Emira is drifting. She has graduated college but what's next? She has patched together a couple of parttime jobs to make the rent in the small apartment she shares with a roommate. She works a couple of days as a transcriptionist for a nonprofit and the rest of the time she babysits for two children. Briar is almost three and she has a baby sister. Their parents are upwardly mobile professionals. Alix is an influencer with her own company while her husband, Peter, is a local newscaster. They are both white while Emira is black. Emira knows she needs to find a job with benefits and potential but doesn't really know what she wants to do and she and Briar have a special relationship.

She meets Kelly one night in a grocery store. Emira had been called away from a party by Alix. They had had an emergency and wanted Emira to take Briar to a grocery store while the police came to their house so she wouldn't be scared. But a store security guard, seeing a black woman with a white toddler at eleven-thirty, accuses Emira of kidnapping the child and won't let her leave. Kelly sees what is going on and videos it on his phone. The store incident is over when Peter arrives to vouch for Emira but she is left shaken and angry.

Soon after she runs into Kelly again and they begin a relationship. As it advances, she can tell Kelly wants her to figure out a better job while Alix wants to be Emira's friend. She starts to feel pressured by both of them and when it turns out that the two have a former relationship, everything comes to a crisis point.

Kiley Reid is an African American author. This novel, which explores the aimlessness of youth, racial relationships and the pushiness of those who think they know better what one's life should be is her debut. She attended the Iowa Writer's Workshop where she received the Truman Capote Fellowship and is now an associate professor as well as an author. I could relate best to Emira as I have a daughter the same age. She went through a year or so of this after she graduated from college. Her graduation occurred during the lockdown for covid and she ended up moving home for a while as employers weren't hiring. She felt pressured to start the rest of her life while not knowing what that rest would look like. Just as she figured it out and is now happy and employed in a job she loves, I feel Emira will do the same. This book was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2020 and is recommended for readers of literary fiction and those interested in other lives.

This was a quick read, but it was almost like one of those car wrecks you can't look away from. Alix is one of those uncomfortably relatable characters, in some ways. You want her to have the epiphany of "oh my god, I'm terrible" and she sometimes does, but not in any way that prompts her to experience meaningful personal growth. She's so incredibly self-absorbed, it's painful. Emira is painful to read in another way...her personal growth is definitely meaningful and significant, but it takes some really shitty stuff to get her there.

This novel explores the complex relationship between Emira Tucker, a young Black babysitter, and her employer, Alix Chamberlain, a wealthy white woman. Initially professional, their relationship becomes strained after a racially charged incident at a grocery store, leading Alix to obsessively try to befriend Emira.

This book was a good, fast paced read. I love how it’s up-to-date, talking about Instagram and selfies and viral posts... it made the book and characters feel more real to me, like they could all be people I know. I was back and forth about which characters I liked and which ones I didn’t, not liking a character one minute and then sympathizing with them the next minute.

This book was a lot different than I thought it would be - in a good way. I kept my attention the whole way through and didn't let go until the end. Definitely will read Kailey Reid's next book!

I could not put Such A Fun Age down. I loved the way that Reid told the story of the characters and am excited to read more by her.

Such a fun read about something that is not fun at all. Kiley Reid's young, black protagonist has a face off with a security guard in an upscale market while caring for the young daughter of a well-to-do white family in a moment that could have well gone viral, if only she had let the video circulate. Phew. Dodged that bullet. Until, of course, someone else decides that it would be in her best interest to handle it differently. This novel was propulsive. I liked it from the start, but didn't expect that I'd be staying up well into the night to finish it at a go. Could not put it down.

This was an enjoyable book for me. I did like the main characters and I thought it was well written and thought provoking

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid was deceptive in a good way. The story certainly pulled me in, but at the beginning it felt kind of simple, almost gossipy. But by the end, it had a symmetry that was very clever and left me with a pleased smile on my face. I won't say more to avoid spoilers other than to say that the novel works well because Reid doesn't take the story in predictable directions. And, while she takes on some politically loaded themes, this is not a didactic story. Some may bristle at a big coincidence in the story, but it's absolutely necessary to the plot.

Reid gives a startlingly clear picture of what it's like to be of a certain age and aimless. Her portrayal of a certain kind of whiteness also seems revelatory and damning in equal parts. It's hard to like these characters and the ending doesn't give the satisfaction desired.

"Such a Fun Age" is a brilliantly composed debut novel from Kiley Reid, that impressively manages to discuss complex issues of race, privilege, and transactional relationships with an unexpectedly light touch. It is a timely and nuanced portrayal of modern society that challenges us to confront our own biases, assumptions, and societal norms.

The book unfolds around Emira, a young African-American babysitter, and Alix, her affluent white employer. The story begins when Emira is accused of kidnapping Alix's toddler, Briar, at a local grocery store, a dramatic event that uncovers the layers of racial and social inequity lurking beneath their seemingly straightforward employer-employee relationship.

