12 Classics by 12 Black Authors

[@groovym]

I'm so happy this video was recommended to me 10 months after being posted! Some great new finds for me here, as well as a reminder of books I've been meaning to read for a while.

[@LaRosaReads]

Welcome and that fills my heart with joy! Happy reading :)

[@happyfamily1298]

So glad the algorithm brought me here! As a non-Sci Fi reader, Octavia Butler’s Kindred was so pivotal, and The Bluest Eye was such an emotional book. Introducing our middle schooler to Toni Morrison with Recitatif this coming semester. Trying to recenter what “classics” means to my kiddo…thank you for these great ideas!

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh thank you for sharing your reading experience with me! Setting this goal of reading classics by Black authors has been a transformative experience for me. Happy reading!

[@thevulgareclectic]

Invisible Man was an incredible reading experience, like nothing else I've read. Thanks for sharing this list!

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh wow! I can't wait to dive in!

[@Nasha0902]

I read invisible man the end of last year and it was so good

[@glendaw5221]

I’m reading A Mighty Long Way by Carlotta Walls LaNier who was one of the “Arkansas 9”. I’m so embarrassed and angry. But I am so proud of her. I’m also continuing to read Teaching Black History to White People by Leonard N Moore. Plus participating in a few readathons. Hope you have a great reading month!!

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh wow! I read Warriors Don't Cry which was written by one of the Little Rock 9. What a story and lived experience! Happy reading dear friend!

[@megaDwiggins]

I haven't seen many Picture Audio Books lately. Would anybody be interested in a new style short story fantasy book called Odyssey of Nirvana It's in a Picture Audio Book form about pirates trying to find the holy land. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rorLh2qgia1nY7M

[@seckababa]

Great

[@PunchlineEverytime]

Great list! I'm actually reading hooks right now- her book "The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love." It's great. Also love Baldwin, Morrison, Butler, and Du Bois. Haven't read Ellison or Hughes (as a novelist) yet, but I have both books waiting on my shelf waiting to be read lol. I'd never heard of The Street before, but I just added it to my Goodreads to-read list!

[@LaRosaReads]

Hope you enjoy it! It sounds like you've read some gems!

[@DutchessAshley]

Omg!!! Thank you!! Some of these books I have never heard of. I got them in my shopping cart!

[@LaRosaReads]

You're welcome! I'm glad you discovered some new reads. Happy reading!

[@barbaracallwood9220]

Ms Butler’s first sci fi novel was The Surviver. This book is extremely hard to find because Ms Butler requested that it never be reprinted. She regretted writing and publishing this novel. As a teen I read about Ms Butler’s accomplishment in Essence magazine and immediately got a copy. Over the years I loaned it out several times and at some point lost it. 😢. It is now selling for hundreds of dollars as a rare book. Thank God I was able to acquire a copy about 15 years ago.

[@LaRosaReads]

WOW! Thank you for sharing this information! I'd never heard of The Survivor! No one talks about it.

[@womanistwoo]

Love your intro, edits, and energy! You’ve got a new booktube buddy/fan

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh wow! Thank you so much! It's hard to gain traction on these Booktube streets. lol I appreciate you so much!

[@bookednnbusy]

omg thank you for this! Ive been looking for more black authors to read!

[@LaRosaReads]

Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed this resource! :)

[@brittanyfigaro]

I click when I saw the Mrs KevOnStage shirt!!! Great video

[@LaRosaReads]

YES! Love MrsKevOnStage and love that you recognized the shirt. Thank you for stopping by my tiny corner of KZbin. I appreciate the support!

[@StitchandWitch]

I’m eager to hear what you think of Kindred. It changed how I view science fiction in so many ways.

[@LaRosaReads]

Just started reading it last night! Can't wait to immerse myself in this masterpiece!

[@donnawilliams2062]

Kindred is one of my top books as well as Wild Seeds. My daughter read Kindred in college at NYU in one of her black studies classes. This version was adapted to a comic book which was interesting.

[@booksimnotreading]

Thank you so much for sharing these. The Street definitely sounds amazing! Adding it and some other titles you suggested to my TBR. 💛

[@LaRosaReads]

You're so welcome! Enjoy! :)

[@k1988smith]

Kindred is in my Amazon wishlist and I'm excited to read it! I learned about Anne Petry's The Street from Ginny and Georgia, have a copy, but it's still on the TBR. My list of Black Authors us low and I'm slowly working on changing that!

