Narrative is a powerful tool for social change. There are some incredible stories out there that dive deep into real issues—think police brutality, body positivity, and social justice. These books not only keep you hooked, but they also get you thinking and feeling about the movements that are shaping our world. Trust me, they’ll leave you inspired.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones’s story explores the devastating impact of mass incarceration and wrongful imprisonment on Black families and relationships when Roy, a recent newlywed, is wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Roy and his bride Celestial are now forced to endure the isolating effects of imprisonment, tearing their love apart. As the years pass, Roy endures the isolation of prison, as Celestial finds solace in her childhood friend, Andre. When Roy’s conviction is overturned after five years, he returns to a changed world, where the love that once defined his life is now irrevocably altered.
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This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Celebrating self-love, healing, resilience, and Black love, Kennedy Ryan returns with her second book in the Skyline series with Soledad Barnes. As a meticulous planner and domestic goddess, Soledad has always had a plan—until betrayal shatters the life she built, and her relationship ends. Now forced into single motherhood, she focuses on providing for her daughters while rediscovering herself. When the possibility of a new love arises, Soledad must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again after so much loss.
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Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Amidst the pandemic, four interconnected women—Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou—grapple with love, loss, and self-discovery. Chiamaka, a travel writer, confronts past regrets. Zikora, a lawyer, seeks solace after betrayal. Omelogor, a Nigerian powerhouse, questions her identity. Kadiatou, a housekeeper, faces unimaginable hardship. Dream Count explores the complexities of love, the pursuit of happiness, and the search for connection in a changing world.
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Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
Kiara and her brother struggle to survive in East Oakland, facing poverty after losing their parents. Desperate for money and with few options left, she turns to the shadows of nightcrawling— the dangerous world of sex work. When she becomes a key witness in a police scandal, her life spirals further. Inspired by real events, Nightcrawling exposes police abuse of power, sexual exploitation, and systemic injustice, amplifying the voices of Black and brown victims of violence and oppression.
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Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah Johnson
In a climate-ravaged future, Ashtown enforcer Scales faces an impossible case— mutilated bodies are appearing, seemingly without a killer. Partnering with a frustratingly by-the-books colleague and a brilliant scientist, she must navigate the divide between Ashtown and the privileged Wiley City. What they discover could mean the difference between survival and global annihilation. Micaiah Johnson’s dystopian story explores classism, systemic oppression, and the power dynamics between privileged and marginalized communities.
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The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
Journalist Sunny Shelton, in 2016, seeks to uncover the truth behind the story of Opal Jewel and Nev Charles, the rock duo who captivated 1970s New York. Opal, a fierce Black woman with undeniable star power, teamed up with British singer Nev. Their collaboration with Rivington Records seemed destined for greatness, but their rise was cut short by a violent incident at a promotional event featuring a band displaying Confederate flags, highlighting movements against racial injustice, sexism in the music industry, and the enduring power of Black resistance.
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Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
Determined to find a boyfriend by her 30th birthday, plus-size beauty Aaliyah navigates the treacherous world of online dating with her friends and a supportive bartender, Ahmad, by her side. But the lies, catfishing, and fetishizing she encounters lead to unexpected detours. As Aaliyah searches for love, she discovers something even more critical— self-acceptance, a powerful message echoing the body positivity movement.
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The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
Isaiah and Samuel find solace in each other amidst the brutality of slavery, their love a testament to the human spirit. But their intimacy becomes a target when a fellow slave embraces the master’s ideology, turning the enslaved against themselves. As tensions escalate, the weight of generations past and the uncertainty of the future converge on their relationship. This novel explores the erasure of Black queer history, the brutality of slavery, and the enduring power of Black love and identity.
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Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
Amidst the 1919 Harlem Renaissance, Jessie Redmon Fauset, new literary editor of the preeminent Negro magazine The Crisis, is tasked by founder and former editor W.E.B. Du Bois with discovering the next generation of Black writers. Her influence propels figures like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen to prominence, sparking a literary revolution. However, her passionate relationship with Du Bois and her own aspirations create conflict. Murray’s work celebrates the vital role of Black women in literary movements, amplifying Black voices during this pivotal era.
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On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Dreaming of becoming a rap star, sixteen-year-old Brianna ‘Bri’ Jackson hopes to lift her family out of poverty after losing her father, an underground rap legend. Yet her mom’s job loss and mounting bills threaten her family’s stability. When a security guard violently targets her, Bri channels her anger into a viral song—but faces backlash as a “dangerous Black girl.” Bri’s story of racial profiling and economic hardship illustrates systemic racism, social justice, and the power of voice.
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