Black Representation in Literature
Since I was in high school, Black representation in literature has expanded beyond that one shelf in the book store. Not only has Black representation expanded, it has crossed into a myriad of sub genres and cultures such as Black fantasy, Black LGTBQ, Black Sci-Fi. But there are still Black genres that we know and love, like Afrofuturism and Black romance. Below is a list, giving a brief description of each genre or subgenre, followed by an author (or authors) and a book they’ve written.
Note: This blog is more personal and less researched (but still some research). This list is based on books I’ve read or plan to read. But if there is a book you’d like to mention, please drop it in the comments. Enjoy.
Afrofuturism - The definition is kind of self explanatory but for those who don’t know, Afrofuturism is the combination of futuristic or science fiction themes with elements of black history and culture.
I actually don’t gravitate to science fiction. It’s just never really been my thing. But since starting at Emerson College, I have had the pleasure of reading some interesting science fiction books. And one that I read my first semester here was titled Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. It was better than I expected it to be. It begins with Binti trying to start her transporter so she can sneak off to a shuttle that will take her to a university in space. Aside from the space travel, I could relate to stepping out on my own, away from family and having to drive a crappy car. Long story short, this definitely made me want to read more from this genre.
Book Recommendations:
Kindred by Octavia Butler
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Rosewater by Tade Thompson
(Disclaimer: All these genres and sub-genres are for anyone and everyone but I will be focusing on the aspect of these genres/sub-genres that best represent African Americans. All are welcome.)
Fantasy - According to Wikipedia, Fantasy is a sub-genre of speculative fiction, typically set in an imaginary world or universe consisting of magical elements (i.e. creatures or magic performed), the supernatural or other worldly elements. This sub-genre can be for both children and adults.
I don’t peruse this section too frequently while in the bookstore. Just nothing ever really caught my eye before. And I know they tell you not to judge a book by it’s cover, but the cover is my first glimpse into what the book could be, and if the cover is flashy or busy, I keep on walking. Now I’m thinking I should take a second look.
I began reading A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow last year. I had checked it out from the library and after reading the first chapter, went out and bought the book. So it’s about a girl who literally is a fish out of water. Not only is Tavia a Siren, in a world hunting down and killing her kind, she’s also one of the few black kids in her school in Portland, Oregan. And I was hooked. Like I said, I’ll definitely be taking a second look at Fantasy, especially Black Fantasy.
Book Recommendations:
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglas
Sci-Fi - As I’m sure some of you know, Sci-Fi is short for Science Fiction and this genre doesn’t just deal with fictional science, but also stories set in the future (not quite Afrofuturism, more like Wall-E or Titan A.E.), that dive heavily into technology, space exploration, aliens, time travel and parallel universes or the multiverse if you’ve been watching Marvel movies.
Since I’ve already mentioned Marvel, I definitely like reading stories that explore alternate dimensions and aliens and space travel. But much like my issue with Fantasy, everything came off as flashy, busy or just too Star Wars-esque. However, I think how the publishing has decided to label what’s Sci-Fi has evolved. Unfortunately, in my research, what is classified as Afrofuturism and/or Fantasy gets labeled Sci-Fi too. So my recommendations below will be just more books from those categories. But I did put the Goodreads list for this genre in the links at the bottom.
Book Recommendations:
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
Everfair by Nisi Shawl
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
LGBTQ+ - For those who don’t know, the LGBTQ+ is a community of indiviuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer and the plus is for Asexual and Pansexual. I won’t go into the specifics and will let you google in on your own. The reason I added this category to the list is to show Black representation, and though LGBTQ+ literature is on the rise, the Black representation aspect of it seems a little slow to the challenge. But if anyone who avidly reads LGBTQ+ literature wants to chime in and let me know in the comments, it would be much appreciated. Since I don’t read a lot of this literature, I don’t have a little anecdote to share. I’ll just skip ahead to the book recommendations. But please share your story (for this and other categories) in the comments section.
Book Recommendations:
Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson
Romance (Contemporary) - When I think Contemporary Romance, I think of two people falling in love in the modern or present day. But there’s more to it than that. Not only are people falling in love, but the characters have issues or concerns reminiscent of the time we’re living in, such as books describing the pandemic. Yet, if you want to get a better sense of Contemporary Romances, check out the I Heart Romance blog.
I started reading Contemporary Romances when I was in high school, and I can definitely say, without a doubt, they have vastly improved. One of the complaints I hear most is that these types of novels are very cliche. However, today’s romances don’t read like a Hallmark movie, where the woman moves back home, falls in love with the handyman or a childhood friend and they live happily ever after. While some are still written this way, most romances are writing realistic characters, who talk things out and even when they disagree, come to a resolution that works for them.
Book Recommendations:
The Wedding Date series by Jasmine Guillory
For Vacation Only by Mila Nicks
Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg
Young Adult (YA) - So the definition I have recently come up with is a vastly unique experience that everyone can relate to. However, that’s super vague and doesn’t quite explain what YA is. So according to Wikipedia, YA is a sub-genre of fiction for readers ages 12 to 18. A category meant to transition from children’s literature to adult fiction. Although, half of YA readers are actually adults, hence my vague description at the beginning here. YA fiction covers a time in every person’s life where you’re coming into your own and discovering who you want to be in the world and how you want the world to see you. And no matter who you are, you have had this exact same experience.
So I read YA while in high school and it wasn’t doing it for me. Hence why I moved on to adult fiction. However, when I got to college, I started reading YA again and I kept telling myself “I wish I had read this when I was in high school.” Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of black YA to choose from when I was younger but it has flourished in recent years. You have Angie Thomas and Nic Stone tackling your social justice issues, Elise Bryant is basically writing my biography with Happily Ever Afters (review coming 2.28) and Nicola Yoon has mastered romance beautifully. Like I always say, “I wish I had this when I was younger,” but I’m glad I have them now.
Book Recommendations: (I’m listing as many books as I can so hang in there)
Charming As A Verb by Ben Philipe
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert
Love Is A Revolution by Renee Watson
Who Put This Song On? By Morgan Parker
When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry and Confession of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney
Off The Record by Camryn Garret
The Sound of Stars and The Kindred by Alechia Dow
For All Time by Shanna Miles
The Meet Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson
Goodreads Lists:
