From thought-provoking literary fiction to coming-of-age life-changers that speak to all ages, our ever-growing collection of outstanding novels by black writers presents a richness of reading experiences. Sweeping historical stories that give voice to unforgettable characters. Stimulating contemporary tales that unpack modern life. Soul-stirring love stories. Novels that will make you think, question, and reassess your understanding of the world. Recipients of the world’s most esteemed literary awards. And all of the books we love.

Why Diversity in Reading Matters

Everyone enjoys connecting to the characters we read in books. And for those of us reading that are caucasian, there are a lot more characters to be found on the shelves that we will be able to relate to. Our perceptions of the world and its cultures are shaped by the books we read. And just like when we were children, an absence of an inclusive range of characters in our books risks deterring potential readers from minority backgrounds from the joy and enrichment that a love of reading can bring. Diversity in books is an important celebration of the diversity that exists off the page. It gives everyone a chance to find themselves reflected in a beloved character.

In addition, when a person reads it also opens up their minds - to new worlds and new characters. Being in a book's world allows you to experience new ideas and perspectives and sometimes granting you access to experience the world through the eyes of someone else. Diverse reading broadens your horizons. Books impart the wisdom of experiences and perspectives that we may otherwise never know. Next, we're shining a spotlight on some of our favourite titles, but we have a list of over 150 titles at the bottom that we'll continue to add to. 

LoveReading Recommended Fiction by Black Writers

Fans of historic fiction will adore Sara Collins’s literary crime thriller The Confessions of Frannie Langton, a compelling Costa Book Award-winning, LoveReading Debut of the Month, with a powerful statement about the nature of freedom underpinning Frannie’s feverishly unforgettable story. Another of our historic favourites - a Love Reading Star Book - is A Tall History of Sugar, a haunting masterpiece that begins in rural Jamaica with the island on the verge of independence, before moving to Brixton and Bristol, where – pertinently – the main character encounters the ludicrousness of former slave-owners being celebrated as hero philanthropists. Twentieth-century British history is further laid bare by the late, great Andrea Levy’s Small Island (all her novels and short stories are hugely recommended), and Samuel Selvon’s seminal 1956 classic The Lonely Londoners. 

If contemporary fiction is more your thing, we cannot praise Bernadine Evaristo's Girl, Woman, Other enough. The author made history with this multi-voiced, modern masterpiece by becoming the first black woman to win the prestigious Booker Prize (it was co-awarded to Evaristo and Margaret Atwood in 2019). We also especially love Rachel Edwards’s punchy Darling (another Star Book), and Michael Donker’s hilarious, heartfelt Hold - outstanding debuts by writers we can’t wait to read more by. 

From the other side of the Atlantic, more modern masterpieces come courtesy of Angie Thomas. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the author’s personal experiences, The Hate U Give is an exceptionally powerful novel about a girl’s struggle for justice when her friend-since-childhood is killed by the police, right in front of her. Though aimed at young adults, the novel’s power and prescient message make it a must-read for anyone interested in the BLM movement and the real-life experiences of young black Americans. The same goes for Thomas’s second novel, On the Come Up, in which talented hip-hop artist Bri battles racism, sexism and a tonne of painful conflicts, but refuses to be silenced.

Keep reading to explore the Collection, and keep checking back to discover more exceptional novels - it’s growing constantly. Add to your basket knowing that, with every purchase you make on LoveReading, a school close to your heart will benefit.