Listening To This Audiobook Was A Good Life Choice

Drop everything and run (don’t walk) to the nearest recording of Phoebe Robinson's You Can’t Touch My Hair. Look, I love essays by funny ladies. You could even say they’re my jam. Well, all my past faves pale in comparison to this hilarious new collection of essays about feminism, race, pop-culture, and being a black woman in America. Phoebe Robinson is funny and poignant literally 100% of the time (how?!), and the audiobook is bananas phenomenal (with tons of ad libs you won’t find in the print version). Listening to this audiobook was a good life choice.

13 people found this helpful

Phoebe, You Rock

Would you listen to You Can't Touch My Hair again? Why?

I don't normally write reviews, but after the promos on 2 DopeQueens (which I love), I went to download this audiobook and was a bit astonished that, despite the super high star rating, all the reviews that were showing up were so damned negative!!! I almost didn't download it (I needed something fun to get me through the drive home from family thanksgiving), then I remembered, Phoebe is awesome, and I want to hear what she has to say.I'm a 42 year old divorced white lady. Phoebe says a lot that ring true to me about the experience of being a lady and from knowing POC. She also says a lot of things that I didn't know from the perspective of a POC, that I found enlightening. I am really, really grateful for all that she says. YES, the cadence of this book is a bit rough if you are used to Phoebe from 2 Dope Queens, where she feels just off the cuff. In this audiobook, you can definitely feel that she's reading -- but, she's reading her book, and I'm okay with that. One review I read suggested reading it at 1.1 speed-- unfortunately, my app only broke down to 1.25 - which was okay for awhile (1 chapter), then when I could hear in her voice that genuineness that we know and love, it was weird. YES, she's 31 and the fact that she bemoans being old makes those of us older feel like sorry old sacks. I remember feeling the same way. It's not really a thing that she's her age. It's who she is. Those of us that are now older were there, and remember it, if we're honest. YES, there are a few minor points where things get a bit dry, and, more to the point, feel like Phoebe is reading us a part of her college thesis instead of just engaging us and then backing her points up with facts.THOSE ARE MINOR POINTS, however, given the overall spectacular engagement I felt with Phoebe and this book. I think she brings people in to consider other experiences, explains them with grace and humor, and most of all, makes us laugh while we understand more about our shared human experience. Phoebe, I really enjoyed your book, and your reading of it, even though I'm not the intended audience. And, seriously, screw the assholes who don't get it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Phoebe, Olivia, John

Would you listen to another book narrated by Phoebe Robinson?

Not unless she wrote it

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

laugh, for sure.

37 people found this helpful

Whaaa?!

Major disappointment. No, I don't think she's an "angry black woman" nor do I refute her claims that in a number of ways women of color have it harder in society. This the unfortunate reality we live in at the moment. But her book was written in a tone that strongly sounded like (patting the head of any non person of color), "You'll never understand unless your black" mixed with "but don't even try to understand persons of color (POCs), because it only makes you more pathetic and ignorant".

I honestly finished this book thinking that Phoebe has some deep seated bitterness and anger that she needs to sincerely strip down and examine rather than shellacking it in humor and sarcasm. And no, the angry tone I heard in her book wasn't "angry black lady", but something much deeper.

This book actually made me want to discontinue watching one of my favorite shows.

4 people found this helpful

Disappointed

Other Black, Female authors cover the same issues in a more humorous and insightful way. This was the first audible book I didn't listen to twice. I do that in order to catch any missed nuances and subtle points, when coworkers talk while I'm listening to a book. With this book, I don't feel I missed a thing, but as the author mentions a couple times, I already spent my money, so she doesn't care.
please save your money.

4 people found this helpful

A True Gem!

Phoebe Robinson opens the door to her world in this funny, but real, way.
Her opinions on everything from certain older, white gentleman, to very politically sensitive issues really reach to the core of who we are as a society and raise the question of whether or not we are headed in the right direction. Ant good story can make you think fondly about ups and downs of the characters, but it takes a truly great book to encourage the reader to be introspective, especially without asking direct questions. Thanks Pheobs!
p.s. If you ever come to Colorado on tour, you HAVE to check out The Chocolate Therapist in Littleton, for some wine and chocolate pairing... I get the feeling you would enjoy it.

9 people found this helpful

Listen @ 1.1x speed !!!

Firstly, I loved the contents. As a Mexican immigrant catching up with American culture, with fair skin and a diverse friend group, I found this very informative. As a fan of 2DQ and SMWG, this book did not disappoint.

With regards to the performance, it felt painfully slow and almost gave up and switched it for the print copy. I am a big fan of both if Phoebe's podcasts so I am used to listening to her speech (which I love) but the cadence on the audiobook felt off. I sped it up to 1.1x and voilá!

23 people found this helpful

Yes in concept, no in execution

Phoebe is someone I often find in the spaces of podcasts and entertainment I enjoy. She annoys me. However whatever my personal feelings about her might be I want to support women in their own personal journeys whatever they might be. Thus purchasing this audiobook. The book doesn’t quite have the substance to stand alone. Its hodgepodge’d wisdom and poorly stated celebrity gossip doesn’t make for a good listen, nor a good read. Couldn’t finish, won’t attempt to.

3 people found this helpful

Well done Pheebs!

I need Pheobe to write letters to Olivia for the rest of her life. even if they're never published for my reading, it needs to happen. This book was wicked enjoyable and informative. The Rebecca Incident should be required reading for all teachers. How was that situation ever okay!?!? Thanks for bringing to struggles of POCs to light, Ms. Robinson. Your truth will help my daughter find hers. Love it.

3 people found this helpful

I'm too old for this book

I definitely struggled to listen to this book. I tried, believe me, I tried. But I'm part of that last group of boomers, born 13 years after the end WWII. I could understand the "don't touch my hair" part because I went through that A LOT of that in the early 70s, when I was wearing a 'fro. White girls would help themselves to touching my hair, until I trained them to stop doing that But that's pretty much where the similarities end. I have two Millennial daughters. Maybe they would enjoy this.

25 people found this helpful

It had potential, but.....

This book feel short. The author's tone and reading method made it sound like she was trying too hard, which makes the book hard to listen to. Secondly, the content of the book goes off in too many directions (with pop culture references and/or side commemts) while making every point. It is just too extra.

6 people found this helpful