Now that the heatwaves are gone and there is a chill in the air, it’s time to make space on your bookshelves for some new releases. While it’s entirely possible you might not read them right away, it’s good to save them to your Goodreads or Storygraph account. September is a mixed bag of books from Black authors but there are plenty of books in a number of genres for everyone. It doesn’t matter what your flavor is, you’ll find something that speaks to your soul.

From historical fiction to romance to non-fiction there are some eye-catching titles that you won’t want to miss this month. Some of the most anticipated books include debut authors such as Nigerian author Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi and her recent debut of Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions. It’s currently Roxane Gay’s book club selection as well. Ogunyemi presents a beautifully told story that combines four, authentic women’s voices to share their experiences of life, love and culture. 

There’s plenty of Black-led and Black centering romance as well. For the gothic baddies, House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson puts a dystopian spin on her latest book. What if people choose to be servants of vampires if they knew it would elevate them out of poverty? This is a dark, gothic tale that you’d want to sink your teeth in. 

While this isn’t a complete list of all the Black books coming out in September, it’s a good start for those who are looking for books by Black authors. Enjoy! 

Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams 

Overworked RJ can admit that Lear is attractive. It’s hard not to miss his charming smile. From strangers who awkwardly and abruptly meet, to exchanging unpleasantries to being co-workers for a wedding seems like something that can only happen in romance novels, right? 

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown

Being Black and asexual in a society where Black people are often over-sexualized by default often leaves Black voices and experiences overlooked. While the language presented can be heavy at times, this intersectional critique of how society views and expects sexuality to perform in binary and heteronormative terms.  

A Ghost in Shining Armor by Therese Beharrie

Looking for a lighthearted, paranormal romance? Gemma can see ghosts and she uses her gift to help the dearly departed finish their business with the living. However, it’s when she meets Levi and that is where things get complicated. Levi has lived and died and now he’s focused on helping Gemma. Can the living and formerly deceased find real love? Fans of Ghost and The Preacher’s Wife will enjoy this.

Dyslexia and Me: How to Survive and Thrive if You’re Neurodivergent by Onyinye Udokporo

If you’re Black and neurodivergent you will feel seen in this book. Udokporo who was featured in Forbes for discussing Neurodiversity And Entrepreneurship believes neurodivergent people can excel in entrepreneurship. 

The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West

West is back with another powerful story about family and identity while centering a Black woman’s point of view. Sara, a complicated woman, is trying to start anew in Memphis to run away from her past in Chicago. For readers, enjoy the sweet treat of learning about other Black, obscure authors from yesterday through the eyes of the characters in the book. 

The Black Cell by Wendy Shania

Are you looking for a new dystopian read? Set in Baltimore, MD in the near future, Black people are targeted by police at an all-time high. Ideal for readers who want to use the liberation framework in a sci-fi setting to highlight social injustices.

They Come At Knight by Yasmine Angoe

Serving as the follow-up to Her Name Is Knight, Nena Knight is back as the kickass assassin that I’d willing to do anything to protect the people she loves. While she works for a powerful organization, eventually the institution begins to crumble from the inside out and Nena has to face an uncomfortable revelation that will change her life forever.

To Win A Prince by Toni Shiloh

Iris seems to be living the dream. Using her keen sense of style to propel her business while being BFF with the Queen of a powerful African country certainly has its perks. But when she’s forced to work with the dejected Prince Ekon, they are both forced to admit their desires and wants. 

Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen

Speaking of Black mermaids! This highly anticipated sequel to the  New York Times bestseller, Skin of the Sea is available towards the end of this month. Bowen puts a dark spin on the classic mermaid lore with lots of action and consequences.

Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo

Igharo is back again with a second chance about two former high school love birds who reunite at a wedding in Nigeria. It’s been twelve years since they made a vow to find a way to be together again and the time has finally arrived. 

Drunk On Love by Jasmine Guillory

A seductive one-night stand turn office romance on the backdrop of a winery is not the tale you didn’t know you needed. It all goes down in Napa Valley when tech bro eye candy meets an entrepreneur working hard to maintain her family’s winery.

Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions by Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi

A powerful and poignant story that connects four women together from childhood to adulthood. This beautiful African diaspora literary fiction delivers a relatable story of how gender, class, race and nationality impact Black people globally.

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

This historical fiction set in London in the early 1900s is an unnerving tale of two children who are bound to one attic in two different time periods. Despite 90 years separating both victims, the cruelty and injustice remain the same. 

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

Ready for some gothic fantasy with chilling vampire vibes? 19-year-old Marion is tired of struggling to survive. When she answers a peculiar ad in the newspaper looking for a “bloodmaid” in exchange for a finer life, she decides to pursue it. When she meets her new mistress a bloody and lustful relationship develops that could lead to Marionn’s demise. 

Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell 

One jazz musician named Circus has left a trail of scorned and infatuated women who are seeking to find their own voice without his validation. One of those women includes the former drummer he abandoned while she was pregnant. However, his now teen daughter admires him despite his poor choices. 

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams

Dimple just turned 30 and now she’s faced with the hard truth being an influencer is harder than she thought. Life takes a turn and her ‘rolling stone’ papa has other children Dimple barely knows. If you love messy families and astrology, put this on your TBR (to be read) list now.

Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams bka Selena Montgomery 

Abrams is back with another thriller but this time she adds some steamy romance. Two people, are both on a mission to find the truth while trying to ignore their attraction for each other as they infiltrate a terrorist organization. 

Days Come and Go by Hemley Boum

If you are looking for more translated books by Black authors you do not want to miss this recently translated book by Cameroonian author Hemley Boum. While on her deathbed, a mother recounts her life to her daughter who is at her side and records her mother’s life experiences. Boum invites the reader to an authentic view of Cameroon by using historical events and multi-generational storytelling. 

Rust In The Root by Justina Ireland 

Ready for some Black alternate historical fantasy fiction? Of course, you are! It’s 1937 and America is divided into people who can wield magic and those that can not. Laura Ann wants to get her license so she can practice legally and branch out on her own. However, she’s having a tough time and finally enrolls in a government agency that is supposed to help America for the better. 

On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

This historical fiction novel takes place during the 1950s. Picture a story about a Motown girl group set in California. The mother is trying to live vicariously through her daughters as a stage mom, while her daughters are looking to find their own paths that may or may not include music. 

The Keeper by Tananarive Due

This ghostly graphic novel approaches horror through the story of grief. Aisha is still mourning her parents’ death and is sent to live with her grandmother in Detroit. However, her grandmother’s health is declining quickly. In her grandmother’s last efforts to protect her grandchild, she summons dark energy to protect her but the spirit feasts off the living to survive.

The Study of Human Life by Joshua Bennett 

Poetry that invokes speculative elements to create a collection of Black conscious narratives. Bennett talks about fatherhood, and social justice topics and even resurrects Malcolm X.

Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe by Karama Horne 

If you always wanted to learn more about the Dora Milaje, here’s your chance. Karama Horne, known as the pop culture reporter The Blerd Gurl, does a deep dive into the history of one of the most formidable warriors in comic book history. Learn how to train like the Dora Milaje just in time for New York Comic Con.

In the House of Transcendence by Amanda Ross

Give us more Black witches, please! Zora has powers that scare her but she’s learning to live with them. She leaves home and finds herself in the company of a powerful witch that offers her a unique opportunity to be a dancer at a magical burlesque club. Magic, murder and mayhem galore. 

Vanessa Jared’s Got A Man by LaQuette

Vanessa is a happily divorced woman who has formed The Savvy, Sexy Single Club and she plans on being just that. But her plans are turned upside down on her second anniversary when a man claims his little sister is trying to marry her no-good ex. Vanessa could care less until she spots her stolen grandmother’s ring on another woman’s finger. Watch out for the fireworks— in more ways than one. Who doesn’t love a good mature second chance at a love story? 

Amanda Jayatissa took the publishing industry by storm with her thriller book debut, My Sweet Girl. The Sri Lankan author created a dark but funny thriller that centers a young woman named Paloma who was adopted by American parents who gets cutoff from them financially. When times gets rough, she then rents her room to an Indian roommate who ends up dead on her table.

