I downloaded this audiobook on a whim. I had seen Samantha Irby’s covers floating around the internet and knew she had a recent book out, but knew next to nothing about it/her, except that she wrote humor essays. And let’s be honest, we could all use an excuse to laugh a little right now. So when her dry and sarcastic voice (she narrates her own audiobook) captured my attention almost immediately, I settled in for an enjoyable listen. And then… how do I put this… all the praise hands emojis for my new bluetooth headphones, because those babies stayed in my ears for the next 5 days solid.

Irby is a Black woman living in small-town Michigan with her wife and step children, after having spent most of her time in downtown Chicago. This essay collection is about this life changes: the differences between dating and marriage, between small-town and city life, between only having yourself to look out for and suddenly having a whole family. It’s about figuring out what you want to do with your life, what your passions are, who you ultimately want to be. And Irby’s writing is so, so funny. (Although, if you’re sensitive to raunchiness or cursing, this won’t be your cup of tea.) My favorite essays included “Love and Marriage”, “Are You Familiar with My Work?”, and “A Guide to Simple Home Repairs.” I kept finding excuses to listen, prioritizing puzzle time and dirty dishes over other ways of spending post-bedtime, and had a great time. Fully intend on seeking out her past works, especially if she narrates them.