The Best Black Books of 2025 for Adults| Multnomah County LibraryLike this list

15 items

• The Containment

  Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North

  Adams, Michelle, 1963-

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  Adams does a brilliant job illustrating the complex struggle for desegregation in the North. I laughed, I cried, and I came away with a deeper understanding not just of the Bradley v. Milliken case, but of how social change is made. - Isaac H.

• Flip

  Ukazu, Ngozi,

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  Ukazu (Check Please, Bunt) gives us her most personal story yet, with a Nigerian-American scholarship student struggling with her own internalized racism suddenly switching bodies with her white male crush. Funny, insightful and suspenseful. -…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Universality

  a Novel

  Brown, Natasha (Novelist),

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  This short book takes you on a kaleidoscopic journey where you're never quite sure what's actually true--and I couldn't get enough! - Delaney N.

• Dream Count

  a Novel

  Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi, 1977-

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  Adichie’s voice is so full of curiosity, insight and humanity that she grabs me from the very first page. I immediately cared about these four Nigerian women. - Diana A.

• Esperance

  Oyebanji, Adam,

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  If you crave a little police procedural mystery, a little Afro-futuristic thriller, and a whole lot of un-put-downable, this is your next confounding but captivating read. - Emily-Jane D.

• Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes

  a Mystery

  Jackson-Opoku, Sandra,

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  For those who like their mysteries cozy but not sappy, and culinary but not corny. Soul food restaurateur and caterer Savvy Summers is just trying to mind her own business, but folks keep dying in the vicinity of her famous sweet potato pie.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Can't Get Enough

  Ryan, Kennedy,

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  A little drama, a little spice, Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong. - Lana S.

• Original Sins

  the (mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism

  Ewing, Eve L.,

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  This is the best history book I’ve read in years! Vitally important for anyone trying to make sense of the state of our country. - Alison H.

• Loved One

  a Novel

  Muharrar, Aisha,

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  I loved this debut novel! Aisha Muharrar has written for some of your favorite shows, like Hacks, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place. - Alison H.

• Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert

  a Novel

  Bob, the Drag Queen, 1986-

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  Completely original historical fiction! This book is well researched and written with a lot of love and respect. - Alison H.

• Pure Innocent Fun

  Essays

  Madison, Ira, III,

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  Capturing the essence of growing up as an outsider during a pop culture boom time, these essays had me laughing, reflecting, and going down Wikipedia rabbit holes. - Matt S.

• One Way Witch

  Okorafor, Nnedi,

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  Vivid visions of a post-apocalyptic Africa full of powerful sorcery. I was pulled right in by the writing and the strong-willed character of Najeeba. Part of a series - read the others first. - Erika B.

• These Heathens

  a Novel

  McKenzie, Mia,

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  A funny coming of age story that touches on reproductive rights, the Black queer community, and the importance of community care. - Jasmyne G.-C.

• Cat's People

  a Novel

  Guerrero, Tanya,

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  Do you love cats? Do you love real people and real tenderness? If you're feeling hopeless this book has a storyline for you. - Sarah M.

• Best Books of 2025, chosen by Multnomah County Library staff

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  There's something for everyone in our lists for preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults.Explore Multnomah County Library. New titles, recently rated, and recently tagged by the library community.