Here for It: A Read with Jenna Pick: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays
by R Eric Thomas
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today - From the creator of Elle's "Eric Reads the News," a heartfelt and hilarious memoir-in-essays about growing up seeing the world differently, finding unexpected hope, and experiencing every awkward, extraordinary stumble along the way.
"Pop culture-obsessed, Sedaris-level laugh-out-loud funny . . . [R. Eric Thomas] is one of my favorite writers."--Lin-Manuel Miranda, Entertainment Weekly
FINALIST FOR THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD - NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TEEN VOGUE AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY O: The Oprah Magazine - NPR - Marie Claire - Men's Health
R. Eric Thomas didn't know he was different until the world told him so. Everywhere he went--whether it was his rich, mostly white, suburban high school, his conservative black church, or his Ivy League college in a big city--he found himself on the outside looking in.
In essays by turns hysterical and heartfelt, Thomas reexamines what it means to be an "other" through the lens of his own life experience. He explores the two worlds of his childhood: the barren urban landscape where his parents' house was an anomalous bright spot, and the Eden-like school they sent him to in white suburbia. He writes about struggling to reconcile his Christian identity with his sexuality, the exhaustion of code-switching in college, accidentally getting famous on the internet (for the wrong reason), and the surreal experience of covering the 2016 election for Elle online, and the seismic changes that came thereafter. Ultimately, Thomas seeks the answer to these ever more relevant questions: Is the future worth it? Why do we bother when everything seems to be getting worse? As the world continues to shift in unpredictable ways, Thomas finds the answers to these questions by reenvisioning what "normal" means and in the powerful alchemy that occurs when you at last place yourself at the center of your own story.
Here for It will resonate deeply and joyfully with everyone who has ever felt pushed to the margins, struggled with self-acceptance, or wished to shine more brightly in a dark world. Stay here for it--the future may surprise you.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780525621058
EAN:
9780525621058
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
304
Authors:
R Eric Thomas
Publisher:
Random House Publishing Group

I love his humor and writing.
In Here for It, R. Eric Thomas delivers a poignant collection of essays that reflect his journey of self-discovery as an "other" in various facets of life. From his experiences in a predominantly white suburban high school to navigating the complexities of a conservative black church and an Ivy League college, Thomas examines the feeling of being on the outside looking in. His writing is both hysterical and heartfelt, inviting readers to join him on a deeply personal exploration of identity.Thomas delves into themes of race, sexuality, and the challenges of code-switching while recounting moments from his childhood and the urban landscape that shaped him. He shares stories of unexpected fame, his reflections on the 2016 election, and the impact of societal shifts on his understanding of normalcy. Through humor and vulnerability, he addresses pressing questions about the future and the human experience in a world that often feels chaotic and discouraging.Ultimately, Here for It resonates with anyone who has felt marginalized or struggled with self-acceptance. Thomas's powerful narrative encourages readers to view themselves at the center of their stories, highlighting the importance of embracing one's identity and finding hope in an unpredictable world. Through his journey, readers are reminded that the future can hold unexpected joys and possibilities.
R. Eric Thomas writes from his knowledge, his empathy, and his surroundings. These essays are just a few stops in the pathway of his life. i look forward to reading more and will google him on the internet. 🎉 more glitter
I had never heard of R. Eric Thomas, but ordered this based on the glowing reviews and I’m glad I did. Thomas is a genuinly funny writer whose prose is both endearingly personal and wickedly funny. The descripter makes Here For It sound like a book of essays, but it really felt more like a memoir filled with humorous self discoveries via random experiences (struggles with hair products, a softball team, Christmas decor, etc.) I actually laughed out loud several times; you have to love a book that can do that.
Seriously though, everyone should read this book. R. Eric Thomas shares beautiful insights on the intersections if race, religion, and security in a way that's insightful and educational to readers outside that realm without being intimidating. It's straightforward and honest, and at times dark but more often than not a look at our shared vulnerability as humans trying to figure out the curve balls the universe throws at us. I will reread again + again I can already tell!
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