Let’s Celebrate: I Hit 100 Books Read For The Free Black Women’s Library Challenge

Hey Y’all! So for those who have been reading this blog for a while or had been following me for a while on social media (and if you haven’t now you will), know that I have been participating in the Free Black Women’s Library Challenge for several years. If you aren’t aware of it, every year, they set a number of books to aspire to read by Black Women & Non-Binary Authors and they provide a list of suggested genres, if you want to look at last years list, here is the link. TFBWL Reading Challenge is honestly the only one that I actually take part in and keep track of as I really aim to prioritize Black Authors, especially Women & Non-Binary, in my reading.

Last year, I read 80 books that fit this criteria, which was at least 5-10 books more than the previous year (I can’t remember the previous year’s total). My goal is always to read the same amount of books but really to surpass the previous year. I’m super excited that I have hit 100 books varying from Middle grade to Adult and range from contemporary to fantasy (clearly because now this post exists)! I also like to go into the new year reading a book by a Black Woman so that I’m keeping in line with my intention to keep up with this challenge.

Since I was so very excited about hitting this major milestone, I figured that I would share the list of books read thus far (I have more in my TBR to read that WILL get read but I’m not setting an end goal as I like going with the flow). I’ll share if they are adult, new adult, young adult or middle grade; the format I read it in and if there is a Blog post about it, I will link it!

