Black literature is a powerhouse of voices that reshape our world, too vast to sum up in just one month. This month, we get a chance to spotlight fresh releases that capture the spirit, struggle, and triumph of Black experiences.

If you are looking to shake up your reading list with something bold and new, check out these 10 standout titles from Black authors in 2025. From romance and historical fiction to memoirs and thrillers, these books make every page worth reading.

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‘Listen to Your Sister’ by Neena Viel

An emotional story of a  25-year-old Calla, who suddenly becomes the guardian of her 16-year-old brother, Jamie. With nightmares haunting her and chaos erupting around them, these siblings find themselves on the run to a remote cabin where the past and present collide.

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‘Good Dirt’ by Charmaine Wilkerson

This epic centers on an affluent Black New England family rocked by tragedy. A home invasion, a murder, and a scandal that resurfaces 18 years later when  Ebby’s life takes a dramatic turn in France.

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‘Death of the Author’ by Nnedi Okorafor

When disabled Nigerian writer Zelu gets her book rejected and her job axed, she crafts a new story—a wild mix of sci-fi and literary fiction featuring warring androids and AI. The twist? The book’s publication rewrites the future for both humanity and its robotic successors.

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‘Junie’ by Erin Crosby Eckstine

16-year-old Junie, enslaved on the Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, who slaves by day and dreams of poetry at night. When a disruptive plan hits town, she unwittingly unleashes dark secrets and resurrects her late sister’s spirit.

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‘I Lived to Tell the Story’ by Tamika D. Mallory

In this raw memoir, the cofounder of the Women’s March shares her journey from growing up during Harlem’s civil rights legacy to standing tall against injustice, all while navigating the highs and lows of activism.

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‘The Wickedest’ by Caleb Femi

Step into an underground London house party through a poetry collection that blends lyrics, text messages, and vignettes into a lively chronicle of nightlife, community, and the gritty realities of marginalization.

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‘Afro Sheen’ by George E. Johnson

This memoir takes you behind the scenes of the first Black-owned company to hit Wall Street. Discover the journey of a self-made entrepreneur who transformed the Black haircare industry and sparked a cultural revolution.

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‘Harlem Rhapsody’ by Victoria Christopher Murray

Set during the Harlem Renaissance, the story is about Jessie Redmon Fauset, a high school teacher turned literary editor—as she uncovers secrets, scandals, and the pressure of working alongside icons like Langston Hughes and W. E. B. Du Bois.

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‘I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com’ by Kimberly Lemming

Expect the unexpected as a wildlife biology Ph.D. student finds herself whisked away to a dinosaur-filled alien planet. With a mysterious alien sidekick and unexpected romance, this book is as wild as it sounds.

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‘Black in Blues’ by Imani Perry

This thought-provoking nonfiction work traces the vibrant role of the colour blue. From West Africa’s indigo clothes to the soulful strains of American blues music, revealing its deep connections to Black history and identity.

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These titles surpass just books; they are invitations to explore new perspectives, challenge old narratives, and celebrate the spirit of Black history and culture. So, grab one (or more) of these gems, and let the stories inspire you this month and beyond.

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