Five books by Black authors for Black History Month

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, author of Ace of Spades, shares her top five books by Black authors for Black History Month - or any time.

It is Black History Month in the UK and while I always look forward to celebrating and reading Black-authored stories during this month, I especially look forward to celebrating fiction intended for Black audiences – ones that don’t aim to teach white people about our cultures and our lives but instead exist to depict Black people as full human beings living their lives and being awesome.

Here are five books you should read not only in October but always!

1. Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean

This middle-grade contemporary novel follows the heart-warming story of Archie Albright. While Archie tries to navigate school, friendships and his parents sort-of hating each other, he stumbles across a secret that his dad has been keeping after finding a colourful flyer in his pocket. With the help of his friends, Archie finds a new community and a deeper understanding of his dad at the end of the rainbow. This is such a fantastic, beautifully written novel about family and self-acceptance, and I recommend it to everyone!

Find out more about Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow

2. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

The first book in this epic Young Adult fantasy series, The Gilded Ones follows Deka, a young girl who lives in a patriarchal society, where a woman’s worth is determined by the colour of her blood. Deka wishes her blood will run red – the colour of purity and acceptance – but instead she bleeds gold and is sentenced to an immediate death. Except, when she doesn’t die, she learns the truth about who she is and is given the chance to fight for her life. This book is the feminist fantasy I have been looking for all my life, serving as a powerful allegory for the weaponisation of the patriarchy as well as the strength of community when overpowering and reforming corrupt systems and societies.

Pick up a copy of The Gilded Ones on our website

3. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Told in verse with illustrations throughout, this stunning Young Adult coming-of-age novel chronicles the childhood, teen years and early adulthood of a gay Jamaican and Greek-Cypriot boy named Michael as he finds his wings through drag. I’m quite a slow reader, and yet I read this story almost in one sitting. Atta has written such an incredible book that made me feel seen in ways I never have before. This is an all-time favourite read.

Find out more about The Black Flamingo

4. On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

Known for her amazing debut novel The Hate U Give (THUG), Angie Thomas seems only capable of writing masterpieces. While very different to the narrative in THUG, On The Come Up is set in the same neighbourhood and follows Bri, an aspiring rapper who, when her first song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, has to decide how far she is willing to go to make it. This story was phenomenal, and I loved everything from Thomas’s hugely clever lyricism in the raps she wrote for Bri, as well as the characters and how real and relatable they felt. I recommend this story to anyone looking for something light-hearted, hilarious and fun.

Find out more about On The Come Up

5. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

And last but not at all least, another favourite of mine: the bestselling Reese’s Book Club selection You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson. The story follows Liz Lighty, a queer Black girl from a small town in the US who realizes that in order to get the college scholarship she desperately needs, she has to run for prom queen. This is a warm and well-crafted romcom that not only centres a queer Black girl, but also highlights the importance of family and friends in such a nuanced way. Leah Johnson is an extraordinary writer, and I would honestly read her grocery lists.

Find out more about You Should See Me in a Crown