Some days when perusing the wonderful digital world of the Internet, we can find ourselves overwhelmed with the flux of reality star tell-alls, celebrities behaving badly, and the latest pop culture craze. Social media and modern technology makes it very easy to stay connected to all of these things with just the touch of an index finger or thumb. Other days, we just can't with the shenanigans. We're over who's engaged to who, who's divorcing who, and we don't want to read another twitter rant from "that guy" from "that show." On those days when I just "could not," I knew I could look to Luvvie Ajayi and her humor blog, Awesomely Luvvie, to deliver a word or two to help me cope with all the things.
If you are unfamiliar with Luvvie Ajayi, she's an award-winning writer who's known for sharing her witty and candid commentary on pop culture and current events. Reading an update from Luvvie's site or social media feels like talking to a good girlfriend who keeps it all the way real with you. You know the friend who gives a hug when you need it and tough love when you need it all the more? That's Luvvie. So when I learned that she would be giving more of that kinda love in her debut book, I'm Judging You: A Do Better Manual, I knew I had to read it.
I'm Judging You:The Do Better Manual is written in four sections: life, culture, social media, and fame. In this collection of essays, Luvvie gives us candid advice on friendships, no-good boyfriends, body image, and even cleanliness. Yes she has judgments for you, pigpen. She covers race, sexuality, sexism, religion and politics as well. In a day and age where these things should be more easily and widely discussed in depth, we usually shy away from teetering off the surface level of them. But Luvvie delivers in a voice many of us can understand and relate to. And of course, she comes for all of us who suck at playing nice on the Internet and calls us out for our Facebook dramatics. She sees us, pulls up on us and even brings popcorn as entertainment ensues.
All in all, Luvvie's book was EVERYTHING I hoped it would be. I read the book in a matter of days--sometimes while waiting for dinner to cook, other times in the afternoons as Tupac's "Only God Can Judge Me" served as fitting background music. And with each section, I was given laughter as well as judgment in true Luvvie fashion. I said "yassss" in my head more times than I can count. I even gave Luvvie's words the side-eye a couple of times because she was calling me out on MY bad behavior. Nonetheless, it was in a way I could appreciate. She didn't mind sharing ways in which she needed to get herself together as well.Her words will resonate with you no matter your station in life or the number of degrees you do (or don't) have. She beautifully articulates the happenings, then gets the wheels turning by making you think critically about them. Luvvie also challenges you on the decisions you make and how they affect the world around you. She does this in a way that is non-preachy and is clearly coming from a good place. And just when you start to roll your eyes and side-eye her words to pieces, she reels you in with a drip of sarcasm or comic relief, as if to say, "breathe a little." This is definitely the "do better manual" you want to read and grab a copy of for all of your friends and family. Whether you want to share the love and laughter with them or you secretly want them to get their lives together, I won't judge. But I promise, this read is one you want to get into.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
