,

September 2023 Books By Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read

A New Zadie Smith novel, a picture book from Amanda Gorman and a book of Black AF history are on our list of September must reads.

Photo: Getty Images wavebreakmedia

Believe it or not, fall is right around the corner. And if you’re feeling a little down about the arrival of shorter days and colder temps, you’re not alone. But because I always (usually) try to look at the glass half full, I’ve been using the last few weeks of summer to check out all of the hottest books by Black writers on the horizon.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis
3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

We may not have many beach days left, but there are lots of great books hitting the shelves this month – including a stunning coffee table book on the history of fashion in the NBA and a picture book from presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. These are the books we can’t wait to read this September.

“Coretta’s Journey” by Alice Faye Duncan - September

Photo: Amazon.com

Most kids know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But not many know much about his wife, Coretta. “Coretta’s Journey” is a book geared towards kids ages 7 - 10 and teaches them about the woman who stood by his side in the struggle.

“Harlem at Four”

Photo: Amazon.com

“Harlem at Four” is a beautiful picture book that explores the sights, sounds and history of Harlem in two colorfully illustrated stories.

“Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion” by Mitchell Jackson - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

In “Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion,” Pulitzer Prize winner Mitchell Jackson looks at the history of fashion in the NBA and pays tribute to some of the most stylish players in the game with stunning photos and spot on cultural commentary. This book will add some serious style to your coffee table.

“I’m From” by Gary R. Gray, Jr. - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

“I’m From” is a picture book that celebrates everything that is beautiful and special about a young child’s day. From homemade pancakes to school bus rides and trips to the candy story, this picture book is a touching tribute to our cultural identity.

“Beyond the Door of No Return” by David Diop - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

From International Booker Prize–winning author David Diop, comes his latest novel, “Beyond the Door of No Return.” The book transports readers to Paris in the early 1800s, where they meet renowned botanist Michel Adanson on his deathbed. Before his death, Adanson was obsessed with finding Maram, a fabled spirit born into a noble African family who was sold into slavery and escaped to a small African village. Using Adanson’s unpublished memoir of his time in Senegal, readers follow his journey to find Maram and the horror and love he encounters along the way.

“How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South” by Esau McCaulley - September 12

Photo: Amazon.com

“How Far to the Promised Land” is a powerful new memoir from bestselling author Esau McCaulley. In the book, McCaulley uses examples of his own family’s stories of survival over time to remind readers that some paths to the promised land have detours along the way.

“Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” by Michael Harriot - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

Conservatives may be trying to whitewash Black history, but columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot is having none of it. In his latest book, “Black AF History,” Harriot gives us the story of American history we’ve been missing – one that keeps it real and accounts for the often-overlooked experience of Black Americans. Publisher’s Weekly called it, “A razor-sharp reassessment of American history.”

“The Book of (More) Delights” by Ross Gay - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

“The Book of (More) Delights,” a new collection of essays from bestselling author Ross Gay, is the perfect book for a time when in it seems like all of the news is bad. Written over the course of a year, Gay shares stories of the things that make us happy, from mom’s baked cookies, to your favorite jam blasting from a car radio.

“Her Own Happiness” by Eden Appiah-Kubi - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

Maya Davis’ life is falling apart just in time for her 31st birthday. But as she tries to rebuild at her parents’ house, she discovers new things about herself and new feelings for her best friend, Ant. “Her Own Happiness” is a beautiful coming of age novel about friendship and self-discovery.

“Coleman Hill” by Kim Coleman Foote - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

“Coleman Hill” is a beautiful multigenerational novel from Kim Coleman Foote based on historical record and stories of her own family. The novel centers around two Black families whose stories become intertwined during the Great Migration.

“Something, Someday” by Amanda Gorman - September 26

Photo: Amazon.com

If the news feels overwhelming to you, imagine how it must feel to young children who may be scared and helpless in the face of it all. “Something, Someday” is a beautiful new picture book by award-winning poet and author Amanda Gorman that empowers young readers ages 4 - 8 to be a part of the change they want to see in the world.

“All the Fighting Parts” by Hannah V. Sawyerr - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

“All the Fighting Parts” is a powerful novel in verse by Sierra Leonean-American poet Hannah V. Sawyerr. Inspired by Sawyerr’s own experience with sexual assault, the story follows a teenager forced to confront an influential community leader after he assaults her.

“One Blood” by Denene Millner - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

“One Blood” is the latest novel from bestselling author and award-winning journalist Denene Millner. The beautifully-written story spans across three generations of women from the Great Migration to the early 2000s, taking a unique look at family and social structure.

“The Art of Desire” by Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery) - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

Stacey Abrams is not only a powerful force in politics, she’s also a bestselling author who writes under the pen name Selena Montgomery. In her latest novel, “The Art of Desire,” Alex Walton falls for a handsome stranger she meets at a friend’s wedding. But as her feelings develop, he’s forced to save her from his dangerous past inside a terrorist organization.

“The Fraud” by Zadie Smith - September 5

Photo: Amazon.com

“The Fraud” is the highly-anticipated latest work from bestselling novelist Zadie Smith. This historical fiction set in 19th-century England and the Caribbean, is based on a controversial legal trial that left England divided.

