Hi, all! I just wanted to duck in and duck out so this won’t be a long post. It’s not my turn to speak so I’m not gonna- rather will direct you to these fantastic books by Black authors!
Pride, by Ibi Zoboi
A fantastic retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but set in Brooklyn and centering Afro-Latinx characters in the classic, romantic drama.
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The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas
A classic, and a staple on any list like this: Starr Carter is the only witness to the shooting of her unarmed best friend by a white police officer.
“The Hate U Give Little Infants F*cks Everybody.” Tupac Shakur
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With the Fire on High, by Elizabeth Acevedo
,
I read this a year ago and I’m still hungry. It’s so passionate- to both food and to Emoni’s daughter (that’s right! A teen protagonist with a child!), and I really really wish I owned this for a reread.
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Children of Blood and Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi
A lush fantasy world inspired by Nigeria, a beautiful magic system except NO! the magic is GONE! and an epic quest to get it back. Absolutely swoon-worthy.
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A Blade So Black, by L.L. McKinney
Y’all ever wanted a Nightmare-hunting Alice in Wonderland Atlanta? Have one, a sequel that’s already out, and a finale slated for next year. ❤
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Full Disclosure, by Camryn Garret
An HIV-positive teen falls in love for the first time.
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Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, by Kwame Mbalia
A Rick Riordan Presents series featuring Western African/African Diaspora gods such as Anansi and Brer Rabbit, and a seventh-grader who accidentally punches a hole from our world into the world of the gods.
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Tyler Johnson Was Here, by Jay Coles
Marvin Johnson’s twin, Tyler, goes missing after a party and is later discovered dead- killed by a cop.
“We have to do everything within our power to raise our voices. We have to protest. Just praying and hoping for justice and grace and mercy won’t help us now… Frederick Douglass said, ‘I prayed for twenty years. Nothing happened until I got off my knees and started marching with my feet.'”
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Dread Nation, by Justina Ireland
Girls fighting Civil War zombies? Sign me up.
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Kingdom of Souls, by Rena Barron
A young woman from a great line of witch doctors who begins selling years of her life for the magic she doesn’t seem to have- and discovers the truth behind the kingdom’s disappearing children.
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Let’s Talk About Love, by Claire Kann
After Alice comes out as asexual and her girlfriend breaks up with her, she decides to swear off dating… until she meets Takumi, her coworker, and falls head-over-heels. Either she keeps the friendship (and her silence) or she risks it all and confesses her feelings, in the hopes that he might understand- if not reciprocate.
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Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds
Fifteen-year-old Will gets into the elevator with a gun and the intent to take revenge for his brother’s murder- and, at every stop, is confronted with a ghost from the past who carries another piece of the story.
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It’s been a while since I’ve had my ear to the ground in terms of upcoming releases, but these books come out tomorrow (June 2), and this isn’t a great time for book promotions. Support Black authors, y’all. Preorder these and let me know what other upcoming books I missed so I can add to the list!
A Song Below Water, by Bethany C. Morrow
Tavia lives in Portland, Oregon, and deals with most normal teen things: family issues, high school drama, crushes. However, not only is she Black in a city not known for its diversity, but she’s a siren as well- and that comes with a whole host of not-so-normal problems.
(all of the covers on this list are freaking gorgeous, but this one in particular? I’m in love)
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A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, by Roseanne A. Brown
One reviewer described this as a West African Aladdin with murder and a metric ton of backstabbing, and I need it. I’m a sucker for worldbuilding and I can tell this will be fantastic just by reading the Goodreads description!
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You Should See Me In A Crown, by Leah Johnson
Liz joins the prom-queen competition in order to get a scholarship after her financial aid falls through, and falls for one of her opponents.
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Support Black authors, Black-owned businesses, and overall Black people now and always.
No justice, no peace. ❤
Bookwise 
