by Issa Rae
First published 2015
Issa Rae tackles the challenge of being an awkward introvert in a society that celebrates extroverted coolness. The creator of the Shorty Award-winning web series "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" examines her experiences through witty, self-deprecating essays that cover cybersex during the internet's early years, handling unwanted comments about weight, eating alone in public, navigating romantic relationships, attempting to rap, and learning self-acceptance including embracing natural hair. Rae writes about the intersection of being both introverted and Black, addressing how these identities shape her interactions with love, career, and friendships. Her debut essay collection reflects on personal experiences as an early internet content creator while exploring themes that resonate across different backgrounds. The book offers readers an entertaining look at finding confidence despite feeling like a misfit in mainstream culture.
Genres: african-american, autobiography, contemporary, biography-memoir, comedy, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, witty
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family, personal-journey
Period: 21st-Century
224 pages · Hardcover · 37 Ink