Black history month is not just a month-it is a year long experience. However, I do appreciate that everyone takes this time out of the year to pay particular attention to how our actions shaped history we know today and how to learn from the mistakes me have made in the past. Now is the time to intentionally fill your selves with powerful stories by African American authors in honor to show your intent to make these books center stage all year long.
From BookTok-trending Black romance novels to award-winning literacy fiction and bestselling memoirs by Black icons, this list celebrates stories that honor legacy, culture, resilience, love, and excellence.
If you’re looking for the best Black History Month books to read in 2026, consider this your curated guide and get ready for the reading.
Black Romance & Contemporary Fiction by African American Authors
These are my favorite stories of love, softness, and complexity. These are BookTok approved authors that are delivering unforgettable stories.
I love love LOVE me some Kennedy Ryan. This is one of the most talked-about Black romance novels online, and is emotionally packed with second-chance love story between Yasmen and Josiah as they go through grief, healing, and finding that spark that can not be tamped down. The absolute depth of this book is amazing. Can not recommend this book enough without giving away spoilers.
Find your spark here.
Another book I am SCREAMING about. I have recommended this book to every.single.person I have met that wanted a recommendation for a love story that is all about being a boss and reconnecting. This is a steamy, witty, second-chance romance between Eva and Shane that blends chronic illness representation, creative ambition, and undeniable chemistry. Please read this amazing book. You will not regret it.
Buy this book here. Now.
Gasp. Sigh. Swoon. Luxury meets loyalty in this romance featuring strong family ties and BDE throughout this masterpiece. There is lots of “baby mama drama” but the characters are funny and it is very-very spicy. If you love character-driven Black romance with heart… and lots of heat-add this one to your list.
Choose to own up here.
Banter. I love this book for the banter and the comedy within this fake-dating romance. I particularly love the way that they each have their own agenda’s to get into internships and festivals but each find their from their own wants into each other’s arms. Their agenda’s make it to where they have it in their head one thing but in reality (she really tells herself that they weren’t really dating)-it does not turn out that way. I think it is because it is a British college romance that sometimes throw’s people off-but I still 100% recommend this book. I want to be there besties and go to all their amazing parties and celebrations of their Nigerian heritage.
Get on air here.
One of my favorite authors Kristan Higgins even loves this book. So this is about a man thinking that he is smart enough to date three women and not find out about it. Are they going to compete to see who can get the man? Hell no. So these strong-smart women decided that they had given too much of themselves to men. Men who lied to them. Who did not respect them the way they know that they deserved. So they decided as besties that for a year- No men, no dating, and no worrying about their relationship status. And let’s see how the outcome will be at the end.
Joined the STEM career here and agree to not be catfished again.
Menace, Menace, Menace. This man knows what he wants and gets what he wants. So Stevie goes on a vacation with a client/friend-all expenses paid. Little does she know (even with people telling her how shady this chick was) there is a price to pay. Menace, handling his business-takes Stevie hostage but is damn near love at first site even though they are very opposite of each other. He has family issues. So does she for different reasons. I love Stevie. She is an artist. Messy. Beautiful. One of my favorite characters that I read last year.
Get into the car and his bed here.
This book goes between a mother’s experience and a daughter’s experience though being judged by being a black woman, standing up for human rights, and how they relate to each other more than they know. This is a thought provoking generational novel that dives deep into racism, identity, and activism across pivotal times in American history.
Be apart of the protest here.
If you Google everything-then you will relate to this book. This follows Maddie’s journey of being a caregiver of her father with Parkinson’s, getting fired for the most outrageous reason, stressed family dynamics has she tries to be a 25 year old in London. In this book you can go with her through mental health, cultural identity, familial expectations, and cultural pressures that still exist.
Go on your first date with Maame here.
Fantasy, YA, & Speculative Fiction by Black Authors
Looking for magic, monsters, or socially conscious storytelling? Yes please. These African American authors are redefining genre fiction.
I am slapping the table because I do not know how this book is not all over TikTok. This book is all about world building and deciding if you are going to listen to what you have been told your fate was from birth. I have talked two people that read this book and both thought that it was YA and too young for them but ended up eating this book up! Tarisai was pretty much not really raised with a family that she so so wanted. But instead she is treated like a political pawn to over-throw a civilization. But you already know she has a mind of her own and makes her own way through the world.
Join the lush worldbuilding here.
She is supposed to kill him…but couldn’t. Karina is grief-stricken after her mother is assassinated and decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic. However, Malik, a refugee, has other ideas and is fighting to place his family at the throne. Who get’s killed? Who wins the contest? Who falls in love? It starts out a bit slow in my opinion but really picks back up when they finally meet.
