by Kiese Laymon
First published 2013
Kiese Laymon reckons with growing up Black in the American South, navigating family, addiction, and the ever-present threat of violence. Through raw, intimate essays, he confronts the complexities of his own choices and the harsh realities of systemic racism. As Laymon lays bare his struggles, he reveals an aching pursuit of truth and accountability—both for himself and his country.
Genres: essays, american, african-american, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, social-commentary
Setting: America, South
Period: 21st-century
146 pages · Paperback · Agate Bolden
Content warnings: addiction, racism, violence