Here for It

Or, How to Save Your Soul in America: Essays

By: R. Eric Thomas

Narrated by: R. Eric Thomas

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

National Best Seller

Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today

From the creator of Elle’s “Eric Reads the News", a heartfelt and hilarious memoir-in-essays about growing up seeing the world differently, finding unexpected hope, and experiencing every awkward, extraordinary stumble along the way.

“Pop culture-obsessed, Sedaris-level laugh-out-loud funny...[R. Eric Thomas] is one of my favorite writers.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Entertainment Weekly)

Named One of the 10 Best Books of the Year by Teen Vogue and One of the Best Books of the Year by O: The Oprah Magazine • NPR • Marie Claire • Men’s Health

R. Eric Thomas didn’t know he was different until the world told him so. Everywhere he went - whether it was his rich, mostly white, suburban high school, his conservative Black church, or his Ivy League college in a big city - he found himself on the outside looking in.

In essays by turns hysterical and heartfelt, Thomas reexamines what it means to be an “other” through the lens of his own life experience. He explores the two worlds of his childhood: the barren urban landscape where his parents’ house was an anomalous bright spot, and the Eden-like school they sent him to in white suburbia. He writes about struggling to reconcile his Christian identity with his sexuality, the exhaustion of code-switching in college, accidentally getting famous on the internet (for the wrong reason), and the surreal experience of covering the 2016 election for Elle online, and the seismic changes that came thereafter. Ultimately, Thomas seeks the answer to these ever more relevant questions: Is the future worth it? Why do we bother when everything seems to be getting worse? As the world continues to shift in unpredictable ways, Thomas finds the answers to these questions by reenvisioning what “normal” means and in the powerful alchemy that occurs when you at last place yourself at the center of your own story.

Here for It will resonate deeply and joyfully with everyone who has ever felt pushed to the margins, struggled with self-acceptance, or wished to shine more brightly in a dark world. Stay here for it - the future may surprise you.

©2020 R. Eric Thomas (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This book was a lovely gift of hope and hysterical wit that kept me warm during the apocalypse. I laughed. I cried. I wish I would have written it myself." (Jenny Lawson, New York Times best-selling author of You Are Here and Furiously Happy)

"Here for It is Thomas at his finest: funny, clever, thoughtful, and compelling. I’m glad the world will not only get to experience more of Thomas’s talent, but another much-needed story from another gay Black man in America." (Michael Arceneaux, New York Times best-selling author of I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé)

"A laugh-out-loud memoir that is strongly recommended for everyone." (Library Journal starred review)

Brings Out Every Emotion

I couldn’t put this book down! Actually, I got the audible version read by Eric himself! Funny, introspective, charming, witty - but mostly funny. I laughed out loud so many times. His use of vocabulary brought such a clarity to the story; it totally draws you in. I would highly recommend!

A wonderful, multi faceted look into life.

Don't have a moment that stands out, to many great lines. Read to open your mind, heart and get the bonus of good laughs.

I adored this book & look forward to more.

Most memorable, loved the epolog when the future self's visit on the cruise. Thank you

loved it!

this is the best audoobook i have listened to so far. it kept my interest throughout, from first word to the last. i was sad that it ended. like listening to your best friend muse about their life and thoughts. just wonderful.

A fun weekend read

I enjoy the author's newsletter, so I decided to give this book a try. It's a fun one to listen to. Lots of personality and humor comes through, even in the discussion of difficult issues.

Such a fun listen

I really enjoyed listening to this audible. The story was funny; sometimes laugh out loud funny. It was also educational for me to hear how tough it is for many gays to find acceptance, especially when you are black. I listen when I walk in the mornings (thank you covid-19). I had a few funny stares from others as I laughed during my walks in the early morning. When I would get home, I would often take out my earbuds and stash the phone in my pocket so that I could hear more while I sorted laundry or cleaned up at home. R Eric Thomas is a great narrator.

r. eric thomas is a national treasure

genuine and hilarious satire at its finest
sent me down a mr. rogers rabbit hole
soaked with glorious pop culture references and wrapped in great story telling
r. eric thomas - i will read all you write

So wonderful!

I loved this so much! Eric shares his life and gets you thinking deeply but in such a funny way.

Highly recommend this as an audiobook!

First, I never heard of him before, but LOVE his writing! The humor and the vulnerability and observations. Second: this is one of those books that I highly recommend listening to as the author reads it and it adds even more to this excellent book!

I am HERE FOR IT!!

What a wonderful journey through your life. So many similarities and differences. I can’t wait to read your next book. Of course, you will keep writing. Continue to be yourself. The internet is that much more fun with your contributions to it.