I had the opportunity to read 'Wash Day Diaries' by @jamilarowser (Jamila Rowser) & @RoBroSmo (Robyn Smith). I don't typically read reviews prior to reading a book so I had a completely different idea of how this story was going to unfold! I was pleasantly surprised! For me the main takeaway was the importance of friendship and how, as black women, our hair plays such a huge role in our lives! From the different styles that we choose to wear, to the different textures, relaxed or natural; our hair often reflects an aspect of our personality and/or our personal style.

There were so many relatable moments that LITERALLY made me laugh out loud!

We all need friends like these ladies! They love, respect, protect, and correct each other when needed! 

The camaraderie that takes place between friends when one is doing the other's hair is a special kind of bonding! This story portrays all of that and also the need to check on your friends. It really made me think about some of my closest friends and how they're often able to tell when something is wrong with me (no matter how slayed my hair might be! hahaha)

This was 'Girlfriends' meets graphic novel! I can't wait to have a physical copy on my shelf! This will definitely be a re-read!

Thanks Net Galley!

(Full review posted on my Good Reads-linked here!

I absolutely ADORED this graphic novel! It perfectly embodies the life and experience of a young black woman with natural hair. Many Black women understand the lengths we go to for healthy and beautiful hair and I loved the different textures and hairstyles that were showcased for each character.

This was a very fun and quick read.. Can’t wait for this to come out because I need a physical copy.

Thank You Netgalley for an arc, here is my honest review.

A very short graphic novella in a slice of life about a group of friends; I was a little bummed about the way medication for depression was treated by one of the friends.

As I sit here with my conditioner on, I decided to pick up Wash Day Diaries and I couldn't have made a better choice for myself. Jamila Rowser tapped directly into the vein of the culture and offered a front row seat into the sisterhood experience. Robyn Smith's illustration made everything come to life so beautifully.

Wash Day Diaries took my by surprise because I expected a slice of life read and I was given so much more. This quick graphic novel covers mental illness, catcalling, obsession, broken family relationships and more in such a short time. It was handled so well all while centering friendship and self-care.

If you are looking for a short but impactful read that makes you feel seen and gives you a laugh while doing so please read this. Group chat had my screaming and cackling at the same time. Brightside and La Bendicion had my heart in a blender. Ride or Die was the best culmination that i could image.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to receive an ARC of this in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this slice of life graphic novel. The line drawings and the color palette are beautifully expressive and kinetic. Very much reflecting the style of art, the story is also full of movement and dialog that had me laughing out loud with its (not for kids) content. Wash Day Diaries follows the lives of four young women navigating various big-city challenges with finesse, wit, and charm. #WashDayDiaries #NetGalley

This book shows the way haircare intersects with their everyday lives and the impact it has on the sisterhood.

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read. It was so immersive and I related so much to the group aspects and banning together. There is such a bonding experience when it comes to our hair, not just the struggle of trying to maintain it but also doing it in a way that is 'acceptable' in the workplace.

I especially liked the window into their day-to-day life and the effects of maintaining your appearance through your hair can have on it.

All around enjoyed the discussion and the way they were handled.

This book was an absolute delight! The illustrations were beautiful and I enjoyed how each segment of the story centered a different person, and gave us an honest glimpse into their friendship and day-to-day lives.

It touched on some more serious topics (possible CWs below), and I briefly struggled through the nonchalantness/toxic positivity response to mental health, but I also appreciated the realness of it all! Overall, it was a fun read!

Possible CW: homophobia, stalking, mental health, dementia

Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy of this book.

I absolutely adored this book! It was amazing!

The illustrations were amazing and I loved how within the color scheme for the whole graphic novel, it felt like each of the 4 main characters had their own individual color scheme.

Not only the group story, but also the individual story for each of the characters was so well thought out and cohesive, it made the whole reading experience so much better!

I read this in one sitting and I literally could not put it down! Amazing, 10/10 recommend!

Wash Day Diaries features four Black women who are close friends. It shows both the joy and discrimination they face on a daily basis. The reader feels these ups and downs, from the laughter between a group chat to a street catcall or discrimination as work. All of it is interwoven with how hair and hair routines are part of daily life.

First of all, the illustration is beautiful. The vibrant colors really bring it to life. The characters show emotions so effectively on their faces and through body language. It is easy to feel like you could be friends with this friend group because the characters are so lifelike.

