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BLK Bestsellers List — April 2025

America’s Bestselling Books by Black Writers and Illustrators

Adult Nonfiction (Hardcover) — April 2025
#1
Months on List: 6
by Malcolm Gladwell
Little, Brown And Company (October 1, 2024), Hardcover
Malcolm Gladwell revisits the concept of social epidemics, exploring how modern attempts to manipulate tipping points shape society in both beneficial and unintended ways.
#2
Months on List: 15
by Michael Harriot
Dey Street Books (September 19, 2023), Hardcover
Harriot humorously yet critically challenges the dominant white narrative of American history, providing a fresh perspective through the overlooked experiences of Black Americans across significant events.
#3
Months on List: 2
by Will Packer
Harmony (February 18, 2025), Hardcover
A Hollywood producer shares candid stories and actionable advice drawn from his journey in the film industry to help readers build unshakable confidence and pursue success on their own terms.
#4
Months on List: 5
by Keke Palmer
Flatiron Books (November 19, 2024), Hardcover
An entertainer and new mother shares her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and reclaiming personal power through candid reflections on identity, boundaries, and navigating life’s unexpected turns.
#5
Months on List: 10
by Fawn Weaver
Melcher Media Inc (June 18, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>Love & Whiskey,</em> bestselling author Fawn Weaver embarks on a personal journey to unravel and immortalize the untold story of Nearest Green, the African American distiller behind the iconic Jack Daniel's whiskey, seamlessly blending historical investigation with a tribute to enduring friendship and unseen contributions to America's cultural and whiskey heritage.
#6
Months on List: 9
by Sarah Jakes Roberts
Thomas Nelson (April 30, 2024), Hardcover
<em>Power Moves</em> is a transformative guide that empowers individuals to find their authentic selves, relinquish societal expectations, and harness their inner power through faith and continuous growth, ultimately inspiring them to effect change in the world confidently.
#7
Months on List: 11
by Arthur C. Brooks And Oprah Winfrey
Portfolio (September 12, 2023), Hardcover
This book invites readers on a journey toward greater happiness, providing tools of emotional self-management and practical ways to cultivate the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith, regardless of circumstances.
#8
Months on List: 3
by Imani Perry
Ecco Press (January 28, 2025), Hardcover
Blending personal reflection with cultural history, this exploration traces the emotional and symbolic power of the color blue as it weaves through the experiences, art, and identity of Black life.
#9
Months on List: 2
by Eve L. Ewing
One World (February 11, 2025), Hardcover
<em>Original Sins</em> uncovers the shocking role of the U.S. school system in perpetuating racial inequalities and argues for a transformative reassessment of its entrenched curriculum and practices.
#10
Months on List: 1
by Eric Adjepong
Clarkson N Potter Publishers (March 11, 2025), Hardcover
This cookbook compiles 100 recipes that blend traditional and modern elements of West African cuisine alongside personal narratives and beautiful photography, reflecting a Ghanaian American chef's exploration of cultural identity.
#11
Months on List: 5
by Tricia Hersey
Little, Brown Spark (October 11, 2022), Hardcover
In <em>Rest Is Resistance,</em> the founder of The Nap Ministry combines spiritual teachings, activism, and Afrofuturism to urge readers to defy capitalist pressures and reclaim power through rest, providing practical guidance for those seeking liberation from the exhausting demands of Grind Culture.
#12
Months on List: 3
by Zeinab Badawi
Mariner Books (January 14, 2025), Hardcover
This continent-spanning history reclaims Africa’s rich and complex past by centering African voices, civilizations, and narratives from humanity’s origins to the present day.
#13
Months on List: 2
by Pretty Vee
Rodale Press (February 11, 2025), Hardcover
This devotional and guided journal is a journey towards gratitude, stillness, and truth, offering advice on reaching personal goals and fostering a deeper connection with God while prioritizing mental and emotional health, all from the unique perspective of a multi-talented comedian, actress, and philanthropist.
#14
Months on List: 10
by Cole Arthur Riley
Convergent Books (January 16, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>Black Liturgies,</em> Cole Arthur Riley offers a spiritual balm amid troubled times, crafting prayers, poems, and practices that weave together Black emotion, memory, and body into an empowering human expression of faith, providing healing from violence and a new vision for those seeking their place in a world of both beauty and terror.
#15
Months on List: 2
by Josephine Baker
Tiny Reparations Books (February 4, 2025), Hardcover
In <em>Fearless and Free,</em> Josephine Baker, a groundbreaking dancer, singer, spy, and civil rights activist, chronicles her extraordinary journey from teenage Broadway sensation to international icon, and a decorated spy during WWII, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on the world.
#16
Months on List: 12
by Snoop Dogg And Earl Stevens
Chronicle Books (November 14, 2023), Hardcover
In the follow-up to his bestselling cookbook, Snoop Dogg teams up with rapper E-40 to bring new flavor to the kitchen, offering over 65 entertaining and accessible recipes inspired by their music, favorite meals, and culture, perfect for any occasion and fans of Snoop, E-40, and celebrity cookbooks.
#17
Months on List: 12
by Nikole Hannah-jones
One World (November 16, 2021), Hardcover
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story is an enlightening exploration of American history that places slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of the narrative, revealing the profound impact of it on contemporary American society through an intricate blend of historical essays, poems, and works of fiction contributed by renowned scholars, authors, and poets.
#18
Months on List: 1
by David Olusoga
Dk Publishing (dorling Kindersley) (November 23, 2021), Hardcover
<em>The Black History Book</em> is a comprehensive exploration of the African heritage, chronicling notable personalities, movements, and events from early human migrations to modern Black diaspora, illuminating the influence of Black cultures on global art, literature, and music.
#19
Months on List: 2
by Roland S. Martin With Leah Lakins
Benbella Books (September 13, 2022), Hardcover
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how a deep-seated fear among white citizens about losing power, economic standing, and their way of life has shaped American culture and politics, with tangible suggestions on how to recognize, understand, and dismantle it.
#20
Months on List: 1
by Bernice L. Mcfadden
Dutton (March 4, 2025), Hardcover
This memoir explores the themes of inherited trauma and familial love through the perspective of a woman who made her way from a tumultuous childhood to becoming a published author, intertwined with the complex history of her lineage tracing back to her enslaved great-grandmother.

Sales Data Source: Circana BookScan. Represents U.S. print sales from thousands of retailers.

Methodology: Books are categorized and filtered for Black Authors by the African American Literature Book Club. This list is a sneak peek into the Black Book Accelerator initiative.