Black Authors

[LloydColeandtheCoconuts]

Hello,

I am after book recommendations of black authors that talk about the black experience in a realistic way. Preferably female. For example recent books I read were Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. They're modern books by women for women that talk about different black experiences without anyone having a drug problem or being in a gang.
I wholeheartedly recommend the mentioned books they were beautifully written and I was gutted to finish.
Anyway if anyone could add to the thread with your suggestions then that would be great. Thanks in advance.

Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins.

Thanks, the reviews look good on this. I was trying to avoid stories about the slave trade but this one comes across as very different and quite unique in its premise. I shall certainly check it out.
Thanks

I can highly recommend Frannie Langton, too. If you like R4 then you can listen to her interview other authors. I think she's great.

Attica Locke - Bluebird, Bluebird (to start)

Thank you. Keep them coming

Coconut by Kopano Matlwa

@LloydColeandtheCoconuts , if you're on Instagram, the following accounts are great for recommending great Black authors:
@di-goodbooksdem
@thehousebythesea
@goodblackreads
@wellreadblackgirl
@forcoloredgirlsbokkclub
@weneeddiversebooks
@bluebanyanbooks - focuses on Caribbean books.
@booksofcinz
@thisbrowngirlreads
@jacarandabooks

Andrea Levy... especially "Every light in the house burning" and The fruit of the lemon tree".
"Mr Loverman" by Bernadine Evaristo is fantastic
The Vanishing Half by Shayna Small
On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe
Silver Sparrow and An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
The secret lives of Baba Segi's wives - Lola Shoneyin
Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

Andrea Levy... especially "Every light in the house burning" and The fruit of the lemon tree".
"Mr Loverman" by Bernadine Evaristo is fantastic
The Vanishing Half by Shayna Small
On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe
Silver Sparrow and An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
The secret lives of Baba Segi's wives - Lola Shoneyin
Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

Sorry first reply posted twice! I am currently reading I am not your baby mother by Candice Braithwaite its so good highly recommend!!

I'm currently reading The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna. Really enjoyable, would recommend. It's set in Sierra Leone st the end of the civil war.

These suggestions sound great. I appreciate your responses.
Soma thanks for the instagram account suggestions

Stay with me - Ayobami Adebayo
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Check out Sharon Maas. Black author from Guyana. Historical fiction set in Guyana and other places.

Andrea Levy - Small Island - I had to pause reading this on the tube so I could contain outbursts of laughter. Beautiful writing and so very funny.
Tayari Jones - An American Marriage made me laugh and cry
Paul Beatty - The Sellout - wasn't an easy read but so cleverly written
Colson Whitehead - The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys - brilliant brilliant writing
Alexia Arthurs - How to love a Jamaican - collection of poignant short stories about Jamaican immigrants
Lorna Goodison - From Harvey River - a beautiful memoir of her mother and her island of Jamaica. Rich and so evocative which is unsurprising as Lorna is a poet who has been awarded numerous awards. I'd recommend this beautiful read to everyone but as a Jamaican I remember my heart being "full up of joy' as the book evoked so many memories of country, childhood and family.

Kiley Reid - Such a Fun Age.

Am really appreciating these suggestions. Thanks all

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Girl With the Louding Voice- Abi Daré

There are some really enjoyable YA black fantasy books such as A Song of Wraith and Ruins by Roseanne Brown or Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. Both very African in tone and heavily influenced by Yoruba traditions and spirits.

Could also recommend Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

Becoming - Michelle Obama

Marie NDiaye. She’s French-Senegalese and writes in French but her most popular books have English translations. Trois femmes puissantes (Three Strong Women) is brilliant.

Some great suggestions here. Good to see a range of books not dealing with slavery or trauma.

I’m currently loving Jasmine Guillory’s books. Certainly not the most literary but it’s refreshing to read ‘chick lit’ with a black protagonist. Nice escapism.

Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola is getting Choi’s reviews - haven’t read it yet

The two most recent books I've read are:

• Brit(ish), Afua Hirsch
• I am not your baby mother, Candice Braithwaite

I would recommend both.