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Heads of the Colored People
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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DrexEdit
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I very much enjoyed this collection of stories about black middle-class characters. The stories are funny and smart and razor-sharp in their societal observations.
Definitely a pick for me! 👍 5 ⭐

37 likes1 stack add
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DrexEdit
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Riley wore blue contact lenses and bleached his hair--which he worked with gel and a blow-dryer and a flatiron some mornings into Sonic the Hedgehog spikes so stiff you could prick your finger on them, and sometimes into a wispy side-swooped bob with long bangs--and he was black.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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licia.reads
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick
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Pinta
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

FUN-ny, smart short story collection. Black identity, representation, codes, friendship, rivalry. Stories all have a twist, punchline ending—entertaining but overly reliant on this effect? Fave: opening story, fight breaks out in front of a Comic-Con. Clever, crafty narrator adds meta commentary, joke after joke but w/ a stark conclusion. “Well-read, self-aware, self-loving black man with blue contact lenses & blond hair & a periwinkle suit…” 2018

6 likes1 stack add
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Addison_Reads
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

This was my local library's book club pick for June. I had never heard of it before, but I'm so glad I was pushed to read it.

As with most short story collections, I can't say I loved them all and some were stronger than others. Some made me laugh, some made me emotional, and they all made me ponder my own existence in this world and how I interact with others.

I'm excited to discuss it tomorrow at book club. 💚

30 likes1 stack add
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WitBeyndMehsure
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I‘m surprised I didn‘t post this the first time I read it. I love this short story collection. Many of the stories have a connecting thread and focus on the experiences of a middle to upper middle class Black folks. Content Warning for a story about suicidal ideation, and a story centered around fatphobia. Second read for a book club discussion I lead! #ShortStories #HeadsOfTheColoredPeople #BookClub

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ephemeralwaltz
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Sunday reading ✨

batsy What a cover 😍 3y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rsteve388
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Pickpick

What a book, these short stories about Black people living their lives, some healthy, some very toxic, some trauma, were beautiful in their rendering and sad in their telling. What a book. I don't even have words for all of the different stories. How some of them intertwine and brought up different characters and told the same story from different angles. Well done, I can see why the author won so many awards for this book. It deserves them.

21 likes1 stack add
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rsteve388
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires

It's Swap Season! Just bought the books for my #HHS Swap! Very exciting. :)

Fall is upon us... :)

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charl08
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Powerful stories: I particularly liked her direct approach to the impact of women's health conditions. Would make a good addition to any #BLM list.

42 likes1 stack add
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charl08
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Posts about television were even better: “Kerry Washington is SO gorgeous. I want that outfit … and that one. Go, Shonda!” Instant fifty-six likes. Cat videos outperformed babies, which followed closely behind, but delicate posts about family and #blessings could be tricky, because people didn‘t want to see how happy you were too often, even if you were making it all up.

Pic from mariascrivan.com

36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Come-read-with-me
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

This was an outstanding collection of short stories that provided a glimpse into a series of somewhat connected characters and the turns their lives take. There was both cruelty and humour across this collection, and there were moments I was distinctly uncomfortable. However, I think that the authored wanted to challenge any notions about race the reader may bring with them to the book. For me it was an absolute 5 🌟 read!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds intriguing, sometimes books that make us uncomfortable are good for us...key there is sometimes. But 5 stars makes me think it was a good uncomfortable. 4y
JaclynW Great review! Stacked! Being uncomfortable is not always a bad thing. It may be trying to tell us something, we can learn if we listen. Right? 4y
Come-read-with-me @Riveted_Reader_Melissa It was a very good uncomfortable- the kind that makes you stretch and grow. 4y
84 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Tamra
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I will buy this collection in print when I run across it because it‘s worth a reread! I liked the gambit of identity issues it covered in a contemporary context. The stories involving social media were sadly disturbing and realistic.

Aimeesue I was really impressed by this one. 4y
72 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I love short story collections, but it's hard to find ones like these- where every story flows and works, where there's a connection to the collection that makes sense. This is definitely going on my top list for 2020 so far, because I enjoyed it so much!

melissanorr This was the #DCReads book at the Dc Public Library last year and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Lots of folks still talking about it. 4y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Really enjoying this collection of stories, and especially the one I'm reading right now which is a collection of subtlety vicious letters between two mothers of classmates who keep using their education to snark and stab at one another.

54 likes2 stack adds
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Aimeesue
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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My library hold came in! I'm about halfway through and am really liking these stories. Thompson-Spires is a real talent to watch.

