I Don't Want to Die Poor: Essays

Author: Arceneaux, Michael

Number Of Pages: 256

Details: Product Description One of NPR’s Best Books of 2020 One of Time’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2020 From the New York Times bestselling author of I Can’t Date Jesus, which Vogue called “ a piece of personal and cultural storytelling that is as fun as it is illuminating,” comes a wry and insightful essay collection that explores the financial and emotional cost of chasing your dreams. Ever since Oprah Winfrey told the 2007 graduating class of Howard University, “Don’t be afraid,” Michael Arceneaux has been scared to death. You should never do the opposite of what Oprah instructs you to do, but when you don’t have her pocket change, how can you not be terrified of the consequences of pursuing your dreams? Michael has never shied away from discussing his struggles with debt, but in I Don’t Want to Die Poor, he reveals the extent to which it has an impact on every facet of his life—how he dates; how he seeks medical care (or in some cases, is unable to); how he wrestles with the question of whether or not he should have chosen a more financially secure path; and finally, how he has dealt with his “dream” turning into an ongoing nightmare as he realizes one bad decision could unravel all that he’s earned. You know, actual “economic anxiety.” I Don’t Want to Die Poor is an unforgettable and relatable examination about what it’s like leading a life that often feels out of your control. But in Michael’s voice that’s “as joyful as he is shrewd” ( BuzzFeed), these razor-sharp essays will still manage to make you laugh and remind you that you’re not alone in this often intimidating journey. Review “ I Don't Want to Die Poor is somehow funnier, darker, and actually more incredibly well-written than I Can't Date Jesus. And I have no clue how Arceneaux managed to do that. This book is further proof Michael should replace Ben Carson as director of HUD.” — Kiese Laymo n, author of Heavy: An American Memoir “In his brilliant I Don't Want to Die Poor, Michael Arceneaux is both witty and wise, always a difficult mix, in his nervy and provocative tale of his life a young, gay black man in a country that is crushing him with debt. Over and over again, he crawls out from under it reenergized with good humor and inner strength. He shares a very authentic and relatable story of how hard it is to be poor and still pursue your dreams as he fields calls from debt collectors even as he travels to prestigious speaking engagements. The essays in this book will make you laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh.” — Soledad O’Brien , Host of Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien “Listen to me. Michael is a genius B. Anybody that can make me cackle out loud like a drunk uncle about student loan debt (ugh) and general brokenness, a topic that was the theme of my (and a lot of yall’s) youth, is a wordsmith par excellence. In other words, this n**** is smart and funny as f***! You’d be doing yourself a disservice not picking this up.” — The Kid Mero, co-host, Desus & Mero “Michael Arceneaux is one of the foremost humor writers of this generation, but his brilliance lies in how quietly he leads us to our own empathy — forcing us to examine what it means to exist in a world that makes it increasingly difficult. On the surface, I Don’t Want to Die Poor is about one man’s struggle to pay off his student loans, but it’s also about paying off emotional debt, how expensive it is to choose your safety and well-being and peace of mind. I found myself laughing and nodding — standard for Michael’s work— but also deeply moved by the undertones of his story.” — Bassey Ikpi, New York Times-bestselling author of I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying “Since his days of blogging on The Cynical Ones, Michael Arceneaux has consistently kept me thinking and laughing with his witty musings on life and pop culture. That famous wit is on full display in I Don't Want To Die Poor, a collection of essays that is simultaneously hilarious, sharp, relatable, and enl

EAN: 9781982129309

Release Date: 07-04-2020

Languages: English

Item Note: Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp.Has a remainder mark. Paperback Used - Like New Ships fast! 2020

Item Condition: UsedLikeNew

Binding: Paperback