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cass_keeps_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
sam8834's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
First read of 2022! This was a good one to ease into the new year with. Mostly short essays, very readable and accessible, even when talking about heavy stuff. It wasn't *solidly* on my TBR list, but one of those books I kept seeing and hearing about, so when I saw a copy at the library, I snagged it.
Nichole Perkins covers a loooooot of ground. Everything, from religion to abuse and sexual assault to HBCUs to sex (well written but quite blunt and graphic, in case that's not your jam). And the idea it all circles, for me, is power. Whether it be power in womanhood, sexuality, Blackness, academia....these essays crescendo into a larger discussion on power - how we lose or gain it, how we reconcile with not having it, and how we live while navigating its dynamics, particularly for marginalized people.
Some of these essays are casual, short, and discuss seemingly discuss more trivial things, like Kermit and Miss Piggy or Frasier*, but the real payoff in this collection is when you look at the sum of the parts, the whole. And it's honestly kind of stunning when you see it that way, a biographical record of a woman examining and coming into her own power. And you realize, oh, that Frasier essay wasn't just in there for funsies, it's a very deliberate contribution to this lifelong discovery of one's power.
Solid nonfiction debut from Perkins.
* ngl though, Perkins is literally the first person ever who may have convinced me to watch Frasier.
First read of 2022! This was a good one to ease into the new year with. Mostly short essays, very readable and accessible, even when talking about heavy stuff. It wasn't *solidly* on my TBR list, but one of those books I kept seeing and hearing about, so when I saw a copy at the library, I snagged it.
Nichole Perkins covers a loooooot of ground. Everything, from religion to abuse and sexual assault to HBCUs to sex (well written but quite blunt and graphic, in case that's not your jam). And the idea it all circles, for me, is power. Whether it be power in womanhood, sexuality, Blackness, academia....these essays crescendo into a larger discussion on power - how we lose or gain it, how we reconcile with not having it, and how we live while navigating its dynamics, particularly for marginalized people.
Some of these essays are casual, short, and discuss seemingly discuss more trivial things, like Kermit and Miss Piggy or Frasier*, but the real payoff in this collection is when you look at the sum of the parts, the whole. And it's honestly kind of stunning when you see it that way, a biographical record of a woman examining and coming into her own power. And you realize, oh, that Frasier essay wasn't just in there for funsies, it's a very deliberate contribution to this lifelong discovery of one's power.
Solid nonfiction debut from Perkins.
* ngl though, Perkins is literally the first person ever who may have convinced me to watch Frasier.
elenichristine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse
themeggreig's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Funny, thoughtful, interesting essay collection with a focus that doesn't receive enough attention in literature. The style was a little blog-ey for my taste, but Perkins is an expert at her craft, that is clear. Brave narratives mixed up in insightful commentary and a fearlessness to be herself with every word has made her one of my favorite authors and I was super excited to read this book.