The best nonfiction books that embody Black girl magic

Why am I passionate about this?

I am all about support, and support is a big part of Black Girl Magic. I believe that every woman should have a support system and community that values each and every person in it. Many of these authors have been featured on my podcast Support is Sexy, an interview-based podcast that introduces dynamic women professionals and the stories of their journeys to my audiences around the world. I recommended the books of these women because I love their message of self-care, self-love, support, and nurturing a healthy community. 


I wrote...

Get Over "I Got It"

By Elayne Fluker,

Book cover of Get Over "I Got It"

What is my book about?

If you’re an unapologetically ambitious woman, Elayne is cheering you on—but she’s also encouraging you to recognize how imperative it is that you stop struggling to do it all alone. Too many women suffer from “I Got It!” Syndrome as they strive to accomplish their goals. This mindset can lead to major stress and anxiety. Elayne offers a better approach.

In this book, you’ll learn how establishing a solid support network and enrolling others in your vision are crucial to achieving success and how these healthy strategies have helped billionaire entrepreneurs such as media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Spanx founder Sara Blakely—and ambitious women just like you—reach their next level. It’s time for you to get some support. Get Over “I Got It” tells you how.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself

Elayne Fluker Why did I love this book?

We cannot always guide ourselves into a self-care mindset and the true transformation definitely doesn’t happen all at once. A Year of Self-Care by psychologist Dr. Zoe Shaw offers an easy and enjoyable way to navigate your self-love journey without feeling cringy. The daily practices, tips, and strategies are incredibly insightful and practical, and will benefit anyone looking to improve their overall sense of well-being. 

By Dr. Zoe Shaw,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Year of Self-Care as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Give yourself the gift of self-care using simple daily exercises

Gain a more positive outlook and improve your overall sense of well-being with this supportive and inspiring guided journal.

A Year of Self-Care will lead you through 365 simple, thought-provoking exercises created to help you stay committed to self-care. You’ll spend a year focusing on positive thinking and self-love with:

Bite-sized self-care tips—You don’t need a huge time commitment to start living a healthier life. These 15-minute motivational exercises make it easy to stick to a routine no matter how busy you are. That’s 91 hours of self-care over the…


Book cover of Strengthening Her Essence: A Woman's Guide to Liberation Through Truth

Elayne Fluker Why did I love this book?

I’d recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic of Divine Feminine. Fila Antwine is a self-love and relationship coach who specializes in helping women finally feel worthy of the love that they deserve. Her book is a powerful guide to self-reflection that leads her readers through the process of self-awareness and rediscovery.

By Fila McMillan-Antwine,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Strengthening Her Essence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fila McMillan-Antwine is on a mission to help women restore the power, divinity and strength of their essence. She puts a mirror in front of readers and challenges them to take a deep look at their issues. She gives straight and to the point, girlfriend advice with depth. Readers are guided through the process of self awareness and rediscovery. This book is a must read for all women who want to improve their relationships and lives.


Book cover of Peace Is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life

Elayne Fluker Why did I love this book?

Peace Is a Practice is the latest book from one of my favorite authors, Morgan Harper Nichols. I first met her last year when I interviewed her on my podcast, Support is Sexy, about her inspirational poetry and quotes going viral on social media. Her writing contextualizes the idea of letting go of regret and not fearing the future. Her writing is lovely and it teaches her audience to believe in themselves and the power of the Universe. 

By Morgan Harper Nichols,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Peace Is a Practice as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When you breathe in all the grace available to you and release everything that is outside of your control, you'll discover peace that surpasses your circumstances. All it takes is practice.

If you feel overwhelmed with anxiety about the future, you're far from alone. For many of us, when we're not worrying about what is to come, we find ourselves wrestling with things from the past. Where does that leave us today?

Morgan Harper Nichols has learned the answer to this question. She has examined stories from her own life and the lives of people around the world and noticed…


Book cover of Black Girl in Love (with Herself): A Guide to Self-Love, Healing, and Creating the Life You Truly Deserve

Elayne Fluker Why did I love this book?

If you’re looking for the guidance of an older sister, Black Girl in Love (with Herself) is exactly what you’re looking for. Trey wrote the book she needed to read but didn’t have as a young woman. She writes from the perspective of a young woman who is raised to be strong but unfortunately learned to sacrifice her own needs to please others. She teaches her audience how to be strong without sacrificing herself and without sacrificing her relationships as a young Black woman. 

By Trey Anthony,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Black Girl in Love (with Herself) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Speaker, writer, and producer Trey Anthony breaks it down, giving black women a relatable voice and personalized "keeping it real" to-do list on how to practice self-love and self-care.

Therapy is not just for white women-no matter what your momma told you!

After a lifetime of never truly relating to the personal development experts because of the color of her skin, Trey Anthony has written the book she needed to read as a black woman trying to navigate a world filled with unique challenges that often acts like she doesn't exist.
On the outside Trey Anthony was the overachieving, reliable,…


Book cover of Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop

Elayne Fluker Why did I love this book?

I have known the amazing author Danyel Smith for over 15 years. At first, I only knew her through her incredible writing, but I grew to know her personally when she hired me as a Managing Editor at Vibe magazine when she was the Editor-in-Chief. During that time, I was able to personally witness her knowledge of music and the entertainment industry, as well as her unwavering passion for storytelling behind the music. 

Her new book, Shine Bright, which she has been writing for more than five years, seems so fitting as part of her journey. Described as “a weave of biography, criticism, and memoir” it’s a history of Black women’s music as the foundational story of American pop.

By Danyel Smith,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Shine Bright as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

American pop music is arguably this country’s greatest cultural contribution to the world, and its singular voice and virtuosity were created by a shining thread of Black women geniuses stretching back to the country’s founding. This is their surprising, heartbreaking, soaring story—from “one of the generation’s greatest, most insightful, most nuanced writers in pop culture” (Shea Serrano)

“Sparkling . . . the overdue singing of a Black girl’s song, with perfect pitch . . . delicious to read.”—Oprah Daily

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, Esquire, Publishers Weekly

LONGLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD

A weave…


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Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

Book cover of Ferry to Cooperation Island

Carol Newman Cronin Author Of Ferry to Cooperation Island

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Sailor Olympian Editor New Englander Rum drinker

Carol's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

James Malloy is a ferry captain--or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a "girl" named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island’s daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a plan for a private golf course on wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep historic trees and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have to learn to cooperate with other islanders--including Captain Courtney, who might just morph from irritant to irresistible once James learns a secret that's been kept from him for years.

Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

What is this book about?

Loner James Malloy is a ferry captain-or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a girl named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island's daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a private golf course staked out across wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, a Narragansett Indian, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep rocky bluffs, historic trees, and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have…


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