11 Must-Read Books by Caribbean Authors This Month

In the United States, June marks National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, a celebration of the profound contributions made by individuals of Caribbean heritage. Their influence spans various domains, particularly literature. To help you broaden your reading horizons this summer, we’ve curated a list of 11 compelling books by Caribbean authors available for purchase now.

1. Simone Breaks All the Rules // Debbie Rigaud; $16

Scholastic Press/Amazon

Simone Thibodeaux's journey is one that resonates deeply with many Haitian-American girls. Teaming up with her friends, she crafts a senior year bucket list designed to challenge her overprotective parents' strict rules. However, as her plans unfold, chaos ensues. Will she attend prom with the ideal Haitian boy her parents favor, or will she follow her heart and choose the boy they’d never accept?

2. How to Escape from a Leper Colony // Tiphanie Yanique; $15

Graywolf Press/Amazon

How to Escape from a Leper Colony is a captivating anthology of eight short stories set in the U.S. Virgin Islands. These tales explore complex themes like race, family, gender, and sexuality, blending realism with a hint of magical surrealism. Tiphanie Yanique’s innovative narrative style breathes life into these stories, leaving readers reflecting on their own perspectives.

3. Her Body and Other Parties // Carmen Maria Machado; $14

Graywolf Press/Amazon

Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties masterfully employs magical realism to tackle complex discussions about gender. From reimagining Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

episodes with a surreal flair to weaving tales of eerie prom dresses, the collection keeps readers captivated. Recognized for its brilliance, the book won Machado a Shirley Jackson Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction.

4. Never Look Back // Lilliam Rivera; $17

Bloomsbury/Amazon

This modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth is set in the Bronx, making the ancient tale relatable to contemporary audiences. The story centers on Eury, a Puerto Rican teen displaced by Hurricane Maria, and Pheus, a talented bachata singer. As their romance blossoms, they must confront whether their love can withstand the trials ahead, echoing the timeless struggles of the original myth.

5. Afterlife // Julia Alvarez; $14

Algonquin Books/Amazon

Shortly after retiring, Antonia Vega faces the unexpected death of her husband, Sam. Her world is further upended when her sister goes missing, and an undocumented, pregnant teen arrives at her doorstep. Afterlife, Julia Alvarez’s first adult fiction novel in 14 years, was named one of TIME's must-read books of 2020.

6. Instructions for Dancing // Nicola Yoon; $17

Delacorte Press/Amazon

Ideal for readers who loved Nicola Yoon’s The Sun is Also a Star, Instructions for Dancing follows Evie Thomas, who loses faith in love after experiencing visions of future heartbreak whenever she witnesses couples kissing. Her perspective shifts when she encounters X, an Afro-Brazilian boy, at La Brea Dance Studio. As they prepare for a ballroom competition, Evie begins to question whether love might be worth the inevitable pain.

7. Sure, I'll be your Black Friend // Ben Philippe; $13

Harper Perennial/Amazon

While Ben Philippe is known for YA novels like The Field Guide to the North American Teenager, his latest nonfiction essay collection targets adult readers. Through witty and insightful narratives, Philippe shares his experiences as a Haitian Canadian living in the U.S. and teaching at Columbia University. His sharp humor invites laughter while prompting reflection on the role of race and ethnicity in everyday life.

8. History is All you Left Me // Adam Silvera; $10

Soho Teen/Amazon

In Adam Silvera’s History Is All You Left Me, Griffin struggles to accept that his first love, Theo, has moved on after relocating to California for college and starting a relationship with Jackson. When Theo tragically drowns, Griffin is forced to confront his grief, finding an unexpected connection with the very person Theo chose over him.

9. Honorary White // E. R. Braithwaite; $17

Open Road Media/Amazon

Guyanese author E.R. Braithwaite, best known for his autobiographical To Sir, With Love from 1959, later served as Guyana’s UN representative and ambassador to Venezuela in the late 1960s. His 1975 work, Honorary White, documents the horrors he observed during his six-week experience as an “Honorary White” in apartheid-era South Africa.

10. What's Mine and Yours // Naima Coster; $17

Grand Central Publishing/Amazon

Dominican-American author Naima Coster’s historical-fiction novel explores the long-term impact of integration on two families over two decades. The story revolves around Gee, a thoughtful Black boy, and Noella, a biracial Latina and white girl, who come together through a school play designed to unite their diverse student body. Their lives become deeply intertwined, shaped by the actions and choices of their mothers.

11. Providential // Colin Channer; $16

Akashic Books/Amazon

Colin Channer’s Providential delves into Jamaica’s transformation post-decolonization through the lens of a local policeman. Drawing from his own background as the son of a Jamaican officer, Channer offers a deeply personal and insightful portrayal of the tensions between law enforcement and the community.