Need a laugh? Check out these books by Black comedians and humorists.
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The awkward thoughts of W. Kamau Bell : tales of a 6' 4", African-American, heterosexual, cisgender, left-leaning, asthmatic, Black and proud blerd, mama's boy, dad, and stand-up comedian
by W. Kamau Bell A memoir and manifesto by the comedian, hit podcast host and star of United Shades of America shares intersectional progressive views on forefront issues ranging from race relations and law enforcement to right-wing politics and parenthood. |
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Born a crime : stories from a South African childhood
by Trevor Noah The comedian traces his coming of age during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed, offering insight into the farcical aspects of the political and social systems of today's world. |
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F*ck your diet : and other things my thighs tell me
by Chloé Hilliard Fans of Issa Rae and Phoebe Robinson will love this collection of laugh-out-loud funny and insightful essays that explore race, feminism, pop culture, and how society reinforces the message that we are nothing without the perfect body. |
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Here for it : or, how to save your soul in America
by R. Eric Thomas A humorist and playwright provides a heartfelt and humorous memoir-in-essays about growing up seeing the world differently, finding unexpected hope and every awkward, extraordinary stumble along the way. |
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How to be black
by Baratunde Thurston Drawn from more than 30 years of living and redefining blackness, an editor at The Onion presents this tongue-in-cheek guide to being black that pokes fun at the so-called experts, purists and racists who think they known what black people believe, do, stand for and like. |
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The last black unicorn
by Tiffany Haddish The stand-up comedian and co-star of The Carmichael Show presents a humorous collection of autobiographical essays that reflect her disadvantaged youth as a foster child in South Central Los Angeles, her discovery of her talent for comedy and her struggles with gender, race and class boundaries in the entertainment industry. |
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The misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
by Issa Rae Essays on the challenges of being black and introverted in a world that glorifies "cool" behavior, drawn from the author's award-winning social media series, share self-deprecating perspectives on such topics as cybersex, weight, and self-acceptance. |
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Obviously : stories from my timeline
by Akilah Hughes The writer, comedian and activist traces the story of her life, from her childhood in a small Kentucky neighborhood to her relocation to New York City to pursue her dreams, before becoming a popular YouTube personality. |
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Please don't sit on my bed in your outside clothes
by Phoebe Robinson Laced with spot-on pop culture references and takes on a wide range of topics, this collection of essays from a stand-up comedian, writer, producer and actress is about human connection, race, hair, travel, dating, Black excellence and more. |
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So close to being the sh*t, y'all don't even know
by Retta The Hollywood star of such hit series as Parks and Recreation and Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce presents an uproarious collection of essays that trace her upbringing by hardworking Liberian parents, the events that shifted her career focus from medicine to comedy and the ways that her successes have been shaped by fear and circumstance. |
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Sure, I'll be your black friend : notes from the other side of the fist bump
by Ben Philippe The award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager presents an adult essay collection that frankly recounts his lifetime of experience as an only Black person in predominantly white school, work and social environments. |
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Surrender, white people! : our unconditional terms for peace
by D. L. Hughley In his follow-up to the New York Times best-selling How Not to Get Shot the legendary comedy king humorously and satirically offers Caucasians terms, reparations and reconciliations as America becomes a majority-minority nation. |
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Survival of the thickest : essays
by Michelle Buteau The stand-up comedian, actress and host of the Late Night Whenever podcast shares an unapologetic collection essays that reflect on her Caribbean heritage, her September 11 newsroom work and her experiences with IVF, surrogacy and motherhood. |
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Wow, no thank you
by Samantha Irby A new collection of humorous and edgy essays from the author of Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life that highlight the ups and downs of aging, marriage and living with step-children in small-town Michigan. |
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You'll never believe what happened to Lacey : crazy stories about racism
by Amber Ruffin The writer and performer from Late Night with Seth Meyers and her sister share anecdotes about their absurd everyday experiences with racism, from being followed by security at department stores to being mistaken for prostitutes. |