ComScore

50 Books by Black Authors to Read in 2021

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

From James Baldwin to Jesmyn Ward. From a powerful account of precolonial African life to side-splitting essays about Magic Mike. From timeless classics to brand-new releases…here are 50 of the best books by Black authors to read right now.

The 19 Best Mystery Books to Keep You Guessing Until the Last Page


1. the Other Black Girl By Zakiya Dalila Harris

In this thrilling debut, Nella is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. That is, until Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers and the two bond immediately. Things change, though, when Hazel becomes an office darling, and Nella is left in the dust. Then notes start to appear on Nella's desk—"LEAVE WAGNER. NOW”—and she soon realizes that there's a lot more at stake than just her career.


stief author

Wellness Director

  • Oversees wellness content
  • PureWow's resident book reviewer
  • Has worked in lifestyle media for 11 years

books
/ Natalie LaBarbera
ATTN, BookTok: I Chatted with Author Rachel Gillig About One of My Most Anticipated Romantasy Reads of the Year
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
I Read the Highest-Rated Reese's Book Club Pick—Here's My Review
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
The 33 Best Sad Books to Read When You Need a Good Ugly Cry
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
The 15 Best Books of the Past 15 Years, According to PureWow's Books Editor
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
This Book About a Lesbian Party Clown in Florida Made Me Laugh…& Cry
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
8 Books I Can’t Wait to Read in March
books
/ Natalie LaBarbera
I've Logged More Than 15 Books This Year—Here's What's on My List for National Reading Month (Including a Reese's Book Club Pick)
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
4 Reese's Book Club Books That Will Make You Ugly Cry
books
/ Natalie LaBarbera
8 Swoon-Worthy Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day, Including One Reese's Book Club Pick
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
I Noticed Something Interesting About Reese's Book Club's February Pick (Which I Can't Wait to Read, BTW)
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
7 Books I Can’t Wait to Read in February
books
/ Natalie LaBarbera
Katherine Heigl Gave Her Stamp to One of BookTok's Favorite Romantasy Series—and Inspired Me to Binge the First Book
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
ATTN Reese Witherspoon: This New Novel Would Make an *Excellent* Book Club Choice
books
/ Sarah Stiefvater
The Reese's Book Club Book You Should Read, Based on Your Zodiac Sign
books
/ Jillian Quint
I Read 4 Books About Horny Menopausal Women—Here’s What I Loved and Hated
books
/ Greta Heggeness
Reese Witherspoon’s January Book Club Pick Is a Must-Read for Fans of ‘Evelyn Hugo’
See More