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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Oh how I loved this! It is very much a character driven, slice of life kind of graphic novel and I am here for that. The art and the way color was used throughout was beautiful, and I appreciated that there were sections that didn't have any words at all. It just focused on the characters and the various ways that they take care of their hair.
In a way, it reminded me of an adult version of the middle grade graphic novel [book:Frizzy|59251234] that also came out this year (and I also highly recommend!). In addition to being an ode to Black hair, it's also a story about love, friendship, and support. The four main characters are all there for each other, and they show up in multiple ways. It's a wonderful book, and I hope more people read it!
In a way, it reminded me of an adult version of the middle grade graphic novel [book:Frizzy|59251234] that also came out this year (and I also highly recommend!). In addition to being an ode to Black hair, it's also a story about love, friendship, and support. The four main characters are all there for each other, and they show up in multiple ways. It's a wonderful book, and I hope more people read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Stalking
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
rosaelise's review against another edition
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
mysterymom40's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Stalking, and Drug use
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
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
emily_mh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
Ooo this was so good!! My top three favourite things about it were:
1. The art style. It looked sketch-y and the colour palette was divine - a mix of pinks, purples, blues, and yellows to represent the four MCs. I loved how expressive and gorgeous the illustrations looked.
2. The friendship between the four women was so natural and beautiful. Their connection was palpable and you could just SEE the love they had for one another.
3. It drove home the point that Black hair is not just a look, but an entire culture that white people like myself can never fully understand the significance of and therefore should not participate in. This book showed me many aspects of Black hair culture (although I am sure there are many more that it did not have the space to cover). It's having a whole day booked out to care for and style your hair; it's the music you listen to while doing it; it's the friends you talk to and the family you connect with. It's the style you choose and why you choose it. It's doing it yourself, having a friend or family member do it, or going to a salon. It's community.
In short, I LOVED this book and you should read it ASAP x
1. The art style. It looked sketch-y and the colour palette was divine - a mix of pinks, purples, blues, and yellows to represent the four MCs. I loved how expressive and gorgeous the illustrations looked.
2. The friendship between the four women was so natural and beautiful. Their connection was palpable and you could just SEE the love they had for one another.
3. It drove home the point that Black hair is not just a look, but an entire culture that white people like myself can never fully understand the significance of and therefore should not participate in. This book showed me many aspects of Black hair culture (although I am sure there are many more that it did not have the space to cover). It's having a whole day booked out to care for and style your hair; it's the music you listen to while doing it; it's the friends you talk to and the family you connect with. It's the style you choose and why you choose it. It's doing it yourself, having a friend or family member do it, or going to a salon. It's community.
In short, I LOVED this book and you should read it ASAP x
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual harassment, Drug use, Ableism, Racism, Misogyny, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: menstruationtizoka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
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
shector1's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Dementia, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Stalking
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A quick graphic novel of friendship, sisterhood, a glimpse into their lives as they go through the beautiful process of loving their hair. It warmed my heart and found the characters personable, like they were familiar friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Alcohol, Sexual content, Stalking, and Toxic relationship