New book releases by Black authors may 2026
There are so many incredible books by Black authors releasing every month that trying to make a truly exhaustive list would require some kind of funding and a whole team. So instead, think of this as a curated peek into the books that I have been looking forward to . These are releases I’ve personally got my eye on, added to my TBR, preordered, or fully plan to gush about online (staring at you Neena Viel).
From literary fiction to romance, horror, non-fiction, and everything in between, these are the May releases calling my name. If I missed one you’re excited about, absolutely tell me because what is peace when you have a TBR?
(some of these already came out…your girl meant to publish this at the beginning of the month)
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Honey: A Novel
Imani Thompson
A dark, provocative, adrenaline-rush of a novel about a graduate student who murders bad men and justifies it in the name of feminism, by a bold new voice in fiction
pub date 5/5/2026
on witness and respair: essays
Jesmyn Ward
The collected creative nonfiction of a singular American writer, Jesmyn Ward, including widely shared classics, three never-before-published speeches, and an introductory essay.
pub date 5/19/2026
score (Hollywood Renaissance #2)
Kennedy Ryan
A scorching second-chance romance between a talented screenwriter and a phenomenal musician from the New York Times bestselling author of Before I Let Go.
pub date 5/19/2026
Africulture
Michael Carter, Jr.
A bold, timely history illuminating the essential contributions to U.S. agriculture arising from the expertise and innovations of Black men and women.
pub date 5/19/2026
America, U.S.A.
Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.
The New York Times bestselling author of Begin Again confronts America’s unfinished story in this blistering reassessment of race, freedom, and the myths that bind us.
pub date 5/26/2026
I’ll watch your baby
Neena Viel
I’ll Watch Your Baby is a haunting reimagining of Linda Taylor—known as the original Welfare Queen―pursued, scrutinized, celebrated and vilified, and the impact her image has had for generations.
pub date 5/26/2026
Ghalen:
A Romance in Black
Walter Mosley
A beautiful coming-of-age novel that explores love in all forms—romantic, familial, and platonic, centered on one Black family, including a neurodivergent man, and the found bonds that helps ground them.
pub date 5/26/2026
And that’s a wrap for my list of anticipated May 2026 book releases! Are you looking forward to any of these?