[@LaRosaReads]

Definitely pick up The Street as soon as you can! Hey, grace for the journey! The right books will come to you at the right time. :)

[@terriarheghan3676]

Awesome. I was looking for an updated list. I agree with several and will look for the ones I haven’t read!👍🏽❤️🖤💚

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh I am so grateful for your kind words and happy you found this video to be helpful!

[@carmencitahill4707]

Walter Mosley is one of my favorite authors!❤❤❤

[@LaRosaReads]

I can see why now that I've read my first Walter Mosley book!

[@friendscallmebri]

Kindred & The Bluest Eye are top reads for me. I’d like to read more from both authors as well. Adding the bell hooks title to my TBR!

[@LaRosaReads]

Yes! I've read 2 Octavia E. Butler books so far and want to keep going. :)

[@ForeignManinaForeignLand]

Excellent list 🖤 thank you for this

[@LaRosaReads]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@BookishTexan]

Thank you for sharing your list. There are several here that I want to read, Bell Hooks particularly

[@LaRosaReads]

Awesome! Me too!

[@my4hvids]

Your list is fantastic. "Kindred" left me an emotional wreck. I often recommend it. James Baldwin is one of my favorite authors ever. I'm working through his work slowly, but surely. "Darkwater" is the book I wanted "The Souls of Black Folk" to be. I suggest it as a follow-up. Every book you listed is one I've read, on my wish list already, or now on my wish list. I had expected to see Zora Neale Hurston, but I'm thinking maybe you've been reading her books already. This old white woman thanks you. I always want to learn about people who aren't like me, because we are all part of the human experience

[@LaRosaReads]

Thank you for your kind words! I'd already read some Zora Neale Hurston, but definitely could have added her to this list and should have. Happy reading!

[@EuphoricImpact]

Just found your channel and digging your offerings. I will be purchasing several of the books listed. Subscribed!

[@LaRosaReads]

Awesome! Thank you! This means so much to me. I am thrilled to have you here!

[@hellobookworm]

Same! I'm buying The Street and The Blacker the Berry. Which books from her recs are you snagging?

[@Yvette1954]

book recommendations: (1) One Pale Summer (2) Things I Never Told (3) Bitter With The Sweet .....(by debra phillips)

[@Mala_DN]

" The street" almost took me out. I think it is horror. It was so good and so scary. I had never heard of it before 2023 either !

[@LaRosaReads]

I couldn't agree with you more!

[@Livinghistorypavielle]

I agree with everything you said in the video and this is the reason why I'm currently writing my book now reading is our food reading for black freedom.

[@LaRosaReads]

YES! Best wishes with your book!

[@hellobookworm]

Thank you so much for this stellar list of recommendations. I'm setting out today to buy The Street and also The Blacker the Berry. Like you, I'm looking forward to reading them. 📚👀🥰 Subscribed!

[@LaRosaReads]

You are so welcome! I am so happy for us to connect! Please let me know your thoughts after reading those two selections. I haven't read The Blacker the Berry yet, but hope to soon!

[@hellobookworm]

@@LaRosaReadsI finished reading The Blacker the Berry! It's a fascinating study of intra-racial prejudice and a tragic example of internalized racial shame. It's not an easy book to read, as its protagonist is riddled with self-loathing and this informs the life-decisions she makes, but overall I found it insightful and beautifully written. It's the kind of book I wish I could have explored on a deeper level when I was in university. When you get around to reading it, I'd love to know your thoughts. Thanks again for bringing this book to my attention. Cheers!

[@msminorreviews]

Thank you for the list. I found Ann's book on my library's website, put in to reserve it. Keep posting. And thanks for the reads!

[@LaRosaReads]

Hope you enjoy it and will do!

[@walkinthewoods981]

Wow I've read all those books and loved them all

[@trishedwards9120]

Me to.

[@LaRosaReads]

AWESOME!

[@lashannadillard984]

I have read the blacker the berry twice and his other novel infants of spring. He only had two published novels before his passing at age 27

[@LaRosaReads]

Wow! So accomplished at such a young age! Black excellence personified.

[@lashannadillard984]

⁠I have read both books. I read blacker the berry twice. Both are really good books

[@LavenderReview]

Loved this video! Thank you for your list!

[@LaRosaReads]

You are welcome! Have you read any of them?

