Recs if you like Americanah...

Writing and voices from outside of the white Western canon. Fiction and Non-fiction with an emphasis in diaspora, decolonization, global history, and resistance narratives from around the world. Features African, Asian, Central American, South American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern voices.

Began with many recommendations from Jamin Anderson (@jaminanderson__ on Instagram) and has expanded with the help of the Pagebound community.

All of his picks since 2008, both summer reading lists and yearly round-ups.

Fiction has always been where truth hides. Across horror, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy & mystery every book on this list has something to say about power, who holds it, who destroys it, and how it reproduces itself.

Books for those who want to be well-read without the debt (created by someone with said debt)

Note: I will be deleting my PB account within the next two weeks, and I believe this list will be erased. Feel free to screenshot it if you see anything that interests you! ☺️ 3/17/2026

A mix of reader favorites and editorial picks from The New York Times—100 books that defined the 21st century.

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!

an engaging collection that captures the depth and diversity of African storytelling, blending tradition, history, and modern life through powerful voices.

NYT Top 100 of the 21st Century: Reader's Choice. In order as published in 2024

Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, and books from as many of the authors mentioned therein that I could find. (Including books from the Further Learning section.)

I'm a huge fan of Maisie's music and her newest album Florescence has been playing nonstop since it came out. She's a passionate reader, so over the years many books recommendations have accumulated and I thought it would be cute to make a list out of them. Info taken from her Goodreads and Instagram accounts, newsletter, podcast, and various interviews she did. I will update this list as new recs come up, but if I miss something feel free to suggest it in the comments.

In order from #1 (My Brilliant Friend) to 100 (Tree of Smoke)

classic & modern classic literature by women. limiting myself to one book per author. please let me know who i've missed!

YA novels with mental health representation.

A list published in 2024 by the New York Times, as voted on by 503 novelists, poets, critics, and other book lovers—with a little help from the staff of The New York Times Book Review

in which characters (real and fictional) deal with being refugees, exiles, or immigrants, sometimes staying in exile and sometimes journeying back home “if mastering the language is too hard, only be patient; the telegram imploring your return won’t need translation.”

Books read by Prose Before Bros, a book club for women of color in PDX

Non-textbooks to help you see the world like an anthropologist and understand culture a little better

according to the New York Times

I bought a guided reading journal for more grounded reflection and a way to wind down at night (and a cute incentive to take my time with reading and not feel guilty about it). Surprise, the journal has recommendations in the back! I figured I'd share just in case anyone else was interested/had the same journal and wanted a list on here too!