It took a while for me to read this book because 1) we’re in the middle of a pandemic, 2) we’re also in the middle of GLOBAL protests for black lives and 3) this book is incredibly well-written and intellectually dense (in a good way). The hype is friggin real, people. Readers have been going crazy over this book for good reason.

Trick Mirror contains nine essays, all of them well-researched, well-written and thoughtful. The author mixes her own life experiences with what she has researched, while taking several subjects that, to the outsider, may not be related and then seamlessly integrating them to prove her point. One perfect example is the essay titled “Ecstasy.” The author melds growing up in the church, DJ Screw (creator of the “chopped and screwed” sound), and the drug ecstasy into an essay that had my mind reeling. Jia Tolentino is one of those writers that makes you say, “fuck this writing shit, I’m going back to my office job.” If I can come up with anything even HALF as good as what she’s written, I’ll be happy as a damn clam.

Of the entire collection, my favorite essay is “We Come From Old Virginia,” which is about the pervasive rape culture and racism at the University of Virginia. The racism I’m not that surprised about, but I had no idea about the number of sexual assaults/rapes there and was sickened by what I learned.

While I read this collection, one thing is very clear about Jia Tolentino: she is a READER. She mentions so many books throughout her essays, some I’ve read and others I had never heard of. I would love to sit with her one day and just talk books.

I HIGHLY recommend Trick Mirror to everyone.

Where to buy: The Lit. Bar Books Are Magic Indiebound