From history and fiction to romance and sports, Black authors released a plethora of amazing books in 2023 that kept readers on their toes and wanting more on each page they turned. Here is a list of 10 books by Black authors in 2023.
James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
James McBride has one of the bestselling books in 2023 with The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, a novel about the story of Black and Jewish residents in a Pottstown, Pennsylvania, neighborhood. It describes a story of integration and community.
Michael Todd, Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph
Pastor Michael Todd released his third novel in 2023 titled Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph. He shares that everyone suffers some “damage” in life, whether it’s mistakes, heartaches, grief or trauma.
Zaila Avant-Garde, It’s Not Bragging If It’s True
An athlete and a true inspiration to kids her age, Zaila Avant-Garde released It’s Not Bragging If It’s True this year. Her inspirational message: No matter how others look at you, embrace who you are and battle through the obstacles that life brings.
Safiya Sinclair, How to Say Babylon
Safiya Sinclair released her debut memoir in 2023, How to Say Babylon, where she chronicles her life growing up in Jamaica and a Rastafari family. Through the story, readers learn about the history of Jamaica and how the Rastafarian movement shaped numerous parts of her life, such as family and relationships.
Diane Marie Brown, Black Candle Women
Told from four perspectives, Diane Marie Brown released Black Candle Women, a tale about redemption and changing one’s destiny. It is a deeply moving portrait of the unbreakable yet complex bonds between mothers, daughters and sisters.
Rev. Otis Moss III, Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times
Rev. Otis Moss III’s book guides readers to uplift their spirits as we work for justice in such a politically turbulent time.
Wilson Reed, JuneBug
Full of humor and heartache, JuneBug shows one young person’s journey to self-worth despite the onslaught of negative messages that come at him from all sides.
Kennedy Ryan, Before I Let Go
Romance queen Kennedy Ryan released Before I Let Go, a novel about hope and healing, and what it means to love for a lifetime.
Stephen A. Smith, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes
Everybody knows Stephen A. Smith as the sports guy, but he took a long journey to get where he is today. Smith tells his story in Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, which reveals the challenges he had to overcome in his childhood and on ESPN, as well as who he is off-camera.
Zadie Smith, The Fraud
One of The New York Times‘ 10 Best Books of the Year and one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year, Zadie Smith created this historical fiction that explains a legal trial that divided Victorian England.
