The Quest to Become a Well-Read Black Woman in 2026

When I first dedicated myself to reading books by Black authors in 2024, I started with pure, unfocused passion. I grabbed the first book on my shelf and just began. That energy led me through tons of nonfiction and historical fiction. But by 2025, my pace slowed down considerably. To be honest, I felt overwhelmed by the political climate. It felt like everything I read in 2024 was lifted off the pages and had become real life. Add to the chaos of the mental and physical changes of menopause, and I think it’s easy to see how overwhelming it had become.

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve given myself time and space to think about my reading goals for 2026. I definitely knew that I wanted to steer clear of the cliche goal of setting a certain number of books to read. For 2026, I wanted a more profound goal for my reading. So, I decided to shift my focus from the number of books read to the types of books that I read.

My new quest is to read across the spectacular spectrum of genres within Black literature. I want to fuel my imagination, enrich my knowledge, and experience the full range of our storytelling—from fantasy to history, horror to poetry.

To make it tangible, I’ve created a personal reading guide: 22 categories for 2026. Here’s my map for my Quest to Become a Well-Read Black Woman in 2026.

My 2026 Reading Guide: 22 Paths Through Black Literature

I’ve broken my plan into four loose groups to give it structure. In some categories, I’ll read one book; in others, like the series or author canon, it will be several that count toward the final tally. The goal is to finish these 32 books by year’s end.

Part 1: Ignite the Imagination (Speculative & Genre Fiction)

Fantasy: Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
Science Fiction: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Dystopian: An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Book Series: Lilith’s Brood (Xenogenesis trilogy) by Octavia Butler

Part 2: Feel the Pulse (Mystery, Thrills & Drama)

5.  Mystery: Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned by Walter Mosley
6.  Thriller: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
7.  Horror: My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
8.  Urban Fiction: Crime Partners by Donald Goines

Part 3: Explore Truth & Reality (Historical, Literary & Non-Fiction)

9. Historical Fiction: Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
10. Literary Fiction: Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
11. Classic: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (a classic of the African Diaspora)
12. History: Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot
13. Nonfiction: Turf Wars by DeMaurice Smith
14. Memoir: Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson
15. Essays: You Don’t Know Us Negroes by Zora Neale Hurston

Part 4: Expand the Form (Romance, Poetry & Shorter Works)

16. Romance: Night Song by Beverly Jenkins
17. LGBTQ+: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
18. Young Adult: The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson
19. Graphic Novel: Destroyer by Victor LaValle
20. Short Stories: A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell
21. Poetry: The Complete Writings of Phillis Wheatley
22. Complete Author Canon: Continuation of Toni Morrison’s Canon with my book club.

This list is more than a checklist. It’s a commitment to explore the depth of the Black literary canon. Each genre offers a different lens on our experiences, our creativity, our fears, and our dreams. By the end of 2026, I won’t just have read more books—I will have listened more broadly the voice of Black History and Black Culture.

I’m sharing this to hold myself accountable and in hopes that it might inspire your own reading journey.

What does being “well-read” mean to you? Is there a genre you’ve been wanting to explore? Share your thoughts or a book that defines a genre for you in the comments!