Play Book Tag discussion

Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes: Essays
by Phoebe Robinson
3 stars

I added this book to my TBR for the title, a sentiment I agree with.

...I'm left to be haunted by the thought of someone GOING OUTSIDE, BEING AROUND THIS DIRTY--- WORLD, AND THEN COMING HOME AND GETTING INTO BED.
... did or didn't Mr. Rogers, as soon as he stepped inside his home, take off his red cardigan and shoes. Quit acting brand-new.

I have seen a couple comedians from her acknowledgments and listen to podcasts so I might have encountered Robinson before, but not for her top line credits. She did/does standup, podcasting, writing, publishing... written in 2020 at 36 she seems in a personal and professional transition - the essays cover various tones and topics. There are personal, chatty essays with conversational/social media terms: heaux, obvs, strenf... sometimes a few too many for writing or my taste, but I did love her boyfriend's pseudonym "British Baekoff"and smiled at #CoochieConundrums - which got a footnote (there are regular tangential footnotes, I enjoy that but some are annoyed by it) to emphasize the work to get just the right alliteration. So through all her careers it seems writing is the love and goal. Heavier topics are covered in a more formal tone with references and quotes, but several essays mixed tones and I wasn't sure what she was trying to say - sometimes I even lost the subject from the tangents. I finished the book and enjoyed several passages so would still recommend giving it a try... or wait a few more years and see what she comes out with in her 40s.

Great review! I love this sort of book - and the title alone has me smiling.