• The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

  • By: Issa Rae
  • Narrated by: Issa Rae
  • Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (8,931 ratings)

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The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl  By  cover art

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

By: Issa Rae
Narrated by: Issa Rae
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Publisher's summary

In the best-selling tradition of Sloan Crosley's I Was Told There'd Be Cake and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, here is a collection of humorous essays on what it's like to be unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits and Black as cool.

"My name is 'J' and I'm awkward--and Black. Someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be. That someone was right. Where do I start?"

Being an introvert in a world that glorifies cool isn't easy. But when Issa Rae, the creator of the Shorty Award-winning hit series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, is that introvert--whether she's navigating love, work, friendships, or rapping-- it sure is entertaining. Now, in this debut collection of essays written in her witty and self-deprecating voice, Rae covers everything from cybersexing in the early days of the Internet to deflecting unsolicited comments on weight gain, from navigating the perils of eating out alone and public displays of affection to learning to accept yourself --natural hair and all.

A reflection on her own unique experiences as a cyber pioneer yet universally appealing, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl is a book no one--awkward or cool, Black, White, or other--will want to miss.

©2015 Issa Rae (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

Featured Article: 175+ of the Best Quotes from Black Authors, Activists, Entrepreneurs, and Artists to Celebrate Black History Month


Black History is American History. Whether writers, poets, activists, entertainers, scientists, entrepreneurs, or some combination thereof, Black people have frequently offered exactly the right words when they were needed most. This sweeping collection of wise, stirring, and thought-provoking words from Black Americans offers much to inspire all Americans.

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What listeners say about The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved

One of my new favorite books! I laughed and cried while listening to Issa Rae's story. She's so brilliant and funny! I related to her in so many ways and I am grateful to have come across this inspirational book. I am truly rooting for her and she has made me even more of a fan. I would recommend this book not just for awkward black girls like myself but anyone who wants to listen to an intelligent young women's take on her life and journey.

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45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good comedy book

Any additional comments?

Isa Rae is one of the funniest people on TV right now. I love her delivery and unique sense of humor. This is one of the better comedy books that have come out over the last few years. It follows a similar formula of many other recent comedian memoirs: lots of background stories about her life told in her unique voice.

I love Isa Rae so I loved hearing about her background. She's super witty and I also felt nostalgic listening to her tell stories about being a teenager in the 90's. I left out a star just because I got a little bored a few chapters before the end of the book. The 80% I listened to was awesome though. To be fair, most books by young comic voices all have had a similar effect on me, so I am in no way giving this a negative review. I think of all the "young" comedy memoirs I've read, this is one of the best.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awkward Girls Alike

I loved this book!! just like her YouTube series it was funny, entertaining, and oh so relatable. Issa reading the book gave it such a personal touch and made me feel like I was have a conversation with one of the girls. I look forward to more content from her. Good luck Issa!! I'm a proud fan.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I just couldn't connect with this...

The reason people read or buy biographies or even books written by famous people is for the story, the wisdom the inspiration. To be fair, I just couldn't slog through listening to this past the 5th chapter, so maybe the book got better, I will never know. I found NOTHING about her life even remotely relatable, as I didn't grow up rich and I don't hate on rich people at all, but if all your growing up problems in life relate to hair, weight and food then clearly there's no enough depth here for someone like me. It wasn't funny as I would have thought and made her seem really out of touch as a person, which is really regrettable.

Listening to this after Trevor Noah's "Born A Crime" made this seem like it really should have never been published.
It might have been helpful if she had hired a real story teller to do the Audible version of this because while she's a great creative, her dry humor and general nonchalant demeanor does not translate well to oral story telling.
I wanted so much to like this because I really like her TV Show, but man this was mind numbing. I absolutely do not know how this made the NYTimes Best Seller list, but then again money and influence can move mountains. I just wish I could return this for a refund, I'm terribly disappointed.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not fun to listen to.

It just don't engage me. I need more. I tune out during this reading. Jennifer Lewis and Gabrielle Union both were engaging. I do love Issa Rae just not listening to this audiobook.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I can definitely relate to her story being African American and German I’ve always felt out of place/awkward. Glad to see I’m not the only one.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hilarious Read

If you could sum up The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl in three words, what would they be?

Funny, relatable, fast

What does Issa Rae bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice & tone are real and bring the character to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

Must read if born in the 80s!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Big Issa Rae fan

I had no problem listening to and enjoying myself with this audible. Clear and smooth transitions and flowed nicely. Hoping she keeps the awkward movement going and her overall flow of creativity.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I hear myself in nearly every chapter.

I love your writing. You have truly inspired me to look at my own co-workers lol and write again. Thank you.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

i was disappointed by the amount of problematic things in this book. I spotted transphobia, fatphobia/bodyshaming, slut-shaming and other things, but not in a "f* the patriarchy" way, but more in a "the patriarchy got me where i am today. thanks patriarchy!"

I was conflicted about this review. Because Issa is a black woman, i don't want to be this critical, but these were so blatant and so overt that i just couldn't get through it and had to stop after she gave tips for how to have an eating disorder. as a person who has had one, as well as a queer person, it's really messed up when your hero disparages people like you and glorifies/glamorizes awful things and behavior.

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5 people found this helpful