I think that people will like this, but I couldn't get through the first story. I have seen reviews on Goodreads already about this that matched my feelings on the book, and they gave the book one and two stars, so to avoid finishing this and giving it a bad rating even though I should have just DNFd it, I am going to DNF it now.

Weird Black Girls: Stories (Paperback)
by Elwin Cotman
I chose to read this story collection because it said it would give insight into the black American experience. As I closed the las pages of the series i found it was disjointed, and that at times I could not tell the race or gender of the point of view characters in the beginning. Both seemed fluid in many of the stories. It shows the divisions and contradictions in modern life. The out right hatred of those who do not give you your way, or even understand that your view point may be different. It left more questions than answers. which may be more to the point of the book than ever. That the modern look at society is disjointed, and that fractions can divide more than unite.

Some of the stories were decent, and some were just plain boring. It's a mixed bag for me. The author can definitely write, but some of the stories tended to drag and not have satisfying endings. The first story was probably the strongest. I liked how the stories had this magical realism element to them. I hate to say it but this book wasn't weird enough for me. I was expecting so much more because I usually love short story collections.

2.5/5 stars,

I wanted to like this more but it felt like each of the seven stories was incomplete. There were also sections within each story that added a lot of unnecessary details that made it hard to finish the whole book. The change in year was often very confusing.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

The stories in this book certainly delivers on the title, as they are strange and disturbing and very, very unique. It wasn't exactly up my alley, but it was engaging throughout.

The strength of Cotman's storytelling lies not just in the intriguing plotlines but in the depth and richness of his characters. His narratives are brimming with characters who are wildly entertaining, each exuding their own idiosyncratic personalities that reflect diverse expressions of Blackness. Their idiosyncrasies and individual experiences add a layer of authenticity and depth to the storytelling, making the collection both resonant and engaging.

As a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cotman brings a raw authenticity to his writing, infusing his narratives with a vivid and palpable sense of place. His ability to craft stories that are at once eerie, imaginative, and emotionally resonant showcases his literary talent and his deep understanding of the human condition.

"Weird Black Girls" is a thought-provoking and entrancing collection of seven short stories that challenge conventional storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on the Black experience through a lens that's both unflinchingly honest and fantastically creative. Cotman’s stories are a testament to his skill in creating narratives that challenge, incite, and entertain, leaving readers (leaving me) spellbound by the intricacies of the human psyche and the nuances of Black identity. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

I enjoyed this collection of stories. What an incredible and unique voice and imagination Elwin Cotman has. I am so grateful that I got to spend time with these characters in their slices of life presented here. I don't want to go into detail about the stories because I firmly feel they will be enjoyed most when going in blind. I will say relax and take the journey. Some of this will be off-kilter, and that's part of what makes this collection an excellent ride. Although I agree with another reviewer when they said the first story is strong and makes you want to stay longer in that world, I'm afraid I have to disagree that the other stories are in any way lesser.

I am excited to read more by Elwin Cotman.

Thank you to the author, Elwin Cotman, Scribner, and NetGalley for a chance to read this.

I think this has great potential but slightly misses the mark at the same time. While the first story was great, in my opinion. I wanted to explore that world the author created a little longer. The other stories fell short and didn't connect with me. Honestly, I could have done without them and focused more on the first story.

I selected this book on title alone. I didn't know what I was getting into. What a great selection of short stories! Every story different from the last.

From Philip K. Dick Award finalist Elwin Cotman, an irresistibly unnerving collection of stories that explore the anxieties of living while Black—a high-wire act of literary-fantastical hybrid fiction.

Fantastic, captivating, a must-read!

Weird Black Girls is a masterpiece. Each of these speculative fiction short stories evokes every possible emotion. Elwin captures small moments or feelings with incredible accuracy, and he takes us through his often bizarre, but incredibly impactful, imagination. These stories are queer, black, and nerdy, while being painful, hopeful, or most often melancholic. My favorite of the stories, Things I Never Learned in Caitlin Clarke's Intro to Acting Class, is the perfect love, or not love, story. The ending left me both shocked and devastated, while also knowing that it couldn't end any other way.

Truly, I cannot recommend this anthology enough. It is most definitely the best collection of short stories I have ever read.