Wash Day Diaries

by Jamila Rowser, Robyn Smith

From writer Jamila Rowser and artist Robyn Smith comes a captivating graphic novel love letter to the beauty and endurance of Black women, their friendships, and their hair.

Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx.

The book takes its title from the wash day experience shared by Black women everywhere of setting aside all plans and responsibilities for a full day of washing, conditioning, and nourishing their hair. Each short story uses hair routines as a window into these four characters' everyday lives and how they care for each other.

Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith originally kickstarted their critically acclaimed, award-winning slice of life mini comic, Wash Day, inspired by Rowser's own wash day ritual and their shared desire to see more comics featuring the daily lived experiences of young Black women. Wash Day Diaries includes an updated, full color version of this original comic—which follows Kim, a 26-year-old woman living in the Bronx—as the book's first chapter and expands into a graphic novel with short stories about these vibrant and relatable new characters.

In expanding the story of Kim and her friends, the authors pay tribute to Black sisterhood through portraits of shared, yet deeply personal experiences of Black hair care. From self-care to spilling the tea at an hours-long salon appointment to healing family rifts, the stories are brought to life through beautifully drawn characters and different color palettes reflecting the mood in each story.

At times touching, quiet, triumphant, and laugh out loud funny, the stories of Wash Day Diaries pay a loving tribute to Black joy and the resilience of Black women.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Adult

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2022

About the author

Jamila Rowser is a Queer Black, Puerto Rican, and Dominican award-winning comics writer, editor, and publisher.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely everything! I am so happy that we have the opportunity to get a graphic novel that focuses specifically on slice of life themes with black women at the forefront. I think that the story itself is rather short but I think that the writer did an excellent job giving readers just enough to be invested in the characters and their friendships. One of the most important aspects of this graphic novel is that the entire story is set against the backdrop of loving and appreciating black hair. It’s nice to get this love and appreciation in such a positive way because quite often black hair is discussed in how it’s been marginalized. I love that we were able to follow four women who loved and appreciated their black hair even though there was a main character that struggled with it briefly. For the most part we were getting so much love and joy and that was what was most important. I also like that we got a spectrum of body shapes, hair textures, and more. This story at its core is about friendship and love and support and it was beautiful to see that amongst these women. It was a great graphic novel and I’m hoping to see more from this creator.

[Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé · Rating 5 out of 5]

a new all time favourite - I feel so emotional typing up this review. I have never read a book quite like this before - it was like a warm book-shaped hug

[DeannaReadsandSleeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love letter to Black girls and Black hair and I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed it. Told in small stories that feature each of the squad, we get a little glimpse into the lives of four best friends as they navigate the world around them. Each story connects to the other, gives a moment to show the way they care for their hair, and also shows how caring for our hair is a genuine part of our lives.

This is the slice of life Black girl graphic novel of my dreams. My literal only complaint is that it wasn’t 1000 pages. I am so so so so in love with this and I absolutely will be buying a copy to proudly place on my shelf.

It must seem like I’m being dramatic but I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed this?????

Yeah I’m very 🥰🥰🥰 right now.

CW: past homophobia mention, stalker ex-boyfriend

*mild spoiler*

Davene whipped out the Jamaican flag and I YELLED. MY GURRRRLLLLL 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[luna_inthesouth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations were amazing 🥹 and the story was so cute!!!

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal, earth, shattering, groundbreaking, life-changing

[tane'a · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love to see black women win
i love to see black women thrive
i love to see black happiness
i love to see black sisterhood
and i love being a black woman

[RiRi💌 (back in January) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one in one sitting, and omg, I wish this would have been longer!!🥹The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous!!💞

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was exactly what i was in the mood for and the art is gorgeous !! 😍 i loved how each of the women got their own sections in the book and i loved seeing all the different poc representation. i actually related a lot to most of this as I’m also Spanish & Black with natural thick curly hair and so many of the convos and dynamics in this reminded me of my own experiences and friends/family.. sometimes it really is the little details🥹🫶🏽.

[T.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ 5 ☆

this author reached inside my mind and rearranged all my thoughts, because I'm still trying to find the right words to describe how fucking good this book is.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: 4.25

super cute day in the life graphic novel following a group of friends in the Bronx. fun characters and gorgeous art. bi/pan rep, anxiety/depression, found family-esque friend group. it makes me miss living in NYC a little <3

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to see more graphic novels like this one! A slice of life story about four friends on their wash day. Every story hit my heart in a different way and I loved spending time with each of these characters. I hope to see many more books like this in the future.

[Emma Griffioen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser is a beautiful graphic novel that highlights a friend group of 4 women living in New York City. Told through five, interconnected short story comics, each section uses the character's wash day routines to highlight their everyday lives, how they support one another, and the shared experiences of Black women. It was a really sweet graphic novel that emphasized Black joy, girlhood, and good friendship in such a positive way, I would highly recommend adding Wash Day Diaries to your to-read list!

