(Tucson, AZ) A project envisioned and created by the Library's Kindred Team, Books Invited to the Cookout is an annual book list centering books by Black authors and highlighting the Black community and diaspora. It is now available at all Pima County Public Library branches! It can also be found on the Library's website.
As Le'Sheland H-N, Kindred team lead, says:
"Books that not only have Black characters as the lead but written by Black authors are too far and few in between. More Black authors are writing various genres and subgenres, and these ones stuck out to us. Please join us in celebrating these books by Black authors in this year’s Books Invited to The Cookout!"
The booklet is broken down into eight sections focused on age/reading level and type. These aren’t just picked willy-nilly; each book has been vetted by a member of the Kindred Team! These titles are not the be-all and end-all of Black literature from last year. Instead, it is a list of titles that might have been missed by the big awards and influencers, but that are still more than worth picking up. Some are educational; some focus on the importance of Black joy. (Some are both!) Overall, these books all highlight the variety and wonder that is Black life, both in the US and abroad.
Collecting more than four dozen titles published in 2025, from fiction and poetry to graphic novels and picture books, Books Invited to the Cookout has something for everyone. Featured authors include:
- USA Today bestselling author Regina Black
- Cofounder of the Romance in Colour podcast Tati Richardson
- Artist, filmmaker, activist, editor, and writer Tourmaline
- Poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni
- Playwright, photographer, and painter Calvin Alexander Ramsey
- Award-winning screenwriter and Stonewall Book Award-winning author Dean Atta
The 2026 selection committee is made up of Library staff and Kindred Team members: Outgoing Kindred Team Lead Jessica P. Le'Sheland H-N., Chinyere O., and Debbi W.
Of her time working with Kindred and on Books Invited to the Cookout, Jessica P., said, "I am glad that this project will continue with the ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-celebrating Kindred team. This publication has been a joy to put together for the past couple of years, and I look forward to seeing it continue and grow in the future."
More from the Kindred Team!
The Kindred Team invites you to Read Black! Join us for a monthly online book club designed to further the conversation on Black literature, history, and culture.
On odd months, there is a facilitated discussion about a specific book by a Black author. There are six total facilitated discussions, in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
On even months, there is a round-robin book share of recent or longtime favorites written by Black authors. Bring a book to share with others and discover new books to enjoy.
Stay connected! Click here to find a list of upcoming meetings and register. And, don't forget to follow Kindred on Instagram and Facebook!