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Book Twitter Remembers Toni Morrison

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Susie Dumond

Senior Contributor

Susie (she/her) is a queer writer originally from Little Rock, now living in Washington, DC. She is the author of QUEERLY BELOVED and the forthcoming LOOKING FOR A SIGN from Dial Press/Random House. You can find her on Instagram @susiedoom.

Writers and readers around the world mourned the loss of prolific author Toni Morrison last Tuesday. Morrison was the first (and remains the only) African American to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. Her works made a massive impact on the world of literature, including award-winning novels like Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon.

With Morrison’s influence on the literary world in mind, writers and book lovers took to Twitter to talk about the lasting legacy of her work. Here is a round-up of Book Twitter’s tributes to Toni Morrison.

President Barack Obama, author and notorious book lover, recognized Morrison as a national treasure.

Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay recognized Morrison’s elegant storytelling.

Poet and nonfiction writer Kevin Young, author of Bunk, stopped by an impromptu tribute to Morrison.

Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of Patsy, visited another bench dedicated to Morrison at Howard University.

Iconic romance author Beverly Jenkins reflected on what Toni Morrison meant to her.

Actress and author Whoopi Goldberg recognized Morrison as “power at its best”.

Journalist Dani Kwateng-Clark noted how Morrison’s work impacted today’s writers.

Michael W. Twitty, author of The Cooking Gene, reflected on one of her greatest accomplishments.

And Hanif Abdurraqib, author of They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, shared what he learned from Morrison.

National Book Award winning author Ibram X. Kendi said that all writers are indebted to Morrison.

Some found solace in Toni Morrison’s own words:

Others found inspiration in Morrison’s journey:

Jose Antonio Vargas, author of Dear America, imagined a better place for Morrison.

And Celeste Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere, used her grief as inspiration.

Learn more about Toni Morrison’s work and legacy:

Where to Begin with Toni Morrison Books

18 Toni Morrison Quotes on Love, Race, and Literature

Why I’m Thankful for Toni Morrison’s THE BLUEST EYE