These Five Black Women Authors are Writing Hidden Treasures
When is the last time you read a book written by a Black woman? With the release of many Black-women penned literary works in recent years, there are plenty of reasons to have at least a couple of them on your to-read list. Book lovers have latched on closely to reads such as The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, and My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. And for good reason. These and similar novels made their debuts in front of many waiting eyes but the collection of books written by Black women is growing so large that some books are not getting their rightful shine. So allow me to introduce you to these five Black women authors creating gems in the form of written words.
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
The name Tayari Jones may ring a bell due to her wildly successful novel, An American Marriage. This well-known story was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and it’s rumored that it will soon be turned into a feature film. However, Jones’ novel released just seven years is another masterpiece waiting to be discovered. Silver Sparrow, set in 1980’s Atlanta, tells the story of two half-sisters, one overt and one secret. Their father is a bigamist with two separate families where only one family knows the other exists. We’re granted a peak in each family’s daily life and interactions with the man they both know as their father. Slowly, the motivations of each character are revealed to us and make everyone seem just a little more human than we may have thought they were the minute before. Jones has a talent for displaying the realities of two opposing sides and then seamlessly joining them together at just the right time.
What a Time to Be Alone by Chidera Eggerue
The next hidden gem is aptly described as a “guide to why you are already enough”. Chidera Eggerue’s debut, What a Time to Be Alone is for any season in life, not just a season of solitude. Eggerue reminds us that we are a complete puzzle, all on our own. She fills the pages of her book with Igbo Nigerian proverbs that challenge you to think just a little harder about the lesson within the words. There’s also a sprinkle of good ol’ big sis advice and reminders about what good qualities in others really look like so the reader knows when and how to call a spade a spade. As the book says, “May your find security in your solitude.”
Speaking of Summer by Kalisha Buckhanon
Who doesn’t love a good thriller? If you haven’t been converted yet, then Kalisha Buckanon’s Speaking of Summer is a perfect place to start. This story of suspense will keep you turning the pages until it’s way past your bedtime. Buckanon sets up a vivid picture of the main character, Autumn Spencer’s life is like, shortly after the disappearance of her identical twin sister. She weaves between the real and imagined parts of the story without ever taking the reader away from the main mystery. If you get started reading this gem, you’re destined to finish, and when you get to the end make sure you’re sitting down.
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn
This next novel is one you may have heard of if you keep a watchful eye on the new book circuit. But, just in case you hadn’t, I couldn’t keep this treasure to myself. Patsy, written by Nicole Dennis-Been, transports its readers through the potential effects of parental immigration from a parent’s and child’s perspective. Dennis-Benn recounts the story of Jamaican mother, Patsy, who has dreams of exploring better opportunities in the United States, and her daughter, Tru, who stays behind in Jamaica with her father. We see the years pass by as each character settles into their new normal while the relationships between them shift as a result of their circumstances and irrevocable choices. Dennis-Benn holds the great talent of giving her prose air to breathe so readers can digest each sentiment individually.
Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle
Lastly, but certainly not least we’ll journey into the world of poetry with Neon Soul, authored by Alexandra Elle. Although this book may be small, it still captivates its readers through enchanting poetry that is sensed in your mind, body, and spirit. One reader described Neon Soul as a “poetry book written about hope, recovery, self-love, and self-worth.” Elle’s poems lower the veil of the ‘Strong Black Woman’ façade and remind us that we are allowed to be just as soft as we are strong. As a bonus, readers are greeted with their own prompts (and lined pages) to create poetry of their own at the end of the book. Get your yellow highlighters ready to go -- these poems are not ones that you’ll soon forget,
Black women’s stories should be told from more than one perspective and these Black women are making sure of that. Within these books, we’re reminded that sharing our unique perspectives matters, even when they may not be the most popularly heralded. Hopefully, your to-read list has just grown by five books. Keep the sharing going in the comments and let us know some of your favorite books written by Black women that just might be hidden treasures.