“Kin: Rooted in Hope” by Carole Boston Weatherford - September 19

Photo: Amazon.com

“Kin: Rooted in Hope” is a beautiful collection of poems from Carole Boston Weatherford and art from her son Jeffrey. While the poems honor their ancestors and their family’s roots in slavery, the story is identifiable to countless Black families across America.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Check Out These Lavish Celeb Homes, All for Rent Right Now!

Check Out These Lavish Celeb Homes, All for Rent Right Now!

A handful of highly-coveted celebrity homes are available for rent, but only if you've got the spare change to spend! ...
Black Celebs Spotted During Paris Couture Week

Black Celebs Spotted During Paris Couture Week

Cardi B, Angela Bassett and Tessa Thompson are just a few of the fashionable stars who have been spotted in Paris getting their high-fashion fix ...

This Black A-List Celeb Owns A Mansion So Big, It Has Its Own ZIP Code

This Black A-List Celeb Owns A Mansion So Big, It Has Its Own ZIP Code

Many celebrities live in Calabasas, but only one can claim to have their ZIP code ...
Diddy Celebrates This Surprising Legal Win in Less Than a Week After His Verdict

Diddy Celebrates This Surprising Legal Win in Less Than a Week After His Verdict

In May 2024, a woman named April Lampros sued Combs for rape and battery dating back to 1994 ...
3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

From carpentry to consulting, Davis says real business thinking starts with self-awareness and strategy ...
Tragedy Left MTV Reality Star An Amputee, But Here's Why Folks Are Mad He’s Playing One in a Nike Ad

Tragedy Left MTV Reality Star An Amputee, But Here’s Why Folks Are Mad He’s Playing One in a Nike Ad

A former MTV reality star was cast in a new Nike ad, but some online are not buying what he's selling ...
The Woman Attacked and Saved By Strangers on NYC Subway Platform, Speaks Out

The Woman Attacked and Saved By Strangers on NYC Subway Platform, Speaks Out

A 20-year-old woman claims Fredrick Marshall, a complete stranger, told her, "You're mine now... you're coming with me." ...
Wheelchair-Bound Drive-By Shooting Survivor Falls Victim to This Unbelievable Tragedy in Philly

Wheelchair-Bound Drive-By Shooting Survivor Falls Victim to This Unbelievable Tragedy in Philly

Azir Harris, 24, advocated for gun violence survivors after a drive-by shooting as a teen left him paralyzed ...
Jonathan Majors Responds to a Fan Attempting to Pull Wife Meagan Good's Number and...Whew!

Jonathan Majors Responds to a Fan Attempting to Pull Wife Meagan Good’s Number and…Whew!

The couple have been out of the headlines as of late, but that's all about to change thanks to a now viral video! ...
All The Symbolism and Theories In Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour

All The Symbolism and Theories In Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour

From the Chitlin' Circuit influence to the reclamation of the American Flag, the internet is dissecting all of the influences of Beyoncé's latest era ...
We <i>Finally</i> Know Why Trump and Obama Were Laughing it Up at Jimmy Carter's Funeral...

We Finally Know Why Trump and Obama Were Laughing it Up at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral…

We finally have the tea on what the two presidents, who historically don't get along, were joking about... and it's not what you think ...
Angel Reese's Latest Move At a Chicago Sky Game is Getting Her <i>Dragged</i> By the Internet

Angel Reese’s Latest Move At a Chicago Sky Game is Getting Her Dragged By the Internet

Reese was clearly trying to do whatever it took to get her team the W, but she may have taken it way too far! ...
Trinity Rodman's Not Feeling Announcers Bringing Up This One Thing as She Attends Her Tennis Pro Bae's Matches

Trinity Rodman’s Not Feeling Announcers Bringing Up This One Thing as She Attends Her Tennis Pro Bae’s Matches

The professional soccer player has been at Wimbledon supporting her boyfriend, tennis star Ben Shelton ...
How Tina Knowles Schooled Folks Hating on Beyoncé For Singing the National Anthem on Tour

How Tina Knowles Schooled Folks Hating on Beyoncé For Singing the National Anthem on Tour

Clips of Beyonce performing the song has gone viral, prompting folks to question why she'd choose to sing it in the first place. But Miss Tina has had enough! ...
What's Happening to Diddy's Fortune? Here's What We Know

What’s Happening to Diddy’s Fortune? Here’s What We Know

He was once on the way to billionaire status. Now, Diddy's net worth and his reputation has taken a drop ...
Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife Finally Takes Lie Detector Test About His Death, and the Results Are Spooky

Gary Coleman’s Ex-Wife Finally Takes Lie Detector Test About His Death, and the Results Are Spooky

Coleman married Shannon Price in 2007 and divorced one year later. Two years after that, he suffered a fatal fall and Price was the only witness ...
How Tyler Perry's Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

How Tyler Perry’s Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

Braxton Wells accused the studios' senior vice president of scripted programming of grooming and rape...but that's not all ...
Here's Why Y'all Need to Stop Calling Beyoncé 'Old'

Here’s Why Y’all Need to Stop Calling Beyoncé ‘Old’

Beyoncé is many things. But too old to perform is not one of them....especially in a musical market with many aging men ...
Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Comeback? Here's the Pipin' Hot Tea...

Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Comeback? Here’s the Pipin’ Hot Tea…

The veteran peach-holder spoke about returning to the Atlanta reality show after leaving in 2020 ...
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here's What Happened Next

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here’s What Happened Next

As soon as footage of National Guard troops got back to Mayor Bass, she went down there to personally handle the situation ...