FAVORITE BOOKS By Black Authors This Year!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Affiliate links to all books mentioned in case you decide to purchase (does not affect price): The Vanishing Half By Brit Bennett amzn.to/2ZHLH8j Legendborn By Tracey Deon amzn.to/3hiSNsk Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi amzn.to/383cxvh Parable of the Sower (earthseed #1) By Octavia Butler amzn.to/2Z7dPkV The Meaning of Mariah Carey 2020 amzn.to/34HsE0S How To Catch A Queen By Alyssa Cole amzn.to/3fquF4o All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto By George M. Johnson amzn.to/385GR8r Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir By Natasha Trethewey amzn.to/3pl4eCh Caste By Isabel Wilkerson amzn.to/3iellCm The City We Became By N.K. Jemisin amzn.to/38CWRzq

[@517moe]

Hi from Japan! I've been trying to diversify my bookshelf as much as possible (last year I read a few books by Octavia Butler and fell in love) and this video has given me some great inspiration! I think I'm starting off with The Vanishing Half, it sounds great! You're such a joy to listen to, and your smile made my day :) Arigato from Tokyo

[@iLiviesimone]

it's that quality content for me!!! LOVE hearing about your favorites, and you have definitely put Mariah's book on my radar- and I did not realize (or didn't pay attention??) that Riot Baby was a novella!! I may try to squeeze that in to these last few days of 2020....

[@LEFTONREAD]

Olivia 🤗🤗🤗! I loved the audiobook! I ended up getting the physical copy for my sister who is a true Lamb/stan! As for Riot Baby! Yup and it’s on Hoopla for free and no wait 🙃

[@yvettem.holland5072]

You have great energy. Btw I love Parable of the Sower.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Aww thank you 🤗🤗🤗! Also yes, SO GOOD 🙌🏾

[@B.B.H2.0]

I am overjoyed that I found your Channel and now I have an endless supply of POC Authors to support. Yay!!.

[@ZzZivaReads]

This is such a great list, literally all the books sound so good 😃 I'm excited to check out The city we became in 2021 even more now 😄

[@LEFTONREAD]

It is definitely a ride! Hope you enjoy ❤️

[@memobrown7288]

Memorial Drive sounds heart breaking but so interesting!! I love that she’s a poet too. I really would love to write a memoir myself one day 🥰

[@LEFTONREAD]

It is, but the writing is so good!

[@sxylilvirgoshortie653]

I know I'm late, but I just discovered you and ❤️❤️. I just finished The Vanishing Half. Such a great read 📚 👏 👌.

[@nolwazi20]

This years “to be read” has just gotten longer. I’m adding all of these books to my list. I love the was you explain the synopsis in your own words. You bring me into the world and I live it 💞

[@arielreads]

i loved riot baby too!! i have parable of the sower in my shelf and i need to read it asap!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Hope you enjoy it when you do get to it 💛

[@j.d.735]

I loveeee vanishing Act (Book #2) soooo good!

[@TheBookishAdvantage]

Interesting list. I will try and look up The warmth of other suns, the title itself sounds interesting.

[@vgsindc1615]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@GettingHyggeWithIt]

This was so wonderful!!! Thank you!! I can’t believe I STILL haven’t read the vanishing half. Going to rectify that in January!

[@LEFTONREAD]

So many books, so little time.

[@mrssirrea]

I’m so happy I’m not the only one who get so excited when I talk about a good book!!!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🤣🤣🤣🙌🏾🤗

[@GinnyV76]

I love the way you talk about books with so much enthusiasm. I've added several books to my TBR--especially the memoirs. You have gained a subscriber!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Aww just seeing this! Thank you for the kind and affirming support 🤗🤗🤗

[@juliaisagoodwitch]

I’m super excited to read Legendborn and The Vanishing Half 😀

[@LEFTONREAD]

Oooo hope you enjoy both! Both were amazing to me so obviously I’m bias 😂🙃

[@talkingcommie]

Thanks so much for the recommendations

[@jessiesshelf5597]

My 2021 TBR just grew 🙂💖

[@lindseysbooklife]

I can't wait for Parable of the Sower!

