Wannabe

Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me

By: Aisha Harris

Narrated by: Aisha Harris

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

BEST READS OF 2023: New York Times Book Review • USA Today • The Skimm • Bookpage • St Louis Post-Dispatch / BEST HOLIDAY GIFTS 2023: Publishers Weekly / MOST ANTICIPATED READS OF 2023: ELLE • The Millions • Essence

“Aisha Harris is one of our smartest, most entertaining modern cultural critics (…) which might as well be parlance for, “Read me immediately.”"—ELLE

Aisha Harris has made a name for herself as someone you can turn to for a razor-sharp take on whatever show or movie everyone is talking about. Now, she turns her talents inward, mining the benchmarks of her nineties childhood and beyond to analyze the tropes that are shaping all of us, and our ability to shape them right back.

In the opening essay, an interaction with Chance the Rapper prompts an investigation into the origin myth of her name. Elsewhere, Aisha traces the evolution of the “Black Friend” trope from its Twainian origins through to the heyday of the Spice Girls, teen comedies like Clueless, and sitcoms of the New Girl variety. And she examines the overlap of taste and identity in this era, rejecting the patriarchal ethos that you are what you like. Whatever the subject, sitting down with her book feels like hanging out with your smart, hilarious, pop culture-obsessed friend—and it’s a delight.

©2023 Aisha Harris (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Beautifully personal and profound

An excellent exploration of the ways that we are shaped by popular culture and representation, argued from a thoughtful, honest perspective. Thrilled to have experienced this series of essays as a fan of her other work.

much to think abour

thank you, aisha, for giving ne more insight and new perspectives.
I am glad Ms Harris narrated her own book. she is a very lively narrator.

Perfect pop culture personal essayist

I became familiar with Aisha Harris through her work at NPR. This audiobook feels like an extended podcast in essay form, allowing the literal voice of the author to guide us through her thoughts on important cultural topics. She dives deeply into subjects I sometimes mull over with the same personal reflection, citing research and the work of others. How do I navigate the pop culture that made me who I am? How do I recon with the harm and also joy (I spend way too much time navigating my love for heteronormative romantic detective tv shows….but I digress). It’s sharp and funny and I feel seen and like I learned something, too. Did I mention I’m unmarried, childless, queer and white? Her work is relatable but also navigates our differences, especially race in pop culture, in a powerful way. It’s the perfect read for the summer of 2023 (and beyond).

Very enlightening!

I enjoyed listening to this book. The author is the narrator and she has done an amazing job! I am not familiar with all of the pop culture referenced material, but I did understand that it influenced her. I have always understood that being a minority was challenging, but this book has shown some of the challenges of which I was unaware. I really appreciated her frankness about not wanting to experience motherhood. Motherhood is not for everyone and no one should be pushed into it because it is "The thing that is done"! There are more and more young people who feel as she does and their decision should be respected.
This is not a book about being denied a good life because of her race! It is a book about influences and the reality of growing up experiencing these influences and how they affected her life. I strongly recommend this book for everyone.

Very entertaining

Really enjoyed these essays, definitely can related to the different topics that she touched on.

Intellectually inconsistent

Aisha is really likable, especially when calling b.s. on some cultural ideologues. I kept feeling, though, like I was listening to Candace Owens having been trained by Ibram Kendi- in a parallel universe. Seems like she should read some Coleman Hughes to figure it all out.