Well-Read Black Girl

Reviews

“Yes, Well-Read Black Girl is as good as it sounds. . . . The recipient of the 2017 L.A. Times Innovator’s Award for her book club turned festival gathers an all-star cast of contributors—among them Lynn Nottage, Jesmyn Ward, and Gabourey Sidibe—to pay tribute to literature by, for, and about Black women.”—O: The Oprah Magazine 

“These essays build the altars for black women to recognize and support each other’s work, not as collectibles rendered visible or easily consumed by non-black audiences, but as an acknowledgment of black women as architects of their own futures and universes. . . . Each essay can be read as a dispatch from the vast and wonderfully complex location that is black girlhood and womanhood. . . . They present literary encounters that may at times seem private and ordinary—hours spent in the children’s section of a public library or in a college classroom—but are no less monumental in their impact.”—The Washington Post

“A wonderful collection of essays.”—Essence

“Glory Edim has curated a brilliant collection of essential American reading for the twenty-first-century reader. This book is smart, powerful, and complete.”—Min Jin Lee, author of the National Book Award finalist Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires

“I love this collection of essays by black women, not only because of its incredible content, but because of the community that its editor, Glory Edim, has created with her book club of the same name. Well-Read Black Girl reenergized my love of storytelling as a black woman whose ‘life and obligations’ (read ‘friends and parties’) took priority over reading for a while. It was through WRBG that I remembered the beauty in books and seeing myself through the words of others. This book is that experience realized and brings me joy on a regular basis.”—Abby Andesanya, Glamour (“14 Books to Read in Honor of Black History Month”)

“Edim, creator of the Brooklyn-based Well-Read Black Girl book club, invites readers to discover uplifting stories by black women writers in this thoughtfully edited anthology. . . . This work affirms the transformative power of reading.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Edim’s collection of brief, pithy, and original essays by twenty-one distinguished black women addresses the question, ‘When did you first see yourself in literature?’ . . . Speaking directly to black women readers, this book contains a journey from which anyone can derive enjoyment and benefit.”—Publishers Weekly

“[A] vital anthology . . . ‘Well-Read Black Girl Recommends’ reading lists covering various themes and genres add to the reach and radiance of this empowering literary resource.”—Booklist

“Required reading.”—Cosmopolitan

“Edim expands her breakout Brooklyn book club with this vibrant anthology celebrating black women in literature. The beyond impressive list of contributors includes Jesmyn Ward, Jacqueline Woodson, Tayari Jones, and Gabourey Sidibe.”—Entertainment Weekly Expand reviews