[@LavenderReview]

​@@LaRosaReads I have read If Beale Street Could Talk! One of my favorite books of all time. I love Baldwin's work. And I have read Dawn by Octavia Butler and Jazz by Toni Morrison, but not Kindred or The Bluest Eye. Same with bell hooks. Too many good books to read! Excited to work through more of the list

[@Rebecca-le9hn]

The series on the book "Kindred" was very disapointing. Cell phones were not in the book. Good selection.

[@LaRosaReads]

I couldn't agree with you more! I am not surprised it got canceled before completion

[@kiaundriabellerose5027]

So glad I found your channel! Subbed 🌹🥰

[@LaRosaReads]

Yay! Thank you!

[@gghostrrider]

Are you going to read all the Easy Rawlings books? I plan to read them all someday. I didn’t really enjoy The Invisible Man. I suggest you read the other book in the Parable series by Octavia Butler. Also Native Son, Richard Wright. Love the shirt.

[@LaRosaReads]

Thank you for the book recommendations and the shirt compliment! I haven't read any Easy Rawlings books, but you got me adding them to my tbr now! Thank you!

[@RobertAustinTheWizard]

So cool! I've only read a couple of these, and have added a couple more to my "must read" list. Did you know Langston Hughes wrote some kids books about Jazz and Africa and a few other topics that are really fun reads. "The First Book of Jazz" and "The First Book of Africa". The Africa one is out of date, parts of Africa were still colonized at the time, but still really good. I know this is a year old (and I haven't checked your other videos yet), but I hope you make one about Black poets.

[@LaRosaReads]

Oh so cool and thank you for watching! I will check out his books for young people; my daughters would enjoy them. I think it would be a great idea to create a video on Black poets! Stay tuned! :)

[@TheBookHermie]

New subscriber... looking forward to more of your video's

[@LaRosaReads]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@fitjock1]

I’ve read several on your list. Invisible Man and Black Boy and Native Son by Richard Wright are true Black classics

[@LaRosaReads]

Whew! Three gems! I keep starting Invisible Man and putting it down. I've got to get my mind right for that one.

[@maryburrell3948]

Invisible Man is a challenge. I listened to the audiobook along with the book.

[@LaRosaReads]

That's a great plan and one I will take on!

[@Thepeejay]

Great list! I sdded the street to mi list recently too

[@LaRosaReads]

Hope you enjoy it! I just finished The Street and WOW!!!

[@diamondbolton2944]

Question for expansion but should you be able to tell a book is by a black other from synopsis or shelf sight or should it reveal itself upon selection.

[@LaRosaReads]

Hi there! Here's a link to all of the books: bookshop.org/lists/12-classics-by-12-black-authors

[@aletteabroaders7852]

I just read the street it was good

[@LaRosaReads]

Yay! Ain't it though?! One of my all time favorite books!

[@RolledLs]

Have just read Another Country by James Baldwin. Incredible writer - one of the greatest modern authors.

[@LaRosaReads]

Whew! I'm about to dive into Giovanni's room for the first time. Now I've got to add Another Country to my TBR! I couldn't agree with you more!

[@RolledLs]

@@LaRosaReads I literally finished Giovanni’s room yesterday ! having read another country and loved it, it is a devastating book - such a singular, powerful voice. Amongst my favourite American authors, alongside Toni Morrison, McCarthy and Steinbeck. Enjoy.

[@Rebecca-le9hn]

There was another African American author who wrote I feel was a Sci-Fi story before O. Butler. Pauline Hopkins, (Penname Sarah A. Allen) born in 1859 wrote "Of One Blood" just one of her publishef works.

[@LaRosaReads]

Aaaahhh thank you for sharing! I always hear of folks giving Octavia E. Butler credit for being the first and best.

[@christinawilliams3374]

If you would like another good black read, please read "Semicolon" by Mie Readers.

[@LaRosaReads]

thank you

[@trishedwards9120]

My spouse bought me 8 Walter Mosley books for Christmas one year.

[@LaRosaReads]

I want to red that one!

[@jasnico9618]

The Street excellent read

[@LaRosaReads]

I got to it earlier this year and LOVED it!

[@sandraraedeer4849]

Some great picks.

[@LaRosaReads]

Thanks love!

[@paulasmall5113]

Blacker the berry is a fantastic read. Dont remember author but Coffee going to make you black is another. I

[@LaRosaReads]

I have the coffee book on my TBR. I can't wait to read blacker the berry!

[@aletteabroaders7852]

Kindred is awesome

[@LaRosaReads]

Yes it sure is! I'm not usually into science fiction but Kindred became a fave of mine!

