How many books has Kiese Laymon written?

Kiese Laymon has written 9 books across 3 series. Their published works span from 2013 to 2023.

What is the first book in each Kiese Laymon series?

Here are the first books in Kiese Laymon's series: Anthologies: McSweeney's #49; Non-Fiction: How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America.

What order should I read Kiese Laymon's books?

We recommend reading Kiese Laymon's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.

Are Kiese Laymon's series complete?

Kiese Laymon has 2 completed series.

Kiese Laymon Reading Order

3 series · 9 books · Born 1974

Non-Fiction

Kiese Laymon is an American author known for his incisive explorations of race, identity, and social justice through essays, novels, and edited collections. His work blends personal narrative with sharp cultural criticism, examining the complexities of Black life in contemporary America with unflinching honesty and lyrical prose. Publishing since 2013, Laymon has established himself as a vital voice in contemporary literature through both standalone works and collaborative anthologies that amplify diverse perspectives on urgent social issues.

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Anthologies Series

Likely Complete

6 books (2017–2023)

Kiese Laymon's anthology series consists of six non-fiction collections published between 2017 and 2023, spanning McSweeney's #49, Tales of Two Americas, What My Mother and I Don't Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence, A Measure of Belonging, This Is Life, and A Flame Called Indiana. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order. Each volume brings together diverse voices and perspectives on interconnected themes of American life, identity, and experience.

Start with McSweeney's #49, the first of 6 books in the Anthologies series.

Start this series with McSweeney's #49

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible

#	Title
1	McSweeney's #49 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Tales of Two Americas 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	What My Mother and I Don't Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	A Measure of Belonging 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	This Is Life 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	A Flame Called Indiana 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

2 books (2013–2018)

Kiese Laymon's two-book essay collection spans from 2013 to 2018 and should be read in publication order beginning with How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America. The series is complete and consists of interconnected essay collections that explore identity, race, and American culture through Laymon's distinctive voice.

Start with How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America and read in order.

Start this series with How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible

#	Title
1	How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Heavy 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series