Such a Fun Age

Interesting subject matter - I didn’t know what this book was about before starting and was surprised with the blunt discussion of race and privilege. The idea was good, but I felt like there was a lot withheld/not addressed that could’ve made the plot lines for the characters more solid.

ending could be better.

it was an okay book. the story fell flat that it became a little bit unbearable to read especially with the characters that lacked depth. i wished emira’s character developed more at the end.

This book was a “low stakes” nonviolent look into racism in America today. While I found it had me thinking and analyzing relationships, it was just not exciting. I think it lacked the drive to keep me interested and most of the characters were pretty insufferable.

Hated the way it was written, disappointed in the lack of depth to the characters, just felt as if doing the bare minimum throughout most of the story. Would not recommend this read to a friend.

I could not put this book down.

I didn’t expect this! I knew it was touted as witty satire but I didn’t think it would be such a romp. It was a lot of fun but also had many things to say, which it did with fantastic realistic dialogue that fully immersed me into the story.

Really enjoyed this book and the discussion it prompts. While oftentimes the dialogue felt shallow, it seemed to me that was the exact intention of the author... to place a racial discussion inside an almost off-handed commentary on coming of age.

Had high expectations for this book, but it all just fell flat to me.

I ended up listening to Such a Fun Age as an audiobook and I would highly recommend it! Although I can imagine the print version is also just as good. I’m honestly really sad it took me so long to read this book as it came out many years ago but better late than never. (also cheers for this being set in philly!) Alix Chamberlain, a #girlboss who advocates for female empowerment, is taken aback when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is wrongly accused of kidnapping while watching her toddler. Despite Alix's determination to rectify the situation, Emira, feeling adrift and financially strained, is skeptical and rightfully so of Alix's intentions. As events unfold, a revelation from Alix's past sets both women on a transformative journey that challenges their perceptions of themselves and each other. The novel's dual perspectives offer a profound exploration of privilege, showcasing the stark contrast between Alix and Emira, particularly in how they navigate issues of race and class. Through Alix's lens, we're given insight into her world of privilege, yet as readers, we're also compelled to shake our heads at her well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempts at helping Emira—a dynamic that's underscored by the inherent racial dynamics at play. Despite our inclination to empathize with Alix, the narrative continually challenges us to confront the underlying implications of her actions, revealing the complex interplay between race, privilege, and perception. I cannot recommend this book enough and am looking forward to reading Reid’s other works!

3.5

Can you love and dislike a book? This is how I feel about this one. I loved the story, but the development wasn’t where I would want it to be. I’ve been seeing some folks talk about being afraid to post negative reviews, but I think we can share our dislike for something so that we can have conversation about it. I just finished this yesterday but I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t read in the mornings, but I woke up reading, carried it with me and read it in between stoplights when my husband was driving. I loved in it that way. And, I can’t walk around Philly without thinking of this one. We are introduced to Emira, a 25 year old Black woman who babysits for a wealthy white family in Philadelphia. Emira’s closest friends have “serious” jobs, while Emira is trying to figure out what she wants to do. Naturally, we’re going to get commentary on race and class as the story develops. As much as I loved the book, there were a few things I struggled with. At times, it felt manipulative with how I should feel and see the world. Maybe it’s meant for a very specific audience, but I felt like it was predictable and forced. The dialogue was telling us everything and felt a bit set up.
 I’m glad it tackles issues of the good intended white person, white saviors, performative living, black fetishization, and the subtle racism that’s inherently always there. We need that commentary and it can be helpful in the form of fiction, but I also want to be able to have the realization as a reader without it being built in the dialogue. I’m also not an own voices reader, so I may have be misreading some parts of the book. I am not invalidating anyone’s experience or perspectives, but I also like a bit of room for interpretation when it comes to the books I read. ALSO!!! If anyone is on reddit, one of my fave subreddits is the “Am I the Asshole” one, and truthfully, I’d say ESH (everyone sucks here) when it comes to how messy and frustrating the characters were and the roles they played for all of this to unravel. I didn’t hate them, but phew, the lack of development was unfortunate.

i don’t like the writing but to each their own. i’m just a romance gal

** spoiler alert ** 4.5 stars. Really really good. It's a pet peeve of mine when books do the thing where the characters are all interconnected in really unrealistic ways, so I struggle with that, but I guess it's also important to the story here. Also no way is Robbie Coleman getting a scholarship to GMU to play volleyball at 5'5" lol

Audiobook: Probably one of the best narrators I’ve listened to! Not sure I could’ve read this paper version but Nicole Lewis (narrator) kept me captivated from start to finish

enjoyed this book but can’t help but feel like i haven’t properly got the hype! it was a very interesting look into some complex relationship dynamics and characters but the language just didn’t really do it for me and i’m not sure why. that being said, i did find myself whizzing through it and felt like a nice way to get myself out of a bit of a reading slump.

Great premise but poor execution, such a bummer.

** spoiler alert ** feel like this could’ve been so much better with what was laid out in the beginning😭 kelley was let off too easily imo especially with that last reveal?? the two stars are for emira saying back that line on live tv cause that was 10/10 but otherwise…

it's a great book. the writing is gorgeous. but i'm in a reading slump while reading it which makes me didn't fully enjoyed the book. but i like it.

incredible book really compelling characters really unique and interesting story, I love the dual perspective of it

I have chewed over what I think of the book for an entire day now. I enjoyed the writing, it was breezy and created a nice setting. But I didn't like how the story was resolved and I picked this up with a lot of expectation hence the lower rating. ------------------------------ * Spoilers ahead * ------------------------------ Two things that bothered me: 1. The last twist of Alix finding out the unopened letters. At that point, it doesnt even matter. It's a needless twist. I felt like it was put there to clearly establish that she was the one who was in the wrong. It was disappointing as a reader because up till that point, the book was building to shades of grey that both Kelley and Alix show with respect to racism. 2. Robbie and uniforms. I feel like the plot catalyst wasn't strong enough. While Robbie may have made a silly mistake as a teenager, so did Alix. The point of disproportionate consequences is directed at the system. But even the author chooses to villainize Alix here. Secondly, uniforms. I thought they were a plot device to show Kelley's convenient obfuscation of realities. But it was a true grievance felt by Emira as well?! And it wasn't hinted at at all previously.

I couldn't put it down. The story was super simple, but the performative activism and white allyship AND the micro aggression were discussed in ALL CAPS. So although the story in itself wasn't mind-blowing it still dealt with serious real life topics and portrayed them in a relatable manner for people who are actually affected I think.