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

Content warning: some nudity, some sexual content, language

I loved this graphic novel! I truly felt like I could see myself in a story for the first time and it hit me hard! Thank you so much for bringing this to life!

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Illustrated by Robyn Smith, was an amazing representation of women of color. This graphic novel is a compilation of four friend’s stories and experiences that occur while getting their hair done. With it expressing four women’s wash day experiences, we were exposed to various ways women go about tackling their hair. From the good to the bad and rough to the soft, this graphic novel covers what it’s like to have hair that requires an entire day to wash. It’s the real deal!

I love that this graphic novel is more than just a depiction of the hair washing process. It’s a depiction of women of color, especially Black women, and their experiences in the world. From catcalling to being called out of their name for ignoring the cat call, women endure an immense amount of pain, struggles, and more! Through the visual representation as well as written, this graphic novel puts you into a woman of color, more specifically a Black and Latina woman’s world.

Between the visual depictions of walking alone at night, dealing with stalkers, mental health, relationships, hair discrimination, familial problems, and just going on with their lives, these women all helped and held each other up. More than just the focus on hair, it also expressed the deep connection women can have with each other and empowering one another with any and everything.

The illustrations were beautifully designed with line and watercolor like coloring. Although it wasn’t ultra-realistic, it was perfectly able to express exactly what you needed in each moment. I loved the simplicity yet power of each image. It made me think about my own wash day experiences; all I can say is, relatable!

I’d recommend this to anyone who is interested in seeing themselves and experiences in a book or anyone interested in learning more about someone different from themselves. Check it out!

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Wash Day Dairies from Jamila Rowser via NetGalley

This was such a cute graphic novel with amazing representation. I enjoyed the story and the art style in this graphic novel. It made for a great read!

Wash Day Diaries is a beautiful snapshot of four black women and their relationships with each other through the lens of Wash Day. We get a view into each of their lives ranging from the more lighthearted hoe phase to the more serious representation of depression. The artwork is gorgeous and showed such a range in women.

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the eARC!

This story spoke to my soul. Everything about it is so lovely and captures the importance of having curly hair. The little conversations in between each characters wash day are so relatable this was something I desperately needed to read. The illustrations of this story are absolutely stunning and capture what it’s like to be a black woman with curly hair and how it’s basically a part time job to take care of. From the silk bonnets and scarfs to the post wash day twist out. So many moments from this story I could take images from my own camera roll and they would fit perfectly. I love seeing such positive representation for my community. This story was truly a celebration.

Thank you to Jamila Rowser, Robyn Smith, & NetGalley

This is a love letter to Black girls and Black hair and I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed it. Told in small stories that feature each of the squad, we get a little glimpse into the lives of four best friends as they navigate the world around them. Each story connects to the other, gives a moment to show the way they care for their hair, and also shows how caring for our hair is a genuine part of our lives.

This is the slice of life Black girl graphic novel of my dreams. My literal only complaint is that it wasn’t 1000 pages. I am so so so so in love with this and I absolutely will be buying a copy to proudly place on my shelf.

It must seem like I’m being dramatic but I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed this?????

Yeah I’m very 🥰🥰🥰 right now.

CW: past homophobia mention, stalker ex-boyfriend

*mild spoiler*

Davene whipped out the Jamaican flag and I YELLED. MY GURRRRLLLLL 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

The comic follows the lives of four friends: Kim, Nisha, Davene, and Cookie through their highs and lows. The comic features something I think all women have gone through whether it's getting harassed by men out and about, dealing with dating, mental health, and good ole adulting. At the heart of this story, however, is the enduring friendship between the four ladies. Through thick and thin, they love, support, and defend one another.

I absolutely loved this comic. Every story was unique and relatable in its own way. As a black woman who often dreads wash day, I found myself laughing and nodding along with each woman's journey. There were times when I choked up and other times I felt myself frustrated for the women. All in all, there were a lot of similarities I could draw to my own life.

As you read it, you feel like you're just one of the girls. It tackles the sense of camaraderie that grows from something as simple as getting your hair done (professionally or otherwise) or going to the hair salon. The ending was the perfect summation of everything that happened. This is definitely a comic I will come back to time and time again.

