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lizzdarcy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.75
edshara's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like other reviewers have better critiqued this book, however, I will try to add my thoughts. For the most part, I liked, this book. I felt like much of what Morgan Jerkins said was relatable, honest and very true. With that said their were some things that she mentioned that I didn't agree with. I wished that I owned this book, instead of getting it from the library, because I would have liked to take more time with it. I found that even though their were plenty of breaks within the essays, they were long, and I ended up just powering through.
I may try purchasing this book in the future, to reread so that I can give better examples of the good and the bad. I know this isn't much of a review but I do think this is still worth a read, if you want to give it a try.
I may try purchasing this book in the future, to reread so that I can give better examples of the good and the bad. I know this isn't much of a review but I do think this is still worth a read, if you want to give it a try.
mollywetta's review against another edition
I really enjoyed these. They are personal and thoughtful and I related to many of her experiences as a woman, but also understand how race shapes black women's experiences, too.
yikesbmg's review against another edition
4.0
There was a lot of hype around this book (from podcasts like Call Your Girlfriend and reviews from Roxane Gay), so I went in expecting a lot. My instinct was to give it a 3, 3.5 but chose 4 starts ultimately because: 1) the author is radically honest in some of the essays 2) the lists were a nice touch.
A few of the essays rubbed me as a little too formal but that’s just my personal taste. I think it’s a good first batch of essays and am excited to see where the author goes next with her writing — I hope she focuses on her personal narratives. Not because the other essays were bad but because of my personal leaning towards black female personal narratives. I think the author demonstrated she can do both those and cultural critiques, and I’m more interested in her own story.
The article on reflecting on the author’s thoughts about her role in gentrification was really dissatisfying. The author lightly touches on how her thoughts on the role of people of color who are highly educated and upwardly mobile in gentrification have progressed, but ultimately doesn’t say anything substantial or conclusive. That essay was the most frustrating and left a really bad taste in my mouth because clearly the author is a sharp thinker and conclusive in her other essays, but she pulled back from the one that would implicate her in something not so great. I think there is so much to unpack from that essay that the author hasn’t yet explored and I hope for future work by her on the topic.
A few of the essays rubbed me as a little too formal but that’s just my personal taste. I think it’s a good first batch of essays and am excited to see where the author goes next with her writing — I hope she focuses on her personal narratives. Not because the other essays were bad but because of my personal leaning towards black female personal narratives. I think the author demonstrated she can do both those and cultural critiques, and I’m more interested in her own story.
The article on reflecting on the author’s thoughts about her role in gentrification was really dissatisfying. The author lightly touches on how her thoughts on the role of people of color who are highly educated and upwardly mobile in gentrification have progressed, but ultimately doesn’t say anything substantial or conclusive. That essay was the most frustrating and left a really bad taste in my mouth because clearly the author is a sharp thinker and conclusive in her other essays, but she pulled back from the one that would implicate her in something not so great. I think there is so much to unpack from that essay that the author hasn’t yet explored and I hope for future work by her on the topic.
mowokalu's review against another edition
3.0
It was an interesting read. I found some chapters very relatable and showed the experience and thought processes of most black woemen. Some chapters were unnecessary in my opinion and didn’t resonate. Overall, a good memoir/collection of essays.
katiehawkes's review against another edition
4.0
The book started off captivating and strong, but by the end slowed down for me and felt like I was reading a detailed series of essays more than a memoir that flowed smoothly. However, the strong parts still outweigh that for me and I recommend giving it a read!
minas_elessar's review against another edition
4.0
Really smart and really important. The section about cultural appropriation and who can and should tell marginalized stories I think is especially important and I plan to return to that and continue to read whatever Jerkins writes.
dawsonaurora's review against another edition
5.0
Gave me a lot to think about but was also very re-affirming.
Worth re-reading and telling everyone to read, regardless of whether or not this is the type of book they would ordinarily pick up on their own.
Worth re-reading and telling everyone to read, regardless of whether or not this is the type of book they would ordinarily pick up on their own.