BIPOC BOOKS TO READ IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH

I’ve seen so many interesting books on booktok, romance, fantasy, folk-lore books written by black authors, or featuring black main characters. To me, it’s so amazing, because growing up, it was so rare to see people who looked like me represented in those spaces. Now my goal is to start reading more of these books and supporting more black authors. Here is a list of BIPOC books I’m excited to read, based on description or recommendation.

House of Marionne- J Elle

Is about Quell Marionne, a woman on the run because of her deadly magic. She runs to the House of Marionne in hopes of hiding her dangerous magic. While there she falls for Jordan, who makes it even harder to hide herself.

This Poison Heart- Kalynn Bayron

Briseis Greene has magic that only her adopted mothers know about, a special connection to plants and the ability to grow them with a single touch. She’s able to put her magic to good use when she inherits a magical old estate in Brooklyn and goes there for the summer with her parents. While there, she learns the secrets of her family and her inheritance 

Ballad and Dagger- Daniel Jose Older

Highschooler Mateo comes from an island that sank into the ocean 16 years ago, and it’s inhabitants fled to New York. On the night of a big celebration there is a murder that sets Mateo off on a journey unlock his hidden power and secrets of the evil that destroyed his homeland. 

Raybearer and Redemptor- Jordan Ifueko

In this brand new fantasy world inspired by West African myths, main character Tarisai must fuflill her mother’s duty to kill the crown prince. She ends up joining a group of the crown prince’s protectors and is torn between her two missions. 

Things They Lost- Okwiri Oduor 

This book is the tale of four generations of women inspired by Kenyan folklore. A curse hangs over the Brown family, at it’s center is 12 year old Ayosa a lonely girl with an absent mother.

The Monsters We Defy- Leslye Penelope 

This urban fantasy set in 1920's Washington is about a woman named Clara, who can speak to spirits, using her abilities to aid in a heist to save her community.

Skin of the Sea- Natasha Bowe 

A fantasy tale with beautiful descriptions of Mami Wata, the mermaids of West African mythology, that follows Simi a mami wata whose job is to escort departed souls to the afterlife. She is not supposed to interact with the living, but breaks the rules to rescue a human boy, and so must go on a journey to gain forgiveness from the supreme creator.

Witches steeped in gold- Ciannon Smart 

Jamaican inspired fantasy full of representation is about two women, one a prisoner, one a princess who enter into an alliance to take down a mutual enemy.

Children of Blood and Bone- Tomi Adeyemi

This book is about magical world centered around Yoruba mythology and follows a girl named Zelie who joins princess Amari on a quest to restore magic to their land. 

That time I got drunk and saved a demon-Kimberly lemming

 A cozy, and spicy, romance about a young woman named Cinnamon who saves a handsome demon and winds up helping him defeat an evil goddess. 

Music of the Night- Angela J ford

A love story about young woman Aria and her mysterious instructor who teaches her the music of the night.

How to Be a Better Adult- Jacque Aye

Hope Obiako, an ordinary account specialist, finds a  magical handbook that completely changes her life.

Sing Me to Sleep- Gabi Burton

Saoirse is a soldier in training but also secretly a siren assassin by night. She soon becomes entangled with a prince whose father has segregated creatures by law. She must keep her secrets from him, as well as keep her ability to control her Siren urges from her family. 

Vaga Bonds! -Elogosa Osunde

Explores Nigerian Spirituality and queer representation in a collection of short stories.

One Week in Paradise- Anise Starr 

Is about Bailey, a once popular influencer, fake dating her brother’s handsome best friend  in order to get an all expenses paid  trip to  a couple’s retreat in Jamaica. I absolutely love this trope, it sounds so fluffy and fun.

Outdrawn- Deanna Grey 

Is a sapphic rivals to lovers story about two comic artists who have been competitors since college and now have to work together. 

What if I love you-Yvonne Marie 

Renee, a black autistic woman in tech, finds herself in a tough spot when she makes a mistake on social media that could damage her career. While dealing with that, an old friend, Knox, comes back into her life asking for another chance, causing more drama and long-held secrets to come to light in this friends to rivals to lovers romance.

The Princess Trap- Talai Hibbert 

Main character Cherry has a fling with the new office hottie and discovers he is a famous bad-boy prince. When the two of them are found out by the paparazzi chaos ensues and in order to save the princes reputation Cherry gets roped into a fake engagement.

Drunk in love- Tae Monae 

after a drunken night of fun in Vegas main character Ny’asia wakes up married to a stranger, and not only that but a famous rapper, Kazier. The two continue the charade for publicity and just as they are growing closer chaos ensues 

When You Are Mine- Kennedy Ryan

Kerris Moreton has it all, about to start her own business and also accept a marriage proposal from her boyfriend cam. Then, when in comes one of the East Coast's most eligible bachelors, Walsh Bennet, she starts to wonder if her sparkless relationship to Cam is really what she wants.