Black Voices: New & Upcoming Must-Read Fiction

Arcanum Training Institute is known for celebrating magical cultural traditions from around the world, but Conjurors have never been allowed to attend. That is, until 11-year-old Ella is accepted. The Marvellers is a spellbinding tale about friendship, belonging, and self-love set against the backdrop of a magical school in the sky that is perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil. 

If you loved If the Shoe Fits, then to your delight, here is another Disney romance retelling in the latest of the Meant to Be series, By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. This is a romance win-win read! One of our favorite rom-com authors revisits one of your favorite Disney stories — a reworking of Beauty and the Beast. The only question is, why didn’t this pairing happen sooner? 

What is summer without a whirlwind romance with the perfect guy, or two? Moving on after profound grief has never been so complicated. Last year, we were absolutely stunned by The Death of Vivek Oji. Akwaeke Emezi switches gears and delivers a very fun and steamy romance set in a world of art and celebrity with their own take on second chances. Perfect for fans of Luster and Seven Days in June. 

What happens when a girl who hates all-things romance catches the eye of a self-professed love expert? They fall in love, of course. Fans of Nicola Yoon will swoon over this charming debut about what happens when you let first love take hold. 

When we talk about protecting Black women, this is what we’re talking about. Inspired by true events, Nightcrawling tells the story of young Black woman who desperately turns to walking the streets of Oakland as a means of income, only to find herself entangled in a scandal and failure of the justice system. Leila Mottley’s intense and piercing debut is a must-read for those who can’t stop thinking about  Salvage the Bones and There There. 

This YA debut is perfect for fans of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and will keep readers captivated as they read Harrison and Linus’s story of saying goodbye and packing in as much as they can before Linus moves out of state. Right at the peak of the changes that come with preparing for college, this book about two Black, queer best friends will linger in your mind long after you finish reading! 

In a fantastical version of New Orleans where music is magic, a battle for the city’s soul brews between two young mages, a vengeful wraith, and one powerful song in this vibrant and imaginative debut.  Go ahead and judge this book by its cover. The read is just as good. Perfect for readers of N. K. Jemisin and Neil Gaiman. Scan the cover for an augmented reality and listen to the special Spotify playlist to get the vibes right.

Our June 2021 Book Club pick is coming out in paperback this June. A bold, thrilling debut described as The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out? Yes, please! Sharp and full of insights about race, class and gender, this gripping, twisty page-turner will keep you on your toes until the very last page!  

Finally, a book that understands the magic of Black hair! Children’s author and hair care educator, Tolá Okogwu, delivers a sci-fi, action fantasy that speaks to the influence of hair in the lives of Black girls and women and uses it as a superpower for the lead heroine in this story that is perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers.  

The paperback version of Honorée Fanonne Jeffers’s dazzling and heartfelt 2021 debut novel that sweeps across several historical periods and generations of an African American family, and Black womanhood, in the south. Fresh off the heels of poetry month, with our minds still racing with rhythmical prose, Love Songs is a timeless classic that should be on bookshelves for years to come.  (Honorée Fanonne Jeffers joins us on our podcast, Poured Over, in May. More here, or follow us on your favorite podcast app.) 

“Reading Danielle Jackson’s debut is like finding the perfect bra and falling in love at the same time—rare, delightful, and unforgettable.”—Denise Williams, author of The Fastest Way to Fall 

Cassie Harris goes from photographer to model when her friend needs her to help promote her new lingerie line. Unfortunately, the selected photographer just so happens to be her biggest competition. Body positivity, found family, workplace racism and sexism, plus a fun cast of characters take center stage in Danielle Jackson’s debut rom-com set in Chicago. We’re looking forward to more from Danielle!