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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
funny
fast-paced
I recently discovered Insecure and have been loving that series and so I was excited to also check out more about Issa Rae. This was a fun audiobook listen particularly since I’m in the middle of watching Insecure. It has a good sense of humor while still making some interesting societal observations and I like how it and she complicate the stereotypes that persist.
Very fun book but a bit short. I felt like Issa Rae wanted to dive into more topics than could be covered here. I did find myself nodding to a lot of her awkward experiences so that was fun.
Awkward Black Girl is a web series I got hooked on in its early webisodes. Now that it is mainstream, the writing and comedy changed a bit. I stopped watching religiously. However, I was uber excited for the opportunity to review an ARC of the book. From YouTube to Galley pages!
Jo-Issa Rae Diop (pronounced JO-EEE-SUH RAY JOPE) is the girl who tries to be less awkward, a bit cooler and a little smarter. The purpose of writing her story is to show it is okay to be awkward, learn from her mistakes and laugh at her misgivings. Well, Issa Rae, mission accomplished.
There are lots of comedic stories like when Issa Rae was blocked on Twitter by a disabled white stripper. There are also chapters called ABG Guide about eating in public, connecting with other blacks and when co-workers attack. She writes about why edges are so important to the black female community and how being able to dance is seen as an automatic for all blacks. Pure entertainment in literary form!
Even if you are not familiar with ABG, this book of misadventures is a great introduction. Issa Rae has a unique flair. For those that are already ABG fans, I highly recommend reading this collection of humorous essays when it is released in February 2015. You may pre-order at www.issarae.com/thebook
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
Jo-Issa Rae Diop (pronounced JO-EEE-SUH RAY JOPE) is the girl who tries to be less awkward, a bit cooler and a little smarter. The purpose of writing her story is to show it is okay to be awkward, learn from her mistakes and laugh at her misgivings. Well, Issa Rae, mission accomplished.
There are lots of comedic stories like when Issa Rae was blocked on Twitter by a disabled white stripper. There are also chapters called ABG Guide about eating in public, connecting with other blacks and when co-workers attack. She writes about why edges are so important to the black female community and how being able to dance is seen as an automatic for all blacks. Pure entertainment in literary form!
Even if you are not familiar with ABG, this book of misadventures is a great introduction. Issa Rae has a unique flair. For those that are already ABG fans, I highly recommend reading this collection of humorous essays when it is released in February 2015. You may pre-order at www.issarae.com/thebook
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
Funny and insightful look into the life and mind of Jo-Issa Rae Diop. The first time I ever heard of Issa Rae was when I grabbed this book to add to a Funny Ladies (or maybe Biography) display at my old library. I watched the first episode of Insecure and thought it was fantastic (the only time I've seen anything she's been in, I think).
I was always drawn to the cover of the book, but I never got around to reading until Atria had their Women's March/Glose app free book offer. Now I *need* to watch the rest of Insecure. She's a lady that deserves more of my time.
I was always drawn to the cover of the book, but I never got around to reading until Atria had their Women's March/Glose app free book offer. Now I *need* to watch the rest of Insecure. She's a lady that deserves more of my time.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and I think it helped to hear Issa’s words in her voice. I enjoyed learning about her upbringing and it was fun to reminisce of being a teen in the late 90s and early 2000s. The very end fell flat for me. I’m not sure what I expected, but the book ended where I thought there would be a little more. Considering this was released before she experienced the work of Insecure and the other shows and movies she’s done since, I think we could definitely use a follow up.
Absolutely loved this story, and it was even better as an audiobook that was read by Issa Rae herself!
My only gripe, and what made this a 4 instead of 5 star, was that overall the story felt disjointed. This makes sense, as it's actually a collection of essays instead of one flowing narrative of her life, but I think the general stories would have flowed just as well if it were one cohesive timeline, instead of the frequent hopping back and forth.
Either way, I really enjoyed it!
My only gripe, and what made this a 4 instead of 5 star, was that overall the story felt disjointed. This makes sense, as it's actually a collection of essays instead of one flowing narrative of her life, but I think the general stories would have flowed just as well if it were one cohesive timeline, instead of the frequent hopping back and forth.
Either way, I really enjoyed it!
Yeah I love Issa and her content but this book just wasn’t it for me. While I enjoyed some of the anecdotes from her life and identified with a few there was just too much out of touch and problematic comments and comparisons that made this a less than fun read. I’m genuinely surprised by the rave reviews.
I really wanted to love this one, but I really didn't. Maybe if I watch some of Issa Rae's web/TV episodes, I'll be more on her humor wavelength. I've been struggling to put my finger on my unease; I was appalled by her second chapter, "Fat," and the book just didn't win me back from there.
I did enjoy some of her childhood experiences that connected to mine, like looking stuff up on Encarta. LOL! I'd completely forgotten about that. And "I had an old Apple computer...where I played Number Munchers and self-published my stories on perforated paper from an excruciatingly noisy printer."
I did enjoy some of her childhood experiences that connected to mine, like looking stuff up on Encarta. LOL! I'd completely forgotten about that. And "I had an old Apple computer...where I played Number Munchers and self-published my stories on perforated paper from an excruciatingly noisy printer."
Quirky fun beach read. Issa has an incredibly colorful life and her upbringing was interesting to read about.