Perhaps you’ve seen the hashtags #BlackoutBestsellerList or #BlackPublishingPower on Twitter and Instagram.
If not, here’s a quick summary.
Simple enough, yeah?
If you need recommendations for books to buy, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are a few books I’m excited about.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
Here are some Black-owned bookstores you can order from:
For more options, check out the following lists from Lithub, Town and Country, and Epic Reads.
When in doubt, buy from Bookshop or Indiebound!
If you’re low on funds, LIBRARY REQUESTS ALSO COUNT.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
YA contemporary + f/f romance
Black Queer joy at prom.
If you like seeing quirky girls succeed, you’ll love this book!
The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
YA multi-perspective contemporary
A book about grief, music, and community.
Now in paperback!
Check, Please! Vols. 1 & 2 by Ngozi Ukazu
M/m sports-themed graphic novel
Soft boys bake, fall in love, and do sports.
Everyone I know who has read this series says it is Too Cute.
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for their Rights by Mikki Kendall and A. D’Amico
Historical non-fiction graphic novel
Read about the women often left out of our history books who fought for rights and representation.
In my personal opinion, history is 1000x more interesting in graphic novel form.
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
YA fantasy (available August 18th, 2020)
In this upcoming book, the lonely protagonist strives to please her emotionally-distant mom, even if it means killing the Crown Prince!
Do I smell a romance and some character development?
(Preorder for good karma.)
The Black Veins by Ashia Monet
LGBTQIA+ paranormal fantasy
What would YOU do if magician anarchists kidnapped your family?
Would you team up with a band of super-powered teens and go on a found family road trip?
If so, this is the book for you!
Slay by Brittney Morris
YA contemporary thriller
After a teen is murdered over a video game dispute, the media come for Black gamers’ online safe space.
Then the trolls arrive.
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, & Joy San
Historical fiction graphic novel + f/f romance
Look at the glorious synopsis for the Jackpot Edition:
This Jackpot Edition contains over SIXTY PAGES of bonus material, including the talents of MARGUERITE BENNETT (Batwoman) and newcomer BEVERLY JOHNSON, SHAWN PRYOR (Cash and Carrie) and PAULINA GANUCHEAU (Zodiac Starforce), award-winning historical romance author ALYSSA COLE’s comics writing debut with SHAE BEAGLE (MOONSTRUCK), GAIL SIMONE (CROSSWIND) and MARGAUX SALTEL (Superfreaks), and AMANDA DEIBERT (Wonder Woman ’77) and CAT STAGGS (CROSSWIND), with illustrations from MEGAN HUTCHINSON (ROCKSTARS) and ARIELA KRISTANTINA (InSeXts). Plus a sneak peek of BINGO LOVE, VOL. 2: DEAR DIARY, with an afterword from GABBY RIVERA (America).
In this beloved, award-winning graphic novel, two women fall in love as teens and reconnect later in life thanks to Obergefell vs. Hodges and Bingo.
Ink for the Beloved by R. C. Barnes
YA contemporary fantasy
I’ve seen this novel compared to Veronica Mars, Jessica Jones, and Riverdale, which is QUITE A COMBO.
Also, the main character can READ OTHER PEOPLE’S TATTOOS??
This is the greatest plot concept I’ve ever heard.
Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest
YA contemporary romance (available August 25, 2020)
A cute musician and an aspiring actress go on a wild New York City quest.
City adventure romances are the BEST. Take my word for it!
Read about teens falling in love on the Brooklyn bridge (probably!)
(Preorder now and receive a blessing from His Majesty Frank Ocean.)
The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
YA sci-fi/fantasy
A teenager murders a customer at the brothel where she works.
Afraid for her life, she, her sister, her two best friends, and the brothel’s ALPHA BITCH go on the run.
This story is also magical…and not just because of the excellent writing!
Dread Nation and Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
YA historical fantasy
Reconstruction-era zombies = the best phrase I never thought I’d utter.
The two leads are a bi zombie killer and an ace/aro Alpha Bitch.
I don’t know WHY YOU’RE STILL HERE.
Do you need more convincing??
Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams
YA speculative fiction
I heard this book pitched as The Handmaid’s Tale meets Wilder Girls.
Get ready for oppression and extra organs!
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
Fantasy/horror (available July 21, 2020)
Do you like social commentary and religious trauma?
TIME FOR A MISOGYNISTIC CUUUUUULT.
You better believe the witches get revenge!
(Preorder to prevent the evil from spreading.)
A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope edited by Patrice Caldwell
YA speculative fiction
Nothing I can say will top that superb subtitle (except, perhaps, the claim that this book evokes “Beyonce’s Lemonade for a YA audience.”)
This book is basically sixteen novellas in one and is the best possible use of your money.
This is only a SHORT SAMPLING of books you could buy this week!
I hope you find something you like here or somewhere else on the net!
Tell me which books you’re ordering for #BlackoutBestsellerList.
Let’s do this.
Narrative Paradise 
This was such a fantastic list that contained so many books I’ve never heard of before! For the #BlackoutBestsellerList I bought a couple of books, some fiction and some non-fiction. I think the ones I’m most excited for though are Felix Ever After and The Black Flamingo!
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