This collection was a delightful addition to my bookshelves, curated by Glory Edim, founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club. Contributors write about how essential it is that we all see ourselves in literature, and include essays from Jesmyn Ward, Lynn Nottage, Jacqueline Woodson, Gabourey Sidibe, Morgan Jerkins, Tayari Jones, Rebecca Walker, and more. A celebration of the power of story, filled with illustrations, inspiring words, and a big bunch of book recommendations.

In this long-awaited memoir, Well-Read Black Girl founder Edim describes her love story with the books that shaped her, saved her, and became the foundation for her life’s work. I loved learning the origins of her book club, and how she discovered the magic of connecting with others through a shared love of reading. She also shares about her family of origin: her father’s return to Nigeria when she was young, her mother’s unhappy second marriage, and her mother’s deep depression. Books were a solace throughout, and the comfort and joy she found in cherished writers like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and many others is palpable in these pages. This love letter to books and reading will inspire deeper reading and reflection for those who pick it up.