Recommending Books by Black Authors || 2023 [CC]

These are some really good books which absolutely deserve your time 😍
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📚 The Books 📚
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
I Love Me! by Marvyn Harrison & Diane Ewen
Oxygen Mask by Jason Reynolds & Jason Griffin
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
Haruko/Love Poems by June Jordan
Bless the Daughter Raised by A Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire
Christmas In Rosebend by Naima Simone
Things I Have Withheld by Kei Miller
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Black and Female by Tsitsi Dangarembga
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
Consumed by Aja Barber
Grown: Black Girl's Guide to Glowing Up by Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter
Hunger by Roxane Gay
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
⚡️Content Warnings ⚡️
All Boys Aren't Blue: Racism, homophobia, police brutality, violence, sexual assault, grief
The Office of Historical Corrections: death, cancer, grief, racism and internalised racism, violence, car crash, suicide, murder
Oxygen Mask: covid pandemic, racism, climate change
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry: racism, classism, divorce, dementia, blackmail, cyberbullying
What Happened to You?: child whipping as discipline, domestic abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, divorce, guild abuse, death row, racism, death
Bless the Daughter Raised by A Voice in Her Head: racism, xenophobia, war, grief, cancer, death, sexual assault, displacement due to war, bulimia
Christmas In Rosebend: grief
Things I Have Withheld: racism, sexism, child abuse, mentions of rape and child molestation, transphobia, homophobia, grief, police brutality
Red at the Bone: mentions of drug addiction, smoking, racism, mentions of massacre, miscarriage, grief, cancer, 9/11
Black and Female: racism, colonialism, slavery, sexism
Recitatif: bullying, ableism, racism
Opposite of Always: death, sickle cell anaemia, racism
Grown: Black Girl's Guide to Glowing Up: racism, colourism, texturism, fatphobia (tackling all of these subjects and warning about them)
Hunger: gang rape, fatphobia, fat shaming, bullying, smoking, bulimia, self-loathing
Wash Day Diaries: dementia, depression, stalking
White Smoke: drug addiction, anxiety, trauma, sleep paralysis, racism, false imprisonment, fire
On the Come Up: mentions of past drug addiction, racism, profiling, overpolicing, drug dealing, gang behaviour, gaslighting
‪@BookBreak‬ ‪@hotkeybooks881‬ ‪@millsandboon‬ ‪@serpentstailbooks‬ ‪@VintageBooks‬ #booktube #bookrecommendations #blackauthors
As always, closed captions (subtitles) available x
Thank you to Simone for doing the subtitles. Check out her blog: thewheelchairt...
Thank you to Mariana Quesada for the amazing intro.
Contact me for business enquiries (I am UK, London based): [e-mail]
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Twitter: / oliviascatastro
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Goodreads: / olivia-savannah
Hi! I’m Olivia-Savannah. I’m a Campaigns Assistant at Canongate, an independent book publisher. I studied English Literature and Creative Writing at university. I’m based in the UK but I visit the Netherlands where some of my family live from time to time. I love reading, writing, travel, yoga, cooking and baking. I enjoy reading all genres and age audiences. Nice to meet you x

[@blairwjones]

Im obsessed with how well you can articulate a book. Its always so hard for me to express reading to others and you do it so effortlessly!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

🥹 thank you! i am glad it comes across well 🥰

[@maryburrell3948]

I love this about her as well

[@WellTraveledBooks]

All Boys Aren't Blue is one of those books where I just know I am going to love it and because of that I have put off reading it since I feel like I need to read it in the perfect moment. I need to get over that and just finally read it! I loved the wash day diaries and I am so glad that you recommended it before! Recitatif blew me away and it is still a story I think about often. You know that I can't wait to get my hands on Consumed! Adding What Happened to you to my TBR as well, that sounds super insightful and interesting. Loved the range of authors and ages in these book recs!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I know exactly what you mean - I have that with some books too. And a little bit with this one, as it was on my TBR for a long time before me finally getting to it. But it is so so worth the read! I am so happy you read and liked the wash day diaries 🥹 and recitatif as well 🥹 Ooh yes, what happened to you sounds like the nonfiction you might like 😇

