Over the past few decades, several african american authors have impressed literature lovers with their works and some of their books even went on to become bestsellers. Famous african american authors the world really loves. African american literature has both been influenced by the great african diasporic heritage and shaped it in many countries. Paste s books editors are proud to announce the advent of the 50 states project. Make a list browse lists search lists leaders help contact suggest feature newsletter. Often referred to as a spokesman for african americans and women through her many. With famous poems such as the negro speaks of rivers, and. The wonderful wizard of oz, published in 1900, is the first fantasy written by an american to enjoy an immediate success upon publication.
Famous books and authors list pdf gives the list of important books and their authors name and details like autobiographies of authors, prizes won etc. Feb 28, 2020 its hard to compile a list of books by americanafrican authors without including alex hayley. Get your own author profile on, or let us host your primary web presence. Jan 25, 2012 novels written in african american vernacular english by kenton rambsy the language choices black novelists make constitute a liberation from eurocentric concepts of literature as they manipulates the narrative mode and standard english dialect and rely more on african americanvernacular english aave. This anthology is a radical collection of love stories from african women. Novels written in african american vernacular english. Celebrating the geographic diversity of writers, the 50 states project is. Celebrating the geographic diversity of writers, the 50 states project is a list series. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. The list also includes nonamerican authors resident in the usa and american writers of african descent. National book award, making ellison the first africanamerican author to receive. Black history month is a great time to highlight the work. May 06, 2019 the following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. Her 2017 debut young adult novel, the hate u give, was inspired by the.
The book is pure brilliance and a razorsharp indictment of the country. Photo by iam se7en on unsplash by joimarie mckenzie. The death of jayson porter by jaime adoff in the florida projects, sixteenyearold jayson struggles with the harsh realities of his life which include an abusive mother, a drugaddicted father, and not fitting in at his predominately white school, and bring. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi ad. This february, were taking a look at recent history and celebrating contemporary icons.
What we lose was heralded as one of the best books of the year, and in this debut novel by writer and editor zinzi clemmons, a young woman of south african and. Top 150 recommended africanamerican childrens books share childrens book, authors, booksellers, and avid readers contributed their favorite childrens books, published bewteeen 1972 and 2019, to this list. Read the biographies, discover the published books, and watch videos for more than 3,300 black, afro american, african and authors of african descent from the caribbean, europe, the americas, and the entire african diaspora. Hayleys name is almost synonymous with malcolm x, the famous human rights activist. While everyone should read zora neale hurston, james baldwin and other classic african american authors, there are so many black authors that are publishing books now. Born in somalia in 1945, nuruddin farah has written numerous plays, novels and short stories, all of which revolve around his experiences of his native country. To celebrate black history month, weve included 26 books by black authors from the last two centuries, all of which are mustread works. There are many, many reasons to love this book and each is a title in this brilliant collection. These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. The top 10 contemporary african writers you should know. A folktale from the american south hamilton, martha. Zora neale hurston was an american folklorist, anthropologist, and author of four novels. The collection is a radical departure from conventional anthologies and the love theme is aimed at debunking the myth that african.
Top 12 must read books by black authors for 2019 black. See more ideas about books, childrens books and african american books. Collected poems by gabriel okara nebraska university press 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 both the elder statesman of nigerian. Top 150 recommended africanamerican childrens books. The contributions of black writers to american literature span genres and generations. Toni morrison shelved 27 times as africanamericanauthors. Books the top west african diaspora authors you must read. So powerful was its effect on the american imagination, so evocative its use of the forces of nature in its plots, so charming its invitation to children of all ages to look for the element of wonder in the world around them that author l. Best books by black female authors fiction, nonfiction. The saga of an american family, haley tells the story of a young african boy named kunta kinte. The 100 greatest books ever written by african american women. X and haley coauthored the autobiography of malcolm x.
Trouble is what i do leonid mcgill book 6 release date. So, i called on all of you to help compile a list of 100 books by christian authors of color, and you rose to the occasion. Not since terry mcmillans breaking ice have so many africanamerican writers been brought together in one. Richard wright 19081960 writer of the famous fourpart series, uncle toms children 1938, wright is remembered for fearlessly writing about the black mans struggle against and suffering in a heavily racist society. And yet her greatest criticisms are not of whites, but especially of her black sisters and then her brothers. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors. It challenges all our preconceived notions of what it means to be black or white, and what it means to be human. This is a list of africanamerican authors and writers, all of whom are considered part of africanamerican literature, and who already have wikipedia articles.