Become apart of the contest and the fight for your place here.
This book freaking broke my heart. What happens to Martin happens every single day and talk about doing the wrong thing and then get done dirty…Martin just tried to help his intoxicated friend and the cops, of course, take the entire interactions completely wrong ripping Martin’s future to shreds. As he is coming to terms with how one night changed his life-he also looks at his friends different too.
Get this must-read here.
Award-Winning & Literary Fiction by African American Writers
If you’re searching for critically acclaimed books by Black authors, start here.
Okay-Not a popular opinion…I was not a huge fan of Huckleberry Fin. Sorry not sorry. However, I got to read this story early and this retelling is what we should have read first in the sixth grade. When James, a smart honorable man, over hears that he is about to get sold off by some white man, he runs off to make sure that he is never separated from his daughter and wife all in the name of slavery.
Read the right side of history of Huck Finn and the real star here.
There is a reason why this book won so many awards. This book is definitely told in a story telling way. This whole family is beautiful and tragic to the upmost degree. Thirteen year old Jojo is just trying to live and be there for his sister because their drug addicted mother who used drugs to cope with the death of their uncle sure the hell isn’t going to be there. So Jojo looks up to Pop, his grandfather, to know how to take care of the family. Then his dad is released from prison and his mom takes them away from the only love he has known-his grandparents.
Cry your heart out here.
This is either a hit or a miss for most people but I remember reading this one because it was one of Barack Obama’s favorite books. This book goes through four different lives, four different skin colors, and the courage to live your life with a bold purpose-your purpose what ever that may be for you.
Choose your destiny here.
This book is about how two ex-con’s, two fathers, and two men fight to get justice when their son’s are murdered. Due to their son’s being a couple, one white, and one black-the police wash their hands of the murder. Both father’s are grappling with the guilt of not only being locked up for most of the boys childhood but also kind of being dick’s about their son’s sexuality. But they will not let their sons murder go without justice.
Find your unexpected team here.
Bestselling Memoirs by Black Icons Who Made a Difference
Black history isn’t just written in textbooks but it is lived, sung, acted, led, and remembered all year around and not just in February. These best selling memoirs by African American leaders, actresses, and musicians continue to inspire millions to do better.
One of the bestselling memoirs of all time. From the South Side of Chicago to the White House, this deeply personal and inspirational narrative inspires everyone who reads this book to embrace their voice and purpose.
Remember the good times here and continue to be super jelly over her arms.
An unfiltered, emotional reflection on poverty, perseverance, and becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses and how she remains a boss.
Find your journey here.
Relive the best Bring It On Moments with this sharp, witty book about race, motherhood, womanhood, and navigating fame. Both a hit on Amazon and Goodread’s reviewers alike.
Read this book with wine here.
Other than being a great host, actor, comedian, and writer-he talks about growing up in South Africa as a child. His parents are interracial and that was forbidden where he grew up. Noah carries that information with him until adulthood and does an incredible at blending humor and heartbreak.
Flirt with this book here.
I have loved Alicia Key’s since day one and she continues to be an amazing person. This book dives into creativity, spirituality, and stepping into authenticity as an artist, woman, and mother.
Tap on the keys here.
This is not just a tell all about our girl B but goes into generational resilience, identity, and family legacy. She talks about self-love, growth, and overcoming systemic racism through the narrative, making it both inspiring and relatable.
Find out all the secrets behind the fame here.
This is one of the best selling books of all time for a reason. This is about celebrating and reckoning with a life lived in the spot light. He does a great job at blending being a vulnerable black man and one that oozes confidence. He talks about his ambitions, identity, and self-knowledge.
Visit West Philadelphia here.
This book popped off on TikTok because of how honest this book simply states history. Look through a bold, un-whitewashed lens about true history. They do not simply tell history but tells history through an emotionally impactful words and sharp critique. History was shaped by more than those mentioned in our history books.
Learn the truth here.
Why These Black History Month Books Matter
Reading books by African American authors isn’t just about representation-it’s about perspective. These stories explore love, injustice, joy, ambition, trauma, fantasy, reinvention, and cultural legacy through the lenses that deserve to be amplified to the tenth degree.
Whether you gravitate toward:
- Black romance novels trending on BookTok
- Award-winning literary fiction
- Urban romance with an edge
- Inspiring memoirs by amazing Black celebrities
This Black History Month reading list ensures your bookshelf reflects excellence across genres. And if you’re anything like me, your TBR list just got a bit longer-in the best possible way.
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