I knew that Irby was a brilliant and hysterical writer, and this book definitely does not disappoint. In addition to the laugh-out-loud moments I was expecting, many of the essays in this book are surprisingly touching and vulnerable. Come for the chapters on chronic diarrhea and body hair, and stay for the chapters on growing up poor, being black in America, and caring for a sick mother. This entire book is full of Irby's bravery in telling us everything about herself, and her generosity in letting us us relate.

Look, the personal essay is PLAYED OUT by this point, but Irby is something special, and doing it better than everyone else.