On Twitter and Instagram, @melanatedreader challenged people to read 20 books by Black women in 2022. She collaborated with @danzibooks to create a cute little template to keep track. I readily and easily accepted. I kinda cheated. Memoirs and books written by Black women have a gravitational pull on me. Of the 47 books I completed in 2022, 32 were by Black women. I did not love them all, but I was roped in enough to keep reading and not banish them to a DNF (did not finish) status.

Thank goodness, years ago I stopped being a book snob and opened up to ebooks, audiobooks and YA novels, all of which make appearances on the list. Fiction, self-help, LGBTQ, romance. I joined a read-along hosted by @cultivatedreads to get out of my comfort zone and complete my first sci-fi in years. I was partly motivated to be prepared to binge-watch the upcoming series adaptation. Also out of my comfort zone: the sole book of poetry on the list. I rarely read series, but there were 3 sets. Several authors make repeat appearances not only on this year’s list, but in general. Most of the books are traditionally published, but I’m getting better with finding and supporting indie writers.

Without further ado…

What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster

Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

Go Deep by Rilzy Adams

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Deeper by Rilzy Adams

Surrender by Rilzy Adams

Breathe Again by J. Chary

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

Business Not as Usual by Sharon C. Cooper

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne

Black Girl Call Home by Jasmine Mans

Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

Feeding the Soul by Tabitha by Tabitha Brown

Shut Up and Dance by Tanzania Glover

Finding Me by Viola Davis

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen

Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen

How is this My Life: Confessions of a Sane Single Woman by J.R. Mason

Soulmate Setbacks: Confessions II by J.R. Mason

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

Walking in My Joy in These Streets by Jenifer Lewis

Bookmarked by Bella Jay

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Holidaze by Bella Jay

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

The Toxic Job Playbook by Winifred Summer

I inconsistent with my write-ups, but click here to access the page of those I did do. I’ll try to be better!