[@MistahReadWrites]

Hey Jordan!!! Adding a couple to my 2021 TBR. Thanks

[@LEFTONREAD]

Hey! And hope you enjoy 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@emwillis5539]

i really loved All Boys Aren't Blue and Legendborn! and you've got me rly excited to read all of the other ones!

[@lyddie465]

love love love this selection. adored all boys aren't blue last year and parable of the sower is SUCH a powerful book. one of my favourites from butler. i am about to start reading alyssa cole's romance novels and i can't wait.

[@JashanaC]

I feel like I'm going to be right there with you on the "shame on me" for putting off Legendborn for so long... I want to start it soooon and I've heard legit nothing but good things!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Lol the never ending TBR is really to blame! Hope you have a happy reading year ❤️

[@jasminemarie7270]

i would just like to say… i went out on a whim and trusted your opinion to begin my book journey… i picked up How to Catch a Queen and The Vanishing Half.. I absolutely loved both, but How to Catch a Queen? Shanti was amazing, definitely my favorite book I’ve ever read. I hope to see more recommendations soon. The monarchy romance that is black love??? amazing. Thank you so much for your recommendations

[@FadumaandBooks]

I love this so much that I went back and rewatched 2019 & 2018s. Since you loved opposite of always you need to read his second book Early Departure. I don’t know which one I loved more😊

[@LEFTONREAD]

🤯🤯🤯 a second book?! Where Have I been?! Thank you, going to look it up now 💛💛💛

[@mstoniegreen]

Thanks for sharing another year. Your smile 😃 when you love a book is infectious and makes you want to read the book. Thanks for sharing your reading journey with us. Happy reading.

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

I can’t wait to read Riot Baby, The City We Became and Caste. 😊🙌🏻

[@popposterboy]

I want Kiki Layne to play Jude in the Vanishing Half adaptation! She’s basically the go to girl for book to movies now lol

[@LEFTONREAD]

Oh wow! I never thought of her?! She would actually be an EXCELLENT casting. It will be so interesting to see how they cast for the adaptation.

[@marybethdwellsinbooks3844]

I love the diversity in this list! These all sounds so good! I agree about Legendborn though 💖💖💖

[@LEFTONREAD]

I was so surprised! I did not expect to love it as much as I did!

[@DTWrites1books]

Thanks for sharing!

[@FilipeHeath]

Caste is on my TBR!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🙌🏾

[@UKLeonie]

I decided to do a read of Butlers work in 2021, so happy to see you place as no1. My fav this year was "Take a hint Dani Brown" which ive read 4 times now.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Omg! I LOVED take a hint Dani Brown! Would you believe me if I said that, transcendent kingdom, and with your permission, all almost made my top 10. It was SO hard to narrow down.

[@UKLeonie]

@@LEFTONREAD ive ordered "Transcendent Kingdom" after reicey reads end of year review too. You booktubers make my bank soooo vex. Thank you for your content along with your beautiful smile and energy, see you in 2021.

[@CharlieBrookReads]

I read Warmth Of Other Suns this year after you recommended it and thought it was phenomenal. Looking forward to getting to Caste in 2021. So many good books here thank you for sharing your top list with us xx

[@LEFTONREAD]

I’m so glad you liked the warmth of other suns! Hope you also like caste once you get into it! So many books, so little time 🥺 lol! Happy reading

[@wellreadandhalfdead1683]

Yessss Legendborn and The Vanishing Half!! Both are on my Best of 2020 list too!!!

[@fitjock1]

Great list. My #1, warmth of other suns #2,caste #3, Begin Again #4,Biko-steve Biko #5, The last Thing You Surrender. Honorable mention- In West Mills.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Wheeeew now THAT is a list! I have not read / heard of Biko though! Either was sounds like you had an amazing reading year 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@teeahtate]

I am reading The Vanishing Half for a book club.

[@lorrainejohnsoncoleman1670]

What wonderful recommendations. I am making at least four must reads for 2021. Thank you for being a shining light in our community. Words have power and stories have soul. A wonderful book is a gift unlike any other

[@LEFTONREAD]

Aww just seeing this! Thank you for the positive affirmations and support. I really appreciate it 🤗💛🙌🏾

[@michaelanderson9106]

Honestly, this is one of the best channels on youtube. 10/10 recommend. Personality, great recaps, this year in particular i fell in love with the vacay with dwayne videos since aint none of us was going nowhere so I was living vicariously. Shout out to you! AND DWAYNE!