Now, Jayatissa is back with another thriller and this time she gets to brag and bask in her accomplishments as well. Currently, Jayatissa is the first Sri Lankan woman author to land an international book deal. As her star continues to shine, she’s penning some dangerously delicious thrillers in an unique voice that readers need.

Thanks to Berkley, we are going to post an excerpt of You’re Invited because today is her book birthday! Grab your coffee and dive into this excerpt that centers a jilted lover, a strained friendship, betrayal and murder.

AMAYA

Morning of the Wedding
I woke up with bruised knuckles and blood under my fingernails, more rested than I have been in years. I guess this is who I am now. The kind of person who would finally get a good night’s sleep after attacking someone else. The kind of woman who would fly halfway around the world to stop my ex–best friend from marrying my ex-boyfriend. If that’s one too many exes for you, well, it certainly is for me. But I’m also the kind of woman who does whatever it takes, so here I am.

Balancing my teacup in one hand, I opened the sliding door that led out onto the small balcony attached to my room at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. It overlooked the expansive private beach, which was deserted.

Of course it was. It was too early in the day for anyone to be out there. Maybe later on, but then again, who knows how things will pan out? The wedding would definitely be canceled now. The guests would all shuffle home, dispirited and upset. Or maybe they wouldn’t. Maybe they would just be grateful for the all-expenses-paid weekend, and take advantage of the beautiful beach and open bar. They would definitely mull around, gossiping and curious about what transpired. Aunties would have their own theories, no doubt, and phones will light up with messages about what happened to the un- fortunate bride, Kaavindi Fonseka. This is Colombo after all.

It flickered in my stomach then—the first flutter of nervousness. I knew I couldn’t keep it away for long. It had been a simple plan, of course. But like all simple plans, it could be quite complicated unless you teased everything out. Laid everything bare. And like all simple plans, it had the potential to go very, very wrong.

I watched the waves swell and bounce and crash and forgive. The fishing boats were already well on their way out to sea, and a few birds circled the ocean in the distance. Keeping my eyes on the horizon, I took a deep breath and counted to five.

Then exhaled.

My hands were steady on my cup of tea, but a fleck of dried blood had made its way onto the clean white ceramic. I’d better take a shower. Today was a big day for me. Perhaps even more so than yesterday. So much depended on what I did next.

I stepped into the bathroom and made the water as hot as it would go. It felt like a betrayal, washing the last bits of yesterday off me. Knowing she was gone, as I watched the water swirl down the drain. But I went through all the motions, still nervous but also feeling, for the first time in a very long time, that I belonged to myself. That things just might be okay. That I was finally vindicated of everything that happened five years ago.

I shampooed my hair, conditioned it, slathered on soap that smelled like jasmine all over my body. Deep breath in, Amaya. Now count to five. Let it out slowly. Just like Dr. Dunn said.
It was over. After so many years, I could finally let it go.

Steam clouded around me as I dried and then dressed myself. My small overnight bag was already packed, ready for me to make my exit. My passport was at home, with the rest of my luggage. The flight back to LA wasn’t until tomorrow morning, but I could last till then.

I checked the time—6:36 a.m. A pattern. A lucky number. Thank goodness. I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.

I’ll wait until 7:00 a.m. to check out. 7:07 a.m., if I could manage it. I couldn’t afford to look
suspicious. After all, who checks out of a five-star hotel at the crack of dawn unless it’s some sort of emergency? I didn’t want to draw attention to myself now. I couldn’t leave anything up to chance.

I busied myself by giving the room a once-over—making sure I hadn’t left my charger plugged in and forgotten, or left anything hanging behind the bathroom door. There was a T-shirt in a plastic shopping bag that I kept near my purse, waiting to be thrown out on the taxi ride home. It was always better to be safe. I sat down, phone in hand, watching the numbers on the clock tick their way toward when I could leave.

The rap on my door came at 6:51 a.m., ricocheting through my quiet room, lodging itself deep in my heart.

Who would knock on my door now? It didn’t make any sense. I hesitated a moment.

The second rap sounded more urgent.
“Miss Bloom, this is Alistair Ferdinand, the hotel manager. Sorry to disturb you. Could we have a moment,
please?” The manager? Well, at least it wasn’t the police. They’d come later. I hoped to be gone by then. I took another deep breath and cracked open the door.

