35 Remarkable Books by Female BIPOC Authors

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

A Read With Jenna Pick for February 2022

I absolutely loved this contemporary fiction which is a story about love, family, and acceptance. It captured me from the first page with the story and the writing.

When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron. She wants to tell them things about her life that she could not say when she was alive.

While listening to their mother’s story, Byron and Benny learn about their mother, their family, and themselves. They try to piece their relationship back together. The novel looks at everyone’s life in the present and in the past, but in its essence, is a book about motherhood.

There is a secondary character who is also a professional swimmer, making this a perfect story for our books about women in sports.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This contemporary fiction book tells the story of Ifemelu and Obinze who are young and in love when they leave war-torn Nigeria.  Ifemelu comes to the United States and despite plans to follow her, Obinze cannot come to post-9/11 America.  

The saga takes place over a 15-year period when Ifemelu and Obinze are reunited in Nigeria.  It is intense and deeply emotional. I read this book with a very heavy heart as it seemed like tragedy after tragedy befell these two individuals.  However, with that said, this book is amazingly written and a true work of art.

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

May 2019 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

The abuse suffered by the women in the book was heartwrenching. It looks at three generations of Palestinian-American women and their struggles to bloom and become independent. 

I am shocked at the treatment of these women. Isra is a 17-year-old girl in Palestine entertaining suitors. She finds herself betrothed and off to live in the United States with a new husband whom she has met only a few times. 

In New York, 17-year-old Deya wants to go to college before she is married,  Her grandmother Fareeda is insistent that she be married first. Rum does an unbelievable job telling this story. It is a thought-provoking novel that is a perfect book for book clubs to discuss.  

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

September 2020 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

Covering drug addiction, immigration, racism, and more, this story is as entertaining as it is stimulating. Its discussion of drug addiction’s impact on the larger family unit was reminiscent of Long Bright River.

I also kept having to remind myself that it was a contemporary fiction story and not a memoir because the emotion and knowledge expressed in the book were so believable.⁣ This is one of the books about grief that you must-read.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

September 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have mixed feelings about this family drama book about motherhood.  There was nothing I didn’t like.  It is a great story and written really well.  I think because of all the hype I was expecting to be completely blown away. 

Nobody in Shaker Heights was prepared when Mia, a single mother and artist, rents a house from the Richardsons. When friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, the town becomes divided.

Ng has depth to her characters and looks at highly emotional issues. I ended up really liking the book once I got past the beginning and knew we needed to include it in novels about artists.

Violeta by Isabel Allende

How have I never read an Isabel Allende book before? SHOCKING! This is the story of Violeta, a woman whose life was bookended by two pandemics.

An ordinary citizen of South America, her life story swept me away. She goes from wealth to destitution during the Great Depression, experiences numerous marriages, and navigates the dramas of her children and grandchildren.

Ultimately, she lives a life rich in passion, loss, and joy. When the story ended, I felt like I was parting with a dear friend.

The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois by Honoree

August 2021 Oprah’s Book Club Pick

Wow. This is one of the best books I’ve listened to this year, and yes, I recommend it on audio for a few reasons. We absolutely love this Oprah Book Club Pick

First, the different narrators help tell this dual-timeline contemporary fiction. Through one narrator, we learn about Ailey’s life as an African American woman in the 20th century. The other narrator tells the story of the female ancestors of Ailey’s going all the way back to her Indigenous, black, and white relatives from two centuries earlier.

Through Ailey and her ancestors, the weight of what it means to be a black woman in America means. The sacrifices, injustices, struggles, and harassment endured by Ailey and her kin in the present day and the past are explored with a depth so real, I forgot it was a fictional story at times.

The second reason this book is great on audio? It’s LONG. It clocks in at over 800 pages or almost 30hrs of audiobook time. The narrators sucked me in and those 30 hrs flew by.

I will say, this book made me consider my White Privilege in a way no non-fiction book could have. It’s a heavy story, but very worth the read.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

June 2020 GMA Book Club Pick

I adored Bennett’s debut book The Mothers so I was nervous to read her sophomore novel. Sometimes the next novel doesn’t live up to the first, but The Vanishing Half totally does.

The premise of this book set in the 70s is so unique. Two black sisters who are so pale they can pass for white. One embraces her black heritage and her hometown, the other disappears into white suburbia.

When they meet up again 20 years later through their own daughters, the result is a stunning portrayal of the ties that tether us to our families. This is one of the must-read books about sisters and family drama books! It is also an amazing book for book clubs because there is so much to discuss.

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

I was blown away by the Cruz’s latest novel which explores her Dominican roots. 15-year-old Ana dreams of moving to America, envisioning a life of glamour, wealth, and freedom. She accepts the hand of a husband twice her age to fulfill her dreams but is in for quite an awakening when she makes it to the Bronx.

