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.

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.

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.

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.

entertaining listen

wanted more personal experience and how she gained opportunity and what she did with it. but over all it was decent.

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.

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.

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.

love issa rae

she is so funny and I love how nonsensical and relatable her stories are.cu liked the tips and advice from an ABG guide too.

however I wish she spoke more about her career and private life/ romantic life? I can't help but be curious about how she thrives and manages it all. it would be good to hear how she gets creative inspiration and works on things.

but the childhood stories were funny and I love her as a person!

Not as interesting as I thought it was going to be

This took me a really long time to finish. Bored through most of it. I expected more, it just didn't deliver for me. And it finished in a very strange place, it was a bit disconcerting?

Normalise being an awkward black girl!

I loved listening to every single minute of Issa Rae's story. It is as funny, multifaceted and personable as she is. I completely related to her chapters about growing up with an African dad and loved how even in the face of failure and adversity, she found a way to bounce back. it's also a great analysis of misconceptions people have of "what it means to be black" as well as the awkward years of growing up with mean and catty classmates. listening to this story made me proud of my awkwardness as a black girl!

fabulous rate

I never knew the east game from such a privileged background with successful parents. it's so refreshing to hear this narrative for once instead of a worries me and the difficulties that our people come from. it was insightful to see that having successful parents allows you to be your most creative self.

I didn't realise the Easter was so funny I feel like I've made a connection with her.

An absolute joy to read. Highly recommended!!!