As you probably already know, February is Black History Month in the US. Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month. Here at GXO we want to celebrate the incredible literary contributions of AOC by highlighting some up and coming authors we think you really need to read, not just this month, but all year long.
This Poison Heart, Kalynn Bayron
From the author of Cinderella is Dead, comes this fabulous new series about plant magic! Not just any plant magic though, we’re talking deadly plants- plants that a certain folk need to make healing tinctures and elixirs. Our main character Briseis uncovers a whole crazy chain of family secrets not long after inheriting her aunts estate and moving there to practice her gift of growing. The sequel This Wicked Fate comes out in June and I cannot wait!
Beast of Prey, Ayana Gray
Gray has created the most magical and complex world in her debut novel. This book is a Pan-African fantasy with an incredible mix of African mythology and folklore. There are scary creatures and wild jungle adventures in addition to a cast of characters you’ll fall in love with.
The Cost of Knowing, Brittney Morris
I read Morris’ debut novel Slay in 2020 and loved it so much! She took a different approach with The Cost of Knowing. It’s more heartfelt and emotional. She asks us what we would do if we could see the future of anyone we touched. A scary but tempting scenario. This novel will really make you think and question what you think you understand about life and consequences.
Yesterday is History, Kosoko Jackson
This is Jackson’s debut novel and I think he’s an author to watch out for. This book follows the life of a time traveling teen who finds himself back in the year 1969. He meets a boy and falls in love. The book bounces back and forth in time as the MC works through his feelings in a time period that is hostile and confusing for him.
The Gilded Ones, Namina Forna
Wow! This book blew me away with it’s amazing character development and world building. I found it to be deeply complex in it’s exploration of female empowerment in the face of blatant patriarchal abuse. I am excited to see where the second book in this series takes us.
We hope you take the time to read one or more of these phenomenal authors novels!
// Comments are closed //