Her immigrant story was filled with strength and courage as over the course of a year-and-a-half meek Ana is molded into a strong woman. Miserable in her life, Ana is forced to choose between duty to her family and her dreams

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai

This book is a sweeping saga that tells the multigenerational tale of the Tran family.  The author is a Vietnamese poet which is obvious by the beautiful writing. 

Trần Diệu Lan was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Communist land reform.  Hà Nội, her granddaughter, is raised by her grandmother in the Vietnam war.  This is a beautiful story of love, family, loyalty, and survival, and was a beautiful book to listen to. This family saga is such a great pick for book clubs because there is so much to talk about.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

This family saga book is an epic tale of a family through the generations.  I absolutely adored the first half of the book.  I felt like I knew each of the characters so well as I rooted for them and loved them. 

Even though the book was close to 500 pages, I felt like the second half of the book was rushed.  This is a rare occasion in which I wish there was more to the book, particularly the ending.  I wanted to know more and to feel like I knew the characters as I did at the beginning. From Korea to Japan, this is an epic historical fiction novel.

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

This book is an award winner and the writing is undeniably wonderful.  The story itself has elements of magic that added to the difficult subject matter.  The story deals with drugs, violence, and poverty- all of which are completely relevant in today’s society. 

The characters did not develop throughout the story as much as I would have liked but, when added to the wonderful writing, this book in our list of ghost books is a worthwhile read.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Fall 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have not read many books where the central characters are American Indian. This book takes place on the Michigan side of Sault Ste. Marie where Daunis is going to have a fresh start in college when she witnesses a murder. She suddenly finds herself working as a CI for the FBI as they investigate a lethal form of meth slowly killing her people. Her knowledge of science as well as the Ojibwe traditional medicines makes her the perfect person to help. 

While this is characterized as YA thriller, it has the depth and soul to appeal to any audience. I can see why this book has already been optioned for a Netflix Series. I really did not know very much about the Ojibwe culture before reading this book and the little bits about traditions and spirituality were fascinating. Each tidbit added more depth to the story and I could not put it down. I will read anything that Ms. Boulley writes! Thank you Macmillan Audio for my ALC of this book. The narration was wonderful and added to the story.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Hello Dark Academia. Centered around Devon and Chiamaka, the only black students at an elite private school, this is one wild thriller.

After being chosen by prefects on the first day of their senior year, Devon and Chiamaka quickly become the targets of the mysterious Aces – a dangerous gossip girl-type character out to ruin their lives.

I was on pins and needles as this thriller unraveled, addressing systemic racism in private institutions in the process. If you love dark academia or mystery books, you need to put this dark academia novel on your TBR list.

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Who knew that Stacey Abrams could write a thriller while campaigning during an election year?

Well her debut thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea I would find a legal thriller so engaging, but I really did enjoy this one.

I had no idea that when Supreme Court Justices get sick, they are still required to work.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

I love a good mythology retelling, but usually, I read Greek mythology. Kaikeyi is a retelling of a story well-known in the Hindu religion.

While I can’t attest to the accuracy of the tale, I can say that I was utterly captivated by the story of Kaikeyi’s life. I learned that she is a villain in Hindu but I found Patel’s narrative so compelling that I felt for Kaikeyi and supported all of her decisions.

If you are a fan of Ariadne, Circe, or other mythological retellings, you must pick up this book. It’s wonderful.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Why did I not read this book before now? In a way, I’m glad I just read this because I only have to wait a few more months for the sequel. If you love YA fantasy books, this King Arthur re-imagining is a must-read in our list of fantasy books for teens!

Bree Matthews’s mother died in a tragic accident and she cannot seem to recover. When she has a chance to attend a special program for bright high school students at UNC-Chapel Hill, she jumps at the chance.

When Bree witnesses a magical attack on her first night there, her world is thrown upside down as she enters the world of the Legendborn. It is a secret society of students with powerful magic who are also descendants of King Arthur! This is my favorite read from our list of books about secret societies and is a perfect dark academia novel to delve into that genre.

The Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I don’t know what took me so long to read this amazing book. I heard such great things and I did not want to be disappointed but, I was also afraid that it would be dark. Somehow, despite being about the god of Death, this was not a dark or heavy book.

Casiopea lives in her grandfather’s home with her mother who is forced to clean. She dreams of leaving someday. When she accidentally frees the Mayan god of death, he attaches himself to her and she must go with him to free him from his brother’s curse.

I loved this book and its completely unique story.

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha, #1) by Tomi Adeyemi

I really enjoyed this book and the original story within the pages.  I listened to the amazing audiobook and I loved listening to the story the way that the story was intended to sound. 

