If you enjoy reading books by Ayana Mathis then you might also like the following authors:
Jesmyn Ward writes with a deep sense of place and emotion. Her novel “Salvage the Bones” centers on a poor family in Mississippi as they prepare for Hurricane Katrina.
The story follows Esch, a fourteen-year-old girl who discovers she’s pregnant while dealing with the struggles of her family’s daily life. The bond between Esch and her brothers stands out, especially their care for a pit bull named China.
The book captures the fierce love and hardships that shape their lives.
Toni Morrison is an iconic author known for stories rooted in African American experiences, culture, and history. One of her most celebrated books, “Song of Solomon,” follows a man named Milkman Dead as he unravels the secrets of his family’s past.
Milkman’s journey takes him through tales of love, betrayal, and the search for identity. The book weaves themes of community and ancestry with vivid, unforgettable characters and moments.
Morrison’s writing deeply explores how history shapes identity, making her a writer well worth exploring.
Brit Bennett is a novelist known for writing about family, identity, and secrets. Her book, “The Vanishing Half,” explores the lives of twin sisters who grow up in a small, Black community in the South.
As adults, one of them decides to pass as white, building a life that hides her past, while the other stays connected to their roots. The story follows their choices and how those choices affect their daughters in unexpected ways.
Zora Neale Hurston was a writer whose work often explored the lives and struggles of Black communities in the American South. One of her most well-known books, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” follows Janie Crawford as she searches for love and independence.
The story takes readers through her relationships, dreams, and moments of loss.
Whether it’s her brief time with her first husband, a man chosen by her grandmother, or her fiery connection with Tea Cake, who brings both joy and uncertainty into her life, Janie’s journey feels deeply personal and unforgettable.
Hurston’s storytelling captures the atmosphere of the South with a rare sense of intimacy.
Jacqueline Woodson writes stories that feel deeply personal and honest. Her book “Another Brooklyn” follows August, a woman remembering her adolescence in 1970s Brooklyn after returning for her father’s funeral.
The story captures the bonds of friendship between four girls, their dreams, and the way life shapes and changes them. Woodson’s writing is quietly powerful, giving glimpses of both joy and pain without overexplaining.
August reflects on moments that stay with her for years, showing how the past lingers in unexpected ways.
Edward P. Jones is an author known for crafting stories that focus on African American lives, often set against the backdrop of history. His novel, “The Known World,” tells the story of Henry Townsend, a former slave who becomes a slaveowner in Virginia before the Civil War.
The book explores how this unusual situation affects Henry, his family, and the wider community. The story pulls together characters from different walks of life, showing how their lives connect in unexpected ways.
It’s a thought-provoking look at freedom, power, and the choices people make that leave lasting consequences.
Yaa Gyasi is an author whose work explores family, history, and identity in powerful ways. Her novel “Homegoing” tells the story of two half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana. One is married off to an Englishman, while the other is sold into slavery.
The book then follows their descendants, showing how the choices and struggles of each generation impact the next. With vivid characters and heartfelt storytelling, it’s a book that leaves a lasting impression.
Rachel Kadish is a writer known for weaving history and personal stories in a way that feels deeply human. Her novel, “The Weight of Ink,” is about a historian named Helen and a blind grad student named Aaron who uncover mysterious 17th-century documents in London.
The papers are written by a Jewish woman who worked as a scribe for a rabbi, which was something unheard of at the time. As they piece together her life, they uncover secrets and challenges that echo through the centuries.
The story toggles between the present-day scholars and the woman from the past, showing how lives can connect across time through bravery and intellect.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer known for creating vivid characters and exploring themes of identity and family. One of her standout novels is “Half of a Yellow Sun,” which follows the lives of three people during the Nigerian Civil War.
There’s Olanna, a young woman from a wealthy family, her partner Odenigbo, and Ugwu, their houseboy. Through their relationships, the book brings the personal cost of the war to life. It’s a story filled with love, betrayal, and survival during a turbulent time in history.
James McBride is an author with a real knack for creating characters that feel alive on every page.
One of his standout books is “The Good Lord Bird,” which tells the story of a young boy named Henry, nicknamed Onion, who gets mistaken for a girl and joins abolitionist John Brown’s crusade against slavery.
The story is told from Onion’s perspective, giving a unique, sometimes humorous view of the events leading up to Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry. McBride mixes historical figures with fictional elements, bringing those turbulent times into sharp focus.
Fans of Ayana Mathis might enjoy how McBride explores deep, emotional themes through unforgettable voices.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an author whose writing often explores themes of family, identity, and history. His book, “The Water Dancer,” tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery who discovers he has a mysterious power tied to memory and storytelling.
The novel follows his journey as he searches for freedom and learns about the strength of his ancestors. Coates weaves personal struggles with the larger fight for liberation, creating a vivid world filled with moments of resilience and hope.
Colson Whitehead is an author known for weaving powerful stories that explore history and humanity in unforgettable ways. In his book “The Nickel Boys,” he follows the story of two boys sent to a brutal reform school in Florida during the Jim Crow era.
The school turns out to be a place of cruelty and corruption, leaving its mark on everyone trapped there. The book focuses on the friendship between Elwood, an idealistic boy inspired by Dr. King, and Turner, who takes a more cynical view of the world.
Their bond is tested as they navigate the horrors around them, shining a light on a dark chapter of history.
Gloria Naylor was an incredible storyteller who created rich, vibrant communities in her novels. In her book “The Women of Brewster Place,” she weaves together the lives of seven women who live in a crumbling housing complex.
Each character faces struggles with love, loss, or survival, but their strength and spirit shine through. For example, there’s Mattie Michael, a woman whose life takes unexpected turns because of her devotion to her son.
The way these women find connections and hope in the face of hardship makes the story unforgettable.
Alice Walker is a writer who creates deep, heartfelt stories about family, identity, and resilience. Her book “The Color Purple” tells the life story of Celie, a young Black woman in the early 1900s who faces abuse, separation, and injustice.
Through letters she writes to God and later to her sister, you see how she grows stronger, finds love in unexpected places, and reclaims her self-worth. The book also brings in other fascinating characters, like Shug Avery, a blues singer who helps Celie rediscover her voice.
Walker weaves a narrative that’s honest and full of emotion, focusing on personal growth and the bonds that keep people connected.
Danzy Senna is a storyteller who often explores themes of race, identity, and family. Her novel “Caucasia” follows Birdie, a mixed-race girl growing up in 1970s Boston. After her parents’ separation, Birdie stays with her white mother and must pass as white to survive.
The story looks at how Birdie navigates her dual heritage and what it means to belong. It’s a powerful look at what family and identity can mean when you’re split between two worlds.