October came ready to feed the TBR.
There are 90+ books by Black authors hitting shelves this month, and honestly? We love to see it.
From literary fiction and family dramas to memoir, fantasy, romance and books for young readers, there is no shortage of stories to discover, discuss and add to the bookshelf.
And as always I’ve included a breaksdown of my top five books currently sitting very high on my radar, plus a special shoutout to the Black Canadian authors bringing new books into the world this month.
So, grab your library card, open that bookstore tab and let’s get into it.
Lalaa’s October Top 5
Every Story Is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue
What happens when grief, regret and forgiveness collide?
In Imbolo Mbue’s latest novel, Wolo is still grieving the loss of his wife three years after a tragic car accident. Then a letter arrives from the woman responsible, forcing him to reckon with questions about forgiveness, responsibility and whether healing can ever be shared.
Why it’s on my radar:
Imbolo Mbue writing about grief, forgiveness and the complicated ways we carry love? Say less. This sounds like the kind of book that will have me putting it down just to stare into space for a minute. I’ve LOVED all of her books so far and I’m sure this one will be no different.
Out October 6.
Bitter Melon by Liv Little
Jalissa and her father aren’t particularly close. But when he invites her to Jamaica, his homeland, she says yes. What follows is a journey through Jamaica, family history, grief, old wounds and the complicated love between a daughter and her father.
Why it’s on my radar:
A Jamaican setting. A complicated father-daughter relationship. Family secrets and generational stories. You already know I’m seated. 🇯🇲 Liv Little’s second novel sounds tender, funny and full of the kind of emotional messiness that makes family stories so good.
Out October 22.
Friends & Family by Natalie Baszile
Two best friends, one Black and one white, find their friendship tested after a traumatic encounter involving their teenage children forces them to confront questions of race, identity, loyalty and allyship.
Why it’s on my radar:
I love a book that gives us something to talk about. This one sounds like it will have readers examining friendship, interracial relationships and what allyship actually looks like when things get uncomfortable.
Out October 6.
Something Stolen by Nikki Savoy
Monica Harper-Jordan has built the life she always wanted: a successful career, a loving family and a partnership at a prestigious Black-owned law firm.
Then her assistant disappears, and is later found dead. When her husband’s accident raises even more questions, Monica starts digging into what is really happening around her.
Why it’s on my radar:
Listen. Sometimes the TBR needs a little suspense. 👀 This one promises ambition, secrets, grief, family and a whole lot of questions. I want to know what happened, and who is telling the truth.
Out October 6. PS, to my Kindle Unlimited Girlies this one is FREE to read.
Notes on a Blacklash by April Ryan
Veteran journalist April Ryan takes readers behind the headlines and into the personal cost of becoming a Black woman in the public eye, and quite frankly I’m here for it, talk di tingz!
The book explores online misogynoir, visibility, race, gender, power and what happens when your voice suddenly becomes the centre of a cultural conversation.
Why it’s on my radar:
Because Black women deserve to tell the story of what happens to us when the internet decides we are the story. I’m especially interested in Ryan’s reflections on visibility, scrutiny and reclaiming your own narrative, because OF COURSE!
Out October 6.
🇨🇦 Black Canadian Author Shoutout
And because we are always going to make room for our Canadian writers…
Let’s hear it for the Black Canadian authors dropping books this month!
The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas by Zalika Reid-Benta
Jamaican Christmas? In a children’s picture book? Mi deh yah! 🇯🇲🎄
Zalika Reid-Benta brings us a joyful Jamaican spin on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas, celebrating family, food and the flavours of the season, from beef patties and sorrel to ackee and saltfish, coco bread and black cake. And yes, there are recipes included!
Why I’m excited:
Because seeing Jamaican food, family and culture centred in a children’s book is the kind of representation we need more of. This one feels like a little piece of home wrapped up in a book.
Out October 6.
The Queen’s Command by Sarah Raughley
Victorian England. Royal intrigue. A Black heroine. And a dangerous game unfolding inside the royal court. The companion novel to The Queen’s Spade follows Vicky Davies as she navigates royal politics, secrets and danger while trying to uncover the truth threatening the court.
Why it’s on my radar:
Give me Black girl historical fantasy with royal drama and secrets and I am listening. If you loved the first book, this one belongs on the list.
Out October 20.
Stop Anti-Black Racism: 8 Ways to Act Now by Nadia L. Hohn
Nadia L. Hohn’s accessible nonfiction book introduces young readers to the history and ongoing realities of anti-Black racism while offering eight practical ways to take action.
It explores racism, resistance, Black history and the people and movements that have fought for change.
Why I’m shouting this one out:
Because literacy is also about understanding the world around us, and giving young people the language, history and tools to challenge injustice. This feels like an important addition to school, classroom and home libraries.
Out October 13.
More Books Coming Out this Month….
🖤 So… What’s On Your October TBR?
October is giving us grief, joy, family, history, fantasy, suspense, Jamaica, Black girl magic and stories that will make us think.
And this is just the beginning.
There are 90+ books by Black authors coming out this month, which means there is plenty of reading to do, and plenty of Black stories to discover.
So tell me, which one is making its way onto your TBR?
Happy October reading, book babes. 📚🖤
