to see if they have a future. “A Sweet Lowcountry Proposal,” is the novel Oprah Daily calls an “emotionally stirring debut.”
“Pride and Protest” by Nikki Payne - November 15
“Pride and Protest” is a modern day version of the literary classic “Pride and Prejudice” with a Black twist. Liza is a DJ who goes toe-to-toe with the CEO of a property development company who she thinks is ruining her DC neighborhood with expensive condos. But things get complicated when sparks begin to fly.
“The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times” by Michelle Obama - November 15
I don’t know about you, but I’m trying to read any and everything Michelle Obama writes. So I couldn’t help but do a happy dance when I learned that the former First Lady would be releasing a follow-up to her bestselling memoir, “Becoming” this month. In “The Light We Carry,” Obama shares inspiring stories from her experience as a wife, mother and First Lady and how she manages to go high when the rest of the world around her seems to be going so low.
“My Fade is Fresh” by Shauntay Grant - November 1
“My Fade is Fresh” is a new children’s book by former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, Shauntay Grant. The story follows a little girl who goes to the barbershop to have her big, bushy, brown hair cut into “the freshest fade up on the block!” But while everyone else tries to convince her to try a perm, press or cornrows instead, she sticks to the style she wants. This adorable rhyming picture book celebrates everything there is to love about Black hair.
“Little Black Boy”/”Little Black Girl” by Kirby Howell-Baptiste - November 15
If you’re looking for a great book to gift a special little boy or girl in your life, check out Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s “Little Black Boy” and “Little Black Girl.” Both picture books have a positive, empowering message that encourages young readers to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
“Eat Plants, B*tch: 91 Vegan Recipes That Will Blow Your Meat-Loving Mind” by Pinky Cole - November 15
Pinky Cole opened her first Slutty Vegan food truck in 2018. Since then, she has grown her business to include restaurant locations in Atlanta and New York and has convinced some the most carnivorous folks around to check out her plant-based menu. Her new cookbook, “Eat Plants, B*tch,” is loaded with simple, fun and delicious recipes for vegan comfort food like Oyster Mushroom Parm. You won’t miss your meat for a minute.
“Love in the Age of Dragons” by Fatima R. Henson - November 1
“Love in the Age of Dragons,” is a fast-paced coming of age novel that teens will love. A wormhole opens, sending dragons to Earth who burn cities to the ground. Since then, Ayanna, a young Black teen is trying to survive along with an underground community in an abandoned subway system. With little food, water and medicine, life is tough. But Ayanna is also struggling to deal with the feelings she has for two young men in the community while trying to save her mentor whose heart is failing.
“Running to Fall” by Kalisha Buckhanon - November 1
“Running to Fall” is the highly-anticipated novel from Kalisha Buckhanon. Tragedy and Victor Powell move to an elite community in an effort to keep up their perfect-looking life online. But when secrets about Tragedy’s drinking and a missing Black woman turns up in the river near their mostly-white town, it’s proof that things aren’t always what they seem.
“Hope Leans Forward” by Valerie Brown - November 8
In “Hope Leans Forward,” ordained Buddhist teacher and Quaker Valerie Brown shares her insight on how to move through life with kindness, goodness and patience. With a mix of wisdom, mindfulness meditation practices and inspiring stories of everyday people, Brown hopes to provide a source of hope for anyone who needs it.
“The Islands” by Dionne Irving - November 1
“The Islands” is a collection of short stories centered around Jamaican women across the diaspora. From 1950s London to present-day New Jersey, Irving shows us the challenges of walking the line between assimilation and maintaining your cultural identity. It’s already getting great reviews, including this one from Publisher’s Weekly. “[A] penetrating collection . . . In lucid prose, Irving depicts her characters’ chilly shocks over unexpected gaps in intimacy with their loved ones as they work to fit into non-immigrant Black spaces, making for stories that are both class-conscious and richly atmospheric. Irving’s inviting combination of subjects and style heralds a welcome new voice.”
“Two Old Broads: Stuff You Need to Know That You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know” by Whoopi Goldberg and Dr. M.E. Hecht - November 8
Whether we like it or not, aging is a part of life. And in “Two Old Broads,” Whoopi Goldberg and Dr. M.E. Hecht share hilarious words of wisdom for growing old unapologetically and with a sense of humor. Sadly, Dr. Hecht passed away before the book’s publication. Thankfully, she left us with this gem.
“A Coastline is an Immeasurable Thing” by Mary-Alice Daniel - November 29
“A Coastline is an Immeasurable Thing” is a coming-of-age memoir from Mary-Alice Daniel that tells the story of her family’s journey across three continents searching for belonging. As the story moves from Nigeria to England to the United States, Daniel writes beautifully about race, religion and identity across the Black diaspora.
“The Good Fight” by Shirley Chisholm - November 8
Shirley Chisholm made history in 1972 as the first woman and first person of color to run for President. And in honor of the 50th anniversary of her historic campaign, her book, “The Good Fight” is being reissued. In this political memoir, Chisholm reflects on her campaign. Although she knew she was fighting an uphill battle, she stresses the importance of someone doing it first.
“Unbought and Unbossed” by Shirley Chisholm - November 8
This month we’re treated to another reissue of an amazing work by Shirley Chisholm. “Unbought and Unbossed” is the inspiring story of Shirley Chisholm’s journey from her childhood in Brooklyn to becoming our country’s first Black Congresswoman. This expanded 40th edition includes special commentary from Donna Brazile and other experts on Chisholm’s impact on American politics.
“Divine Blue Light (For John Coltrane)“ by Will Alexander - November 29
“Divine Blue Light” is a collection of poems from Will Alexander, a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. From an ode to the jazz great John Coltrane to a poem about two Jewish artists who fled the Nazi invasion of France, this work shows why this work was one of Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 Notable Poetry Books for Fall 2022.
“The Book of Mean People” (20th Anniversary Edition) - by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison
“The Book of Mean People” is a children’s picture book collaboration from Toni Morrison and her son Slade that is getting a refresh for its 20th anniversary. The story encourages young readers to embrace kindness, and joy, in spite of all of the meanness that exists in the world around them. Although it was first published 20 years ago, the message is just as relevant today.
“A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington” by Carole Boston Weatherford - November 8
“A Song for the Unsung” is a children’s picture book that tells the story of Bayard Rustin, a gay Black man who was instrumental in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom of 1963. Although his song is unsung, young readers will be inspired by Rustin’s work to advance racial and economic justice in our country.
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