NB I listened to the audiobook, read by the author. I have bumped my rating up rather than down for goodreads because I think what issues I had with the book are because of the audio version. Personally I am not an audio learner so I don't think absorbing a non-fiction book this way was a good idea (this was the only edition that was available to me). I frequently got lost, finding it difficult to follow the structure of the book as well as work out what parts were quotes and what parts were the author's words, while as interesting as a lot of it was at the time, I don't feel like I can remember what I heard, so I haven't actually learned it. I also wonder if the text version has diagrams at some points, which would have helped (this seemed likely during the mathematics section at the end).

Anyway, overall this was an interesting and eye-opening read about Black culture and racism. This type of non-fiction book, focused on social issues, can cover a wide variety of different genres. There is memoir here, which I found most evocative, a lot of history, which is always chilling and thought-provoking, as well as economics and mathematics, most of which went over my head. Occasionally I found some bits repetitive while at other times thoughts and anecdotes were not given the depth that I wished for, but I think that is just the nature of non-fiction, particularly in a world so used to the internet and being able to follow any strand you feel like down a rabbit hole; when you can't and have to follow what the author has researched and wishes to tell you, it feels restrictive. Basically I just don't read a lot of non-fiction. Despite that, this was definitely worth reading.

A book about the history of African hair. Was interesting from that perspective, in that I’d never really thought much about it. There were some interesting points about how the hair is much more mouldable and able to be sculpted into impressive fashions. It’s definitely making the point that African hair is not ‘lesser’ and that it has a rich and long history

Insightful and informative. Recommend the audiobook as Emma Dabiri's voice is really soothing.

A compelling case for the ways in which ‘black’ is constructed, focusing on hair.

I learned so much from this book! Thoroughly researched with the perfect amount of humor and personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout. I have gained an even deeper respect for the artwork and genius that is black hair culture.