... not only hilarious, but also raw, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest ... the must-read book of the year ... While the book is without a doubt funny, it covers topics that are sure to touch on feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, and everything in between, so just go into it with the right mindset ... Readers will get to connect with Robinson on a (very) personal level as well as get a peek inside how her hilarious mind works.
Robinson is as hilarious as ever ... As in her previous memoirs-in-essay, not only is the bestselling author’s work super funny, it’s also enlightening and thought-provoking. Whether she’s offering advice to aspiring bosses, dismantling the 'patriarchal narrative [that] every woman . . . wants the same things' or explaining why the #ITakeResponsibility initiative in the summer of 2020 enrages her, Robinson’s voice is sure and strong ... a memorable, meaningful reading experience dotted with hits of poetry, anger and revelation ... slip into your inside cardigan (a la Mr. Rogers) and settle in for another rollicking and resonant Robinson read.
Phoebe Robinson’s Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes is everything, in both the 'Girl, that outfit is everything!' sense and also in the fact that the free-flowing essay collection fits seamlessly into so many categories: earnest pandemic memoir, no-nonsense business guide, lovingly profane commentary on relationships, sex and race and unabashed celebration of Black culture, particularly Black women ... Robinson covers much ground, some light and comedic, some painfully frank, and all with the same warm intimacy ... Even the book’s occasional rambling feels relatable — 2020, as she notes, was reality-shaking and chaotic, so it’s appropriate. Robinson’s work effortlessly, reassuringly speaks into that chaos, hugging the reader while also shaking them gently, insisting they pull themselves together ... a sharp, sweet-salty pleasure ... These references, particularly those to millennial or Black culture, are made without overexplanation that would dilute their power or slow down the rhythm ... is both of the moment, with references to the exhaustion of performative allyship following the 2020 murder of George Floyd and to Netflix’s Emily in Paris, and a timeless entreaty to own one’s power, no matter what that looks like to anyone else.
... laugh-out-loud essays ... Here, like in her previous books, Robinson’s writing feels like talking to an old friend, especially when she recounts living with her boyfriend during the pandemic and learning to embrace each other’s flaws. The author is at her most vulnerable when detailing her path to launching an imprint, Tiny Reparations Books, and the challenges she faced along the way ... Robinson has written her best book yet, and her relatable humor will have readers coming back for more.
Lovers of comedian Robinson’s first two essay collections will find all the delightful usual suspects in her third: amazing footnotes and abbrevs aka abbreviations, winding sentences full of pop-culture references, and lots of love for U2 and her now-actual-friend Bono himself ... Robinson easily moves from light (quarantining with her boyfriend aka British Baekoff) to serious (the failures of white-led antiracism discussions), a strategy mirrored in each enjoyably morphing, meandering essay. Whether she’s sharing what she’s learned about being a boss, tossing out statistics on mental-health care, or revealing that she’s made great progress in loving her natural hair though the journey will probably never be over, Robinson’s writing style is all her own and readers will love her for it.
... funny, heartfelt, joyful ... Separately, Robinson’s hot takes on life mostly hold their own, but when taken together, they create a satisfying, hilarious tapestry. Featuring the author’s own style, replete with abbreviated language, which may not appeal to some readers—this steady-clip read provides us with an intimate setting that feels akin to a vibrant conversation with a friend, entertaining as it informs. Society’s pandemic helplessness and mishaps underlie several pieces, most of which will resonate with readers ... Throughout, the robust prose moves smoothly, making for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience ... Longtime fans will recognize the hilarity, and newbies will appreciate the frank thoughtfulness.
Robinson serves up, in her characteristic laugh-out-loud voice, what it means to be a young, Black success story in this inimitable, comedic tell-all. Robinson gleefully dips into the cultural artifacts of the pandemic and beyond with earnest insights on America’s racial and political developments ... Her no-holds-barred essays are deliciously confessional—no topic is deprived of caps lock or gushing footnotes. Robinson’s legions of fans are in for a treat.
