Cooper does an excellent job connecting her own biography to the history Black women in the US. Her voice is clear and personal. I highly recommend giving this a read on its own or alongside Rebecca Traister’s Good and Mad.

That being said, I disliked a lot of the reviews and recommendations (by white ladies) I’ve seen regarding this book calling it “necessary, but uncomfortable.” It feels a little performative to keep calling books written by Black women about their lives difficult and uncomfortable when all you’re doing is reading. I’m also not sure that how you get someone to read a book they really should read. “Here, this will be painful and make you feel bad! You’ll love it!”

Is the book necessary? Yes, we need to more Black women talking about the politics of race and gender and how those politics are quite literally acted out on their bodies.

Was the book uncomfortable? No, pap smears are uncomfortable. This was a book. It will force you to think critically about race and gender and class. That’s a good thing. Maybe you’ll feel personally attacked. Maybe you won’t. If you do, it’s worth interrogating why someone else telling you about her life feels like a personal attack. The book might even help you get beyond those feelings.

If you’re worried about possible discomfort, I’d recommend reading this book while wearing soft pants and sitting in a comfy chair. It’s harder to be uncomfortable when you’re cozy.