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azariamckay's review
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Adored the art and the story was so cute! Would’ve loved more expansion on mental health, feel like a book 2 should be in the works. Felt the ending left something to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Domestic abuse
lifeisaeisha's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is like sweet tea on a summer day. Like walking into your grandmother's house and smelling dinner. I appreciated the familiarity and honestly the entire vibe of the book. I wasn't reading, I was just chilling with my girls. Flawless.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
sea_tea_books's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
4.5
I loved this. Admittedly, I haven't read many (any?) slice of life from this voice, so it feels refreshing, like an intimate peek into unique experiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism
shutupiamreading's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loooooved this! The concept of exploring four women's lives anchored on their hair wash day was so original and worked really well. Also loved that all the women have different illustration styles because their stories are illustrated by different people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Biphobia
Moderate: Dementia
favers5's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Stalking
luciameetsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I LOVE THIS FRIENDSHIP SO MUCH
this tiny graphic novel made me feel so much and i'm so glad i picked it up.
all of these girls are so unique and so true to themselves. i really feel like i know them even though i only read less than 200 pages of their story.
there is one of them that is actually dealing with depression and it was so well depicted in her thoughts, her speech with her friends, even on the drawing. i had to take a second and breath because it was really moving.and then i actually cried when her friends included her when she started to feel uncomfortable, it was such a simple thing but it was so thoughtful
the only thing that i didn't like is that one of the friends has a stalking ex and that theme wasn't dealt with enough seriousness. i got the sense there was even more toxicity around that ex so the way it was handled didn't sit well with me. but again, it wasn't really said so i may be reading too much into things.
besides that this graphic novel is incredible and i would 100% recommend it to everyone.
this tiny graphic novel made me feel so much and i'm so glad i picked it up.
all of these girls are so unique and so true to themselves. i really feel like i know them even though i only read less than 200 pages of their story.
there is one of them that is actually dealing with depression and it was so well depicted in her thoughts, her speech with her friends, even on the drawing. i had to take a second and breath because it was really moving.
the only thing that i didn't like is that one of the friends has a stalking ex and that theme wasn't dealt with enough seriousness. i got the sense there was even more toxicity around that ex so the way it was handled didn't sit well with me. but again, it wasn't really said so i may be reading too much into things.
besides that this graphic novel is incredible and i would 100% recommend it to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
theonewheresamreads's review
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Gaslighting, Stalking, Misogyny, Mental illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Dementia
rosaelise's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Sexual content, and Mental illness
howlinglibraries's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A sweet, quick read about the tightly-knit friendships between four Black girls, supporting one another as they each go through their own personal life struggles (whether it's an ailing grandparent, a love triangle, an abusive ex, or depression).
I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more support in certain avenues, specifically when one character is very obviously struggling with severe depression and confides in another character, only to have her experiences totally erased with "you look fine!" and "you don't need medications!" The treatment of that character in general felt clunky to me, but I enjoyed the rest of the book overall. The art was cute and I enjoyed it for the chill, slice-of-life read that it was.
✨ Representation: all four characters are Black, with one of them being Afro-Latinx; one character is bi/pan; brief depiction of an f/f relationship
I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more support in certain avenues, specifically when one character is very obviously struggling with severe depression and confides in another character, only to have her experiences totally erased with "you look fine!" and "you don't need medications!" The treatment of that character in general felt clunky to me, but I enjoyed the rest of the book overall. The art was cute and I enjoyed it for the chill, slice-of-life read that it was.
✨ Representation: all four characters are Black, with one of them being Afro-Latinx; one character is bi/pan; brief depiction of an f/f relationship
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Ableism, Homophobia, Dementia, Stalking, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
booktribe's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wash Day Diaries is a short, beautifully illustrated graphic novel following four young, Black women and their lives, friendships, and gorgeous hair.
The illustration in this book is beautiful. I absolutely loved the depiction of our hair! Whether it’s the braids, the twist outs, or even just our bonnets, it was all magnificent to see depicted in such a celebratory way! I also loved that the artist showed real bodies! Not everyone had curves, not everyone was perfect, and I love that!
This book tackled a couple hard topics, such as depression, in a way that didn’t make you sad, but just made you see life as it is for different types of Black women. I also enjoyed seeing the casual sapphic representation.
My only problem with this book is that I wish it was longer. It could’ve went more in depth and answered some questions I had toward the end. If this ever becomes a series, I’ll be very happy!
This graphic novel shows the connection that Black women have with our hair and with each other in a way that celebrates us and shows us unconditional love! I’d recommend this graphic novel to every Black woman that is looking for a graphic novel that shows us in such a unapologetically Black light!
Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: nudity; sexual situations; depression; dementia; violent ex-boyfriend (all trigger warnings are very mild)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Dementia and Domestic abuse
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