I LOVED this book! It offers such a lovely insight into the lives of four friends through the lens of haircare. It's something that can be so intimate and a bonding experience for our characters - whether its asking for help through a difficult time or reconnecting with a loved one. These four friends are so fiercely protective and it was such a blast to read their story.

The artwork was awesome and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a graphic novel that will wrap you up in a blanket and comfort your soul.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Chronicle books for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I adored this book so much! Is the first original graphic novel I have read and I’m so happy I did, such a lovely story about friendship and female power.
I just wish the depression topic was touched again at the end

I absolutely LOVED this. Everything from the color palette to the friendships, to the narrative devices (written and illustrated) was exceptional.

Wash Day Diaries follows four friends and the different aspects of their lives, through the lens of their wash days (for their hair). I love the way the authors showcase each woman's life through the context of hair—relationships, mental health, and more. In a very short time we get a really deep look at the friendship these women share, as well as who they are and what they are dealing with.

I love seeing how the women all uplift each other and offer their support, and how their individual stories connect to the larger narrative at play. All the characters are incredible, and I would love to read more about all of them individually and together. (I especially want more of Nisha's story. The way the authors told her story through group text was perfection. Hands down the best execution of texting in a graphic novel that I've seen.)

This is a slice of life story about Black women that is, at its core, about community care and connection.

Really fun, quick read with beautiful art and engaging mini stories along the way. A love letter to Black girls and our curls, for sure.

I was sold on this by the cover and title alone! It tells the everyday stories of a Group of friends who navigate life experiencing its hardships and victories together. What I love most is how the story isn’t necessarily about wash day and styling hair, but incorporates hair into the scenes. The vibrant colors, art style, relatability, and humorous moments all make for an amazing read. I’m so happy to experience a relatable Graphic Novel with characters that look like me, my family, and friends. “Wash Day Diaries” will be joining my shelves.

This book is a beautiful ode to self-love and black hair. The art is vibrant and intricate, from the details of our character's hair to the backgrounds. I found my eyes being drawn in all directions. The friendship is so wholesome, and you feel like any one of them can be your own friend. The inclusivity is also something to note. Our girls are curvy and gorgeous and know their worth! I love them. Also, having grown up in New York, this whole novel was nostalgic. Sitting and reflecting on the boardwalk at Coney Island is something I used to do. I highly recommend this!

This is a celebration of friendships. This book is so relatable. The wash day routine looks just like my wash day routine.

We’re following the lives of 4 friends facing life's struggles. This is a great book with the right amount of life issues, family drama, man trouble, and facing mental health issues.

I enjoyed the illustrations.


*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

this story was so good! it really felt like peeking into a few days in these friends' lives. I felt like I was part of the squad by the end of it. the art style is so nice and I liked how the story covered so many topics - some are lighthearted and some are more layered and serious - but still have the constant theme of hair.

such a refreshing read!

This graphic novel hooked me faster than any other graphic novel I've ever read and my biggest regret for this work is that is isn't an entire series or ongoing comic! Wash Day Diaries is the perfect slice of life with more emotional depth than you'd expect for such a short story. I was thoroughly invested in each member of the friend group- from their wash day routines to their mental and social struggles- and found myself gasping at their group chat texts like I was reading them in real time myself.

I would absolutely recommend this and am definitely gonna read more from this author and artist in the future!

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith follows four black women throughout 5 short stories about the best friends. The stories talk about relationship drama, family problems, and mental health. Along with a man (from a past relationship I believe) that is stalking one of the girls. All of these short stories all deal with the ladies' hair in one way or another. The stories and the art style are absolutely stunning. I really love this book and I rate it 5 stars. Thank you, to NetGalley for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really good! Some topics were heavy and involved mental healthy and aging grandparents and abusive partners in the ex-category that won't let you go. While some topics are light-hearted. This book showed them all in a way that kept me reading Until eventually, I realized I finished the book! But considering some of the colorful language it has, I would recommend you be at least 18 before you read this book. 😉