You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

Phoebe Robinson is a stand-up comic, which means that, often, her everyday experiences become points of comedic fodder. And as a black woman in America, she maintains, sometimes you need to have a sense of humor to deal with the absurdity you are handed on the daily. Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: she's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend," as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that . . . white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; she's been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. the. time. Now, she's ready to take these topics to the page and she's going to make you laugh as she's doing it.  As personal as it is political, "You Can't Touch My Hair" examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart, announcing Robinson as a writer on the rise."(Goodreads.com)

Funny, informative, and hopeful. These are the three words I would use to describe this book. It didn’t read like a typical book format. It was more like a friend writing to you. It’s funny, filled with pop culture, a little crass at times, but real to its time. While making us laugh, Robinson also gives us this great reminder to listen. Listen to what people are telling you. Be it about themselves or you. Listen to their truth. It may not be what you’ve experienced, but that doesn’t make it not true.

I recommend this book if you like memoirs and informal non-fiction topics on American cultures.

Meghan McCabe

Children's and Youth Services Librarian

Available at the Langley Adams Library