Today’s “Must Read Book” blog post is all about Kiley Reid because this author deserves the spotlight! Normally, my reading list leans toward nonfiction, but when I dive into fiction, I seek stories centering on marginalized characters, especially Black people, and Reid delivers. For this post, I’m featuring two books by Reid that blew me away: Such a Fun Age (2019) and Come and Get It (2024). I just finished Come and Get It over the summer, and it was the perfect mix of humor and insight for the season. I read Such a Fun Age in 2022, and it resonated deeply, capturing those layered emotions of being the only Black person in so many spaces and facing the subtle, sometimes painfully ignorant interactions that come with it.
These books stand out for their engaging stories and Reid’s gift of tackling social issues with nuance and relatability. Both novels offer perspectives that are fresh, complex, and undeniably relevant. So, let’s dive into why Such a Fun Age and Come and Get It are two fiction books you shouldn’t miss.
In Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid dives into that uncomfortable space where race, class, and privilege intersect, creating a social thriller that’s impossible to put down. Emira’s story, at first glance, is simple—she’s a 25-year-old Black woman babysitting for Alix’s young daughter, Briar. But the layers peel back quickly when a late-night incident at a grocery store calls her character into question. Reid makes us sit with the subtle, daily biases and tensions Emira faces without sacrificing humor or heart. In her eagerness to be seen as an ally, we see how Alix falls into the classic trap of performative “allyship,” focusing more on her image than on Emira’s actual well-being. This book doesn’t give us easy answers or clean resolutions; instead, it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about privilege, good intentions, and the complexities of allyship. It’s a story that feels fresh and familiar, cutting right to the core of living at the crossroads of identity and expectation.
I loved how the book swept me into Emira’s world, navigating the ups and downs of her life with so much authenticity. Reid captures the chaotic balancing act of dating and working at 25, especially when life is full of uncertainty. Emira’s dating life felt real, especially as she’s caught between her attraction to Kelley and her wariness of his motives, a familiar struggle of wondering if someone truly sees her for who she is. And then there’s her work life—taking on the demands of babysitting for Alix while managing her dreams and self-respect. Reid gives us these slices of Emira’s life with so much grace, making it easy to feel every high and low along with her. It’s a journey that feels all too relatable, especially for anyone trying to figure out life while juggling love, work, and self-discovery.
Kiley Reid’s Come and Get It explores the messy dynamics of privilege, consumerism, and desire through the eyes of college students in a rundown dorm at the University of Arkansas. Much like her debut, Such a Fun Age, Reid brings a sharp, often humorous lens to complex issues, revealing how economics drives interpersonal relationships, often unconsciously. The main character, Millie, a Resident Advisor at the low-status Belgrade dorm, grapples with financial pressures alongside the social complexities of student life, where class distinctions often go unspoken but heavily influence interactions. Reid’s novel doesn’t center on academia in the traditional sense but rather digs into the social microcosms within college life, where students negotiate identity, privilege, and survival in a way that feels authentic and raw.
The story goes beyond typical campus conflicts by focusing on the power plays driven by money and status, particularly as characters like Millie interact with wealthier peers and even professors who blur ethical boundaries to exploit students’ experiences for gain. Through this lens, Reid cleverly critiques how the “American Dream” is differently accessible based on socioeconomic factors while still leaving room for each character’s humanity, flaws, and moments of genuine connection. The novel invites readers to question their relationship with money and privilege in a society where these forces are often invisible but ever-present.
Kiley Reid’s storytelling in both Such a Fun Age and Come and Get It highlights her incredible ability to weave social commentary into compelling, character-driven narratives. She has a keen eye for the unspoken tensions around race, class, and privilege, capturing them in relatable and thought-provoking ways. In Such a Fun Age, Reid delves into the complex dynamics of allyship and identity through the lens of Emira’s work and personal life, making readers question the well-intentioned but often misguided efforts of “allyship.” In Come and Get It, Reid takes us into the world of college students and the economic and social divides that drive their ambitions and relationships, painting an equally sharp portrait of young adulthood and survival. Reid’s fresh and nuanced writing offers new perspectives on familiar social issues. Let me know your thoughts on the below questions. I would love to hear from you!
- Have you read either of these books and what stood out to you most about Reid’s portrayal of social dynamics?
- Have you heard of Kiley Reid before, especially as a fiction writer known for tackling complex topics within contemporary life?
- Which fiction writer makes you reflect deeply on societal issues, and how do their narratives challenge or expand your understanding of race, class, or identity?
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