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fiendfull's review
4.0
We Need to Talk About Money is a personal memoir about money, as the title suggests, but also class, race, and gender, as Otegha Uwagba explores how has impacted her life so far. From her parents moving to the UK and her getting a scholarship to a private school to the current housing market and how to afford to buy a house without having parental help, the book covers a lot of stories about topics like toxic workplaces, beauty, and friendships, and how money affects these.
This book is combination of personal memoir and reflection on things relating to money and privilege in society, especially in relation to gender and race. A lot of the anecdotes and experiences are very interesting (for example, as someone slightly younger than the author who got into Mad Men but thankfully wasn't at the stage to want to therefore go into advertising, I enjoyed the insight about how bad it actually can be to work in advertising) and it is well-written, feeling both personal and also informative. There was also some engaging discussions and critiques of particular issues like 'girlboss' culture and how the term 'emotional labour' has come to be used which were nuanced and focused on things like intersectionality and the effects of capitalism and how we view it.
One thing that did throw me out of the narrative a bit was the fact that one of the chapters quotes Naomi Wolf a lot, and seeing as she's now particularly known for sharing a lot of pandemic conspiracy theories and having huge interpretive gaps in her recent book, that did put me off the chapter in question. Otherwise the book is also useful for the fact it does cite and discuss some famous writers like Kimberlé Crenshaw, meaning that despite perhaps seeming at first to just be about money in the modern world, it also provides people with some further reading on areas around topics like feminism, race, and class.
A memoir about how money rules individual lives, We Need to Talk About Money is an engaging book that questions the secrecy and shame that can surround talking about it. As the title suggests, it's more about opening up discussions and sharing a personal take on money rather than offering any deep answers or critiques, making it perfect for people who like more personal non-fiction.
This book is combination of personal memoir and reflection on things relating to money and privilege in society, especially in relation to gender and race. A lot of the anecdotes and experiences are very interesting (for example, as someone slightly younger than the author who got into Mad Men but thankfully wasn't at the stage to want to therefore go into advertising, I enjoyed the insight about how bad it actually can be to work in advertising) and it is well-written, feeling both personal and also informative. There was also some engaging discussions and critiques of particular issues like 'girlboss' culture and how the term 'emotional labour' has come to be used which were nuanced and focused on things like intersectionality and the effects of capitalism and how we view it.
One thing that did throw me out of the narrative a bit was the fact that one of the chapters quotes Naomi Wolf a lot, and seeing as she's now particularly known for sharing a lot of pandemic conspiracy theories and having huge interpretive gaps in her recent book, that did put me off the chapter in question. Otherwise the book is also useful for the fact it does cite and discuss some famous writers like Kimberlé Crenshaw, meaning that despite perhaps seeming at first to just be about money in the modern world, it also provides people with some further reading on areas around topics like feminism, race, and class.
A memoir about how money rules individual lives, We Need to Talk About Money is an engaging book that questions the secrecy and shame that can surround talking about it. As the title suggests, it's more about opening up discussions and sharing a personal take on money rather than offering any deep answers or critiques, making it perfect for people who like more personal non-fiction.
alohaellie's review
5.0
I devoured this book in a day - totally loved it. Otegha's writing style is whip-smart, witty, and also incredibly informative. I learnt so much from this book, which is a memoir that focuses primarily on money but touches so much more. What I liked most was how each chapter balanced facts, figures and references with Otegha's real, personal experiences, which are no less valuable and no less real.
It's the best kind of educational book - the kind that feels like a discussion with a friend who doesn't judge, but wants to help you understand more and do better.
It's the best kind of educational book - the kind that feels like a discussion with a friend who doesn't judge, but wants to help you understand more and do better.