When magic disappeared from Orisha, Zelie’s world changed forever.  When the king ordered all the Maji killed, Zelie was left without a mother or magic.  She is on a quest to find revenge and bring magic back to Orisha. This is one of the fantasy books for teens that builds a whole new world and brings fantasy to a whole new level.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

This YA historical fantasy takes place in Paris in 1889 where coercion, magic, betrayal, and murder are the norm.   At the Exposition Universelle World Fair is an artifact that will give the owner magical Forging abilities.

Severin and his fiercely loyal friends come together to take the artifact in the hope of also obtaining Serverin’s inheritance. Severin finds himself torn between his loyalty to his friends and his desire for revenge.

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Don’t be fooled by the beachy vibe of this novel’s cover. Emezi has astounded once again with a searing novel about grief and the messy business of moving on after the death of a spouse.

Set against the lush backdrop of the Caribbean island, this contemporary fiction story finds Feyi traveling to stay with Nasir, whom she is sort-of dating while exhibiting her artwork. But when she meets his father, famed chef Alim, her interests are torn.

As she tries to heal away from her life in Brooklyn, her life becomes messier than she could have imagined. I loved Emezi’s raw prose about grief and was thoroughly entertained by the story they wove. I totally get why this Audie Awards 2023 nominee is considered one of the best audiobooks of 2022.

Drunk on Love Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine Guillory never fails to entertain with her romances. This is definitely hot and steamy and is a perfect romance to go on our list of fiction books about wine.

Margot noble works in Napa at her family’s winery. When she meets a very handsome stranger and they have a steamy one-night stand, she thinks she will never see him again until he shows up at the winery the next day as the new hire.

Obviously, this can become a very bad situation. The chemistry between these two is undeniable.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

I was definitely not prepared for this book.  Reader beware that it is the Rosie Project with a sprinkle of Pretty Woman and a whole lot of 50 Shades. 

It is not offensive in the least but, I listened to this one, and let me say that I am very glad that my kids were not in the car.  I did not realize that some of the scenes would be graphic. 

It is a great romance with a neurodiverse main character and I loved it. This contemporary romance is definitely on its way to classic status and has a well-earned place on our list of best romance novels of all time and was an easy pick for a list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

Act your Age Eve Brown (The Brown Sisters #3) by Talia Hibbert

This is the third book in the Brown Sisters trilogy and I adored this romance. Eve Brown is a mess. She switches jobs and careers on a whim and can’t seem to do anything right. When her parents cut her off and tell her to find a job, she finds herself at a bed and breakfast interviewing for a chef position.

After Eve accidentally hits the owner of the B&B with her car, she begins the job helping Jacob, the reluctant owner. This steamy romance was a perfect one-sitting read and perfect for our list of enemies-to-lovers books. These two really have a lot standing in their way. If you love this series, The Kiss Quotient Series should be next on your list.

Recipe for Persuasion (The Rates #2) by Sonali Dev

I loved the first book in the series so much. I could not wait to read this second book that is not only a Jane Austen retelling, but a delightful pick in novels about food.

I loved this fresh take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It was so much fun to read this classic retelling and I will admit that it made me very hungry.

When Dimple Met Richi by Sandhya Menon

A cute YA romance about a traditional Indian boy and a not-so-traditional Indian girl. The characters meet at a computer programming seminar where Richi is supposed to woo his unsuspecting future bride, Dimple. This YA book is perfect for books like The Kiss Quotient. Dimple and Stella are both women in stem who know what they want.

They clash and connect throughout the story as they try to determine if they really are destined for each other. Their turbulent relationship is perfect for enemies-to-lovers books.

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

A moving memoir of life as a Chinese immigrant in America. Qian and her family moved to America for opportunity, but hurdle after hurdle is thrown their way.

As her parents try to put food on the table, we learn about the immigrant experience through the eyes of Qian as a child. From her near-constant hunger to trying to acclimate to her new school system, Wang writes in a way that makes the reader feel what she felt.

Truly a moving account of her early life. I challenge anyone to read this and not wonder how broken our immigration system is.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

April 2022 Oprah’s Book Club Pick

Viola Davis’s life story had me entranced as I learned what she needed to overcome during her childhood, college, and her early career to become the powerhouse she is today.

Her thoughts on life in Hollywood were enlightening. Her deep love for her family and her roots shone through. And her story made it very clear that she takes nothing for granted.

Viola worked damn hard to be successful and she deserves every accolade she’s received and more. Her narration even earned her an Audie Awards 2023 nomination.

Her Honor by LaDoris Hazzard Cordell

While I’m always interested in the justice system, I often find non-fiction books about the topic to be dry, too technical, or just plain confusing.

