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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
whatisjordyreading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
my 1st reading:
Wash Day Diaries is worthy of the highest rating. brb, off to read it a second time right through ❣️
my 2nd reading:
-the diversity in body types, skin colour, hairstyles & life experiences in the main cast of characters i.e. Cookie, Davene, Nisha & Kim
- monochrome colouring of each chapter specific to each character is super cute but not overwhelming or distracting. yellow for Cookie; blue for Davene; pink for Nisha; and purple for Kim.
Wash Day Diaries is worthy of the highest rating. brb, off to read it a second time right through ❣️
my 2nd reading:
-the diversity in body types, skin colour, hairstyles & life experiences in the main cast of characters i.e. Cookie, Davene, Nisha & Kim
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Biphobia
brief mention of the police & restraining orders, but neither show themselvescozylifewithabby's review against another edition
4.0
Wanted to know more about their lives. Just a quick snapshot of the lives of 4 black women on wash day
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia, Homophobia, and Emotional abuse
alexandryareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Stalking
krys_kilz's review
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
I really loved this collection!! I always appreciate stories that center friendship and platonic love.
The artwork was also fantastic! I loved the use of color to convey mood in each story and the characters were all so bright and lifelike.
Overall this was a wonderful collection of comics and I look forward to reading more of Rowser and Smith's work.
The artwork was also fantastic! I loved the use of color to convey mood in each story and the characters were all so bright and lifelike.
Overall this was a wonderful collection of comics and I look forward to reading more of Rowser and Smith's work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment and Dementia
thereaderfriend's review
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
Loved this story! Loved the characters, their bonds, and how they all got their own sections. I do wish that some were more developed but loved it anyway! I also really enjoyed how the women were in different points of their life and each came through the best they could. Very beautiful artwork too <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Dementia, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
ashylibrarian's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all, thank you, Jamila Rowser. I didn’t know I needed to read this graphic novel, but I NEEDED to read this graphic novel. I am loving and living for the new adult content.
Secondly, I don’t think there is much more this book could have done to represent friendship and new adulthood. Both the author and illustrator did a fantastic job creating scenes that felt real, honest, and relatable.
Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four (4) friends who are all experiencing different aspects of new adulthood and enveloping themselves in Black beauty and joy: Kimana (Kim) is growing her singing career; Cookie is working to amend family tension; Tanisha (Nisha) is exploring what love means for her life at the moment; and Davene is learning how to prioritize her mental health.
Through minimal dialogue, text conversations, and intricate illustrations, readers are emersed in four major life points in each of the characters' lives and taken through how all four women intertwineidly (yes, I just made that word up) interact with one another. The friendship and genuine connection between these characters leave something to be admired and, dare I say, envied.
I love the use of wordless spreads throughout this book. These spreads are really powerful and push the reader to consider what is actually happening in the action of the characters and why the illustrator and author chose to include those scenes. These spreads in particular seem to share the beauty and intricacies of caring for the female body
*SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD* READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
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I think the way in which Cookie handles Davene sharing her mental health struggles is a representative and common response many people get when opening up about mental health, and with that being said, I think it is something that needs to be addressed. Cookie’s response to Davene when she shares that she was struggling with depression is to encourage positivity and encourage being around friends. She also scoffs in astonishment when Davene mentions asking her therapist about starting medication. This sort of reaction can feel really invalidating and potentially be super damaging.
I hate that this was Cookie’s response to her friend opening up about her mental health, but I am also kind of happy that Rowser chose to write the plot this way because it shows the raw truth behind mental health sigmas and assumptions, especially the ones that suggest you can “just be positive” and “think positive thoughts” to make things better.
I thought the follow-up for this interaction at Kim’s concert was a nice addition to show that Cookie really does care and is trying to understand. She is cognizant that Davene is out with friends after an extended absence of not going out with them and offers to stay back with her instead of going out to another party. This in turn gets the other two friends to stay in and have a girl's night, something they all seemed to need.
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I initially read the eARC through NetGalley and then reserved the physical version as soon as it became available through my public library. The added color to the illustrations in the final version was the icing on an already beautiful cake. There is so much detail and thought put into this book, and I am ready to recommend it to everyone and anyone who will listen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Stalking
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Grief and Sexual harassment
alyssamakesart's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Homophobia, and Misogyny
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