If you enjoy reading books by Nathan Harris then you might also like the following authors:
Colson Whitehead is an author known for telling powerful stories that dig into history and human struggles. In his book “The Underground Railroad,” he reimagines the network that helped enslaved people escape by turning it into an actual underground train system.
The story follows Cora, a young woman seeking freedom, as she encounters danger and heartbreak at every stop. Whitehead’s writing brings the past to life, making each moment personal and vivid.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a celebrated writer known for exploring themes of race, history, and identity in his works. His novel “The Water Dancer” tells the story of Hiram Walker, a man born into slavery with a mysterious power tied to his memories.
After experiencing a near-death event, Hiram becomes involved in a secret network working to free the enslaved. The story weaves together history and a touch of magic, bringing out the struggles and resilience of its characters.
It’s a richly told tale with powerful moments, making it stand out among similar works.
Jesmyn Ward is an author known for stories that explore themes of family, resilience, and the ties that bind people to their land. Her book “Salvage the Bones” follows a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to a hurricane.
At the heart of the story is Esch, a teenage girl who discovers she’s pregnant while trying to care for her brothers. The storm that approaches mirrors the chaos in their lives, as they struggle to prepare with what little they have.
Ward’s writing captures their world with sharp clarity, drawing you into their struggles and moments of love.
Yaa Gyasi is an author who tells powerful, character-driven stories with deep emotional impact. Her novel, “Homegoing,” traces the lives of two half-sisters from Ghana and their descendants over 300 years.
One sister is taken to America and sold into slavery, while the other remains in Ghana. The story moves through generations, showing how history shapes each family’s path.
A memorable part explores the life of H, a man who is arrested on false charges and forced into backbreaking labor, shedding light on the hidden scars of post-slavery America. Gyasi’s ability to connect personal stories to larger historical events makes her work unforgettable.
Toni Morrison wrote stories that explore deep emotions and human connections, often set within African American communities. Her book, “Beloved,” tells the story of Sethe, a woman who escaped slavery but is haunted by a past she cannot leave behind.
The novel introduces a mysterious young woman who arrives at Sethe’s home, claiming the name “Beloved.” The story weaves together memories of Sethe’s life and the unsettling presence of this stranger.
It’s powerful, unforgettable, and filled with moments that stay with you long after you’ve finished.
James McBride is an author who brings heartfelt and vivid storytelling to his work. One of his books, “The Good Lord Bird,” focuses on a young boy named Henry Shackleford, who gets caught up in the dangerous world of John Brown, the famous abolitionist.
Disguised as a girl for his safety, Henry finds himself part of Brown’s missions, including the raid on Harpers Ferry. The book blends humor with history, showing larger-than-life characters in a way that feels personal.
Readers get a close view of the chaos and courage during this turbulent time in America.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author whose stories explore complex relationships and cultural identities. Her novel “Half of a Yellow Sun” is set during the Nigerian Civil War.
It follows the lives of three characters: a young houseboy, a university professor, and a British expatriate. Their lives connect through love, betrayal, and survival as the war disrupts everything around them.
Adichie’s writing paints vivid human experiences and shows how personal lives are shaped by larger historical events.
Bernice L. McFadden is an author known for exploring deep themes through rich characters and evocative settings. In her novel “Sugar,” she tells the story of Sugar Lacey, a mysterious and glamorous woman who moves to a small Southern town in the 1950s.
Her arrival shakes the community, especially her neighbor Pearl, who is still grieving the loss of her daughter. Sugar and Pearl develop a complex bond, though not without judgment and whispers from others.
The book blends heartbreak and unexpected friendship while pulling readers into the tension of small-town life and its secrets.
Edward P. Jones is an author known for his rich storytelling and memorable characters. His novel, “The Known World,” explores the lives of Black slaveholders in the antebellum South. It centers on Henry Townsend, a former slave who becomes a landowner and owns slaves himself.
The story reveals the complex relationships and moral struggles of the people living in his community. With its vivid details and layered narrative, the book creates a picture of a world that feels both distant and hauntingly real.
Zora Neale Hurston was a writer who brought vibrant stories to life, capturing the essence of the Black experience in the early 20th century.
One of her most celebrated works, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” follows Janie Crawford as she reflects on her life, her marriages, and her search for independence.
The story takes readers through her journey in Florida, her struggles with love, and her inner strength as she learns who she truly is. The novel paints vivid scenes of community life, exploring themes of identity and resilience.
Alice Walker is an author known for her powerful storytelling and deep exploration of human relationships. Her novel “The Color Purple” tells the story of Celie, an African American woman who faces abuse and hardship in the early 20th century South.
Through letters she writes to God and later to her sister, you see how she grows stronger and begins to find her voice. The book dives into themes of resilience and connection, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who reads it.
Walker’s vivid characters and emotional depth might appeal to readers who enjoy Nathan Harris’s work.
Isabel Wilkerson is an author known for her ability to bring history to life through vivid storytelling and sharp detail.
Her book, “The Warmth of Other Suns,” tells the story of the Great Migration, when millions of Black Americans left the South in search of better opportunities in the North and West.
She traces the journeys of three individuals, each chasing freedom and hope in a country filled with barriers. Through their lives, the book paints a powerful picture of resilience and the deep impact of systemic injustice across generations.
Wilkerson’s writing stays grounded in humanity, making the past feel immediate and real.
Sue Monk Kidd writes stories that explore human connections and personal transformation. Her novel “The Secret Life of Bees” is about a young girl named Lily Owens, who runs away from her troubled home in 1960s South Carolina.
She ends up staying with three kind beekeeping sisters who teach her about love, forgiveness, and courage. The book weaves moments of personal healing with a powerful backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement.
If you enjoyed Nathan Harris, you might find Sue Monk Kidd’s writing equally engaging.
Robert Jones Jr. is the author of “The Prophets,” a novel that explores the forbidden love between two enslaved men, Isaiah and Samuel, on a plantation in the antebellum South. The story brings out the quiet bond they share in a world determined to crush them.
Trouble brews when one of the enslaved begins preaching and puts their relationship at risk, setting off a chain of events that touches every life on the plantation. The book examines faith, betrayal, and the power of love in the harshest of conditions.
Clint Smith is a writer whose work deeply explores history, memory, and their impact on people’s lives. His book, “How the Word Is Passed,” is a thoughtful journey through American landmarks that are tied to the history of slavery.
He visits places like Monticello and Angola Prison, highlighting how each space tells its own story about the past. Through these visits, Smith uncovers personal narratives and the ways people remember, or try to forget, this history.
His writing brings these experiences to life in a way that’s both personal and powerful.