As we head into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to refresh your TBR (To be read). Here are some outstanding POC authors worth adding to your reading list.
Nikita Gill
Known for her beautiful and emotionally resonant poetry collections, Nikita Gill is an Irish Indian writer whose work often explores mythology, girlhood, and healing. She recently released her first novel, Hekate, a Greek myth retelling that blends her signature poetic style with a full narrative arc. Gill’s writing is gentle, reflective, and easy to fall into, making her the perfect author to add to your TBR this year.
Zadie Smith
A staple in contemporary literature, Zadie Smith is known for her sharp, witty, and deeply observant writing. Whether you pick up White Teeth, or her more recent fiction and essays, her work offers smart, layered stories about identity, community, and modern life. What makes Smith stand out is how effortlessly she blends humour, philosophy, and cultural commentary without ever feeling heavy-handed. She’s one of those writers whose work feels both current and timeless. Whether she’s writing about family, identity, or the absurdity of modern life, her insight stays unmatched. She is a required readerfor anyone who cares about contemporary fiction.
Fonda Lee
If you love fantasy with rich world-building, political tension, and jaw-dropping plot twists, Canadian author Fonda Lee is must-read. Her Green Bone series blends modern grit with classic fantasy elements, creating expansive universes that feel very real. Her work stands out for its sharp character dynamics,morally gray decisions, and the way she weaves family, loyalty, and power into every conflict. Lee’s stories maintain the perfect balance between intimate, emotional stakes and large-scale world events, making her books feel both cinematic and deeply personal.
Gourav Mohanty
Mohanty writes sweeping; grimdark fantasy rooted in Desi mythology, full of sharp humour, vivid settings, and larger-than-life characters. Often called the Indian George R.R. Martin, Mohanty’s books are perfect for readers looking for something grand, dramatic, and different from western-centric fantasy. With the second book in his trilogy having been released earlier this year, readers can look forward to something A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) fans will never know: an actual ending.
Tasha Suri
Tasha Suri is a queer author known for writing lush, sapphic fantasy with complex women of colour at the center. Her hit series, The Burning Kingdoms, is a sweeping historical fantasy filled with political tension, magic, and an enemies-to-lovers storyline that follows two morally grey young women whose choices shape the fate of their world. Also released this year was a standalone fantasy, The Isle in the Silver Sea. This new novel is Suri’s take on a sapphic knight-witch reincarnation romance.
Whether you’re trying to shake up your reading habits, or simply looking for something new to fall into, these authors offer a wide range of voices, genres, and worlds to explore. As you build your reading list for the year ahead, these authors are worth making space for. They’ll give you new worlds, new perspectives, and probably a new favourite.
Contributed Photo/Sheryl Madakkai