[trina (kenan ross’ wife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not enough for me, I wish this was longer. This needs to become a series!! PLEASE.
I just love, love, love seeing myself represented in books and this one did it just right. These women are from the Bronx, I’m from Brooklyn. So the slang they were using, I clearly understood. It really made the funny moments in this book even funnier for me. I loved “wash day” because sis, if it’s wash day I’m not going anywhere either. I loved how this book accurately depicted black friendships. Each woman in this book has their own story and I can relate to all of them. I just love that scene with Cookie and Davene. She already knew😭 Your mental health does matter! I LOVED THIS BUT IT WAS TOO DAMN SHORT I NEED MORE!!

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was so good! I've been looking for a slice of life story about Black friends like this one. Even though it was short it did a great job setting up little bit's of everyone's background and situation. I could definitely see it expanded into a series in the future.

This story follows 4 Black friends who live in the Bronx it starts with wash day and styling their hair and expands to different stories about their current situations. Dating, mental health, careers are just some of the topic touched upon in this short space. These felt like real life women to me.

So many funny and true to life moments. I screamed when Davene pulled that Jamaican flag out of her bra!

I received an arc from Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review.

[tappkalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style is absolutely stunning, and the whole book is just a big love letter for pure friendship and sisterhood. It filled me with so much joy, love and happiness and boosted my serotonin level.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous character-driven collection of interconnected graphic short stories about four Black women in the Bronx, focusing on their hair routines as a starting point for looking at different aspects of their lives: dating, mental health, work, friendship, and family relationships. I would love to read more about these women! The art is beautiful. I loved how they used the colouring to depict the moods of each woman and story. The details of the hair routines were impeccable, clearly love and intimate knowledge went into them. I loved how low key and quotidian this felt, so much like a slice of life. This book has queer rep too! A privilege to read as a white person.

[Mai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chill

This was a fun, light graphic novel—and surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it despite not usually picking up graphic books. It’s not groundbreaking or life-changing, but it delivers sweet best-friend vibes with a relaxing pace.

I really appreciated the diversity in characters—the range of skin tones, body shapes, and especially the beautiful curly hair added a refreshing cultural touch. It’s a great in-between read, something to vibe with when you’re not ready to dive into anything heavy. A one-sitting kind of book that’s easy to enjoy and move on from.

[Laura Lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg guys the illustrations in this book is stunning!!! 🥰💕

More, more, more!!! This is my first graphic novel and I am obsessed!!!
Wash Day Diaries follows the lives of 4 girlfriends taking us through what is currently going on in their lives and combining it around their wash day routine!
The visuals were phenomenal and i felt like I was an addition to the friend group chat!
Every one of those girls were relatable and we all need a friend like Cookie! She absolutely melted my heart with her quick observant and kindhearted ways!
I hope the author turns this into a series, because I want to follow the girls on their journey and get more gossip!!!

Ahhhh honestly this book was like a big mug of hot chocolate filled with whipped cream, chocolate dustings and marshmallows!

Infinity ⭐️

[lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute so real so beautiful. i love this friend group❣️

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a graphic novel girly in the least but, I ate this book up! I loved, loved, loved Wash Day Diaries. It was giving a double dose of Run the World and Harlem. If you know, you know. On a whim, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and read something different. This life story about a group of black girlfriends livin’ in NYC is exactly what I was lookin’ for. Wash Day Diaries was just so realistic and relatable. It was very reminiscent of me and my friends during our days on the yard at TSU. I loved the sisterhood, the friendship, and the camaraderie between TaNisha, Kimana, Cookie, and Davene. This book gives you an individual story on each one of the squad who are dealing with issues from depression, relationship problems, to hair discrimination. I loved how the ladies showed up for each other and how they supported one another during their time of crisis and, I definitely loved how they kept the group chat poppin’. I decided to read the physical book to get the graphic novel “experience” and, can I just say, the paperback is absolutely gorgeous, and the illustrations are equally stunning. Chef’s kiss to the illustrator. 👩🏾‍🍳🤌🏾 Wash Day Diaries is an ode to black women, black hair, and friendships. I laughed, I got a little emotional, and I definitely side eyed TaNisha’s sneaky azz cause, why you do my boy Daniel like that?!!! I would love for the author to turn this book into a series or at least give us a follow up on these ladies. This is my first book by Jamilla Rowser and, hopefully, it won’t be the last.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A sweet, quick read about the tightly-knit friendships between four Black girls, supporting one another as they each go through their own personal life struggles (whether it's an ailing grandparent, a love triangle, an abusive ex, or depression).

I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more support in certain avenues, specifically when one character is very obviously struggling with severe depression and confides in another character, only to have her experiences totally erased with "you look fine!" and "you don't need medications!" The treatment of that character in general felt clunky to me, but I enjoyed the rest of the book overall. The art was cute and I enjoyed it for the chill, slice-of-life read that it was.

