The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

By: Issa Rae

Narrated by: Issa Rae

Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Let down.

After following Issa Rae on HBO and her recent films I was disappointed by her book. The chapters seemed better left to the realm of inside jokes. There were surprising moments of racial slurs and ethnic generalizations which I did not expect from such a worldly, bright woman. As a show producer and actress Issa is incredible, hilarious, human and raw. As an author she truly let me down.

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!

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.

Great read

I enjoyed reading this book and could relate to the Senegalese culture being a HaitianAmerican. It also reminded me of my awkwardness and life experiences as an adolescent and young adult.

RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS

The book confirms that economically advantaged people, regardless of race or gender, lack perspective.This is echoed by the detached tone of the author/narrator, who seems bored by the entire exercise. Everyone faces obstacles, everyone must exert effort to get ahead, but that's life, not the stuff of books, self-congratulation, or angst. The result is an uninteresting, uninspired and unfunny traipse through a privileged life, peppered with vulgarities in a desperate effort to seem real. Of course, wishing the author all success in other areas of her performing arts life, but nothing with seeing here in this shallow booklet.

amazing! !!

To think that I only just discovered Issa Rae! the book helped me catch up and get to know her as a person! I will miss those little moments when I laughed out loud in public listening to her book and the looks I got from confused 😕 strangers! but like Issa I did not give a ...

Quirky fun relatable

Loved it. Issa put into what's what I couldn't articulate about the awkward moments in life. Thoroughly enjoyed. Genuinely laughed. Recommend for anyone. You definitely do not have to be black either.

Excellent

Great Narrative and brilliantly performed!!!
Felt like you are listening to one of your friends, fabulous.

Glad it is finally off my read list.

Narrator was good. Story was okay. Expected it to be hilarious, only had a few chuckles here and there.

Loved it!

I have loved Issa Rae from insecure and watched everything of hers since. It was therefore such a pleasure to listen to this book and lean about her journey. It was such a treat that she narrated it herself. The humour was to be expected, so I truly enjoyed this book!

Awkward listening ?

I love what Issa Rae has done with her career and was keen to get insight in which it delivered but felt at times listening was mondane.

if your a big fan it's still worth a listen to the wonderful world of what we know is Issa

Amazing

I love every words, the tone, the African family stories. I felt like Issa was telling my story. Great book. Happy being part of Team awkward black girl. Much love from France 🇫🇷

Great insight into Issa's journey

Great insight into Issa's journey from child to star. Also brilliant source for inspiration as you learn never give up

Queen ISSA!!!

Love everything about this book. I really feel like I get into the head of Issa Rae and it’s an honour.

loved it

funny and relatable, forever a fan of ISSA and all she does. glad I took the time to listen to this thoroughly enjoyed listening while I walked and did housework.