My blogging platform is all about books and authors, and I never venture into the murky waters of current events or politics on this blog. But in light of the despicable recent events in this country, I felt the need to do something.
I’m not the type to go to protests or shout out on social media, but I can talk about books until the cows come home. And I can certainly shout out in my own way about Black authors in the science fiction and fantasy fields who are doing amazing work, using their experiences to create powerful fiction that touches readers of all walks of life.
And yes, I am a white woman who recognizes her privilege and wants to learn more. And that’s why I try to read books by all ethnicities whenever possible. But today, because #BlackLivesMatter, I’m talking about Black authors.
This is obviously an incomplete list, and I’m hoping those of you reading this will chime in with any authors I may have left out. Also of note: since I don’t usually talk about middle grade authors, I’m not including them on this list. Not because they aren’t important, but because my blog’s focus is on adult and YA. But please feel free to drop you favorite Black MG writers in the comments! I’ve split this list into two sections: Black authors I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and those on my TBR that I still need to read. Books are listed in no particular order, and the author links go to their Goodreads pages.
Personal recommendations – Black SFF authors I’ve read:
Octavia Butler | Temi Oh | Tochi Onyebuchi | Rivers Solomon | Colson Whitehead | Victor LaValle | Tade Thompson | Nnedi Okorafor | Rebecca Roanhorse | N.K. Jemisin | Karen Lord
Black SFF authors on my TBR:
Thank you SO much for this incredible list! I’ll be adding many to my TBR ✨
Thanks Sofii!!
I’ve read about a third of them and have maybe another third in the queue. One not on your list is The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which is sort of historical fantasy. Thanks for the good list.
Oh good to know, thank you!
This was a great idea! And you made a very interesting list! I have read some of this author, others I have on my TBR and now I would add some more to it! Thank you!
I’m glad you could find something new to read, thanks Susy:-)
I loved the Xenogenesis trilogy by Octavia Butler and have several others of her’s I like to read. The Parable series has been highly recommended to me. Nnedi Okorafor’s Lagoon was great, and I look forward to her Binti series and a couple others I have. I’ve been longing to start something by N.K. Jemisin for some time, and there are many others above in my TBR. Great selection of books and authors!
I loved Lagoon! I chose to highlight Binti because of the beautiful Black girl on the cover, but I did love Lagoon.
Great post, Tammy. So far I’ve only read Octavia Butler, Colson Whitehead, and Tomi Adeyemi from your list, but I’m definitely interested in reading all of the others.
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A lot of the SFF publishers like Tor, Orbit and Saga all promote Black (and also queer) authors, so I feel like I’ve had lots of great opportunities to discover their books over the years:-)
Thank you for this post! I was thinking of writing something similar instead of posting what I originally plan to post.
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It was actually fun to put together. And it made me realize – I hate to say this – but how many white male authors I have on my shelves. I really need to change it up!
Is that okay if I do my take on this post? We could turn this into a tag of sort 🙂 I was only planning on talking about my favorite books by Black authors but I like the fact that you included the books on your TBR by black authors!
Absolutely!! I love that so many bloggers want to focus on Black authors right now
Good on you, Tammy. As I frequently say, “You’re a gem.” Seriously. I hope more people follow your example, of deploying your expertise, interest, and passion in a way that supports visibility and justice.
Thanks Robin, I’ve been wanting to do a post like this but I missed Black History Month and then all this happened, so I figured it was time:-)
This is a great selection, Tammy! Bethany C. Morrow’s A Song Below Water was released just today, which is about sirens and sounds wonderful, and I think David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Conjure Women by Afia Atakora and A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney all sound wonderful, too.
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All great suggestions, thanks Jess! I will look them up.
I logged on this afternoon specifically to find a list like this – so thank you for sharing this.
Oh good, glad you found it! Thanks for visiting, Mayri:-)
Like you, I stay away from politics as much as I can since it’s more dangerous than an active minefield, but I salute your choice of adding your voice to these harrowing days in the way only a book lover can.