✨ Representation: all four characters are Black, with one of them being Afro-Latinx; one character is bi/pan; brief depiction of an f/f relationship

✨ Content warnings for: depression, ableism, dementia, queerphobia, a stalking/abusive ex, alcohol and marijuana usage

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

———
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[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ride or die!"

Pretty vibrant interconnected stories of four black women friends, with great art, great colors. My jam is fewer words in most graphic novels, let the images tell the story, so I was happily surprised to see this happen! Very positive portrait of women friends. The plot is less important--hair, guys, depression, going out--than the images of connectivity and positivity.

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this graphic novel! It perfectly embodies the life and experience of a young black woman with natural hair. Many Black women understand the lengths we go to for healthy and beautiful hair (which we ALL have) and I loved the different textures and hairstyles that were showcased for each character. From cute coils to sleek wigs, I really felt like every version of myself was represented here. Not only that, but each character has a life of their own that is quickly depicted. From the difficulties of dating, having to navigate being hit on and then insulted when we don't return the interest, to healing family wounds and dealing with depression, each character just felt so real and so easily relatable. I want MORE graphic novels like this. Simple in delivery but impactful all the same, Wash Day Diaries was fun and sweet and the friendship among these 4 women just really is the icing on the cake. My ONLY disappointment is that I wish it were longer and that we had the chance to see more of their life. But maybe just maybe, the author will consider making this a comic book series. I would be happy with that!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those reads which adds more headache to your already chaotic life. It's realistic I'm saying.

The cover is extra cheerful in comparison to the contents. I appreciate the representation and the characters who are mature enough. However, the presentation and the character interaction could have been much more interesting.

[Fanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

➵ four best friends. four hair wash days. four short stories in as they go about with their life in bronx. with an overall theme of how powerful female friendships are, this graphic novel is a delight and wonderfully dedicates a monochromatic colour palette to each character. through an aesthetic art style and detailed illustrations showing the kinks and curls, it easily triumphs.

thank you chronicle books for an early copy.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real celebration of friendship, using all forms of haircare as connecting tissue between the different stories, connecting the characters even when not around eachother.

One character suffering from depression was depicted especially well, including the friend who tries to "solve" her depression, which although it is well meant, is not a helpful response.

It's also refreshing to see a group of female friends that don't fall out with eachother, or there's some other interpersonal drama, as tends to be the leading form in these kind of stories. These are just great friends who love and support eachother.

The art is fun and vibrant, although maybe not as strong everywhere. The depictions of haircare do stand out, particularly excellent as they are.

(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)

[dreamgirlreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! Buying a copy for my best friend for the holidays.


Update 2nd read Jan. 2023: Even better the second time! Need a sequel 😍

[eedeeyuh(semi-hiatus!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unique and fun artistic style definitely my favorite panel was the curtain scene they broke down at the end! love this friend group and story🤭♥️

[Chidimma Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH I’M IN LOVE! How did a graphic novel under 100 pages make cry… I have no idea. This story captures Black sisterhood while also highlighting different Black hairstyles. The culture and the community featured in this short graphic amazed me. Everything from the colors on the page to the characters was just vibrant and full of life. I need to buy this book this instant!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent, thoughtful, beautifully-drawn graphic novel. these four besties each have their own chapter which takes place on the same day, and then there is a final chapter that brings them all together. the vibes are impeccable, the art and color scheme are vibrant and soothing, and it all feels gorgeously real.

kim goes about her wash day routine while dealing with routine harassment from an ex and catcalling from men on the street. her story is a good opening to the book, and i love that she finds solace in hanging with cookie, as well as in her ritual of self care.

meanwhile nisha grapples with a developing love triangle in her life, and her bright personality shines through magnetically. her section also has one of the best moments of the book: the group chat that takes place when she's getting her hair braided, where she dishes the drama and her best friends all respond. all of their voices come alive here, even in text format, and it's beautifully done!

davene, the quietest member of the group, struggles with depression. her dark blue world feels small and empty, and hers is a particularly quiet chapter. she invites cookie over to do her hair, and cookie's endless warm energy is a change of pace, but cookie can't quite understand davene's situation. i love their painful interaction for how real it is. cookie means well, and it's not her fault that she doesn't get it.

cookie's story is about a visit to her estranged abuela, whose homophobia has caused their relationship to fall out. i really loved seeing cookie's quiet strength here, as she stands up for herself while also dutifully washing her abuela's hair. it's not a reconciliation that can fix everything; it's just a small step toward mending what has been broken.

it's really fun to see the friends all share the pages of the final chapter as they get together for kim's singing performance. they amp each other up, go out looking fab, and come home to get cozy together. such a warm and supportive friendship group!

my only complaint is that i wanted more redemption for davene, as her story is marked by the non-understanding of her friends. in the end, cookie does make steps toward being there better for davene, but i wish davene received more recognition and concentrated care from the group. their togetherness is a comfort to her, though, and the book ends on a positive and supportive note.

this was a quick read, but an extremely fun one. it's so cute and feels like a joyful, energetic ode to black girl magic. highly recommended!