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20 New and Upcoming Novels for Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we rounded up some of the most anticipated 2020 novels by authors of color. And, of course, these books also represent some of the most coveted books of the year, including sophomore novels from rising literary stars Yaa Gyasi, Brit Bennett, and Imbolo Mbue as well as new works from well-known novelists like James McBride, Terry McMillan, and N.K. Jemisin.
This is also the perfect opportunity to add a new voice to your Want to Read shelf. Be sure to check out some of the debut novels on this list, including Everywhere You Don't Belong, Real Life, These Ghosts Are Family, and Such a Fun Age (which technically hit bookstores on the last day of 2019).
Which of these new and upcoming releases are making their way onto your Want to Read shelf? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Release: December 31
Release: January 14
Release: January 21
Release: February 4
Release: February 18
Release: February 24
Release: March 3
Release: March 3
Release: March 26
Release: March 31
Release: April 14
Release: April 21
Release: May 5
Release: May 12
Release: May 12
Release: May 24
Release: June 2
Release: June 16
Release: June 16
Release: July
Which of these novels are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments!
Check out more recent articles:
44 Highly Anticipated New and Upcoming Nonfiction Books
Contemporary African American Authors You Should Be Reading
The 32 Buzziest New Debuts to Discover Now
Check out more recent articles:
44 Highly Anticipated New and Upcoming Nonfiction Books
Contemporary African American Authors You Should Be Reading
The 32 Buzziest New Debuts to Discover Now
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Bettie
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Feb 01, 2020 09:49AM
Everywhere you don't belong.
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Terry McMillan. I loved her other books and analyzed them to try to understand how she does it.
Yaa Ghasi's new one I cannot wait to read it.
Can't wait to read The Vanishing Half. Real Life looks interesting, too.
Thanks for sharing this list. You shouldn't use black authors and authors of color interchangeably. Given that it's Black History Month, I assume this is a list of black authors, not just authors of color, and you should say so!
Michelle wrote: "Thanks for sharing this list. You shouldn't use black authors and authors of color interchangeably. Given that it's Black History Month, I assume this is a list of black authors, not just authors o..."Lorilin wrote: "Can't wait to read The Vanishing Half. Real Life looks interesting, too."
I can't find the Surprising Memoirs...who is the author?
CathyL wrote: "Surprised Memoirs of the Senators' Wife is not on the list. Great read for Black History Month. Black woman passes as White in the 50s, to fight racism. One of the best novels I have ever read."Who is the author?
All of them!! Lakewood sounds interesting, as does The Vanishing Half
Most looking forward to reading Zora Neale Hurston! Always a favorite!
I want to read Imbolo Mbue’s next book because I loved Behold the Dreamers so much.
The book I would like to read is "THE FIRE NEXT TIME by JAMES BALWIN"o'matt blog:edisonhttps://www.goodreads.come.
O'matt blog:edisonhttps://www.goodreads.com
Standing at the Scratchline by Guy Johnson (Maya Angelou's son)
In honor of Black History Month, please feel free to add my book titled, "Caustic", trilogy series first book. The story Caustic is contemporary women and psychological fiction. The story deals with subject matter that all individuals can relate or may know of an individual that have been a victim of abuse, mental illness and sexuality.Thank you,
Tamesha Edwards, Author
Elbow Room - James Allan McPhersonUncle Tom's Children- Richard Wrigh
The Echo Tree- Henry Dumas
Gorilla My Love- Toni Cade Bambara
The Seabirds Are Still Alive- Toni Cade Bambara
Dr. King's Refrigerator and Other Bedtime stories
You Can't Keep A Good Woman Down- Alice Walker
I recommend, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD and THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead, Also BETWEEN THE WORLD & ME, Ta Nehisi Coates
Most of these sound fantastic. Wish I could read faster!
Please don't forget to read genre and fun books by black authors too, not just struggle stories. And romance. It's important to get a balance.
I am enjoying “All Blood Runs Red” by Phil Keith about Eugene Bullard. What an amazing life! Edit- just realized the title of this post was novels. This biography isn’t a novel, but is a great read!
They were her Property is an amazing book that lays bare the truth about
white woman's ownership of enslaved people and how men married them for this wealth. George Washington was one who inherited his wife's chattel when he married her.
Great book!
This has to be THE best list and some of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen recently! Can’t wait to read these!!
Catherine House sounds interesting and that cover is gorgeous
WHO WANTS SOME POETRY TITLES OR POET NAMES?IE:
PATRICIA SMITH- BLOOD DAZZLE ( ABOUT KATRINA HURRICANE
TRACY SMITH - LIFE ON MARS, WADE IN THE WATER
EVIE SHOCKLEY- THE NEW BLACK, SEMI-AUTOMATIC
DURIEL HARRISS-NO DICTIONARY OF A LIVING TONGUE
NIKKI FINNEY- HEAD OFF AND SPLIT
MORGAN PARKER- THERE ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAN BEYONCE
HARRYETTE MULLEN- RECYCLOPEDIA
GWENDOLYN BROOKS- BLACK, IN THE MECCA, RIOT
FRANNIE HARRIS- ANYTHING
MARILYN NELSON- A WREATH FOR EMMET TILL, CARVER,
HOMEPLACE, SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM
PATRICIA SMITH HAS A SENSATIONAL SECTION OF SONNETS ON MOTOWN IN HER BOOK. SHOULDA BEEN JIMMY SAVANNAH ( MY FAVORITE BOOK OF HERS)
Beverly M Lee wrote: "Wow too many to choose"You've listed too many to choose, i'll just have to take my time and read them all. Thank you for posting them all. I' m very excited.
There are so many books to look forward to in 2020. It's hard to choose just one...but my vote is for The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
Lorilin wrote: "Can't wait to read The Vanishing Half. Real Life looks interesting, too."Sounds like a good one, looking forward to it as well.
Terry Mcmillan's book and Deacon King Kong all the others I indicated that I wanted to read.
I too want to read Deacon King Kong. I am also looking forward to the tremendously gifted poet Danez Smith's latest book Homie. I am about to reread for the second time the magnificent double whammy from Chicago's venerated Third World Press, BLACK which includes all of Gwendolyn Brooks' poetry, and her very underrated experimental novel Maud Martha.
CathyL wrote: "Surprised Memoirs of the Senators' Wife is not on the list. Great read for Black History Month. Black woman passes as White in the 50s, to fight racism. One of the best novels I have ever read." I'm just curious who is the author this sounds very interesting
THE best list and beautiful covers I have seen recently!!Excited to read : https://roohkiawaaj.blogspot.com/
For sheer brilliant diaologue audaioous characters andd utter hilairty, try ters Cade Bambara, especially Gorilla My Love and TheSeabirds Are Stil Alive.l Also, check out her novel about healing- The Salteaters. Unfortunately , she left us. all too soon.
