Pre-Read Notes:

I chose this one purely for my love of memoir and the title. Happily, the writing is excellent and the content is compelling.

Final Review

"All I’ve ever done, all I’ve known to do, is make a home out of language." p1

Everything and Norhing at Once is one of my favorite books of the year. I was captivated and educated by the essays in this book. My favorites are "Homecoming" and "Good Art, Bad Art, Black Art" but each of these essays are worthwhile reading.

Recommended for readers of short prose and/or essays, readers interested in Black culture, racial justice and equity, and hip hop. This is a great example of a clever form-- the essay collection as personal soundtrack.

"I want to be better with words. I want all of us to be better with words." p135

"To be Black is to be seen by everyone and no one at all; to be at once coveted and loathed; to be both heard and misunderstood—both herd and cattle, martyr and savior." p229

Reading Notes:

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. "Because there was a shift, a transformation. And while doing so, there is also a dying. For in the rebirth, there is also a conclusion, a burying of what needs to die to allow something new to live." p2 I already love this book.

2. Screenreaders have a party with page 10 lol! It's funny, clever form too, visually.

3. "The bar is set to a monotone whiteness. When a film that exists outside of that shows up in the Black community, it tends to stay there. Because Blackness is not considered the norm. Whiteness is." p158 Smart discussions about race and culture are gems, like this essay, "Good Art, Bad Art, Black Art" but everyone of these essays is worth a close read.

Rating: 📚📚📚📚📚 /5 nuanced essays
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Dec 14 '24
Format: digital arc, NetGalley; digital, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🗣memoir
🤎 personal essays about Blackness
🧒🏿 boy's coming of age
🎤 hip hop

Thank you to the author Joél Leon, publishers Henry Holt & co., and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of EVERYTHING AND NOTHING AT ONCE. I found an accessible digital copy on Libby. All views are mine.
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About the Essays:
1. "What Kind of Black Are You?" An essay written in a flowing, smooth style, about the author's experience with Blackness and Black masculinity. Best bit is the Be a Better Black Man Commandments.
2. "Belly" - An essay about childhood challenges and the ways kids cope.
3. "Sensitive Thugs You All Need Hugs" - "We ran because running sometimes can save your life, even when you’re not sure what you’re running from." p45 An essay about the author's youth and all the trouble he managed to avoid.
4. "All Gold Everything " - An essay about the importance of gold to the mainstream Black culture, especially among men and boys.
5. "How to Make a Black Friend" - An essay about male friendship in the author's life, and in the lives of Black boys in general. "The idea that we must be breadwinners, we must work always, we must not be emotional. To question the rules, to question the language given to us, would mean to question our relationships to masculinity, to the men in our communities, and to our friendships." p79
6. "Homecoming" - A beautiful, poetic essay about...guess. "The block is mythological. Everyone’s block is different, and yet so much the same..." p100 But also, how we can never go home again.
7. "The Sound a Slap Makes" - A very interesting discussion about patriarchy and the conflict between Chris Rock and Jada and Will Smith that went down at the Oscars.
8. "For Black Boys Contemplating Suicide - An insightful essay about social factors in mental illness.
9. "Good Art, Bad Art, Black Art" - This book says so much, sometimes in only a few words. It's a profound read. Maybe a must-read. "You know what’s Black art? Black Thought." p149
10. "Black Republicans" ‐ "Money keeps you away from poor people, so far removed from their everyday struggles, that the politics surrounding how to lift Black communities gets muddied with anecdotes that are less about actual people with lived experiences and more about data and stats that tend to be disconnected from the reality of people’s lives." p187 A detailed discussion about how capitalism is counter to Black liberation.
11. "The Postpartum Tree" - A brilliant essay about the moments a man becomes a father, and the pressures for women to become mothers.
12. "A Conversation on Afro-Normalism" - "Diddy made “Can’t stop, won’t stop” scripture, with each of us finding new ways to adopt the slogan as principle, as a means by which to revel in the sacred art of doing." p220
13. "Death by Visibility" - "Visibility is a Black man’s defense mechanism actualized. It is our shield. It is our comfort." p240
14. "Survivor's Guilt" - A fascinating piece about "being the one to get out."
15. "The Eulogy of Charles Lorenzo" - A moving essay about the high death rate Black men of all ages experience in the US.
16. "Our Poetry Will Save the World" - A beautiful piece about the power of Black art to provide purpose and voice to Black people.

As a white woman, I cannot speak to what it means to be a Black man in America. The insight I get comes from books like this, but I do my best to be open to what these books can teach me.

Every and Nothing At Once was a profound and expertly written collection of essays that weaved together the complex threads of parenting, depression, capitalism, toxic masculinity, male friendships and the contemporary black experience. Leon had a way of infusing his essays (usually centered around serious topics) with humor which made it feel like having a discussion with a friend. His commentary was interesting and insightful and provided a unique perspective on many serious topics.

This is a wonderful read for everyone, but I think it's especially important for other white people to pick up.

"Everything and Nothing at Once" by Joel Leon is a powerful exploration of identity, culture, and resilience. Through poignant prose and evocative storytelling, Leon offers a reimagined soundtrack for the future that resonates deeply with the Black experience. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of race and identity in today's world.

"Everything and Nothing At Once" by Joel Leon resonates deeply with my work as a therapist in the Bronx and my personal experiences. This collection of essays, penned by a Bronx native, performer, poet, and storyteller, offers a tender, rich, and emotionally honest exploration of Black masculinity, Black life, Black parenthood, Black joy, Black trauma, and the rich tapestry within the Black community.

Leon's prose is a delicate blend of street talk and fierceness, delivering an unflinchingly honest account of his own experiences and reflections. Having lived and worked in the Bronx for over a decade, I found immense fulfillment in reading an artist's testimony who not only grew up in the same borough but also pays homage to its transformative impact on his journey towards becoming the artist, man, partner, father, and creative he is today.

Leon's mastery of language is evident throughout the collection, skillfully rendering even the most painful experiences into words that you won't be able to stop reading. His ability to encourage readers to persist through challenging emotions showcases his gift for making a home out of language. It is not surprising that he authored his first book at the age of 14, a testament to his role as a thinker, feeler, and community activist.

The vulnerability with which Leon explores his journey as a Black father to two Black girls is particularly moving. His emotional maturation process unfolds on the pages, outlining his mistakes as a guide for the next generation of Black men. This collection is not a directive on what to think or feel; rather, Leon invites readers to consider who we are as Black folx, urging reflection on the art we will create and the legacy we will leave in our lifetimes.

The essays cover a wide spectrum of topics, from the intricacies of masculinity as performance to the fragility within this "decaying time bomb." Leon fearlessly addresses questions often left unspoken, such as "How do you break up with a friend if you are a Black man?" He weaves in insights from Buddhism, sharing its impact on his gratitude practice and his ability to navigate life with openness.

Throughout the collection, Leon pays homage to influential figures and community pillars, including Jay Z, Nipsey Hussle, Will Smith, The Ortiz Funeral Home, and Fordham Road. He shares personal experiences with therapy, emphasizing its role in healing his inner child and promoting positive well-being today.

The eulogy for his father, Charles Lorenzo, at the end of the collection adds a deeply personal touch. In "Everything and Nothing At Once," Joel Leon invites readers to witness the beauty in the complexity of Black life, offering a profound and transformative journey through his words. This collection is a testament to the power of storytelling and the healing potential of literature in exploring and understanding the nuances of the human experience, specifically for the brothers. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!