Recs if you like Memphis...

Fictional stories about families spanning across multiple generations. Books that focus on the life of a matriarch or patriarch (roots) and continue along their blood lines (branches) in an epic tale. Please feel free to recommend any fictional stories that fit within this description.

Literary and contemporary fiction with Black FMCs that will make your heart break into a million pieces and then knit itself back together (hopefully). Specifically wanted to curate books that all also come with tough topics and hefty doses of warnings for major possible triggers. Check the comments for specific warnings tagged to individual books (mostly major stuff, recommend doing some research before diving in if there are other things you don't want to read about no matter how minor).

In honor of International Women’s Day here are books written by women, for women, about women. From rebellion to resilience, sisterhood to survival and family to friendships.

The list is a mix of books I’ve read and books that are on my TBR. I’ll be adding to the list as and when I read or find a book I think fits.

2019-2026

A place to see all books included in The Audacious Book Club run by Roxane Gay.

I’m not affiliated at all. I just enjoy these recommendations and wanted one place to see them all here on Pagebound.

Check out audacity.substack.com for more info! They do book discussions for the current month.

All books shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize (2022-2026)

This is a list of books for the Read The States Challenge. Read any on each of the state lists and be awarded the pride of knowing you have read all across the US!

Books that are set in each of the 50 states.

by the beach or on the lake, seasonally summer reads

Books that make you hotter and fill you with righteous feminine power

Some recommendations

These books are chosen for “Read with Jenna” by Jenna Bush Hager.

Latest book added: September 2026

by jenna bush hager