Books By Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read This Fall
As we inch toward the end of summer and head into the fall season, the feeling of getting cozy with a good book has never been stronger. From self-help guides to YA fantasy novels and mouthwatering cookbooks, we have rounded up the upcoming releases that you will definitely want to add to your TBR list for fall 2026. So let’s not waste any more time and dive straight into these page-turning recommendations.
“Mourning Pages” by Claudia Love Mair (Sept. 22)
“Mourning Pages” by author, artist, and activist Claudia Love Mair is the book you need during life’s emotional moments. Inspired by her journey with grief after the death of her son, Mair took the time to create a safe space for anyone mourning a loved one or a dream life out of reach. This self-help guide is filled with prompts that will give you the tools needed to release your emotions, safety affirmations to help you feel grounded, and poetry that will make you feel seen.
“Two Can Play That Game” by Zakiya N. Jamal (Nov. 17)
If you’re looking to wind down with a cute, feisty rom-com, then Zakiya N. Jamal has penned the novel you are looking for. In “Two Can Play That Game,” WNBA superstar Adrienne “AD” Daniels needs some serious positive PR, and influencer Chelsea is looking to boost her social media platform. What better way to do that than to enter a fake relationship? But will they be able to keep up their ruse when feelings start to get a little too real? You’ll need to read to find out.
Related: Your Ultimate Fall 2026 Watchlist: The Black Movies and Shows We Can’t Wait to See
“Ashes at the Altar” by LaDarrion Williams (Sept. 15)
“Ashes at the Altar” is the third and final installment of LaDarrion Williams’ New York Times bestselling fantasy series “Blood at the Root.” Rounding out protagonist Malik Baron’s magical journey at the fictional HBCU Caiman University, the novel follows Baron’s last battle against evil spirits as he fights to protect the future he built for himself during his time there, with the powers of his ancestors and family on his side.
“Notes on a Backlash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral” by April Ryan (Oct. 6)
Veteran journalist April Ryan is no stranger to heinous comments and even death threats from the MAGA crowd after public clashes with President Donald Trump. Her latest book, “Notes on a Backlash,” peeks into the emotional toll such a response can place on a Black woman’s shoulders. This career memoir offers a critical look at how gender, race and politics can be weaponized against Black women and how April Ryan reclaimed her power despite it.
“Hawk & Sparrow” by Ayana Gray (Sept. 1)
New York Times bestselling author of “Beasts of Prey,” Ayana Gray, is back with another novel that’ll grip you from the very first page. YA Gilded-Age fantasy romance “Hawk & Sparrow” follows Vesper Evans, an avid reporter for “The Basalton Globe,” covering everything that happens in the city of Basalton. But when she comes across a murder scene while reporting on a star-studded gala, Evans finds herself entangled in high-society life as the prime suspect, Maximilian Kite, recruits her to prove his innocence for a price she cannot refuse.
“Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!: Foraging and Vegan Recipes with Black Forager” by Alexis Nikole Nelson (Sept. 22)
TikTok influencer and expert forager Alexis Nikole Nelson is coming in hot to the publishing world with her debut cookbook, “Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!” The book is filled with vegan recipes and foraging tips to get the best meals from the nature that surrounds you. If you’re looking for ways to experiment in your kitchen or want to pick up a new outdoor hobby, Nelson is the pal you need guiding you every step of the way.
“Everything’s Not Lost” by Frederick Joseph (Oct. 20)
In a coming-of-age novel that deals with themes of mental health, grief, and loneliness, 16-year-old Ella Washington has to figure out how to live a life of hope, joy and optimism amidst battles with bipolar disorder and the unexpected death of her sister. The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Frederick Joseph has written a story that will tug at your heartstrings and be your emotional support.
“The Perilous Fight” by Colin Kaepernick (Sept. 15)
Colin Kaepernick put his football career on the line in 2016 when he took a knee during the national anthem. Now, in his memoir “The Perilous Fight,” the former NFL star is reflecting on why he made that powerful statement. He does so by tracing his story back to his childhood as a young Black boy adopted into a white family, having to grapple with his racial identity.
“What Shall We Tell You?” by Wade Hudson and Tonya Engel (Oct. 27)
“What Shall We Tell You?” by award-winning children’s author Wade Hudson and illustrated by Tonya Engel, is all about the tough conversations you need to have with Black children as they begin to encounter the harsh cruelties of life. Written as a poem, the picture book teaches kids that love overpowers hate and that, despite the hatred or discrimination they may face, they deserve to be surrounded by kindness and to have a rightful place in the world.
“All Hours: Crazy Good Food for Whatever, Whenever” by Kwame Onwuachi and Joshua David Stein (Sept. 22)
If you’ve ever dined at Kwame Onwuachi’s restaurants and have been craving more of his fabulous gourmet meals, you’re in luck. The award-winning chef teamed up with journalist and food critic Joshua David Stein on a cookbook with recipes you can make anytime, anywhere, from French toast to original dishes like Creole Sausage Roll-Ups.
“All My Sisters and Me” by Sheryl Lister (Sept. 8)
In this literary drama, four sisters-in-law—Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor—are navigating different phases of married life and struggling to form a close bond with one another. But when they have no escape from each other during a weeklong family celebration, the women will either form an unshakable friendship or sever their ties for good.
“Equal to the Task: A Life Forged Between America’s Promise and Its Truth” by Kenneth Chenault (Nov. 3)
In 2001, Kenneth I. Chenault became the first Black CEO of American Express. Now, he’s telling the story of how he got there in his memoir, “Equal to the Task: A Life Forged Between America’s Promise and Its Truth.” In this inspiring book, you’ll learn about the people and experiences that shaped Chenault into who he is today and helped him make his mark on Black American history.
“Birth of a Culture” by Grandmaster Flash and Robert “Scoop” Jackson (Sept. 22)
“Birth of a Culture” by Grandmaster Flash and journalist and cultural critic Robert “Scoop” Jackson details the roots of hip-hop culture. This is the book you’ll want to dig into if you’re looking for a deep dive into music history and how Grandmaster Flash made his iconic mark on the culture.
“The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” by Deesha Philyaw (Sept. 29)
Author of “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” Deesha Philyaw has delivered again with a juicy novel all about megachurch scandals and shame, “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.” Schar, the glamorous wife of a megachurch pastor, has a life that seems perfect on the outside, but she has skeletons in her closet she doesn’t want anyone to see, and they could affect her position in the church.
