Have you ever read a book by an author and been so blown away you couldn’t formulate words? Then you immediately purchase four more of their books? And then you make a list of every single piece they’ve written so you can start a collection? And perhaps you started clearing out part of your bookshelf so it could become dedicated to that author?
That was me after reading James Baldwin books. If you’ve listened to our episode on Another Country, you know I came across Baldwin last spring while watching a Columbia University lecture on YouTube. As soon as we recorded the episode, I ordered those four additional James Baldwin books.
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Top 5 Must-read James Baldwin Books
I’m recommending the most life-changing books in the order I read/am going to read them, so you can compare notes with me and see if the journey unfolds the same way. Stay tuned for even more thoughts on the blog in the months to come.
This novel tackles sexuality, race, art, and more from neighbourhoods in New York City all the way to France. For my first ever James Baldwin book, it hit me in the heart and it hit hard. Baldwin’s ease with writing made the cities come alive in the most haunting way. I do not write or make marks in novels and I do not reread books but this book broke both of those rules.
I haven’t read this one yet but it is next on the list. Set in Paris in the 1950s, a young man has to sort out his desires and the mystery that is love. Giovanni’s Room is on top of the TBR pile because it delves into the true complexity of the human heart.
This is a collection of Baldwin’s essays and you know I love an essay collection. Speaking to the civil rights movement and race in America, The Fire Next Time is ever current in its subject matter. Racial injustice flows through most of Baldwin’s work and continues to be at the forefront of the world we live in right now.
Notes of a Native Son is another collection of essays that you can take as an introduction to Baldwin and his work. The essays were written in the 1940s and 1950s while he was in his early twenties. Baldwin weaves a complex story about what being Black in America means. I haven’t read this yet but look forward to reading essay by essay, savouring them slowly.
The novel follows nineteen year old Tish and the love of her life, Fonny, who is falsely imprisoned. Tish is pregnant. Her family is excited. Fonny’s mother is not. Between the cop that had it out for Fonny and a prison system that hasn’t changed, this story reads as if it was written this year. Baldwin’s raw and telling portrayal pulls you in with a truly sweet love story. But, he doesn’t gloss over the reality that these characters live in. If you want more of this story, watch Barry Jenkins’ 2018 film of the same name and listen to our episode comparing the two.
Baldwin’s first novel is semi-autobiographical, telling the story of a teenager in Harlem whose stepfather is a minister. It deals with spirituality, sexuality, and self-invention. I’m saving this one until I have more of Baldwin’s writing under my belt. With each story I read, his writing fills me with more inspiration and I know this will be no different.
Round out Your Reading with Two Bonus Book Recommendations
I do want to mention two bonus reads that I think will add to the Baldwin experience. The first is Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. Glaude Jr. blends interviews with Baldwin and the history of the civil rights movement into our current world and the Black Lives Matter movement. Baldwin’s writings are decades old but are ever relevant.
The other is The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. Jones Jr. goes by @TheSonOfBaldwin on Instagram and there’s a reason for that. His debut novel has been compared to the words of Baldwin and Toni Morrison. It follows two enslaved men on a Deep South plantation, the love they find in each other, and how that is threatened by betrayal. Highly anticipated and all over Bookstagram, you’re going to want to read this as soon as possible.
Continue the James Baldwin Book Challenge with Us
Did you catch that my list of five was actually a list of six? I couldn’t help it. I would include every single thing he’s written if I could but I truly believe these six are the must-reads and I will leave the rest up to you to discover. We’ve made a challenge over on The Storygraph so you can track your progress and read along with us.
Be sure to let us know in the comments what your favourite James Baldwin book is and what author swept you up in their writing like Baldwin did for us.
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