[@LEFTONREAD]

😂😂😂 I hate laughing but ain’t that the truth! I was watching more travel videos thus year too! Anyways thank you for the super kind and uplifting words/support 🙌🏾

[@_chxchi_1235]

Ok I’m commenting again bc I LOVE YOUUU lol . I’m going to buy all of these . It’s so hard to find book reviews that ACTUALLY makes you want to go buy .

[@PrettyBrownEyeReader]

Memorial Drive is very emotional and good. It affected me too and I finished in a day. I read Parable of the Sower during the pandemic. It was so eerie how close it is to today. I am currently listening to Caste. I am impressed you read it twice. I get so angry that I can only listen to a few minutes a day.

[@LEFTONREAD]

It was SO emotional. I felt EVERY WORD! Wow that you read it during the pandemic. I know that had to be even crazier. Yes as for caste I first listened on audio then wanted to own the book to highlight etc, so read again the physical book with a read along on my page. It was hard the second time but so many great discussions on the live chats with the subscribers that joined. Felt like we got to talk it out.

[@MissEllaReads]

I'm currently reading the Vanishing Half and really enjoying it. I just ordered Caste and so excited to finally read it!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Ooo I hope you get. A lot out of Caste! Serious stuff, but written SO well. Hope you like it too 🙌🏾

[@Tutankhamun18Reads]

Good List! The ones of these that I have read are really amazing! No Graphic Novels made the cut? Also contemplating if I can choose only 10 haha. I really liked the Vanishing Half - but I wish it had been a bit longer. I wanted more time with the characters and themes!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Just seeing this! But I know! I barely read graphic novels this year. I did read a few (Shuri, parable of the sower stood out, but didn’t read any others I don’t think).

[@zfran5059]

Thanks for your review!!! Love your vibe! I was talking back to you girl I was like "whaaaat!" So I'm going back as far as started and plan to go and get some more recs. Also loved your review on vanishing and parable of the sower you made it sound more interesting than another booktuber. I was meh but when you talked about I was like ok I'm getting that one and that one! I just wish you would leave the book on the screen the whole time u are talking so I don't have to go back to where the book was held up. Keep it up LOVED LOVED LOVED your wrap up!

[@Asmait]

You always exude such a beautiful and positive energy and I LOVE it and appreciate it so much💕 The vanishing half was my favorite read this year and hopefully I’ll get to parable of the sower in 2021! Wishing you a happy and healthy new year! 🎉

[@LEFTONREAD]

Light recognizes light cause I can feel all your beautiful energy through this comment 🤗🤗🤗! Thanks so much! It was so hard deciding between the vanishing half and parable of the sower. They are so different in style, but I loved them pretty equally.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Also thank you and Happy New Year to you too 💛

[@TheUndertowWithJoe]

Finally got to this one in my “Watch Later” lol. I saw some of these coming 😆 Have yall ever considered repatriating back to the Motherland? Also, would you ever learn a African language and read novels read in that language? THEN HIT US WITH SOME AFRICAN CONTENT??👀😅 Love to you and yours as always!!

[@tpj376]

Happy 2021 Jourdan! Def adding vanishing half to my list after your review as well as Mimi’s audiobook. Parable/sower may just be my top pick of 2020 too; will aim for parable/talents this year. Take care ❤️

[@SydneyKav]

This is a brilliant video and your energy was exactly what I needed this morning! I read Parable earlier this year and was amazed (and horrified) at how prophetic is was. Butler is such a brilliant writer and I’ve held off on reading the sequel as I know it will be just as brilliant. The Vanishing Half is going to be my first book of 2021 and I CANNOT wait. Take care!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Thank you! Also amazed and horrified is the perfect description 😩🤣. I hope you enjoy the vanishing half 💛💛

[@lmac3869]

I'm reading Legendborn for a January challenge. I'm so excited now 😁

[@mindreaders8135]

I need them all!!

