The Matchmakers team celebrates the heritage and contributions of Black Americans by focusing on fiction titles that further our understanding of these experiences. Here are some suggested novels, written by African-American writers that explore the lives of African-American people.
The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard: This historical fiction novel is set in the first half of the twentieth century and invites readers to consider how Black Americans are depicted in popular culture.
The Peach Seed by Anita Gail Jones: Set in contemporary Georgia, this family-focused novel is about heritage and finding connection.
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann: This flirty romance novel is a light-hearted take on the fake relationship trope and where it can lead.
Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee: Set in contemporary Boston with flashbacks to the narrator’s childhood, this novel is about living with the 
consequences of our choices and working to become the best version of ourselves.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: Historical fiction set in the early twentieth century, the story focuses on one Black neighborhood in a small Pennsylvania city.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul: A dual-timeline plot split between North Carolina in the 1930s and 40s and Bel Air, California in 2017, this family saga is about secrets and identity.
A Right Worthy Woman by Ruth P. Watson: A fictionalized version of the life of Maggie Lena Walker, a Black woman entrepreneur who lifted up her community and revolutionized life for her neighbors in Richmond, Virginia in the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th.
Happy Reading!