30 likes2 stack adds
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Chelleo
Heads of the Colored People | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Started my day with breakfast, journaling and reading. #blitsy #blacklitsy #ownvoices #readdiversebooks

LapReader What a perfect start to the day. (edited) 4y
rather_be_reading 👏👏 4y
BellaBookNook Sounds like the best way to start a day! 4y
126 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Tonton
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Wickedly good short story collection about black American middle class life. Loosely linked so that each story spotlights different perspective; laugh out funny teetering on edge with heartbreak/anger/resignation/determination. Superb.

45 likes5 stack adds
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Paloverde
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Pickpick

Powerful, witty, smart and thought-provoking short stories about black identity but also relationships, psychology and society.

LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Here are links to #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU. There‘s lots of fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! #litsywelcomewagon 4y
SW-T Welcome to Litsy 😊 4y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🎈🎉👏🏻 4y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👻📚👻 4y
Readswithcoffee Welcome to Litsy! ☕️📚📚📚☕️ 4y
3 likes5 comments
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Bertha_Mason
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires

"The analogy he was searching for to describe Lisbeth, Mike realized, was Little Edie twirling, or maybe Gloria in _They Shoot Horses, Don't They?_"
-"The Subject of Consumption"

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triplem80
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Definitely an attention-grabbing way to start a story!

1 like1 stack add
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KatieDid927
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I love a great short story collection and this book delivered. I did find the stories a little uneven with some packing a punch of brilliance while others were quickly forgettable, but overall this was an excellent read. I look forward to what she writes next.

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KatieDid927
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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1. Frostbeard candles. (Not my pic, was too lazy so stole one off Google.)
2. Nope, not a tattoo gal.
3. Pins and totes. Can‘t have too many. I could use a nice book sleeve.
4. Frostbeard again! If I get you in a swap, chances are you‘ll get one. (Ran out of room in the MALS box tho! 😩)
5. I‘ve loved all the themes I‘ve participated in. I would love to see a swap centered around the classics or feminism.

#HelloThursday @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 📚 5y
Sharpeipup I used to live down the street from Frostbeard! 5y
24 likes3 comments
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Becker
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Each story was consistently good. That doesn‘t usually happen in a collection. Yet overall I thought it was a good collection- not a great one.

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j9brown
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

An excellent little collection of shorts. The first and the last stories pack a serious punch, but each one had something to say.

KatieDid927 This looks up my alley. 5y
40 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Naominats
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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I couldn‘t draw the bodies while the heads talked over me, and the mosaic formed in blood, and what is a sketch but a chalk outline done in pencil or words? And what is a black network narrative but the story of one degree of separation, of sketching the same pain over and over, wading through so much flesh trying to draw new conclusions, knowing that wishing would not make them so?

1 like1 stack add
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Expandingbookshelf
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Spending my night digging into this short story collection. So far, it‘s fabulous...

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Alicia
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Hello Litsy!!! I apologize for my long absence. Holidays, work and a new side hustle I started have taken their toll. But I knew I had to post today because I just finished this amazing book of short stories. Run, don‘t walk to your bookstore and get yourself a copy. The book was at times laugh out loud funny, gut wrenching, incredibly sad and profound. I would give this book as many stars as I could.

70 likes4 stack adds
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Floresj
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Great compilation of sharply written short stories! Each one left me with wanting to read more about the characters and plot line. I love short stories and this book was no exception!

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cocomass
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Just past the #24in48 halfway mark and I‘ve finished my first book! I really enjoyed this collection of loosely linked, often funny (and highly relatable for me) short stories about black middle class life, mostly set in Southern California. Favorites include The Necessary Changes Have Been Made, Not Today Marjorie, This Todd, A Conversation about Bread, and the titular story. 4/5 ⭐️

#blitsy

Angitron I absolutely loved this book!!! 5y
cocomass @Angitron I‘m excited to see what she writes next! I‘d love to see a full novel. 5y
ReadosaurusText This was one of my favorite books from last year!!! Best edited collection I think I‘ve ever read. 5y
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Wow, this collection of linked stories is unflinching, brutal and in your face. More than once, it made me exclaim aloud. 5⭐️ for sure.

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cocomass
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Digging into this smart story collection on my way home from celebrating #MLK with my sister, and I‘m loving it!

#blitsy

PS Go see If Beale Street Could Talk!

suzisteffen Adding to the library requests! Thank you. Second rec I‘ve heard for this book. (And ooooh Beale Street 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍) 5y
53 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Peaceful_Reader
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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I‘m enjoying this book of short stories on this snowy weekend.

11 likes1 stack add
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TsahaiMakeda
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

This! Great story telling and I loved the way the characters flowed in and out of the stories.

sprainedbrain This sounds amazing. 5y
14 likes1 comment
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lauralovesbooks1
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

One of the best short story collections that I have read in a while. Thompson Spires is amazing at creating believable, nuanced characters in just a few pages, and is wickedly sharp in her dialogue and use of humor, even while exploring tough subjects. Definitely worth picking up - looking forward to more from this author .

