To celebrate black history month i would like to share a few extraordinary african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors with you. Books of interest to african americans and people of color. What follows is a list of prominent black authors who have left a mark on the literary world forever. Check out a beautiful collage of all 50 authors photos and our list of the top 100 books of the 20th century. This novel which has since been translated into over 50 languages due to its high demand, made achebe very popular. Best sellers in childrens africanamerican story books. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The top 10 contemporary african writers you should know. Octavia butlers kindred 1979 is one of a string of novels she penned. But quality writing doesnt always guarantee a quality audiobook. A special shoutout to my friends at questia, the online research tool for students. Along with publishing a first book by an emerging new african poet each year, the africa book fund has also committed to publishing a collected edition of a major living african poet each year, and this year it is gabriel okara, the only person who could ever be called.
Petersburg timesin the exciting, yet frightening days of freedom summer in 1963, two very different africanamerican women meet. Help readers discover the great writers of the century. This is a list of africanamerican authors and writers, all of whom are considered part of. A famous nonfiction writer, jabari asim serves as editorinchief of the crisis magazine, a journal of politics, ideas and culture published by the naacp. She is remembered most for her second novel, their eyes were watching god 1937. Anthropologist, folklorist, civil rights activist and author, zora neale hurston is one of the leading african american writers of the twentieth century. Biographies, published books and more information for almost 3,900 african american, and authors of african descent from the caribbean, europe and the americas. The works of several famous works have changed governance, sparked off revolutions and led to the evolution of society in general.
See more ideas about african american poets, american poets and african. Critics hailed the book, and in 1950 brooks became the first african american to win the pulitzer prize for poetry. Our list of prominent africanamerican authors includes toni morrison, who has detailed the lives of black characters who struggle with identity amidst racism and hostility. Fun is what you are looking for in a good read during these times. But we also know that a single quote can be just as influential. Cora sees an opportunity to escape on the underground railroad, and takes it. His first groundbreaking novel titled things fall apart was published in 1958. Out african american writers know what its like to be a black person in america, and it shows in their writing. Chinua achebe is one of the best african authors who have contributed a lot in the field of african literature. He was born in 1930, and schooled at the university of ibadan, nigeria.
Brooks became the first african american to receive the pulitzer prize for this book. The best african american romance novels by black authors. Top 20 favorite books by black authors in 2018 duration. Octavia butler 19472006 octavia butler is famous for successfully using science fiction to address the human experience of africanamericans. Best selling refers to the estimated number of copies sold of all fiction books written or cowritten by an. A literary rent party to benefit the hurstonwright foundation of african american fiction, with selections to savor from bestselling authors as well as talented rising stars. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction. A literary rent party to benefit the hurstonwright foundation of africanamerican fiction, with selections to savor from bestselling authors as well as talented rising stars. The reading lists are of books with characters who are africanamerican or are written by africanamerican authors and then divided by school grade levels. In this book in verse, 12 year old keith leaves brooklyn after his dads death and has to deal with racism with the music of jimi hendrix. Todays famous african american authors often explore the more subtle differences present in the lives of people of color today. High hopes for addy book 1999 j fiction american girls collection none available added.
These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. And the talented writers behind these tales are nothing short of impressive, too, from the famous feminist bell hooks to taye diggs to pharrell williams. Pulitzer prize and the american book award for her novel beloved. The 16 best books of the year by black authors the root. It became the first book by an african american writer to be selected by the bookofthemonth club. Goldens style is modern, refreshing and accurately captures a slice of africanamerican life. William wells brown 18141884, wrote first novel published by an african american, clotel 1853. What others are saying gone crazy in alabama by rita williamsgarcia. Their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston, the color purple by alice walker, beloved by toni morrison. From literary icons to fresh, buzzworthy talent, here are 25 great books by africanamerican authors you should add to your reading list today. Butler at book signing, released by nikolas coukouma. After being kidnapped from west africa and enslaved in boston, phillis wheatley became the first african american and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in the colonies in 1773. Delany, major jackson and others tell us about some of their. The complete list of almost 3,900 black authors profiled.
Many african american books tackle the difficult topic of slavery, but few do it with the magic and grace of colson whitehead. Annie allen is a collection of poems that follows the life of the author from childhood to womanhood surrounded by poverty, racial discrimination, parental expectations, and unhappiness. Baldwins publishers tried to persuade him not to publish the book. If urban fiction with a healthy sprinkling of romance is your kind of thing, youll love afro romance books african american books. The contributions of black writers to american literature span genres and generations. Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love.
We have the best stories around, as we have the best black authors and writers which fans love. For all of these, though, the audiobook version is topnotch andgasp. It details, in stark terms, the oppression of blacks in a chicago neighborhood. Maya angelou and 9 other bestselling black authors biography. William wells brown 18141884, wrote first novel published by an african american, clotel 1853 ashley bryan born 1923 niobia bryant, author of romance and mainstream fiction novels. A recent pulitzer prize winner and national book award winner, the novel follows cora, a young slave on a georgia cotton plantation. These amazing titles are not only good for suggested class reading but for the pure fun and joy of reading. Discover and share african american quotes on reading. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. Here are some of the bestselling black authors whose voices have both. Not since terry mcmillans breaking ice have so many african american writers been brought together in one. List of african american scifi, fantasy and horror authors. Article in young adult fiction and african american.
Often referred to as a spokesman for african americans and women through. Book 1999 y fiction curtis, christopher 1 on shelf at. In that spirit, below find ten africanamerican authors whose works. The 2016 coretta scott king book awards honor a variety of excellent childrens books and young adult books by african american authors and illustrators. There are many famous african american authors who produce just this kind of enjoyable getaway literature. The undefeated caldecott medal book kwame alexander. This is a list of bestselling fiction authors to date, in any language.
In honor of toni morrison, i want to share five quotes from black authors that are sure to give you the push you need to write something fantastic 1. Eleanor taylor bland 19442010, writer of crime fiction. An elderly african american woman, en route to vote, remembers her familys tumultuous voting history in this picture book publishing in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the voting rights act of 1965. So to continue this months celebration of all things black history, weve rounded up a list of 10 very powerful quotes from some of our favourite africanamerican authors. There is a great and proud tradition of american writers, including some of the worlds most famous authors. Authors have undoubtedly been quite influential in changing the world to a great extent. Not only are all these authors blackamerican, canadian, jamaican, andor nigerianbut so are all the narrators. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi ad. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their.
Questia compiled this list based on the mostread africanamerican authors in their library a list of most. Famous african american authors the world really loves. Her most famous work i know why the caged bird sings was published. His most famous novel, things fall apart 1958, is a devastating depiction of the clash between traditional tribal values and the effects of colonial rule. Who knows, one of these books might become your new favorite.
Black history month is a great time to highlight the work. The list also includes nonamerican authors resident in the usa and american writers of african descent. Among her numerous accomplishments, she is the recipient of prestigious awards such as the nobel prize, pulitzer prize, american book award and presidential medal of freedom. While finding precise sales numbers for any given author is nearly impossible, the list is based on approximate numbers provided or repeated by reliable sources. Kids books for african american history month, from picture books to ya. Works by alice walker, toni morrison, and maya angelou promote understanding for the black experience in all segments of american life. Check out a beautiful collage of all 50 author s photos and our list of the top 100 books of the 20th century. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors. Sometimes you just want a book to kick back with and unwind during a vacation. Moreover, please consider these authors for great books discussion.