“Yes?” I tried to keep the tremble out of my voice. I knew it even before he said anything. I could feel it in my bones—the writhing. The inherent sense that things were about to go very, very wrong.
“Miss Bloom, my apologies for this, but we have to search your room.”
“Search my room?”
But he was pushed aside by someone as she barreled her way inside.
“Where is she?” Her voice was shrill.
“Tehani? What are you doing here? What’s going on?” My voice was a whimper. An embarrassing contrast against hers.

“Oh fuck off, like you don’t know.”
“I—I don’t understand.” I swallowed. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen.
“I’m sorry, ma’am.” The manager stepped in. “We have been instructed to search all rooms
immediately. It appears that one of our guests has gone missing.”
“What? Who?” I asked, even though I knew the answer.
“I’m not at liberty to say right now, madam. We just need to check your room.”
It felt like all the breath had been knocked out of me. This was really happening.

The manager was accompanied by two security guards. Let them look. She certainly wasn’t in here. It took just less than a minute of them going through my room to confirm.
I glanced at the time, just to make sure. 6:53 a.m. Nothing lucky about that. My chest tightened.
“As you can see, I’m alone in here. But please, let me know if I can help.” I sounded far away—like my voice was disconnected from the rest of my body.

“You can help by telling us the truth, you bitch.” Tehani’s voice slapped me back to reality. She was holding up the T-shirt I’d been meaning to throw away—a basic white tee with the words Pink Sapphires emblazoned across the chest in sparkly letters.

My heart started pounding.
“This is my sister’s. Why do you have it?”
I could barely get my words out.
“Kaavi, she—gave it to me. I’d—you know, I’d spilled something on myself, and she wanted me to have it”.

“You’re such a liar! I knew it! I told them you’d have something to do with this! Just wait—”
And with that, Tehani stormed out, T-shirt and all. What the hell had I gotten myself into?
“Thank you, Miss Bloom. We are going to have to ask you to please stay in your room until further notice.”
“Stay in my room?” My heart was a wild animal now. Jumping and pounding and trying to escape out of my chest. “But I was going to check out soon.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but it is imperative that you do so. I’m told that the investigators will be arriving soon to handle this situation.”

Oh my goodness, I couldn’t believe this was happening. This was not the plan. This was not the plan at all.

“How do you know she’s missing?” I asked. “Maybe she went for a walk? Or, well, have you checked thegroom’s room?” I made sure to lower my voice for that last bit, so the security guards couldn’t hear me.

“Trust me, Miss Bloom. She hasn’t gone for a walk. There were—and I don’t mean to alarm you—signs of a struggle in her room. Right now, I’m afraid we have to believe the worst . . .” His voice trailed off and he eyed my hand. I glanced down to see what he was staring at.

I’d washed away the blood, of course, but the bruise on my knuckles was a little harder to get rid of.
“Anyway, thank you for your time. Once again, please stay in your room until you’re called for
questioning.”

“Okay.” It was all I could manage. I could barely breathe.
“And Miss Bloom—?” The manager hesitated near my door. “Yes?”
“We have security stationed on every corridor. So please do be kind enough to adhere to our safety
measures.” He kept his eyes firmly on my face until just before he turned around, when I saw him try to sneak another glance at my knuckles. I held my hand behind my back—out of sight. I wasn’t an idiot.

Excerpted from YOU’RE INVITED by Amanda Jayatissa published by Berkley, an imprint of
Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2023 by Amanda Jayatissa

Thank you so much Berkley for giving us permission to print this excerpt.

There’s a whole lotta think pieces happening right now regarding Beyoncé’s newest album, Renaissance, and I’m not going to continue the chaos. Instead, I just pressed play and let the art speak for itself.

It was a given that Beyoncé was going to put the internet in a chokehold with her new album, merchandise and visuals and as a music fan, I chose to listen with an open heart and ears.

I’m so glad I did.

Because I’m not interested in what white people have to say about Beyoncé or her music and I damn sure don’t care what they think about house music.

I’m from the south side of Chicago so house music is in my bones—y’a heard? It doesn’t take much to get me to percolate and if you give me a few drinks I’ll doo-doo brown all-up-and-down the dance floor.

