10 books by black authors that are shaping our conversation about race

Sometimes the best way to understand the world around us is to stop and pick up a book.
That's certainly true of race and power in America. Whether it's through thoughtful essays, gripping fiction, or haunting poems, contemporary black authors have been publishing a number of books that are shaping our conversations about race for readers of all ages.
SEE ALSO: Like these books? Read these classics of black literature next.
Some books tackle larger issues like mass incarceration and police viole