Stay cool, book lovers. The state of books in Summer 2024 is hot! Check out the list below for page-turners full of compelling fictional Black ballerinas, scientists, detectives, teachers, and much more that will keep your soul entertained and your mind off the heat.
May 7
“Ella: A Novel” by Diane Richards
A magnificent work of “biographical fiction” that reimagines the turbulent and triumphant early years of Ella Fitzgerald.
“The Overnights“ by Ian K. Smith
#1 New York Times bestselling author Smith’s former Chicago detective turned private eye Ashe Cayne becomes embroiled in a dangerous case involving a prominent television journalist in this thriller involving news ratings, race, and revenge.
May 11
“Motherland Herbal: The Story of African Holistic Health“ by Stephanie Rose Bird
An herbalist celebrates ancient and modern African holistic healing. “Hold onto your yams, your collards, watermelon, and roots. There is magic, mystery, connection, and healing stored within them.”—Stephanie Rose Bird
May 21
“Taming a Heartbreaker (Romance)“ by Brenda Jackson
Redford St. James is having too much fun to settle down with just one woman. Until a Westmoreland family wedding reunites him with Carmen Golan and an intimate conversation becomes an intimate evening and a night that makes them wonder who’s taming who.
“The 7-10 Split: A Romantic Comedy“ by Karmen Lee
A charming second chance romance between two high school teachers forced to coach the school’s bowling team to victory amidst their long-standing rivalry, meddling kids and colleagues, and memories of that kiss they shared as teens.
“Transitional“ by Munroe Bergdorf
In this life-affirming, heartfelt, and intimate book, trans activist and model Munroe Bergdorf shares reflections from her own life to illustrate how transitioning is an essential part of life.
May 28
“Life’s Too Short : A Memoir“ by Darius Rucker
This is a timely, raw, heartfelt memoir from Darius Rucker, the three-time Grammy Award-winning lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish, told through the remarkable stories of the music that coursed through his life.
“Family Lore: A Novel“ by Elizabeth Acevedo
This is the story of one Dominican American family told through the voices of its women. It traces the lives of each of the Marte women, weaving together past and present, Santo Domingo and New York City.
June 4
“And Don’t F&%k It Up: An Oral History of RuPaul’s Drag Race“ by World of Wonder, Maria Elena Fernandez
The definitive history and celebration of the groundbreaking show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in its first decade.
June 18
“Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap“ by Louise Story, Ebony Reed
A sweeping, deeply researched narrative history of Black wealth and the economic discrimination embedded in America’s financial system through public and private actions that created today’s Black-white wealth gap.
June 26
“Jewel Me Twice“ by Charish Reid
In this spicy romcom, two career thieves reunite for one last job and must put their messy romantic past behind them to pull off the jewel heist of the century.
July 3
“Between Friends and Lovers“ by Shirlene Obuobi
This is a swoon-worthy story of love and friendship in the age of social media. In a world where the lines between private and public are as blurred as those between friendship and love, can a writer and influencer risk it all for something real?
July 15
“Tiger, Tiger: His Life, As It’s Never Been Told Before“ by James Patterson
The impossible life of Tiger Woods—how did he become the G.O.A.T., what drove him to fall so spectacularly, and how has he made his way back to the pinnacle of golf? In Patterson’s hands, Tiger’s story is a hole-in-one thriller.
July 24
“Black Crossword: 100 Mini Puzzles Celebrating the African Diaspora“ by Juliana Pache
August 6
“Second Tide’s the Charm“ by Chandra Blumberg
For those who eagerly await Shark Week and love brilliant scientist heroines, it’s anything but smooth sailing for two marine biologists with a romantic past when they find themselves unexpectedly working together.
“The Kill List“ by Nadine Matheson
While an innocent man sits behind bars, a serial killer with a gruesome signature has started killing again. Drawing on her experiences as a criminal attorney and exploring themes of race, class, and justice, Nadine Matheson’s newest entry in the Anjelica Henley series is her darkest, most adrenaline-fueled mystery yet.
August 13
“White Robes and Broken Badges: Infiltrating the KKK and Exposing the Evil Among Us“ by Joe Moore
In this shocking memoir, a former FBI informant reveals what he learned from successfully infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in the backwoods of the Sunshine State.
“Never Saw Me Coming“ by Tanya Smith
A real-life, true story of an unsuspecting woman who creates an ingeniously clever white-collar scheme that manipulates the federal banking system out of millions—who eventually loses everything that is most important to her.
August 20
“Going Toe to Toe“ by Yahrah St. John
A romantic comedy where a vacation fling becomes an enemies-to-lovers showdown for a sexy single dad and a Black ballerina turned dance teacher.