A review by ashylibrarian
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser

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.
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