PLEASE DON'T SIT ON MY BED IN YOUR OUTSIDE CLOTHES

A funny, heartfelt, joyful third book from the 2 Dope Queens star and author of You Can’t Touch My Hair.

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 (“Mother Naych” for Mother Nature) and hashtags (“#NoNewFriendsOrAcquaintancesOrWorldlyExperiences”)—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. In a related vein, the author examines the seemingly ever expanding commoditization of “self-care” in the bluntly titled chapter, “Self-Care Is Not a Candle and Therapy Is Not a Notebook: How We Are Doing the Most and the Absolute Least at the Same Damn Time.” Also at the forefront are Robinson’s current life status, as she tackles topics including running her own business, performative allyship (“if you really want a taste of what Blackness has to offer, look around you….Feel secondhand joy when you see a Black family having a good-ass time together. Listen to Black people in the workplace when they have really good ideas. Don’t save us. See us”), and the decision to not have children. It’s important, she notes, that “no matter what a woman chooses, everyone will refrain from judgment because choosing to be a mother and choosing to be childfree are both decisions worth celebrating because the celebration is in the fact that a woman chose the trajectory of her life.” Robinson also pens a love letter to her natural hair: “Full disclosh: I have 4A/B hair in the front third of my head while the rest is 4C and those mofos ain’t trying to work together.” 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.