"What Are 5 Uplifting Summer Reads by Black Women That Every Black Woman Should Have on Her List?"

Whether you’re curled up in the shade with a glass of iced tea or traveling light with a tote and a dream, these five books by Black women authors are exactly the kind of summer soul fuel we need.

These stories are layered with healing, joy, sisterhood, and truth. They speak to the richness of our experiences, the resilience in our journey, and the beauty of showing up fully as ourselves. Each book feels like sitting with a wise girlfriend — the kind who sees you, gets you, and reminds you that you are already enough.

Let’s dive into five powerful reads written by us, for us.

1. “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted” by Jayne Allen

This novel is tender, funny, and real. It follows Tabitha Walker, a thirty-something Black woman navigating life, love, and the ticking clock of fertility. What makes this story powerful is how Jayne Allen seamlessly blends personal dreams with cultural expectations and medical realities. It’s modern, heartfelt, and deeply relatable.

Why You'll Love It:

It explores what it means to carry so much while still trying to prioritize joy and self-worth.

2. “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama

This isn’t just a follow-up to “Becoming” — it’s a guide for navigating uncertain seasons with grace and grit. Michelle Obama shares honest reflections about self-doubt, connection, relationships, and identity. It feels more like a conversation than a speech, and it leaves you with tools to stay steady when life gets shaky.

Why You'll Love It:

It’s both practical and soul-nourishing, full of truth, encouragement, and lived wisdom.

3. “Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde

Sometimes we need more than comfort — we need to be stirred. Audre Lorde’s essays and speeches in this collection are as relevant today as ever. She speaks to race, gender, sexuality, and power with clarity and courage. This is not light reading, but it is life-giving and mind-opening.

Why You'll Love It:

It will challenge you to think deeper and speak louder — and remind you of your sacred worth in every space you enter.

4. “What Looks Like Bravery” by Laurel Braitman

This memoir by a mixed-race Black woman tells the story of resilience, loss, and the long road to self-compassion. Laurel writes with rawness and grace about growing up fast, chasing success, and eventually redefining what bravery truly looks like. It’s emotional, powerful, and deeply honest.

Why You'll Love It:

It helps you feel less alone if you’ve ever worn strength as armor and needed space to soften.

5. “You Are Your Best Thing” edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown

This anthology is a rich offering of vulnerability and voice. Black writers, thinkers, and creatives explore the intersection of shame, healing, and joy through personal essays. From everyday experiences to powerful revelations, the voices here are real, raw, and restorative.

Why You'll Love It:

You’ll see yourself reflected, encouraged, and empowered — in ways that stay with you long after you close the book.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t just books. They’re invitations. They remind us that we’re not alone in our questions, our strength, or our softness. They affirm our brilliance, our beauty, and our becoming — at every age, in every season.

So if you're looking to nourish your soul this summer, start here. Let these women’s words hold you, stretch you, and remind you of just how powerful your story really is.

Already read one of these?

Drop your review in the comments — or share what’s on your nightstand this summer. I’d love to keep the list going with your favorite reads.