22 books by Black authors you should read next

From riveting crime fiction to laugh-out-loud rom-coms, it's all here.
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February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate Black motherhood, honor the many ground-breaking Black women like Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson who continue to shatter ceilings, and add some incredibly talented Black authors to your book shelf. From suspenseful murder-mysteries to sexy love stories, we’ve rounded up 21 must-read books by Black authors for your next book club, nap time reading escape, or even just those 20 minutes of quiet you get waiting in car line. Whenever you score a few blessed moments of getting lost in a book, we know you want it to be good. So we’ve got you covered.
Related: 26 picture books to read with your kids during Black History Month (and every month of the year)
And while there are a few classics that show up on most “books you must read in your lifetime” lists, like “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, and “The Color Purple” (and yes, you should absolutely read those and all the other classics that are solidified in American literature canon), we decided to round up more contemporary books that have been published within the last few years. But don’t worry—this list has crime fiction, light-hearted beach reads, and historical fiction that will leave you both gutted and inspired all at the same time. Whatever genre you’re looking for, it’s here.
Related: The most anticipated books to read in 2023
Add these books by Black authors to your reading list:
A version of this post was published January 24, 2023. It has been updated.