Ms. Tina Lawson, Beyoncé’s mother, posted a lovely Instagram post recently about her late nephew, Johnny. She considered her nephew like an older brother because they were two years apart but Beyoncé and her sister Solange referred to him as their uncle. Unfortunately, Johnny passed away from HIV complications according to BBC.

Like Beyoncé, I also lost someone I deeply cared for and loved to HIV complications. Like Uncle Johnny, he didn’t deserve to die and my friend was only 33-years-old. He had so much to live for and he was the brightest star in any room he entered. My dear friend gave me a first-hand look at what it’s like being an androgynous-presenting, gay male in New York City.

Between the ballroom scenes, the gay bars and hangouts and the public scrutiny, my friend continued to keep his head high, his makeup beat and his feet moving to the beat. As I vibe out to Renaissance, I kept thinking to myself, “Wow, he would really love this!”

One of our last summer outings together was in Brooklyn, NY at the Restoration Plaza. They had a a mini house music party and I just remember us drinking and dancing with beautiful men all evening.

I’m saying all this to say that house music and Black LGBTQ+ culture go hand-and-hand. In fact, Black culture as a whole is driven by Black queer culture. From fashion, to slang, to music and trends, Black queers are oftentimes copied and their contributions are trickled up to to their cishetero and affluent counterparts.

Unfortunately, our society is structured in a way where the most privileged amongst us must move the culture forward by making space for the most marginalized amongst us. With this album, it feel like Beyoncé is trying to do that sonically. And with that being said, I thought I could contribute to the movement by recommending books that highlight Black queer voices in fiction and non-fiction. I picked sixteen books to accompany the sixteen tracks on Renaissance. There’s a lot of Black, queer politics, feminism, history listed and it will make a great addition to your bookshelf.

So check out the list and let me know what you think. If there’s anything you would add, you can always leave a comment and let me know.

I’M THAT GIRL — Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair

COZY — And The Category Is …: Inside New York’s Vogue, House, and Ballroom Community by Ricky Tucker

ALIEN SUPERSTAR — In The Black Fantastic by Ekow Eshun

CUFF IT— Boys Comes First by Aaron Foley

ENERGY — Queen Of Prophecy by Aya de Leon

BREAK MY SOUL — Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva! by Big Freedia

CHURCH GIRL — The Collection Plate by Kendra Allen

PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA —Kings, Queen and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju

VIRGO’S GROOVE — Black Love Matters by Jessica P. Pryde

MOVE — Twilight of Torment: Melancholy by Léonora Miano

HEATED — The Boundaries Of Blackness: AIDS and the Breakdown of Black Politics by Cathy J. Cohen

THIQUE — Bad Fat Black Girl by Sesali Bowen

ALL UP IN YOUR MIND —Greenland by David Santos Donaldson

AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM —The Government Means To Kill Me by Rasheed Newson

PURE/HONEY — Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton

SUMMER RENAISSANCE — Do You Remember House?: Chicago’s Queer of Color Undergrounds by Micah E. Salkind

If you enjoyed this list of Black books, please consider purchasing from the links provided. Fabulize is a readership-driven platform and the affiliate links helps contribute to writers and maintenance of the site.

Even though Juneteenth and Father’s Day has passed, Black fatherhood is worthy of praise and celebration everyday. Granted, fatherhood looks different for each family and we believe any male figure can step into a father role as long as they have love and care for a child.

Whether it’s step-dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, or neighbors, a child needs to have a village. When children have a sense of community they can trust, they can grow to be well-adjusted people. Seeing positive adults helps children understand and set their own standards in life.

As a child, it’s important for them to hear and see adults apologizing for their mistakes, too. Sometimes those apologies come right away, and sometimes they come later in life. However, the most important thing is that it happens. When it comes to male role models, it’s imperative we decolonize what fatherhood and manhood looks like—for the sake of our children. We want children to see men show a spectrum of emotions. And with that, we’ve selected a few books that showcase the impact of fatherhood; good, bad and indifferent and how it resonates with their family and society.

Looking for more Black authors and Black centering books? Check out this post of books where Black girls are superheroes and protagonists.