Well done, indeed…
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Thanks Maddalena. It’s also a reminder to myself to read more diversely:-)
Terrific list, Tammy. I see so many I want to read and I love Octavia Butler and have meant to read more from her.
Me too, she has a great body of work and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface:-)
Thanks for sharing this, Tammy! Kindred is a book that changed my life. I read it in high school and it was an eye opening experience, written both beautifully and with a bluntness.
I’d love to read Kindred again. And I love Blood Child and some of Butler’s other books as well.
Great post Tammy, I’ve read quite a few of these authors but there are still some great books on here that I would love to get to.
Lynn 😀
There are SO many I still need to read, and will eventually:-)
We were indeed in sync today Tammy! I have read and loved Children of Blood and Bones. As I said in my post, I had to really look to find boocks I have read by black authors, not because I don’t read any but because I didn’t know which author was black LOL I don’t care honestly.
For this post I did have to do a little research. I have met some of these authors and see them on social media and websites a lot so I’ve already seen their faces:-)
What a great post and like you, I try to keep my blog political free and stuff but man, the world is making it hard isn’t it? So I’ve not read any of the ones you have, but I have tried a few you have on your TBR list. I read quite a few of that LA Banks series and really loved it. I always meant to continue on but I think she passed before she finished it which kind of turned me off of finishing. And of course you know how much I love The Prey of Gods. I’ve read Nnedi Okorafor’s Akata Witch which was MG and it was so good. I highly recommend it. Oh and I’ve read Dread Nation too. I would also recommend The Hate U Give and Dear Martin. Both are great YA books if you are ever interested.
I have a copy of The Hate U Give somewhere, I should pull it out and read it. This is the time I guess.
Great lists. I’ve read some on each list.
Thanks Anne:-)
I highly recommend Marlon James, but Black Leopard, Red Wolf was difficulty to get through for the first 100 pages. It’s a good read though.
I’ll recommend Middle Passage by Charles Johnson. It’s historical fiction that has some supernatural elements that would match your blog’s fantasy focus. It’s a freed young Black man who unknowingly boards a slave ship bound for Africa to pick you slaves from a very mysterious tribe. It’s a really good read.
I’ll definitely look into Middle Passage. Thanks for the rec!
I am one of those that reads what I want and don’t care what he author looks like so I didn’t even know some of these authors were black (Am I a bad book lover for not actually looking up the authors of books…lol). I did try Octavia Butler and DNFed the one I tried it had an eww factor that didn’t work for me and creeped me out…lol. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Dread Nation, not enough zombie action and to much politics. I never finished Trail of Lightning as it went back on Overdrive and I never got it back but what I read was decent. Most of the other books I have no clue about, great list.
For some reason I like to put a face to the name, so I often look up author photos. I’ve also met a ton of authors and so that’s one way to remember them. But I did have to google a few on this list.
Great to see Dread Nation on this list. It was a great book, and I also recently found out the author is local to my modest town!
I never got to read Dread Nation, and now there is a sequel. Very cool she’s a local author!
Fantastic list! I really want to read Terra-Two, and I’ve had Dread Nation on my Kindle for months! Binti is so interesting and relevant, I want to finish that series soon.
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Terra Two is one of my favorite books EVER. I wish more bloggers would read it!
I’d like to try some of these. I have The Deep and keep meaning to get to it.
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The Deep is pretty short and very unusual and powerful.
What a fabulous post, Tammy! I’ve read a few on your list – but Dread Nation is one I’ve wanted to get hold of and I love the look of Witchmark and Minion…
Yes read Witchmark and Kingdom of Souls . I’d also rec you Rebecca Roanhorse. 🙂
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Oooo these look good!! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
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Thank you SO much for this list! Dread Nation, The Fifth Season and Children of Blood and Bone have been on my TBR for a very long time!
Been dying to read Riot Baby. I loved this post…great picks!