April 2024 Books by Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read
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Spring has officially sprung and with the arrival of longer days and warmer temps come a great crop of new books by Black authors old and new. A romantic comedy about a fake relationship turned real, a touching memoir on how to live while planning for your death and a historical novel about the friendship between the daughters of Booker T. Washington and President Teddy Roosevelt are just a few of books we’ve got on our radar this month. These are the books we can’t wait to read this April.
“Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble” by Deesha Dyer (April 23)
In “Undiplomatic,” Deesha Dyer writes about her unconventional career path in the Obama administration. Starting with a White House internship in 2009 as a thirty-one-year-old part-time community college student, she overcame her own self-doubt to earn one of the coolest full-time positions – White House social secretary.
“Murder on Demand” by Al Roker (April 23)
The TODAY Show weatherman Al Roker is back with the latest book in his Morning Show Murder series, “Murder on Demand.” After losing his news job, Billy Blessing finds himself as a chef in a Long Island restaurant. All seems calm until a woman comes into the restaurant asking for Billy’s help investigating her father’s murder when the police call it an “accident.”
“The Smoke That Thunders” by Erhu Kome (April 9)
“The Smoke That Thunders” is a YA fantasy about a young girl who finds herself on an epic adventure as searches for a life away from the one that has already been planned for her.
“While We Were Burning: A Novel” by Sara Koffi (April 16)
“While We Were Burning” centers around Elizabeth, who hires Brianna, a personal assistant to help get her life on track after her best friend’s mysterious death. The two become closer as they work together until Brianna’s questions about her son’s death at the hands of the police bring the pair to a dramatic showdown that will change everything.
“Someone Birthed Them Broken” by Ama Asantewa Diaka (April 2)
“Someone Birthed Them Broken” is a collection of interconnected short stories that captures all of the hope and heartbreak of a group of young Ghanaians.
“The Span of a Small Forever: Poems” by April Gibson (April 2)
“The Span of a Small Forever” is a brilliantly beautiful collection of poems that captures April Gibson’s experience as a Black woman living with a chronic illness.
“Mid-Air” by Alicia D. Williams (April 23)
Alicia D. Williams’ middle-grade novel “Mid-Air” tells the story of Isaiah, an eighth grade boy who is trying to cope with the loss of a friend who was killed in a hit and run accident and the strain it has placed on his relationship with another friend who feels Isaiah is partly responsible.
“Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End” by Alua Arthur (April 16)
Death doula Alua Arthur wants to help people understand that how you think about death can help you live a better life in “Briefly Perfectly Human.” “Talking about sex won’t make you pregnant. Talking about death won’t make you dead,” she says.
“American Daughters” by Piper Huguley (April 2)
“American Daughters” is a historical novel about the friendship between Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt, the daughters of Booker T. Washington and President Teddy Roosevelt. Although they came from completely different backgrounds, their father’s friendship brought them together and helped them forge a lifelong relationship during a time when interracial friendships were unheard of.
“The Kiss Countdown” by Etta Easton (April 9)
When she runs into her ex with a new boo, event planner Amerie starts a fake relationship with a real astronaut in Etta Easton’s debut novel, “The Kiss Countdown.”. But the more time she spends with him, the more Amerie begins to wonder if their fake love could turn into something real.
“All We Were Promised” by Ashton Lattimore (April 2)
Set in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, “All We Were Promised” tells the story of Neil, a young abolitionist from a wealthy Black family who to help an enslaved girl escape.
“Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy” by Dr. Sharon Malone (April 9)
OB/GYN and post-reproductive health expert Dr. Sharon Malone offers a practical guide to aging gracefully in “Grown Woman Talk.” Former First Lady Michelle Obama calls it “A must-read for anyone who cares about their quality of life.”
“Where Was Goodbye” by Janice Lynn Mather (April 30)
“Where Was Goodbye” is a new YA novel by author Janice Lynn Mather. Karmen is trying to get through her last year of high school after the death of her brother by suicide. But things become even more complicated as the tension between her parents increases and she feels she and her best friend are growing apart.
“All I Need to Be” by Rachel Ricketts (April 2)
“All I Need to Be” is a mindfulness guide for young readers ages 4 - 8. In the book, author Rachel Ricketts hopes to inspire positive self-esteem in young readers and help them cope with life’s inevitable challenges in a positive way.
