Powerful read. A book to be revisited and highlighted and shared. Loved the pieces by Ward, Jemisin and Greenrdge especially. It expanded by TBR list in a wonderful way.

Looking for a great book of black women authors and genres . Look no further this is the book for you. What a great read, this book made me go out and purchase even more women of color books to read. Thank Glory Edim you have expanded my reading game.

This was a phenomenal essay collection - the range of voices included a complex discussion about the importance of representation in literature. The collection was also as a celebration of the talent and legacy of black women writers, and the passion within each essay really brought this collection to life. I also loved the suggested reading lists included throughout the book!

This is an incredible collection from an unbelievable list of contributors. Jacqueline Woodson, Jesmyn Ward, Tayari Jones, Gabourey Sidibe... and the list just keeps going! I was blown away by the essays in this book. I'm not the target audience for this, but the powerful message about identity in fiction and diversity in publishing is so important for readers and reviewers. Glory Edim has curated a readable and touching collection with so much heart.

This book, filled with essays by prominent African-American authors and other figures, presents many different voices speaking about reading and writing black women in books. Although, as a white person, I don’t have personal experience with this issue, I found many of these essays very interesting, and I expanded my TBR list with even more diverse books (something I’m always trying to do). Representation matters, and the essays in this book show just how much a novel about someone who looks like you can affect your life for the better.

This collection is one I wished I had as a young reader. Each essay by a black woman writer discusses the importance of reading, and the importance of another writer on their personal and literary development. This is a book that belongs in the hands of so many young women of color looking for a sense of inspiration; looking to how how their stories are represented outside of the "traditional" cannon. With this book and with the community of Well-Read Black Girl, Glory Edim has created a community of safe space to foster the next generation of literary leaders and readers.

I love reading about the books, essays, authors, etc. that have inspired some of my favorite authors. As an avid reader who understands what a book can give us, it is moving to hear stories of how similar works have affected others. This is an important book for and about a group of people that did not have many works written with characters that were strong, black, and female. The author's different perspectives were eye opening and fascinating. I also walked away with an exciting list of books to read. While I had read some of the books mentioned, I definitely have not read them all and I want to.

I can not wait to get my students' hands on this book. They will find characters to connect and relate to and will feel empowered and loved.

I had been highly anticipating this book since I first heard about it. I’ve been following Well Read Black Girl (WRBG) on Instagram and I love the diverse, multicultural books that they promote for their online book club. I commend Glory Edim for creating a space to spotlight black women’s literature and sharing on such a huge platform

This book is a wonderful collection of essays by black women (actresses, authors, poets) expressing their love for literature and reading. I loved how personal each essay was and how the collection focuses on recognizing yourself in literature.

No two essays are the same and each one feel so raw. It was interesting to read their experiences of how they developed a love for reading and which books impacted them the most in their lives. I found that a lot their favorite books were mine too and I liked how the explored the significance of the themes and characters in literature.

Another great addition to the book is that it not only compiles the reads from WRBG backlist, but it also shares curated lists of Sci-Fi, Poetry, Literary Fiction by black women. I learned about a lot of new reads from reading this book and now I have many additions to add to my ever-growing tbr list.

Definitely a recommended read!

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Well-Read Black Girl is for anyone (regardless of ethnicity or gender) who loves great books that will lead you to more great books. In it a star-studded crew of readers share books, plays, writings of every kind that are important to them--contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Tayari Jones, Marita Golden, Gabourey Sidibe, Stephanie Powell Watts, N. K. Jemisin, Zinzi Clemmons, and Kaitlyn Greenridge. It’s a fabulous collection!

I really enjoyed this collection! I thought it might feel repetitive, but it doesn't. I particularly loved the way it was arranged so that a few of the essays found back to back shared a very specific reference or thread.

I love reading books about reading. I especially enjoyed this one as it brought together stories from Some of our best black authors. It shines a light on the importance of hearing these voices regardeless of race, age or gender. The essays were creative and original. It was a treat to read some of my favorite authors like Tayari Jones, some I had not read in awhile such as Rebecca Walker and a few new names I’ll be sure and pick up!

Great collection, I learned a lot about African American literature. Looking forward to reading more form several authors included in this collection. Thanks for the review copy.

