Like these books? Read these classics of black literature next.

 By 
MJ Franklin
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Look out, Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut -- there's a new generation of writers revolutionizing the book world.

Though many works of literature have made an indelible mark on the zeitgeist, the work they started is hardly over. Today's black writers are taking the book world by storm, continuing and expanding on the literary conversations started by the classics -- all while adding a much needed dose of diversity.

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This list uses iconic titles as a jumping off point to discover incredible books by black authors, tailored to your interests. That's not to say that these books are great because of their similarities to the classics -- in fact, it's just the opposite. These books are must-reads because each title, in its own unique and unforgettable way, taps into and shapes the themes, genres and subjects defining our cultural conversation.

We're calling it now -- these 10 contemporary black books will be the classics of the future.

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