The narrative structure alternates between Emira and Alix’s points of view, enabling Reid to carefully peel back the layers of both characters. Emira is instantly likable; a young woman grappling with adulthood and searching for purpose while navigating a world fraught with racial discrimination. Alix, on the other hand, is a successful blogger, constantly striving to be "woke," yet her motivations often expose an inherent desire for control and validation.

Reid's characters are deeply flawed and fully realized, leading to moments of discomfort for readers as they navigate through their complicated lives. The dialogue feels authentic, and Reid cleverly employs it to expose the micro-aggressions and subtle racism that pervades everyday interactions.

Despite its weighty themes, "Such a Fun Age" is interspersed with Reid's humor and sharp wit, which keeps the narrative engaging and accessible. The story moves at a brisk pace, pulling the reader along towards an impactful and thought-provoking ending.

However, some may find the conclusion to be abrupt or not satisfying enough, leaving a few threads unresolved. Despite this, it seems to be a deliberate choice by the author, highlighting the reality that life rarely offers clear-cut endings or simple solutions to complex societal issues.

In conclusion, "Such a Fun Age" is a commendable debut novel, managing to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a contemporary exploration of race, privilege, and relationships that will leave readers contemplating long after the final page. Kiley Reid has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the literary world, and this novel is a testament to her potential.

I gave this book three stars for tackling an important issue.

With that being said, I thought the story wasn't well developed, nor were the characters. I felt that the book somewhat perpetuated the ongoing stereotypes. I know a lot of black women who don't speak anything like the characters in the book and conversely, I know white women who are nothing like Alix.

I think the lack of character development along with choppy writing are what contributed to my lack of enthusiasm for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

It took me a while to get to this, but the writing in this is phenomenal. There's something so emotional and affecting about it in a way that I couldn't quite explain. No wonder it was longlisted for the Booker in 2020!

SUCH A FUN AGE is a novel which Reid does a sharp social commentary on racism. We get to see plenty of performative alliance, white privilege and using Black people as an excuse.
Alix's odd obsession with Emira and trying to validate herself while also acting like white savior was uncomfortable at times. The story addresses fetishizing African American people and culture in a smart way. Some of the dialogues (especially between Emira and Kelley) had me thinking for awhile and I thought that they were portrayed realistically. The writing flows effortlessly and the light take on racism (filled with humor) didn't feel heavy-handed, even though discussing serious topics. This is a debut novel that I do recommend!

Oh my - this book. It really dealt with some hard social issues that are still taking place today.

Kiley Reid does a wonderful job at writing about white privilege and racism. It was an eye-opening book that I think everyone should read.

Emira, a woman of color who nannies for a white family, is out late in the evening with her charge, Briar, at a grocery store when a woman confronts her about her authority to be in charge of the little girl so late in a public place. Security is called and the scene only de-escalates when Briar's father is reached and comes to the store. Emira, 25 and struggling with her lack of prospects and ambitions, wants to forget the altercation, but her employer, Alix, a social influencer, sees this as an opportunity to befriend and guide Emira.

I wanted to like this book. But Emira is so wishy washy and Alix is so unlikable. Briar has a younger sibling, but Emira primarily only watches Briar because Briar is a bit quirky. Like Alix doesn't want her around, but is fine with the little sister. There ends up being some unreliable narrator stuff going on as well as some cliche plot turns. The more I think about this book and discuss it with my friends and book group, the less I like it.

Wouldn't recommend.

I loved this book. The character development is excellent, and the storyline thought provoking. This would make a great book club or discussion group selection for sure.

This was more than I expected. An important novel about racism and discrimination, a must read for everyone.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid is a well-written, thought-provoking novel that explores themes of race, class, and privilege. The story is centered around a young black woman named Emira, who is hired as a babysitter for a wealthy white family. The plot takes unexpected turns as secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. The writing is fresh, engaging and relatable, with multi-dimensional characters that are easy to connect with. The book sheds light on important social issues and forces the reader to confront their own biases and prejudices. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good page-turner with a message.

Actuall rating: 2.75 stars.


Alix was an annoying woman almost all the time, mostly it felt like she tried to be Emira`s friend not her employer. Trying to make her stay, make her hers if that make sense. I get that Kelley f-ed up and was an awful person to Alix/Alex. But sometimes she just annoyed me.

Emira was not enjoyable. I understand her not wanting the video out, i do. But sometimes she acted very childish and whiny. Plus, her relationship with Kelley it was just wierd, no chemistry, nothing. And how she handled the video and who was responsible for it, it didn`t feel like Emira at all.

Kelley? Creepy. Wierd. Awkward. Meh. No thanks.

I did like Birar though, but she was very complex for a three-year old though. But she was kind, funny and wierd. But i didn`t like how Alix made Birar rope Emira in sort of. Birar did not know what she was doing, she just loved "Mira so much.