Recs if you like If Beale Street Could Talk...

I've seen so many people say they don't read classics as they aren't diverse, and I wanted to give some suggestions that are.

This is a list of classics written by authors who are not Straight, Cis, White, and Men as the title suggests. I am also aiming to include a variety of cultures and regions in this list. If your looking for something more focused (e.g. diverse US classics) check out the lists I posted in the comments.

Suggestions are more than welcome!

Are you currently not crying to the point of vomiting, but you want to be? Need to conduct a science experiment to find out if you are in fact the ugliest crier in all of Pagebound? Well, do I have the list for you! Brought to you by the fine, very sad, folks of Pagebound! These books have been frequently suggested or upvoted in PB club posts about sad books! Suggestions in any genre, and extra tissues, are welcome!

books featured in the cozy video game “tiny bookshop”

this is your reminder to read books by Black authors all month, all year, every year— not just during Black History Month. it’s crucially important to be able to diversify your reading and your bookshelves. expand your mind, your perspectives, your knowledge, and your taste. if you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations!

novels, poetry, literary criticism, and history books by Black authors referenced in Farah Jasmine Griffin’s Read Until You Understand; The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature — forming a type of Black literary canon

Books you SHOULD be reading all year

Combo of new and older fiction written by talented Black and African writers ranging from adult to YA to middle grade. Thriller, fantasy, literary fiction and everything in between!

Feel free to make suggestions!

This list is based on the book by Joan Anim-Addo, Deirdre Osborne, and Kadija Sesay (This is the Canon: Decolonize Your Bookshelves in 50 Books)

As the title suggests, the book aims to broaden readers’ horizons. The list contains works by non-white, mostly female authors.

A curation of Black classic novels, poems, essays, and more from across the diaspora. Fiction and Non-Fiction. More will be added, recs welcome.

The most popular book of each year according to Goodreads (Posted by Sharon on April 1, 2025). In order of oldest (1925) to newest (2024)

based purely off of vibes

literary fiction featuring romance / love stories

This collection of books are 250 pages are less, but made a big impact on me.

whether you love 'em or you hate 'em, here are some great character-driven novels if you like a book with well-developed characters

African American literature (novels, poetry, short stories, and essay collections)

For all the nerds who want to connect with the past

Subdued melancholy or self-inflicted tragedy for when you want to feel like a martyr