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Angitron
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I was completely blown away by this short story collection. Loosely connected, each story focuses on the lives of middle class African-Americans. The stories are funny at times, but heartbreaking in equal measure, and there‘s not a bad one in the bunch. Amazing and highly recommended!

cocomass Oooh I have this my nightstand and am going to start it today! 5y
Angitron @cocomass I literally had the chills when I finished! Hope you enjoy it! 😊 5y
Tamra I need to bump this up! 5y
Angitron @Tamra 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 5y
26 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Peaceful_Reader
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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I‘m reading this with some friends. If the first story is any indication I‘m going to love her writing.

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razmanda
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Such a great reading year! My top 18 picks.

Christine Such good picks!! 5y
21 likes1 comment
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ReadingEnvy
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

I had missed this book before it was included in the Tournament of Books longlist. It is a collection of stories, often connected in small ways, conveying the ridiculous realities of the suburban middle class. My favorite was probably the mothers writing letters to one another with increasing drama, and one of those children reflecting on her life while sweating through her yoga class.

Ruthiella That‘s what I love about the TOB more than any other book prize: the exposure to works I would otherwise be unaware of! 😀 5y
ReadingEnvy @Ruthiella totally... I'm on to 5y
61 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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ReadosaurusText
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

This short story collection is genius. Each story is strong, and the care with which Nafissa Thompson-Spires crafted them together—well, I just can‘t underscore its brilliance enough. This book restores my faith in short story collections. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

8little_paws Completely agree. This one really knocked my socks off 5y
41 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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ReadosaurusText
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Okay, I just finished the first story in this collection, and my mind is blown. Incredible. 💙📚💙📚

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Lindy
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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She wouldn‘t look like the Lady of Shalott with her new weave framing her face as she lay back in a boat, or even Anne of Green Gables as the Lady of Shalott or even Megan Fellows as Anne of Green Gables as the Lady of Shalott, because her natural hair wasn‘t even red, and anyway, she‘d read that when black women died it wasn‘t glamorous & people didn‘t make metonymic literary connections about them […] black women‘s bodies just died, out of frame

Lindy [quote cont.] and that made her sadder. 5y
49 likes1 comment
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Lindy
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Thompson-Spires writes with refreshing verve, tackling troubling issues of contemporary society, unafraid of unlikeable protagonists. Her loosely interlinked short stories showcase the diversity of middle class African Americans. Whip smart, innovative and funny.

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Lindy
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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He was two shades lighter than Brian, but also believed himself two shades blacker, as far as those things can be measured.

34 likes1 stack add
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Lindy
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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I really hope that in addition to help for her lies and early signs of psychosis, you will get Christinia some help for her weight problem before she ends up—and I say this respectfully, so I hope you won‘t be offended in the least—like you.

saresmoore This is from the story that proved to be most memorable for me. So vindictive! 5y
Lindy @saresmoore So passive aggressive! The ending surprised me, however. 5y
26 likes1 stack add2 comments
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razmanda
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

This is an astonishing collection of loosely connected short stories, all focused on the realities of being black in America. It‘s at turns haunting and hilarious and always, always surprising. Fantastic recommendation from Book Riot‘s TBR!

24 likes1 stack add
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razmanda
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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View from my hotel room. Conference life this week!

Becker Hearing nothing but positive things about this 5y
23 likes1 comment
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mklong
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Another solid choice from the National Book Award long list. A collection of short stories that examines middle class Black American lives. Thompson-Spires shows a wickedly dark sense of humor in many of these stories and an aching poignancy in others. The last story, especially, shattered me.

61 likes5 stack adds
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Redwritinghood
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

From the NBA longlist - a look at black identity in America, especially the black middle class. Many of the stories look at people who don‘t fit into the standard black identity - they like manga, have a white SO, talk differently - and how they are often judged by others in the black community. Many of these stories are quite funny, but they have serious undertones about contemporary issues, such as the frequent killings of unarmed black men. 4⭐️

Megabooks Sounds good 👍🏻 5y
66 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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mauveandrosysky
Heads of the Colored People: Stories | Nafissa Thompson-Spires
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Pickpick

Okay, WOW. This phenomenal collection blends sharp satire and poignant realism to cut to the heart of black identity in modern life. The playful form/structure echoes George Saunders. I loved it to the point of giddiness.

Well-ReadNeck Yassss! I felt the same way! ❤️ 5y
saresmoore Right?! I loved this. 5y
28 likes2 stack adds2 comments