1. Along For The Ride by Mimi Grace E-Book *adult*
2. Required Reading For The Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen Lee E-ARC *NA*
3. Asking For A Friend by Andi Osho ARC *adult*
4. Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen E-ARC *adult*
5. Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow E-ARC *adult*
6. Black Love Matters edited by Jessica C. Pryde E-ARC *adult*
7. The Great Mrs. Elias by Barbara Chase-Riboud ARC *adult*
8. You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen E-ARC *YA*
9. Shuri: Symbiosis by Nic Stone Print book *MG*
10. A Comb Of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow ARC *MG*
11. Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys E-ARC *YA*
12. The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra E-ARC *YA*
13. Turning by Joy L. Smith ARC *YA*
14. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye ARC *YA*
15. When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo E-ARC *adult*
16. Working Through It by Kasha Thompson E-ARC *adult*
17. Saavy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell by Taj McCoy ARC *adult*
18. Sir Fig Newton And The Science Of Persistence by Sonja Thomas E-ARC *MG*
19. A Walk In The Park by Rebekah Weatherspoon Audio-Novella *adult*
20. You Are More Than Magic by Minda Harts E-ARC *YA*
21. The Perfect Play by G.S. Carr Audio-Novella *adult*
22. Sun Of A Beach by Mia Sosa Audio-Novella *adult*
23. Nothing Burns As Bright As You by Ashley Woodfolk E-ARC *YA*
24. The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport ARC *NA*
25. Business Not As Usual by Sharon C. Cooper E-ARC *adult*
26. The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa E-Book *adult*
27. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa E-ARC *adult*
28. What A Match by Mimi Grace E-ARC *adult*
29. Hope And Glory by Jendella Benson ARC *adult*
30. Half Light by Tayari Jones Audio-Novella *adult*
31. In The Key Of Us by Mariama J. Lockington E-ARC *MG*
32. The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton E-ARC *MG*
33. By The Book by Jasmine Guillory E-ARC *adult*
34. Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney ARC *YA*
35. Rise Up, Burn Down by Vincent Tiredo E-ARC *YA*
36. The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole Audiobook *adult*
37. If I Don’t Have You by Sareeta Domingo Audiobook *adult*
38. Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas ARC *MG*
39. Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney Audiobook *YA*
40. Cafe Con Lychee by Emery Lee ARC *YA*
41. Should’ve Been by Alexandria House Audio-Novella *adult*
42. All I Want For Christmas by Michelle Stimpson Audio-Novella *adult*
43. Temper Me by Alexandria House Audiobook *adult*
44. Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle E-ARC *YA*
45. Finding Jupiter by Kelis Rowe E-ARC *YA*
46. All Signs Point To Yes Edited by G. haron Davis, Cam Montgomery & Adrienne White E-ARC *YA*
47. Deep In Providence by Riss M. Neilson E-ARC *YA*
48. The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna E-ARC *YA*
49. Touch Me by Alexandria House Audiobook *adult*
50. Hazel And Gray by Nic Stone Audio-Novella *YA*
51. Before Her by Jacqueline Woodson Audio-Novella/Short *adult*
52. Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest E-ARC *YA*
53. Love Again by Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm Audiobook *adult*
54. The Signs And Wonders Of Tuna Rashad by Natasha Deen E-ARC *YA*
55. Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang E-ARC *MG*
56. Off Script by Ashley Marie E-ARC *adult*
57. Thank You, Next by Andie J. Christopher E-ARC *adult*
58. Teach Me by Alexandria House Audiobook *adult*
59. Onyeka And The Academy Of The Sun by Tola Okogwa E-ARC *MG*
60. This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron ARC *YA*
61. Fake It Till You Back It by Jamie Wesley E-ARC *adult*
62. On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi E-ARC *NA*
63. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi E-ARC *adult*
64. Good Morning, Love by Ashley M. Coleman E-ARC *adult*
65. American Royalty by Tracey Livesay E-ARC *adult*
66. The Black Girls Left Standing by Juliana Goodman E-ARC *YA*
67. Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola ARC *NA*
68. Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser & Robyn Smith E-ARC *adult*
69. Be Real, Macy Weaver by Lakita Wilson E-ARC *MG*
70. Symona’s Still Single by Lisa Bent Audiobook *adult*
71. Graceful Burdens by Roxane Gay Audio-Novella/Short *adult*
72. Sister Mother Warrior by Vanessa Riley ARC *adult*
73. Lila by Naima Coster Audio-Novella/Short *adult*
74. Can’t Resist Her by Kianna Alexander E-ARC *adult*
75. The Accidental Pin-Up by Danielle Jackson E-ARC *adult*
76. Love In Color by Bolu Babalola Audiobook *NA*
77. Have We Met by Camille Baker Audiobook *adult*
78. The Moment We Met by Camille Baker Audiobook *adult*
79. Twice As Perfect by Louise Onome E-ARC *YA*
80. Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke ARC *YA*
81. Nobody’s Princess by Erica Ridley E-ARC *adult*
82. Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson E-book *adult*
83. Knot Again by Kwana Jackson E-ARC *adult*
84. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon E-Book *Adult*
85. The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon E-Book *adult*
86. The Hook-Up Plan by Farrah Rochon E-ARC *adult*
87. Office Hours by Katrina Jackson Audiobook *adult*
88. Mademoiselle Revolution by Zoe Sivak E-ARC *adult*
89. Almost There by Farrah Rochon ALC *YA*
90. Seton Girls by Charlene Thomas E-ARC *YA*
91. A Taste Of Magic by J.Elle E-ARC *YA*
92. Serwah Boeting’s Guide To Vampire Hunting by Roseanne Brown E-ARC *MG*
93. The Weight Of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson ARC *YA*
94. The Rules Of Engagement by Selena Montgomery E-ARC *adult*
95. The Two Lives Of Sara by Catherine Adel West ARC *adult*
96. To Win A Prince by Toni Shiloh E-ARC *adult*
97. Vanessa Jared’s Got A Man by LaQuette ARC *adult*
98. Drunk On Love by Jasmine Guillory E-ARC *adult*
99. Rust In The Root by Justina Ireland ARC *YA*
100. Eternally Yours Edited By Patrice Caldwell E-ARC *YA*
101. We Are The Scribes by Randi Pink ALC *YA*

Okay so I read a little over 100 books (including one reread in a different format). I got really into adult romance along with audiobooks, and if they are both, even better! I even read some adult fiction (that shocked me as well)! I’ve really branched out with my reading and I think it is, in part, due to this challenge! If you are wondering how to get into it, just start documenting your books and when you post, use their hashtags that are in the link I posted earlier in the post! If you aren’t following them on social media, I would highly recommend to: IG @thefreeblackwomenslibrary and facebook.

Are you apart of a challenge like this one? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments here or on social media on Instagram @bookishgirlmagic, Twitter @bookishgrlmagic and Clubhouse @bookishgrlmagic where you can find me mostly in book centered clubs/rooms (primarily on Tuesdays and Fridays). Also please subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already because it makes me feel like I’ve read over 100 books by Black Women & Non-Binary Authors! Until the next post, I’m sending y’all bookish love and wishing happy reading!