Each month, Beyond The Page: A GBH Book Club features a notable author, who takes part in a live Q&A with a GBH personality to discuss the intricacies of that month's novel. With each monthly book selection, we also ask the author for a list of reading recommendations. For its November edition, Beyond The Page selected Zakiya Dalila Harris' debut novel, The Other Black Girl. And if you are looking for some good autumn reads, here are Zakiya Dalila Harris' picks:

5 recommended books:

Luster by Raven Leilani - A spellbinding story about a young Black woman whose life becomes intertwined with a strange, dysfunctional family. Heart-wrenching and gutting… but it made me laugh out loud at times, too.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix - This funny and fresh take on a classic tale manages to comment on gender roles, racial disparities, and white privilege all while creeping me all the way out. So good.

The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You by Maurice Carlos Ruffin - In this colorful short story collection, Ruffin pays tribute to the Big Easy with fascinating characters and prose that goes down smooth as honey. A powerful, moving read.

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed - An immersive coming-of-age story about a young woman struggling to process her privilege and her blackness in the wake of the 1992 Rodney King riots. I so badly wish this book existed when I was a teenager, but this is a must-read for adults, too.

Survive the Night by Riley Sager - A woman who’s obsessed with cinema gets into a car with a mysterious man who may or may not have murdered her best friend. At times Hitchcockian, always thrilling, this slow burn had me guessing until the very end.

What Zakiya reading now:

Wahala by Nikki May. This book follows a group of Nigerian-British women whose friendship is tested when a new enigmatic woman joins their crew. Wahala isn't out until January, but it gives off delicious Sex & the City vibes, plus it's so much fun.

Next up on Zakayia's “To be read” list:

Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson. I have been a huge fan of Phoebe Robinson and her storytelling ever since I started listening to her podcast with Jessica Williams, 2 Dope Queens, a few years ago--so I cannot wait to curl up with what I know will be a hilarious collection of essays.

Zakiya Dalila Harris spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday before leaving to write her debut novel The Other Black Girl. Prior to working in publishing, Zakiya received her MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Guernica, and The Rumpus. She lives in Brooklyn.

Looking for more? Then join the club. Don't miss out on the next selection and virtual session by joining the Beyond The Page Facebook Group and signing up for the e-mail newsletter.

Photo credit: Nicole Mondestin