[@charlotteburns3213]

I love the selection of recommendations here. I adore Toni Morrison's writing so will definitely be picking that one up.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

So happy you liked the recommendations and yes! Definitely go for the Morrison in that case 💜

[@AnniesBookNook]

Loved this video! I added a lot of books to my TBR! Love Tiffany D. Jackson. I really want to read office of historical corrections asap!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Yay! Happy to grow the TBR with Black authors. I need to read more tiffany d jackson for sure 🥰

[@volna9704]

thanks for this video! i had a couple of these already read or on my tbr but also quite a few i added! great content

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I'm glad you could find some here that you want to read as well 🖤

[@CestKevvie]

Gosh I need to read All Boys Aren't Blue so badly!!! OMG I literally cried seeing you talk about June Jordan!! I love her work so much and it fills me with so much joy to see other people experience her work! 💖Ooh I read Recitatif last month and I loved it so much! Every time I read her reinforces that she's one of my all-time favorite authors.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I think you're going to love all boys aren't blue and I'd love to hear your thoughts!! And thank you SO much for recommending june jordan. She wasn't on my radar until your review. And now I want to get the essential june jordan and read more at some point too. 🥰

[@LaRosaReads]

You are amazing! Thank you for this comprehensive list of recommendations. I’m so grateful I came across this video. I really enjoy your content ❤

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

You are most welcome 🖤 I hope you enjoy some of the books!

[@awebofstories]

Such a great list! I've added several to my TBR!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Glad there were some here that interested you 🖤

[@goddessofgore]

I'm keeping your rec video until October for the UK black history month! 🖤

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Hope you'll like it! But don't forget it's great to read Black books all through the year 🖤

[@goddessofgore]

@@OliviasCatastrophe o yes but I'm reading all bipoc for the month of October so I'm narrowing down all the recs to around 20 so I can read the creme de la creme for then 🖤

[@BookishTexan]

Thank you for all the great recommendations.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Always welcome 🧡

[@awanderingmind]

On the Come Up is a great YA!! I've been wanting to read Hunger and White Smoke for a long time.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Ooh I hope you enjoy them both. They both sound like the kind of book you'd like 😌

[@SarahAsYouWish]

Lots of great recommendations that I’m adding to my TBR.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Yay, so glad there was something for you here 🖤

[@ThatsSoPoe]

So many of my favorites on here!! I haven't read Opposite of Always yet, but I love Jason Reynolds, so I for sure want to pick that up.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Confusingly, Opposite of always isn't by Jason Reynolds but someone else called Justin A Reynolds! I still recommend it though, as it is great 😃

[@ThatsSoPoe]

@@OliviasCatastrophe Oh, that makes sense! Maybe you've even mentioned it before since now that you say it, it sounds familiar. Still sounds great, though!

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

so many amazing recommendations!! 💖

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you 🖤

[@sophiecarbone4977]

I really loved excuse me while I ugly cry! It really surprised me and that cover is so beautiful!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

It got me as well! When I least expected it 🥰

[@MarkiyC]

Thank you so much for this video! I love the information you provide about the books and I'm leaving to borrow Red at the Bone in my local library rn :D Greetings from Prague ♥

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I hope you enjoy Red at the Bone 😇 Ah, and Prague is such a lovely city!

[@anthonyamiewalan5596]

Olivia, I have a book recommendation for you. Eddie & Alan is written by black gay author Anthony Amiewalan. It sheds light on the complexities of relationships between men, the fluidity of sexuality, and what happens when the lines are blurred.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thanks!