[@trishedwards9120]

You’ll love Invisible Man. Read 3 times. It’s always relevant.

[@LaRosaReads]

I cannot wait to relish this one!

[@csd8204]

Generally little known book and certainly not recognized as a classic - Standing At The Scratch Line by Guy Johnson. The man who had pushed away from table spoke. “How we know you can provide real protection? You ain’t got no army! You-” Pete interrupted. “Cool down, Tyson, we is here askin’. We ain’t here demandin’!” King smiled. “There ain’t no proof I can give you, but-just one but: ain’t nobody ever took somethin’ from me that I didn’t want to give up and lived.” “How we know that?” Tyson challenged. “Do you want to try to take somethin' from me?” King had not raised his voice but the threat was so clear that Tyson’s companions stumbled over themselves to diffuse the situation.

[@LaRosaReads]

Thank you for sharing!

[@jschap712]

I'm not sure why the YT algorithm recommended this video to me, but it looks like you've got a great page. I'm not sure if you've mentioned three of my favourites yet: Alexandre Dumas Samuel Delany and Octavia Butler. I'm not sure how well they fit in thematically with your interests. Even while Delany and Butler (both science fiction writers) deal with themes like outsiders, social heirarchy and new social orders, their work more touches upon, vs focuses upon, black themes. For example, Butler's reimagined societies, while not reflective of liberal white pluralistic societies, doesn't exactly fit into afrofuturism, and Delany (as a gay man) tends to deal more with themes of sexuality than race. And, of course, Dumas' work feels French. But all three are accomplished black writers I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

[@LaRosaReads]

Thank you for these wonderful recommendations! I'm glad the algorithm sent you my way!

[@TangibleReads]

😊

[@amyschmelzer6445]

Thank you for this list of classics. I enjoy reading classics but it gets boring only reading things by white men. I read The Bluest Eye already this month and have Kindred on hold at my library.

[@LaRosaReads]

My pleasure and I sure hope you enjoy Kindred!

[@Yvette1954]

ONE PALE SUMMER by debra phillips

[@LaRosaReads]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@MAURICEWILLIAMS-gv8we]

Hello my love 💕 how are you doing I just found your KZbin channel I think if they had more black history glasses in schools across the country that never be less young black people in jails and prisons across the country especially in the inner cities. It's so sad that the majority of people of color do not know who they are or where they are from my mom grew up in the south . The first I went to North Carolina to visit my grandparents aunts and uncles and other relatives black people could not do anything you could not shop in the Some stores as the white people. I'm from New York City and I am a self taught black man oh and by the way when I was growing up I used to go to bars to eat and drink 🍻 one of the bars which I Sometimes went to I met a man that mans name was Malcolm x if you saw the movie 🍿 it was the same bye bar when where he hid the man over the head with a bottle. I met his wife Dr Betty shabazz over the phone. She passed away some years ago. Where are you from I have a friend who has a black history book 📚 store in his house 🏠

[@LaRosaReads]

Wow! Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts. Take care!

[@pamelaferguson2099]

Did anyone type the books out? I don’t like listening to all the talking. I would buy the books though.

[@LaRosaReads]

I believe I typed out the list in the description box. If you don't see it there, let me know.

[@derellcaldwell8653]

I tried to read the souls of black folks but thought it was a hard read….

[@natwixterthan18]

I'm here to celebrate BHM 2024

[@LaRosaReads]

Yeeessssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeannasmith5093]

Kindred the movie was really not that good. Read the book only.

[@LaRosaReads]

I agree! What a disappointment that show was!

[@lutheruler7487]

Does all black books have be about racial oppression,slavery and nothing else? Really redundant and tideous tbh

[@LaRosaReads]

I recommend you check out Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan; Black Cake; Black Buck. Oh and stay tuned for my Black Love video coming out soon!

[@lutheruler7487]

@@LaRosaReads are those also.slavery or oppression novels?

[@ceelothatmane9421]

These woke black tropes get so tiring. I was praying I’d get through this video and hear at least one book that isn’t drenched in black pity and trauma. If slavery, poverty, crime and racism are the only things a black mind has to offer then it’s noting intriguing or relatable about it. It’s just boring and repetitive 🥱🤦🏽‍♂️ We can’t get no black detectives, black sci fi, black thrillers, black fiction that isn’t drenched in self pity and racism, classicm and queerness?

[@LaRosaReads]

12 books don't speak for all the books that exist in the world. Have fun exploring your local library and bookstore to discover what you're looking for! :)