This brilliant book is all about Black hair and Black hair culture — and so much more than that! Dabiri writes about the history of Black hair products, the natural hair movement, Black hair as it’s portrayed in pop culture, hair practices in several ancient African cultures, and more. Through it all, she uses Black hair as a lens to explore bodily autonomy, how we talk about race, the history of racism, and cultural appropriation. It’s a richly researched and deeply personal book that’s equally parts celebration and critique. —Laura Sackton

If seeing a book about Harriet Tubman by thee Bob the Drag Queen isn’t enough to make you get it, let me add that it’s the story of Harriet Tubman coming back to life to put on a Hamilton-esque show about her life. To write it, she taps the low-key washed-up hip hop producer Darnell Williams, who was outed at a BET Awards ceremony. They don’t have long to write the Broadway show, but as they come together, they realize they’ll have to contend with the horrors of both of their pasts. —Erica Ezeifedi

This was one of the New York Times picks for the best books covers of 2025.