[@MargaretPinard]

Oooh, yes, and I loved Aja Barber's interview on Leena Norms' channel about being conscious consumers--evergreen topic for me, lol!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Ooh, I will have to look into that interview! And agree, definitely evergreen 😅

[@meltedbooks]

I loved White Smoke. It’s the only book from Tiffany Jackson that I’ve read and I absolutely need to read more! I’ve heard The Weight of Blood is excellent, so that’ll probably be the next one of hers that I pick up.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

It was my first one by her as well! I since got the weight of blood for my birthday and I am so excited to read it 😍

[@the_creepy_geek]

I have been meaning to read Opposite of Always FOREVER! It's been sat on my shelf for a very long time and I just keep not getting to it!!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Ooh yess!! I hope you can get to it sooner rather than later 🤗

[@KristinKravesBooks]

I still think about All Boys Aren't Blue. It's incredible! I've been curious about Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry so I'm thrilled you recommend it!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Truly was! Did you see they had a book deal confirmed the other day? And yes, definitely go for excuse me while I ugly cry 🖤

[@bukolaakinyemi2743]

Things I Have Withheld is one of my favourite books of 2023.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Same here!!

[@WildeBookGarden]

thank you for making me refresh myself on what enjambment means! I Love Me! just sounds 💗💗💗! Jason Reynolds' book is called Ain't Burned All the Bright here in the U.S.! I loved it so much as well. always love these recommendations from you, Olivia-Savannah! 💞 I just finished Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis and it was INCREDIBLE as expected! so thoughtful and brilliant and (unfortunately) still very relevant, but with more hopeful examples than I expected?

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Haha oops! Didn't realise I was throwing it around!! Enjambment is my favourite poetic literary device 🥹 when used effectively, that is! Ahh yes, I find it so interesting that the graphic novel has such a different title in the U.S. And I absolutely need to read Women Race & Class 😍

[@RovingReader]

I’m interested in all the nonfiction you recommended plus Red at the Bone! Great video! 🎉🎉🎉

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Yess, both good picks! Hope you like them 🖤

[@whiro8945]

I got out All Boys Aren't Blue but didn't end up having time to read it before the due-back date. I'll definitely hunt it down again and make time now!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I highly recommend getting to it when you can! Happy reading :)

[@whiro8945]

@@OliviasCatastrophe Thank you, you too :)

[@MargaretPinard]

Ah, I didn't know Danielle Evans was a Black author, but that book has been on my maybe list forever! Sounds too intriguing!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I hope you can get to it soon! It's a great collection of stories 🥰

[@BecxReadz]

Love this. I'm currently reading my first Kennedy Ryan book

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I do want to try something by her! 😇

[@RememberedReads]

I'm going to put some of June Jordan's poetry on hold at the library now! 👍

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Ooh yes, I hope you'll like her poetry! Can't wait to see what you think 🖤

[@whatkaylasays]

Added several to my TBR so thank you! Hunger doesn’t get mentioned enough. It was so phenomenal. I’d like to add a recommendation: The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert. It’s middle grade and I loved it so so much.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I'm glad there was something for you here! And hard agree on Hunger. I read it after it got recommended to me by someone else. Ooh, I have been meaning to read Brandy Colbert for years!! And now I know where to start 😌

[@RovingReader]

Ah commented too soon. I’m REALLY interested in the Consumed book and STILL have it out from the library and STILL have not gotten to it!!! Leaving soon for vacation but I’ll move it to the top of my list for when I return ✈️

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Have a great holiday! I think you'll really be able to appreciate consumed, as I did too 😚

[@knjigoloznica]

I'm always shocked to see how low view count some of your videos have! You are one of my favorite booktubers, always informative and thoughtful and inspiring. Thank you for this overview ☀️

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you for considering me as one of your favourites 🥹

[@rasaslase]

Great recommendations. 💛

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you x

[@dompishere3014]

Haruko Love Poems sounds so good! Adding Things I Have Withheld to my TBR 👀👀 I would eat up Red at the Bone. I love Warsan Shire! I Love Me! sounds so cute 😭😭 The artwork on the cover of Oxygen Mask is gorgeous.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Yess so glad you added things I have withheld to your TBR! It's where it deserves to be. Ooh you definitely would, especially after having already read and appreciated jacqueline woodson before as well. Warsan Shire we stan 🤗

[@LunaciaBooks]

I absolutely LOVED All Boys Aren't Blue. Beautifully written. Great video! Nice to see both some new to me authors as well some known and dear to me authors! 🥰

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Truly an amazing book. Did you see they have a fiction book coming up now as well?

