Essays
BookTok Faves
Join book influencer Meahsha as she delves into the cherished stories on Black BookTok and explores the captivating narratives within our special online community.
Meahsha Morrison
Meahsha, 33, is a growing bookish creator from Inglewood, CA, who’s passionate about reading and supporting Black and indie authors. With a love for literature, she dedicates her time to promoting diverse voices in the literary community. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re a book lover I’m sure you’ve made your way to Black BookTok. But if the term is new to you, Black BookTok is our special corner of the internet, created to celebrate our culture, and the books that were written to spark familiarity, connection, and community. Millions use it daily to share opinions, meet like-minded individuals, and most importantly get book recommendations. There’s something there for everyone, horror, thriller, fantasy, and my favorite romance. Scrolling can get exhausting and video after video can get overwhelming, so I’ve curated a list of Black BookTok favorites, mixing all genres and tropes with one unmistakable thing in common. They were written for us by us.
Since she could remember Lily’s always struggled with being socially awkward. She’s never been the type to be boy crazy or bring attention to herself. Lily is filled with doubt and chooses to live behind the scenes, unlike her family who’s the definition of “Black excellence”. After years of being overlooked at work and home, she finds comfort in reaching out to her favorite author. What started as an innocent fan email quickly blossoms into a friendship that beings to lean towards something deeper, until Lily’s left on read and ignored. Crushed by this, Lily is ready to move on and seek help from her new neighbor Nick who agrees to do this one favor for her. In this swoon worthy romance, you’re guaranteed to fall head over heels with Lily’s story about her finding strength, confidence, and love.
In this dark and thrilling young adult novel, Immanuelle is living in Bethel under the tight rule of the prophet, who must always be worshiped and devoted to. Immanuelle’s mother was once one of the prophet’s many wives. However, when she unexpectedly fell in love with someone else, she recklessly attempted to assassinate the prophet but ultimately failed. With no choice but to run and hide, she fled into the dark wood that is highly forbidden because it is where the spirits of the deadliest and strongest witches once lived. When she resurfaced in Bethel, pregnant and ready to give birth, Immanuelle was born. Now, years after her passing, Immanuelle and her family are paying for the sins of her mother. Whether by fate or misdirection, Immanuelle finds herself in the same dark wood her mother escaped from years earlier. And it seems to be the start of something deadly.
In this second-chance romance debut by Myah Ariel, you can’t help but give Kaliya and Danny your full attention. After years of being overlooked and working as a glorified receptionist, Kaliya is at her wit’s end and tired of paying dues for a career she knows she is ready for. When she unexpectedly encounters her college ex, Danny, it leaves her in shock. While she has struggled over the years, he has thrived. Caught off guard by her situation, Danny offers her the opportunity of a lifetime — the perfect job to open the right doors. However, Kaliya is torn between an incredible chance and the potential of experiencing another heartbreak.
This story is a paranormal enigma, from front to back. Jackal is a thrilling roller coaster ride of dark events set in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Years after trying to distance herself from her hometown, Liz feels uneasy about returning to celebrate her best friend’s wedding. With horrid childhood memories and racial tension, she knows this weekend will take a toll on her, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the disappearance of her goddaughter, Caroline. Missing black girls isn’t a new thing in this town, but when it hits so close to home, Liz is determined to do whatever it takes to bring Caroline back. While investigating the long list of Black girls who go missing every summer, Liz suspects a connection. The deeper she digs, the more she uncovers the dark truths of her town.
I hope these books resonate with you as much as they did with me. Each one offers a unique perspective, whether through storytelling, powerful themes, or unforgettable characters. As Black authors continue to shape the literary world, it’s crucial we support their work and share our experiences reading them. If you’ve read any of these books or plan to, let me know your thoughts in the comments. And of course, if you have any favorites of your own, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate the power of Black storytelling on TikTok and beyond!
