Chill by the Pool with Great Books by Black Female Authors.
Summer is here, but that doesn’t mean we should stop exercising our brains. Reading is a fantastic way to stay sharp, whether you’re escaping to the cool mountains or soaking up the sun at the beach. Here are 10 must-read books by Black female authors to add to your summer reading list.
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
We Should All Be Millionaires, a Wall Street Journal best-seller, aims to transform the way women perceive their financial potential. Written by Rachel Rodgers, a CEO, business coach, mother, wife, and intellectual property lawyer, this book provides invaluable insights. Rodgers founded Hello Seven to help women grow their businesses to seven figures without sacrificing their families or sanity. It’s a perfect addition to your summer reading list if you’re looking to stay inspired and motivated while relaxing by the pool. With a 4.6/5 rating on Goodreads, a 5/5 on Barnes & Noble, a 5-star rating on Amazon, and a 4.9/5 on Audible, it’s clear that we’re not the only ones loving this book!
Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
If conquering your fears to reach your goals is the mission, then Luvvie Ajayi Jones is the ultimate mission controller. But not just any controller—the cool kind who makes you laugh, gives tough love, and keeps it real. Get ready to be inspired into action and laugh until it hurts.
Ajayi Jones is a two-time New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, keynote speaker (who nailed it on the TED stage), certified sneakerhead, and a hilariously sharp “Professional Troublemaker” who never holds back. Start with her book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, then dive into her first one, I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual. You’ll thank us later.
Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
If you’re looking to escape reality for a while (and who could blame you?), this instant New York Times best-selling fantasy novel might be just what you need. In Wings of Ebony, J. Elle’s captivating and powerful debut, a Black teen from Houston discovers her godly ancestry and must save both the godly and human worlds.
The protagonist, Rue, is the only half-god, half-human in her world—a place where the leaders fiercely protect their magical powers and thrive on human suffering.
Sacred Woman – 20th Anniversary Edition by Queen Afua
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of her best-selling book Sacred Woman, Queen Afua has released a special edition featuring two exciting new chapters. Queen Afua, a highly sought-after master herbalist, is often called upon by the likes of Jada Pinkett-Smith, Erykah Badu, and Mya to harness the power of food. With over 50 years of experience in guiding others toward green living and proper detoxing, this book truly represents her life’s work.
“Queen Afua teaches us how to love and rejoice in our bodies by spiritualizing the words we speak, the foods we eat, the relationships we attract, the spaces we live and work in, and the transcendent woman spirit we manifest.”
Bamboozled by Jesus by Yvonne Orji
Actress and stand-up comedian Yvonne Orji, best known for her role as Molly on Issa Rae’s hit series Insecure, delivers a hilarious blend of comedy, Bible study, and memoir in Bamboozled by Jesus. Orji believes God has a sense of humor and shares how He tricked her into living her wildest dreams.
The publisher describes it best: “This ain’t your mama’s Bible study. Yvonne infuses wit and heart in sharing pointers like why the way up is sometimes down, and how fear is synonymous with food poisoning. Her joyful, confident approach to God will inspire everyone to catapult themselves out of the mundane and into the magnificent.”
Get Over ‘I Got It’ by Elayne Fluker
In Get Over ‘I Got It’, Elayne Fluker teaches us how to “stop playing superwoman, get support, and remember that having it all doesn’t mean doing it all alone,” as the subtitle suggests. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do it all, this book is for you. Fluker, who knows a thing or five about juggling a busy schedule, guides you on how to ask for the support you need.
With a 20-year media career, Fluker has held top editorial positions at Martha Stewart Living, iVillage.com, Condé Nast Digital, Essence, Latina, and Vibe. As a women’s advocate, podcast host, journalist, and media expert, Elayne Fluker has appeared in front of millions and is now here to tell millions why getting support is essential and empowering.
What Would Frida Do by Arianna Davis
Arianna Davis, Oprah Daily’s Senior Director of editorial and strategy, has crafted a unique and motivating biography of Frida Kahlo. Frida, born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón, was a Mexican artist celebrated for her striking self-portraits, memorable quotes, and iconic unibrow. She was also a feminist, a trailblazer, and a woman who endured far more than met the eye.
In What Would Frida Do, Davis helps readers discover a bit of themselves in the way Frida lived. This book is educational, deeply self-reflective, and truly inspiring.
Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche
We can all benefit from improving our financial management, and in this New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling book, the Budgetnista, Tiffany Aliche, shares 10 steps to help readers become financially whole.
“Tiffany Aliche was a successful preschool teacher with a healthy nest egg when a recession and advice from a shady advisor left her jobless and in a massive financial hole. As she worked her way out, she developed a ten-step formula for achieving financial security and peace of mind. These principles have helped over one million women worldwide save money, pay off debt, and plan for a richer life.” If you want to get your finances in order, grab Get Good With Money.
Yoke by Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley, a body positivity advocate, yoga teacher, and author, shares a collection of deeply candid and humorous autobiographical essays in Yoke. She explores topics such as self-love, imposter syndrome, cannabis, and more.
“In Sanskrit, yoga means to ‘yoke.’ It signifies the union of mind and body, movement and breath, light and dark, the good and the bad. This broader concept of ‘yoke’ is what Jessamyn Stanley refers to as the yoga of the everyday—a practice not just about perfecting your downward dog but about applying the hard lessons learned on the mat to the even harder daily project of living.”
Jessamyn Stanley, a body positivity advocate, yoga teacher, and author, presents a collection of deeply candid and humorous autobiographical essays in Yoke. She delves into topics such as self-love, imposter syndrome, cannabis, and more.
“In Sanskrit, yoga means to ‘yoke.’ It signifies the union of mind and body, movement and breath, light and dark, the good and the bad. This broader concept of ‘yoke’ is what Jessamyn Stanley calls the yoga of the everyday—a practice not just about perfecting your downward dog but about applying the hard lessons learned on the mat to the even harder daily project of living.”
Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson & Michelle Burford
This memoir by the late, great actress and advocate Cicely Tyson needs no introduction, but it absolutely deserves a spot on your summer reading list if you haven’t read it yet.
In Cicely Tyson’s own words: “Just as I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. In these pages, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and a mother, a sister and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by His hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.”