Ahhhhh. I have found my people. I have also made a significant number of additions to my TBR list. If you’ve ever been confused about the saying, “Representation Matters”, Read Well-Read Black Girl because it is basically the definition of it. Being the only little brown girl at my private school growing up, I thought pouring through the pages of books to find myself was a unique experience born out of necessity. This collection proves otherwise. I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this courtesy of NetGalley because it gave me such a sense of community.

I really loved it!
I hope a movie list is in the works too, but just amazing how the information was compiled and it feels like one of you good friends is telling you about things that they have read, and it pulls you in to read things you might not have even tried to read.

A highly anticipated title that did not disappoint! I loved the care the contributors put into their essays and the construction of the theme by the editor. Sharing with all my fellow well read Black girls.

I remember the time my teacher placed a copy of <b>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</b> in my hands. I identified strongly with young Maya. Through her walk a sense of power was infused in me. I felt that I could endure. Just the idea that a little brown girl's voice held that much power. I remember shortly after that Dr. Angelou came to visit my local library. She towered over the patrons yet she always managed to embrace everyone at their own level. Even at that young age I understood that I was in the company of greatness. Her regal stature, her warmth and her strength encouraged me. I became a lifelong fan and follower of her life.

As I got older other women of the diaspora joined my literary canon: J. California Cooper, Sonia Sanchez, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Ntozake Shange, Sapphire . . .
They all came into my life when I need them the most.

In Glory Edim's much anticipated anthology, <b>Well Read Black Girl</b>, 21 Black women writers were asked about their early experiences with literature. When did they first see themselves reflected back in the stories that they read? When did a protagonist beg of them to see more, feel more, be more? How did the absence of their experience - or inclusion in some cases - spur them on to write their own masterpieces? What role did their mentors and idols within the Black literary community play in their decision to become writers?

Besides getting a glimpse into the birth of these authors' love of reading and writing, Edim has carefully selected and tucked between these pages recommended literary works by women of color.

Special thanks goes out to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Glory Edim for access to this wonderful work.

This is definitely an eye-opener.

Guys, do not be fooled by the sentence when the introduction of this book stated that "This anthology is for women who are emboldened to tell their own stories. It speaks to young girls who are developing their own sense of being and fearlessness."

This book is written to empower women, black women, and young girls who aspire to become and will become the one who they aspire to be.

All of the essays resonated with me. It made me want to cry, but like the women who wrote them, I wanted to be strong. I wanted to make people see that I am a force. I am not a wave but a tsunami ready to conquer all who dares stop me.

Every artist that shared their past in this book really did a great job. Writing-wise, they are all different, of course. But that is what makes this book wonderful and unique. It's because all of the voices are different and even if you don't get to relate to one, there's definitely another to look forward to.

This book reminds of "On Writing" by Stephen King. We get a look into what inspired and motivated these black female writers to become writers, and to write the topics and the subjects in which they choose to write. And, it's important and interesting to realize that race is the second reason in which, these writers became writers. Authors such as Ward, Sidibe, Walker, Jemisin, Woodson, Greenidge, Mezghebe, etc., became writers because they love to write. This anthology includes writers of fiction (i.e.plays, novels, poetry) and nonfiction (i.e. journalism). At first, you might not recognize their names, but you know their works! And, that's what makes this book so unique.

As both a reader and a writer, I recall my reasons for wanting and continuing to do both, as well as knowing which books/stories and what reasons inspired me the most to becoming a writer. The concept is the same for all of the authors in this anthology. All writers tell stories, but which stories does each one tell, and why are mentioned in each chapter. Stories by non-Black authors are mentioned as favorites by the writers in this book, and I find that to be essential as well because one can enjoy a story, no matter who the author is, as long as the reader found the story to be enjoyable and relatable.

"Well-Read Black Girl" is a book for all inspiring, struggling, and working writers. The inspiration, the struggle, and the success of each writer in this book allows for a sense of realism into the motivation as to why each writer became a writer. The suggested reading lists throughout and at the end of the anthology is worth looking into as well. Even if you have read some or most of the books on the lists, you should go through what inspired the writers in this book because you never know where you'll find your next inspiration!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Netgalley provided me an ARC for an honest review
I pick up books to experience a story and life different than my own. To discover a world and ideas different than my own. This book may be about women of color, and maybe not all readers fit into that category, but everyone who is a book lover can find a piece of themselves. There are some amazing author stories, worlds apart from my own even though we live in the same world. Book recommendations break up the stories too, and I am overwhelmed by how many new books I have to read.
Pick this book up! With that beautiful cover, display it for everyone to see! 5 stars.