What we lose was heralded as one of the best books of the year, and in this debut novel by writer and editor zinzi clemmons, a young woman of south african and american descent reckons with the. Novels written in african american vernacular english by kenton rambsy the language choices black novelists make constitute a liberation from eurocentric concepts of literature as they manipulates the narrative mode and standard english dialect and rely more on african americanvernacular english aave. Collected poems by gabriel okara nebraska university press 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 both the elder statesman of nigerian literature. Woodson in hopes of raising awareness of african american s contributions to civilization, this was later expanded to a full month, african american history month, in 1976. Popular african american authors books showing 150 of 2,468 the bluest eye paperback by. Acclaimed american poet, author and activist maya angelou was born in st.
Born in nigeria in 1977, chimamanda ngozi adichie is part of a new generation of african writers taking the literary world by storm. Before the high point of slave narratives, africanamerican literature was dominated by autobiographical spiritual narratives. Author akwaeke emezi is a talented millennial nigerian fiction writer and artist. It has been created within the larger realm of postcolonial literature, although scholars distinguish between the two, saying that african american literature differs from most postcolonial literature in that it is written by members of a. Sep 22, 2017 famous books and authors list pdf gives the list of important books and their authors name and details like autobiographies of authors, prizes won etc. From achebe to zora, youll discover a wide variety african american and black writers from all over the world. Feb 12, 2017 if you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. Hughley is a famed american standup comedian, actor, political. The 16 best books of the year by black authors the root.
The bluest eye by toni morrison, beloved by toni morrison, their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were. Bestselling author of how stella got her groove back and waiting to exhale is back. From nobel prize winners such as toni morrison to double naacp prize winners such as maya angelou, each writer has contributed distinctly to create the. The following 10 african american authors represent the most distinguished voices that have attempted to creatively journey through the african american experience over the course of history. An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club wellread black girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature. In that spirit, below find ten africanamerican authors whose works should rest prominently on every educated americans bookshelf or. The undefeated caldecott medal book kwame alexander. Woodson in hopes of raising awareness of african americans contributions to civilization, this was later expanded to a full month, african american history month, in 1976. In 1953, invisible man was awarded the national book award, making ellison the first african american author to receive the prestigious honor for fiction. In the florida projects, sixteenyearold jayson struggles with the harsh realities of his life which include an abusive mother, a drugaddicted father, and not fitting in at his predominately white school, and bring. The novel is an example of african postcolonial literature, a genre that has grown in size and recognition since the mid1900s as african people have been able to share their often unheard stories of imperialism from the perspective of the colonized.
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. Black history month is a great time to highlight the work of black authors in the u. You may also share your work with readers on our discussion. From wise artists like maya angelou to new voices like marlon james and kiley reid, and leaders like the obamas, weve gathered some of the best books by black authors to add to your reading list.
So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors. Books of interest to african americans and people of color. In that spirit, below find ten africanamerican authors whose works. The novel is frequently assigned for reading in courses on world literature and african studies. Though written in african american vernacular english, the depth in which janie describes her life is truly aweinspiring. Check out these terrific titles for teens written by african american authors. Jan 28, 2020 thanks to the work of african american authors, the world can better understand both the struggles and triumphs of black people in america. A famous nonfiction writer, jabari asim serves as editorinchief of the crisis magazine, a journal of politics, ideas and culture published by the naacp. Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to personal memoirs. As i scrolled through, i saw only three books by authors of color. Best sellers in childrens africanamerican story books.
Books 20 important books you should have read before you were twenty. Feb 01, 2017 february is african american history month. In time for hispanic heritage month, a nonexhaustive list of latino authors writing in english in. Feb 18, 2012 in that spirit, below find ten africanamerican authors whose works should rest prominently on every educated americans bookshelf or amazon kindle, barnes and noble nook, or apple ipad. Africanamerican literature is the body of literature produced in the united states by writers of african descent. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction. Africanamerican authors from african and the african.
Check out these terrific titles for teens written by africanamerican authors. If you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. Adichies works are primarily characterdriven, interweaving the background of her native nigeria and social and political events into the narrative. After all its still commonplace to find any of these authors shelved haphazardly in one teeny african american interests section at your. What began as national negro history week in 1926 by carter g. Feb 20, 2019 angie thomas is part of a new crop of african american authors bringing fresh new storytelling to bookshelves near you. Its hard to compile a list of books by americanafrican authors without including alex hayley. African american authors you should read in 2018 my novel life. Angie thomas is part of a new crop of africanamerican authors bringing fresh new storytelling to bookshelves near you. The black notebooks is one of the most extraordinary and courageous accounts of race in this country, seen through the eyes of a lightskinned black woman and a respected american poet. Thanks to the work of african american authors, the world can better understand both the struggles and triumphs of black people in america. It begins with the works of such late 18thcentury writers as phillis wheatley.
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