2026 Book Club
Hi everyone! I’ve curated a proposed roadmap for the 2026 Written in Colour Book Club. I wanted to share this early so you can see the scope of where we’re headed—crossing borders from West Africa and Haiti to the streets of Malaysia, London, and India.
This year is all about “Grit and Identity.” We’ll be diving into everything from Southern Noir and Dystopian Sci-Fi to Haitian Epics and Dark Satire. These aren’t just “vibey” reads; they are stories with teeth that challenge how we see the world.
january: planning the first chapter
There is no formal book club meeting for January as we gear up for a big year of reading. Instead of a set book, I’m spending this month scouting for the heavy-hitting debuts and global voices that will help define our 2026 calendar.
Have a suggestion for a book? Drop me a message. I want this community to help shape what we read next.
february pick: homegoing by yaa gyasi
march pick: Parable of the sower by octavia butler
JULY PICK: The Only Good Indians by STephen graham jones
august pick: Black water sister by zen cho
september: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
october pick: ASSEMBLY by Natasha Brown
november pick: the selfless act of breathing by JJ BOLA
december pick: white tiger by Aravind Adiga
A Note on the Selection
I’m keeping this list flexible, so we might pivot if a new “must-read” emerges, but this is the core DNA of our year.
A heads-up on content: Because we are leaning into “gritty” realism and social commentary, some of these picks (particularly in May, July, June, and November) deal with heavy themes including systemic violence, grief, disaster trauma, and mental health. I’ll provide specific content warnings and resources as we get closer to those months so everyone can prepare accordingly.
Take a look at the lineup and let me know what you think! Which one are you most excited to dig into? 🤠