[@LunaciaBooks]

@@OliviasCatastrophe I didn't! That's exciting!

[@louisity]

This video is a good reference if one looks for books by black authors. 🤙🏽

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you 🖤

[@TheSassyLibraryFox]

"All Boys Aren't Blue" has been on my radar for so long! I really need to get to it, because it sounds so good. I really loved "The Hate U Give" and Angie Thomas's writing is amazing. "White Smoke" has me so intrigued. It sounds like the kind of horror book I'd love to read. Great recommendations! Thank you! =)

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

All boys aren't blue is amazing and I could've recommend it more! THUG will always be one of my favourites but I was impressed by how her second novel was just as wonderful.

[@WhyNot-WhyNott]

I love your videos ❤thank you for sharing 📕

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you for watching 🖤

[@maryburrell3948]

Olivia is very lovely and very good book reviewer ❤

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Thank you 💮

[@AmyMcCaw]

Great video! I’m currently reading a few things, but really enjoying February’s book club pick The Witchery by Sophie Isabelle.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Ooh, I hope the book club is going well 😇

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

This was great, I love the variety, I feel like I've got a recommendation for all my family. The Office of Historical was fantastic, probably the best short story collection I've read, I think it just beats a Black Canadian author Téa Mutonji into 2nd (Shut Up You're Pretty). Seeing as you asked and seeing as I've just read a fantastic book, Wade in the Water, loved it, I thought it was writing back to all those southern books about racism written by white people, and showing the nuance they those novels didn't have.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

A recommendation for all my family is definitely the vibe I was going for 🤗 Ooh best short story collection you've read?! High praise! Do you plan on / have you read her other collection, Before you kill your own fool self? Oh I am so here for a book which calls out those southern ones. Sounds great and look forward to the detailed review in one of your recent reads videos 😌

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

@@OliviasCatastrophe I hadn't heard of that one, but I'm down for reading more Danielle Evans. I quite like the title Robert E Lee is dead.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I’m hoping to be in the mood to read it soon… the titles do look good.

[@OnlyIfForAPage]

I've been wanting to read All Boys Aren't Blue for a long time :- ) Things I Have Withheld sounds interesting and you might have sold me on The Office of Historical Corrections :- )

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

All boys aren't blue is so worth your time and I think you'll like it! Ooh I just read the next book by the author of the office of historical corrections and it was wonderful. Such a strong author 😌

[@horror-sickness]

Thank you so much for the recommendations. Some of these I have been interested in like Opposite of Always. And of course I have White Smoke on my list...because Horror 🔪

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I can't wait to see what you think of both of those books, especially white smoke 😍

[@maryburrell3948]

I have Red At The Bone on Audible.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

It's a very good read! I hope you'll like it ^.^

[@maryburrell3948]

@@OliviasCatastrophe I listened to it on Audible but will re listen 🎧 again.

[@tagtraumer7761]

Love the list! I particular look for recommendation for Fantasy and Science Fiction books by black authors. Any thoughts? :)

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I have a whole video with afrofuturism recommendations (Black science fiction and fantasy) which you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laakfnl6r8toerc and this one too kzbin.info/www/bejne/nITXfpKIls5pp6M

[@maryburrell3948]

Hunger by Roxane Gaye on audiobook is very good and insightful

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I agree, it was a really eye opening read!

[@WhatVictoriaRead]

💛💛💛

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

🖤🖤🖤

[@StarsAndEmbers]

📚❤

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

🖤🖤🖤

[@haalabeeba]

You're great at summarizing sister. Loved your reviews ❤ keep it up. Perhaps my book would interest you, #BlackInSchool.

[@MaryAmongStories]

💜💜

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

🤎🤎🤎

[@AbiofPellinor]

How have I read NONE of these?!?!

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

DDD: Time to grow that TBR~!

[@AbiofPellinor]

@@OliviasCatastrophe 100%!