Summer is here and it is the perfect time to relax with a stack of new books. Whether you are headed to the beach or staying home, summer reading is a great opportunity to discover some amazing reads by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) for adults and young readers.
There are of course the classics, such as The Bluest Eye, A Raisin in the Sun, and Not Without Laughter. But now there are more and more books written by BIPOC authors than ever before. In no particular order, here is a list of BIPOC books for adults and teens to read this summer.
Clap When You Land (Elizabeth Acevedo)
Two sisters discover about each other and themselves after a tragic plane accident kills their father. The two sisters are unaware of each other and through the story, uncover his secrets. The book is based on flight AA587 which crashed when it was headed to NYC from the Dominican Republic.
The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett)
Two light-skinned black twin sisters from Mallard, Louisiana run away from home when they are 16 years old. The Vanishing Half takes the reader through the sister’s different paths in life and through generations of secrets.
While Justice Sleeps (Stacey Abrams)
This thriller follows a young law clerk who works for a Supreme Court Justice in Washington DC. When her boss falls into a coma, there are national and personal implications that follow.
Hurricane Summer (Asha Bromfield)
Set in Jamaica, Hurricane Summer is a coming-of-age story of an 18-year-old and her younger sister. They spend their summer with their emotionally absent father and have to grow up in the process. While it is classified as Young Adult, it is a story adults can identify with.
When No One is Watching (Alyssa Cole)
Sydney, a Black woman, and Theo, her white neighbor, become friends while gentrification and racism are pushing everyone around them out of their neighborhood.
A Song Below Water (Bethany C. Morrow)
This young adult fantasy novel is captivating and magical while addressing topics that are pertinent to present day. Two best friends are mermaids hiding their siren powers. One murder changes everything for them and they must come together to fight the injustices happening around them.
Friday Black (Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah)
This collection of short stories is full of dark humor, with most stories set in a dystopian future. The title is a spin on the consumer holiday, Black Friday. The stories confront dark topics such as racism, cultural unrest, and school shootings but with a satirical undertone.
The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas) B
Inspired by the BLM movement, The Hate U Give is a must-read for any American at any age. The story follows a 16-year-old girl who witnesses her unarmed friend get shot by a police officer and the national aftermath that occurs afterward.
Misty Roussa is a Louisiana native who lives with her husband and two children. She has contributed to Red Stick Mom, The CF Foundation, and Cystic-Fibrosis.com. When she isn't writing, you can find her reading, listening to podcasts, or trying to cook something her family will enjoy.
