Books by Black Authors: Gothic Horror, Hockey, Motherhood, and More

Have any favorites that weren’t mentioned? Let us know!

Looking for your next book to read? In honor of Black History Month, we asked our team to share their favorite books by Black authors — spanning poetry, nonfiction, sci-fi, and more. Here’s what they had to say.

?? Fiction

Beloved – Toni Morrison “Beautifully woven with complex characters and an unflinching look at the haunting legacy of slavery. It’s a classic for a reason.” —Grace Teater, business development associate

What Is Yours Is Not Yours – Helen Oyeyemi “All of her work draws heavily from fairy tales and folklore and has a touch of magical realism, and her command of language is absolutely stunning.” —Emily Gref, project manager

Black Leopard, Red Wolf – Marlon James “It’s African high fantasy, and it has a narrative structure that’s way more cyclical and nothing like the Campbellian Hero’s Journey we’ve come to expect from the western canon.” —Jessica Hatch, medical editor

?? Historical Fiction

Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie “I love this book’s searing and complex commentary on Blackness, class, and education in America. Adichie’s characters, in all her novels, are so utterly compelling, and her line-level writing is stunning.” —Brianne Carpenter, writer

?? Science Fiction and Fantasy

Bloodchild and Other Stories – Octavia E. Butler “Butler just nails the science fiction genre. It was disturbing and thought-provoking, and I knew I was in for a wild ride.”—Emily Primeaux, writing manager

Dawn – Octavia E. Butler “It’s definitely for folks who are fans of sci-fi and weird. On the one hand, there’s the wild and the weird of these aliens and their plans for Earth and the human race. And on the other, humans are being... humans.” —Taleiah Todd-Hill, project manager

Dhalgren – Samuel R. Delany “Published in 1974, it’s a complex, not-always-easy-to-read novel set in Bellona, a post-apocalyptic Midwestern city. It follows the Kid, a poet exploring identity, sexuality, and reality in a surreal urban landscape.” —Samantha Enslen, president

?? Horror Fiction

The Spite House – Johnny Compton “I love a good slow-burn horror novel, and Compton was really clever with this one. He’s taken the haunted house/gothic horror trope and updated it to be more modern. One of my favorites I read last year!” —Kaylin Brian, editorial manager

?? Young Adult Fiction

The Black Kids – Christina Hammonds Reed “This is written from the POV of a Black girl who is a senior in high school. She lives in a community where police have just been acquitted for beating (and nearly killing) a Black man. One of my favorite quotes: ‘Sometimes it’s hard being a girl, and it’s hard being Black. Being both is like carrying a double load, but you’re not supposed to complain about it.’” —Rachel Thompson, vice president

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Mildred D. Taylor “Really great, relatable characters and an exciting story.” —Lexy Nesbitt, designer

?? Nonfiction and Memoirs

Wow, No Thank You – Samantha Irby (Essays) “I love when an author can take everyday occurrences in their life and turn them into engaging, funny stories. Irby is really good at it.” —Dave Nelsen, deputy editorial manager

The Three Mothers – Anna Malaika Tubbs (Biography/Memoir) “The Three Mothers tells the stories of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. It’s a compelling history lesson and a great reminder of the often untold but never unimportant work of mothers.”?—Kathryn Flynn, senior editor

We Were Eight Years in Power – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Autobiography) “Coates’ thoughtful critique of the Obama presidency was/is very meaningful to me, holding the administration accountable while appreciating the social capital it brought to the Black American experience.” —Cynthia Williams, senior editor

?? Poetry

Call Us What We Carry – Amanda Gorman “Innovative, deeply modern poetry from this young poet extraordinaire.” —Jen?Rubio, editor

The Complete Writings of Phillis Wheatley – Phillis Wheatley (Collection) “I am awed by how beautiful her wordcraft is.” —Jo MacGugan, senior editor

?? Classic Literature

Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison

What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day – Pearl Cleage

The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison “These three authors are some of the most vivid and imaginative storytellers ever.” —Malika Wyche, business development associate

?? Comics and Graphic Novels

Check, Please! – Ngozi Ukazu? “A lighthearted look at college hockey culture that still manages to tug at the heartstrings. Not into hockey? Read it for the pie.” —Jen?Rubio, editor

Let me know your favorite, and we'll add it to the list!

Samantha Enslen, CP?APMP Fellow

President, Dragonfly Editorial

[email protected]

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The Skimmer: News you can use

We’re gearing up for the ACES Conference in April in Salt Lake City! Stay tuned for more details, but here’s what you can expect:

• Dragonfly staff will be speaking, sharing insights on all things editing and writing.
• We’ll have a table. Come say hi and grab some Dragonfly goodies!
• Why attend? ACES is the premier conference for editors, offering expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and professional development.

Register here to save your spot!

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