Reading beautiful, expansive literature has been a favorite pastime since childhood, but it became a focal point when I started my book-stagram account five years ago. Fast forward to now: as a curator of the Penguin Random House initiative All Ways Black — a social media platform dedicated to uplifting Black writers and the readers who love them — I have the distinct privilege of reading, and convincing other people to read, as a full time job.
If you’ve found this post because you’re new to reading but don’t know how to get started, never fear, establishing a reading habit can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be. This reading list is meant to inspire literary engagement for the novice and denizen alike.
(Cree Myles rocking the Knix Modal Hoodie and Jogger in Black)
You’ll find a lot of shorter books that will leave you wanting more along with some denser reads that really immerse you. I picked these books because they left me different and better — the way books are supposed to — and include a mix of old faves, new releases, and all-around excellent prose. Let's get into it.
The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin
This book is so short it’s teetering on novella. It’s about an imaginary planet inhabited by Athsheans that end up being colonized by the Yumens of another world. The Athsheans have to decide to choose truth or peace, both of which will leave them altered. If you don’t normally read sci-fi, this brilliant masterpiece is perfect because, not only is it brief, the social commentary Le Guin is making around power, peace, and violence is clear and accessible.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Morrison’s first novel, published in 1970, follows Pecola Breedlove who seems to be on the wrong side of every social construct: her skin too black, her hair too nappy, and she is too poor. All she wants is blue eyes like Shirley Temple.
Morrison is my favorite writer and she has a brilliant way of bringing us intimately close to the story while telling it to us completely detached. This is my favorite book by her.
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver
As one of the most celebrated poets of our time, this collection is really cool because it was curated by Mary herself. It spans her entire 50-plus year career, including poems from her first publication in 1963 all the way up until 2015. I found Oliver last year via a Pinterest doom scroll and have been obsessed ever since.
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
Minor Feelings is part memoir, part cultural criticism by Asian American author Cathy Park Hong. It’s funny, dark, and the prose are brilliant, as Hong is a poet by trade. She explores growing up under first generation immigrants, the secret brilliance of Richard Pryor, and her time as an undergrad in Oberlin. It's one of my favorite reads of last year.
Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
In this collection of non-fiction essays, Villavicencio writes about being undocumented and using her own name for the first time. She beautifully takes flashbulb moments that have happened to our society, like 9/11 and Flint, and centers the undocumented experience. Her writing is equal parts personal essay and investigative journalism.
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
This is actually a short story (the only one she ever wrote), and is being published for the FIRST time February first of this year — and the forward is by ZADIE SMITH! Please geek out with me! Morrison does what she always does in this short and gives us a biting social commentary by way of interpersonal relationships.
Here, we follow the story of a mixed race friendship between Twyla and Roberta, who roomed together briefly while orphans at St. Bonaventure. Their lives intersect regularly as they age and, although it isn’t always a joyful reunion, their bond is always strong.
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
Every book roundup needs a sprinkle of thriller, and Morrow gives it to us in her latest novel, which is set for release on February 8. This book follows two privileged Black teenagers, Cherish and Farrah. Farrah’s family has recently fallen on hard times and she is obsessed with being able to control the outcome of the hardship. Unexplainable illnesses, dreams, and a very strange journal that looks to be keeping track of everything Farrah does seems to suggest that Farrah isn’t as in control as she thought.
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
Meant as a companion to their 2021 National Book Award finalist Pet, Bitter is Emezi’s newest release, set to hit shelves next month. It follows our protagonist, Bitter, as she embarks to a new school where she can focus on her painting. Things get complicated as injustices in the city of Lucille seem to be getting too big to ignore. Emezi is one of the greatest living writers today, and their young adult fiction is a great introduction to their work.
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley
If you are into the existential, this stunning debut, which centers Arthur Riley’s musings around being alive, is for you. She beautifully explores so much: what is worth ritual, what is place, what is expanding your spirituality — I could go on and on. Set to release in February, Ashely C. Ford said "this is the kind of book that makes you different when you’re done," and I couldn’t agree more.
Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
Vuong's memoir and poetry collection On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous left us all breathless, and now he’s back again with Time is a Mother. Vuong stays true to form, remaining vulnerable and intimate while wrapping us up in his lyrical prose. This one doesn’t come out until April, so that gives you plenty of time to read his first book if you feel so inclined.
Cree Myles is a literary badass and the curator of All Ways Black