Nine Books by Black Women About Travel, Belonging and the Search for Home
Ms. Magazine (8/19/2026)
Free
Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in the stories of other Black women, not only as literary models, but as encouragement that the world might actually want to hear my story, my lessons and my truth. These books reminded me I am part of a long lineage of brave Black women who decided to leave home in search of adventure and themselves. The following memoirs, anthologies and novels explore movement across borders while grappling with history, race, identity, belonging, faith, joy and ultimately, home...
Faith Adiele chronicles her journey to Thailand to become the country’s first Black Buddhist nun. Blending spirituality, coming of age and cultural reflection, the memoir explores race, faith, identity and a search for peace and purpose far from home.
I took Adiele’s “Rethinking Travel Writing” class last year and immediately went back and scrubbed my manuscript afterward. We have so much to learn from her teaching, writing and the way she moves through the world.