The proof is in the pudding. Millennials and Gen Z love books, from hardcover to audiobooks. Women are now crushing it in the publishing industry. Black and African millennial women are authoring and publishing more books each year, both traditionally and through self-publishing.
If you’re ready to expand your book collection, you’re in luck! Here’s a list of six books by black millennial women that should be on your radar and your bookshelf.
1. “The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Dalila Harris
The lack of representation in the publishing industry was reflected directly in Zakiya Dalila Harris’ 2021 novel, “The Other Black Girl.” This novel has been adapted into a Hulu series — and if you haven’t read or seen it, you absolutely should! It tells the story of Nella who works as an editorial assistant at a publishing firm in NYC. When Hazel-May McCall, another young black woman arrives in the office, tensions swirl as Nella realizes there are larger forces at play.
2. “Love in Color” by Bolu Babalola
If you’re in your lover girl era, “Love in Color” is the book for you. This anthology takes ancient love stories and reimagines them for the present day. Sexy, slinky, and sometimes a bit cringe— this international bestseller by Bablola deserves a read.
3. “Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1)” by Toni Adyemi
Imagine Avatar, the Airbender, but African. That’s the simplest way I can describe this magical journey/ book series from Toni Adeyemi. “Children of Blood and Bone ( Legacy of Orisha #1)” follows Zelie Adebola, a young reaper who is working along with a small rag-tag team to help bring magic back to her land and abolish the monarchy, including the prince and her enemies-to-lover counterpart. This series is slated to be your next favorite movie series too!
4. “Skin of the Sea (Of Mermaids and Orisa)” by Natasha Bowen
Since we all love Halle Bailey and definitely went to see “The Little Mermaid,” continue in all the mermaid lore with “Skin of the Sea (Of Mermaids and Orisa).” A reimagining of “The Little Mermaid” that weaves in the West African mythology of Mami Wata and mixes that with the dark history of the slave trade, this series is an absolute magical read.
5. “Honey Girl” by Morgan Rogers
Beyoncé told us to quit our jobs and fall in love, and that’s just what the main character of this novel, Grace Porter, does. After getting a Ph.D. in astronomy, she runs off to Vegas and drunkenly marries a woman she just met. “Honey Girl” is a story of a young woman in NYC trying to find out exactly who and what she wants.
6. “The Davenports” by Krystal Marquis
If you’ve watched “The Gilded Age” and want more of Peggy’s character in book form, “The Davenports” by Krystal Marquis should be your next read. The main selling point — rich black people in post-reconstruction America! This beautiful book series is based on the true story of C.R. Patterson, a formerly enslaved man who built generational wealth through a horseless carriage business. His son, Frederick Patterson, went on to develop the business into an automobile company. Although the book centers on the women in Patterson’s life, that of his three daughters Dorothea, Mary, and Kate— who are all renamed in the novel. This book series is also being adapted into a Prime Video TV show!
Which books by millennial women are you excited to read? Comment below!
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