But not Judge Cordell’s book which has a perfect balance of example based stories and explanation of legal issues without the legalese that can be confusing to those outside the justice system.

Her detailed antidotes about her life on the bench were compelling and troubling, drawing me in, and forcing me to see that our legal system needs work across ALL divisions.

I spent most of my time listening to this book, which is narrated by Judge Cordell, and I couldn’t pause it. I finished it in one day while ignoring life around me.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

November 2018 Oprah’s Book Club Pick

I am so happy that I finally read this book. Michelle Obama is a brilliant woman who has such an incredible story to tell.  I was intrigued listening to her life and her upbringing.

I listened to this book and was so happy to hear the story read by Obama herself. Obama is a brilliant woman and it was a pleasure to hear her story told in her voice. There is something about her voice that is so calming and soothing. This is one of our favorite non-fiction books about women in politics.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

I always thought that Mindy Kaling was hilarious. I am not a huge memoir enthusiast but I was excited to listen to this one. Mindy’s personal voice in her quest to find happiness and be secure with who she is was a really refreshing voice to listen to. She is honest, funny and relatable. And like any good comedian, self-deprecating but not in a “poor- me” kind of way.

I enjoyed this memoir and if you get a chance to listen, it makes it that much more enjoyable.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

After reading White Fragility earlier this year, I immediately added So You Want to Talk About Race to my to-read list. While I found White Fragility to be enlightening, it lacked action steps and a first-person account of racism. This book not only explained how deeply rooted our country is in white privilege, but it also gave concrete action steps to take going forward. I have been recommending it to friends left and right as a book to really anchor oneself in what it means to be anti-racist.

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

This fantastic and incredibly relevant young adult novel tackles the Black Lives Matter movement. Starr is straddling a line between two worlds. She attends a prestigious prep school where she is one of 2 black children in her grade but she lives in a poor neighborhood 40 minutes down the road.

She switches her personality so that she can fit in wherever she is, never truly being her whole self.  When she witnesses her unarmed childhood best friend get killed by a policeman her entire life changes.

She needs to decide what to tell and to whom because her words can have dire consequences for her family and her community. It’s a truly wonderful thought-provoking book all young adults should read.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

After hearing a lot about this particular story, I quickly snatched it up, and let me tell you, the hype is real. This story is set in Philly (which I love) and features a Black woman of Caribbean descent who is entering into her senior year of college.  Emoni wants to be a world-class chef but struggles with pursuing her passions in the kitchen while balancing the responsibilities of having a toddler. It’s a true coming-of-age story that is as delicious to devour as the many recipes described in the book.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz

I love the idea of this story and there was so much about it that I loved. The exploration of a multi-racial identity from a teenager’s point of view is unique and powerful.

Naveah grew up in NYC with a Black mom and. a Jewish dad. When they split up and she moves to Harlem, she is forced to confront who she is and her biracial identity. She must learn to find her voice and discover who she is meant to be rather than who everyone wants her to be.  

Even though this story is YA I think the story could have had a little bit more- I wanted more. This YA book set in New York is written by a Black, Jewish writer who has a unique perspective and is a must-read.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

This Young Adult Novel is smart and well-written.  I loved reading it.  Yoon has done something very difficult with this book.  She switches back and forth between a few different narrators and still manages to maintain the flow of the story.

This National Book Award finalist is the story of Natasha and Daniel.  They meet 12 hours before Natasha and her family are being deported to Jamaica.  Where will their story take them? You can’t fall in love in 12 hours, can you?

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Imagine if all your past crushes found out you liked them all at once. EEK! That’s what happens to the heroine, Lara Jean Covey when the love letters she wrote get mailed! While this is a romance novel, the series works for our books about sisters post too!

I love Lara Jean – she is quirky, cute, and totally reminds me of me in high school – except she gets to date the most popular boy at school. But their relationship is fake —- or is it? While not necessarily enemies by the strict meaning of the word, we wanted to include this in our enemies-to-lovers books. And you can check out Best YA Romance Books to Indulge in Now for more books like it.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Reese’s Bookclub YA pick for November 2020

This is an adorable YA romance that had my tea-loving heart at the title but, the story was sweet and had me turning the pages. But fair warning, you will be hungry while reading this book about tea.

Lila is leaving Miami to spend the summer in England with her mom’s best friend as a way to help Lila’s mental health. With the unexpected break-up with her boyfriend, her best friend leaving after graduation and the death of her beloved Abuela, Lila’s life is not where she thought it would be.

Slowly, with new friends and a new city, Lila starts to see a different side of life, and maybe change is ok. This is a sweet pick from our list of bakery romance novels.