[@memobrown7288]

New to your channel and you’ve got such lit energy!! ☺️☺️

[@LEFTONREAD]

🤗💛 thank you!

[@_chxchi_1235]

I love this channel already and I’m only on the #10 summary . Lol the way you’re describing the book really makes me so excited to purchase . I’m really trying to get back into reading I feel like my attention span has shortened over the years when it come to reading but I’m gonna dive back in . I need 5 books for my summer reading list (starting out small) so thanks for the video .

[@Randommusingsandstuff]

I forgot how to read in 2020 but listen we back in 2021, you gave me some inspo thank you!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🙌🏾💛

[@purposebehindthepen]

I would like to recommend my books to you as well. I have written ten books and I am currently working on my eleventh novel.

[@sasha7628]

Some of my favorites of 2020 are The Death of Vivek Oji Akwaeke Emezi, Great Passage by Shion Miura and On Earth We Were Briefly Gorgeoys by Ocean Vuong but the favorite book is In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, that book is a perfection, a stellar memoir with inclusion of essays on various social issues. I loved it so much but it was a hard read.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Ooo I have the death of Bivek Oji on my list to read but didn’t get to it! Hope to this year 🙌🏾

[@Yvette1954]

Also try the book: Things I Never Told (by debra phillips)

[@bevwrites2929]

Cool. Give mine a try too & keep doing what you're doing.

[@browngirlreading]

I'm definitely going to get the Mariah Carey audiobook. Morgan was talking about it on Instagram. Now you are too. Sold! I'm getting the audiobook. I'm already a big fan of hers. I took my time to get to The Vanishing Half too. Thought is was really good as well.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Didi!! I so look forward to seeing your 5 stars this year if you decide to post them! I loved Mariah’s audiobook, so I hope you do too! Ooo I wish I could see what Morgan had to say about it. I could chat about that book for a while lol. I did like The vanishing half. Sometimes hyped books are tricky cause maybe you would have liked it without the hype, but then the book doesn’t live up to the high expectations. Although I read it before too much hype, I think it actually did. I thoroughly enjoyed it and at of the characters themself!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Excuse all the typos 🙄

[@ninadubois2842]

Clicked so fast! 🤣💖

[@ninadubois2842]

PS. I wanna read Legendborn soooooooo bad

[@LEFTONREAD]

@@ninadubois2842 oooo I hope you get to read it and enjoy it when you do 🤸🏾‍♀️

[@SrirachaSandvvitch]

I've read Parable of the Sower this year and its one of my favs too! I also loved Butler's Bloodchild! If you haven't you should definitely check out Gloria Naylor's the Women of Brewster Place and This is Major by Shayla Lawson!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@louisity]

The way you discussed the City We Became makes me interested in reading it. I am fascinated about US geography. 🌎 I like EMC2 and the Emancipation of Mimi albums of Mariah Carey! 💗💿📀

[@LEFTONREAD]

The emancipation of Mimi was excellent! There’s not a track that I think I skip.

[@mbranche4234]

I am kinda late in reading these books, but I read Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Tomi Adeyemi) and Black Leopard Red Wolf (Marlon James), Passage along with Caste, The Vanishing Half and Akata Warrior.

[@opechoii]

Loved your yearly wrap ups

[@LEFTONREAD]

💛

[@avashelby9509]

I love your energy Jourdan!! The Vanishing Half was so good and I’m so excited to read Legendborn in 2021. One of my other faves from this year was Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo. I’m also currently reading Caste and can’t wait to go back and watch your live shows! Happy New Year 💛

[@LEFTONREAD]

Ooo ok I’ll look it up to see what it’s about ✍🏾!

[@simonteen]

So glad you loved Legendborn!!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Me tooooooo! So amazing. I look forward to book #2 🙌🏾

[@simonteen]

@@LEFTONREAD Us too!!!

[@RachelRae]

I have Parable on audio checked out. I will need to get on it!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Hope you like it once you do 💛

[@mschazare]

Thanks for this!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾💛

[@MsAwesomeSaucey]

awesome list!

[@ThatChickKim]

I bought Mariah's book less than a month after it came out, and I STILL haven't read it!! Not sure what I'm waiting on. I read "The vanishing half" as well, and it was just okay to me.

