4 Books by Indigenous Authors to Read Right Now

Looking for Indigenous authors to start reading this month? Here's four of our favorites.

There There by Tommy Orange is a multigenerational novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow. It explores the meaning of violence and recovery, memory and identity, all while being fierce, funny, suspenseful, and impossible to put down.

The Tao of Raven by Ernestine Hayes is An Alaska Native Memoir, follows the author returning to Juneau and to her Tlingit home after many years of wandering. Hayes explores the obstacles and prejudices still facing Alaska Natives in their own land, while sharing her own story of attending and completing college in her fifties and becoming a professor. It is beautifully written, lyrical and thought-provoking.

Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is a fictional YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community. It has won countless awards, is a New York Times Bestseller, and you'll want to read it soon, because the Obamas have bought the rights to turn it into a TV show for Netflix!

The Seven Circles, Indigenous Teachings for Living Well by Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins is a just released self help guide that takes its readers through a holistic model for modern living rooted in timeless teachings from their ancestors. We are super excited to dive into this one and learn more about Well for Culture, Luger and Collins' Indigenous wellness initiative.

Check out Studio Qila's ongoing conversation this November on Native American Heritage Month.