Essay collections are a varied genre of literature, containing everything from cultural analysis to autobiographical stories to humorous life advice. They are the perfect bridge between fiction and nonfiction, both stripping away our carefully crafted facades and also applying a narrative structure to the chaos of life. In celebration of the nuance of essay writers, this week’s Three to Read brings you three essay collections that spotlight the diversity of the human condition.
HOT PICK
Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez
SYNOPSIS:
Growing up in Florida means that it’s mandatory to learn how to evade alligators. According to Edgar Gomez, the only way to escape these swampy creatures is to run away, not in a straight line, but in a zigzag. This little nugget of advice proved to be applicable to all areas of his life. As Gomez and his other queer Latinx friends attempt to claw their way out of poverty, they are forced to zig and zag where others don’t have to. Remembering thankless jobs, evenings in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and friends who will give everything even when they have nothing, Gomez captures his experiences in a series of impactful essays that strip away the scam of the “humble poor person.”
WHY:
Edgar Gomez (he/they) expertly uses humor to tackle the socioeconomic troubles of American society. Alligator Tears is full of the same witty and thought-provoking prose as his first memoir, High-Risk Homosexual.
COFFEE SHOP READ
Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser by Amy Wilson
SYNOPSIS:
Amy Wilson has always been a reliable helper. Starting with her big sister and Girl Scout duties in childhood, Wilson’s responsibilities eventually grew in both the professional world and her personal life. Whether she’s the resident sidekick on a sitcom or juggling the needs of her three children, the same lesson continues to be drilled into her head again and again: The needs of others are more important than your own. When her mountain of responsibilities began to crush her, Wilson was shocked to discover that when the helper asks for help, they’re only met with derision. Full of humorous advice, Happy to Help challenges our people-pleasing notions and teaches us how to set the boundaries we’ve always been afraid to ask for.
WHY:
Host of the podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood, writer and actor Amy Wilson is no stranger to using her captivating voice for good. The essays within Happy to Help are laugh-out-loud funny while also refusing to shy away from an honest portrayal of the pressure to say yes to everything.
DARK HORSE
No Sense in Wishing by Lawrence Burney
SYNOPSIS:
Few things shape us more than music, movies, or other bits of popular culture that enter our souls and leave indelible impressions on our personalities. In an attempt to understand the cultural artifacts that have sculpted him, Lawrence Burney goes on a globe-trotting trip. From a crab bake in Baltimore to the vibrant concert halls in Lagos to the grounding scenery of Johannesburg, Burney’s social critiques beat in time with his heartfelt storytelling. In his debut book, Burney’s essays craft a powerful album of one man’s life experiences.
WHY:
Founder of independent culture magazine, True Laurels, Lawrence Burney has proven himself to be a smart critic with a lyrical soul. Aside from No Sense in Wishing, Burney’s work has also appeared in such acclaimed publications as New York magazine and GQ.
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