Our Favorite Books by Indigenous Authors

Hello Friends and Happy Holidays! For those of you still eating your dinners, I hope you've had a great time with your families today! For today's blog, we wants to share some of our favorite books by Indigenous authors, in a variety of categories! From kids to young adult, to romance novels to non-fiction, we wanted to make sure to have a bit of everything.

As we celebrate our families, friends and other's we are thankful for today, we should be reminded of the other impacts the colonizers had on the Native American nations, and be open to hearing their stories as well. Hopefully some of these books can be added to your TBRs for the rest of the year and next year and give you a look into someone who is not like yourself.

For some other information about 'rethinking Thanksgiving' and more book recommendations please check on this link from the National Museum of the American Indian.

Also, all the books mentioned as linked to a Native-owned bookstore in Minneapolis! If you want to check the books out, click on the cover photo! Book recommended by Allison are available at the bookstore she works at: Page 1 Books at page1book.com. Check them out!

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck (Children's Book)

On November 15th every year, indigenous communities across the USA celebrate Rock Your Mocs Day. In collaboration with indigenous illustrator Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw), ABQ local author Laurel Goodluck pens a fantastically relevant account for kids. It is full of art, tradition, style, pride, and inspiration. I recommend this book for families, but also for teachers looking to showcase a different perspective in their classrooms come November. -Allison

The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Young Adult)

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in—both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team.

After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known?

A powerful story I will always 'throw' at others to read! - Maggie

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (Adult Romance)

Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).

Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they’re caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship.

This book was a wild ride, I really enjoyed the conversation about how Ember didn't feel like enough at times because she is 'white passing' and definitely some lessons about lying. - Maggie

There There by Tommy Orange (Literary Fiction)

A profoundly modern account that pulls at the heartstrings.  This novel feels more like a series of short stories about various characters as they tell their account of growing up Native American. I think my Goodreads review reads “So well-written. Hella sad.” I stand by this assessment.

It also provided an insight into Alcatraz Island that I had never thought of before. I read this in the car in-between hiking the National Parks of Utah, and my husband and I were both hooked from the first chapter. The themes of chosen family, poverty cycles, pride, and trying your best bleed through the pages in this fantastic read. -Allison

The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History by Joseph M. Marshall III (Non-fiction)

This nonfiction read is often summarized as a remarkable portrait of an incredible man (or various similar words), and it is the truth. If you are at all a fan of frequently untold and overlooked histories, this is a read for you!   It was not only an incredible look at the life that Crazy Horse lived, but it shed so much light on the culture and times that he lived in. This book left an impression on me because of its definitive richness in the Lakota oral tradition. 

Joseph M. Marshall III strikes a perfect balance between authoritative research and storytelling. Not only did I learn about American history and Indigenous history from this book, but I also learned about leadership, partnership, destiny, and making a difference. Crazy Horse lived an incredible life, and I highly recommend you learn about it. -Allison

Thunder Song by Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe (Non-fiction)

Drawing on a rich family archive as well as the anthropological work of her late great-grandmother, Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe explores themes ranging from indigenous identity and stereotypes to cultural displacement and environmental degradation to understand what our experiences teach us about the power of community, commitment, and conscientious honesty.

Sasha spends time diving into not feeling 'Indian' enough while also not feeling 'white' enough, about how the pandemic effected her and the people she loves, and how the general view of Native American's in the United States is skewed. The essays within this story are personal to Sasha and dive deep into her love for punk music, the Pacific Northwest and her family. I highly recommend the audiobook that is read by her! - Maggie

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Non-fiction)

This is my recommendation as a bookseller telling you what the people have been asking for. As a fellow physical scientist, I felt the NEED to share with you a book that has been on my TBR since it came out. I am currently in a holding pattern before I get an audiobook copy (darn you ADHD!) but as soon as I do, I will be dedicating a day to reading this account that has been flying off the bookstore shelves. Environmentalism from an indigenous perspective? Yes, please!

Customers at Page 1 have said it is one of the most important books they have read in the last few years. They have been clamoring for the next Kimmerer book as well, "The Serviceberry." Whatever role you are looking for nature to play in your life, you will find inspiration here-0f that I am sure. -Allison

Happy Holidays Again! Let me know if you have any other recommendations in the comments below!