The stories are also both fun and difficult at times. And the line between that can flip so fast which shows reality. The actions of someone else can totally change a situation and mood. While Wash Day Diaries feels like a fun gossip session a lot of the time, it also confronts topics like mental health struggles, racism, and sexism/domestic violence.

The art was absolutely beautiful. I really love the watercolor-y look of the title card art before each story.
This is a book about female friendship. I can’t think of a better word to describe it than “beautiful.”

This was such a breath of fresh air! The artwork is beautiful and the friendship between the four women was so wonderful and wholesome. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who needs some friends to hang out with.

Beautiful art! The art in this book is stunning, and each girl's style is amazing! Not only is the rt beautiful, but the store looks wonderful so far. I think the author a really good job at making each character detailed in such a short book. I also love the sections showing the wash and styling!

A cute and refreshing read. Wash Day chronicles 4 young adult females of color, their friendship, and their individual lives. Although different, the friends accept and love on one another. Great graphics, cute and quick story!

A straight up graphic depiction of 3 friends navigating their individual yet inter-crossed lives. Includes joy, heartache, grief, fear, and - most of all - having each other’s backs. This friends make your heart nearly explode. The story could be any day in so many lives and yet the authors have captured an immense span of what young women face. Beautiful.

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this wonderful opportunity to review "Wash Day Diaries." These opinions are all my own, freely given.

"Wash Day Diaries," is a beautiful graphic novel about 4 strong Black women, their friendships and their hair. Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie are brought to life in vivid colors and you can tell what a strong bond they have built over time.

We as the reader are brought into their worlds to view their wash day and how much time and energy goes into taking care of their hair. Around the women's normal day to day, we get to see love, heartbreak, joy, depression and unending support and friendship.

By the end of the book I found myself wondering if I'd ever get to meet these women in real life, only to be reminded that this was a fictional story. I felt that invested in the adventures Cookie, Kim, Tanisha and Davene took me on. Also all 4 women are gorgeous and the artwork in this graphic novel, along with the different color pallets used was perfection.

I would immediately buy and read future works by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith. Thank you for this beautiful adventure!!

*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books in exchange for my honest review*

I don't read graphic novels a lot but this one will be in my library as soon as it comes out. I love this book so much. I found myself identifying with each of the stories so much, but I identified the most with Cookie's and Davene's stories. Their stories are not things that are spoke about, but these conversations needed to be made more frequently for the BIPOC communities. I do love how much the Bronx played into the stories as well. It was like it was its own character. I will be recommending this to all of my friends.

This book is perfect and I loved it. I would definitely pass this on to my friends and I look forward to it being released.

I honestly didn’t expect to like this graphic novel but it’s a really quick read. I like the art style and writing style but It doesn’t really have a story to it.

I wanted to read this for the art style more than anything. I wasn’t expecting it to be as well crafted as it is.

It’s less of a story than a small window into the lives and bonds of four women, individually, in relation to others around them, and as a group. “Slice of Life” is what they were aiming for and it’s a bullseye.

But whereas many slice of life stories never get a chance to dive deep, I feel as though I know these four women better than characters that I’ve spent thousands of pages with in other books. This, I credit to the lovely combo of Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith. The writing definitely respects the adage of “show, don’t tell”, but combined with the art… it’s consistently well thought out, every choice is deliberate. This can be seen immediately in the beginning when you see a character walking with her keys between her fingers. It’s never discussed. It’s never talked about. Just shown and the story moves on. It’s relevant to some plot points later but it is also something that nearly all women will recognise. And it creates this connection with a character you haven’t even met yet.

The whole book is brimming with these details. I’m sure I didn’t even catch all of them consciously. By the end I felt like I understood each character deeply, though I would love to see more of them.

I’m not a POC, so I don’t have the lived experience to speak about all the details there, but I did recognise situations and references to the experiences I have heard from POC, and it was nice to see that represented.

Also, I genuinely laughed aloud at several parts. Teared up once or twice (Cookie and Davene were too relatable!).

All in all, it’s a well earned 5 stars. I fell in love, and I think most other readers will too.

A short, quick to read comic. From the title I expected this story to be hair centric, but instead their hair routines are more of a side element to the story. I really enjoyed the illustrations