[@LEFTONREAD]

I have heard a few just oks for vanishing half which I think happens a lot also when books are SO hyped. Saying all that, clearly I loved it, but I get it. Hope you enjoy Mariah’s book when you get to it.

[@MargaretRose723]

Your videos are always so wonderfully joyful

[@AbiofPellinor]

I never read books as they come out but almost all of these were already on my tbr and I'm so excited to get to them! I'd never heard of Memorial Drive before but that's definitely being added to my tbr now

[@LEFTONREAD]

The never ending tbr! I so understand 🙌🏾

[@ttill4246]

I love your favorite book countdowns! That's how I discovered your channel. So....where was Transcendent Kingdom? LOL Nice list for 2020. Definitely agreed with Vanishing Half (can't wait to watch the show) and Caste. Some of my favs were Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo, Hitting a Straight Lick, Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds, Our Time Now by Stacey Abrams, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, Somebody Give This Heart a Pen by Sophia Thakur and (you really should read this one cause it's my favorite) The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans. I finished it not too long ago and it was fire! I can't wait for 2021 for so many obvious reasons but there are a lot of great books coming out next year. Sidenote: Did you watch Ma Rainey and Sylvie's Love? If so, what were your thoughts? I love your intro! Happy Reading!

[@LEFTONREAD]

So much to say (just seeing this)! 1 it was so hard narrowing my top 10! I almost considered 15 cause transcendent kingdom, Patsy, and when no one is watching we’re ALL books I really liked but had to think of which I purchased to own or would read again 🙇🏾‍♀️ siiiiigh! As for Girl; woman other, I need to read that! I did JUST finish the secret lives of church women and had I read that in 2020 it would’ve made the list! As for shows! Liked Ma Rainy (depressing ending but loved the dialogue. Randomly reminded me of hitting a straight lick!!) Still need to watch Sylvies!

[@ttill4246]

@@LEFTONREAD I can't wait to hear your take on Church Ladies and I feel you; it's hard to narrow a top 10 for sure! I like your take on Ma Rainey. It does give me Hitting a Straight Lick vibes when I think about it. 🤔 Keep the videos coming and happy reading and watching!!!!

[@heloise5931]

you've got me curious about Isabel Wilkerson !

[@LEFTONREAD]

☺️☺️

[@curlyvirgo58]

You need more subscribers. This was so good.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Thank you 🤗

[@Niababii585]

I cant choose 😩

[@TheNovelSanctuary]

Alyssa Cole!

[@christinawilliams4468]

Read “Semicolon” by Mie readers

[@DontHaveaDegreeinReading]

if a book wasn't already on my radar it is now. especially caste!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@reesecupnye6688]

Hi Jordan I got a book for you to read by a first time female black author. The book is called. Shades of Blu by A.M. Morning. Can you read it and give is your feedback

[@rhondairis570]

How do I go about being considered for a review of my book by you?

[@shermanwaller8694]

How can I get you to review my book? I just released my book on Amazon/Kindle entitled WHO ARE YOU? By Sherman Waller

[@thechinannashow7458]

So I read riot baby I'm not sure that book was for me I loved all boys aren't blue

[@Lance4123]

I subd

[@onuwabuchi]

Hi, I'm an author/ghostwriter and would like to know if you would be interested in featuring myself and another author into a spotlighted segment so we can share our newly released work on your platform?

[@LittlePiscesReading]

❤❤❤

[@Daleysunshine]

my number 1 too chil'd

[@LEFTONREAD]

😝🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️

[@jackeeB]

Does Legendborn have any romance?

[@LEFTONREAD]

Yes it does. Teen romance.

[@jackeeB]

@@LEFTONREAD thanks

[@dimev4516]

Hello. Just want to give my book a little shine and was wondering if I can hire you to read my book and review it on your page, please? Message me. Thanks

[@mbranche4234]

I am kinda late in reading these books, but I read Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Tomi Adeyemi) and Black Leopard Red Wolf (Marlon James), Passage along with Caste, The Vanishing Half and Akata Warrior.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Never late! My TBR Is never ending. I have books from 10 years ago I have t gotten to 🤷🏾‍♀️ lol! All great books mentioned up there!