TV Show:
Insecure - The show follows best friends Issa and Molly as they navigate the tricky professional and personal terrain of Los Angeles while facing the challenges of being two black women who defy all stereotypes.
Books:
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae - Essays on the challenges of being black and introverted in a world that glorifies "cool" behavior, drawn from the author's award-winning social media series, share self-deprecating perspectives on such topics as dating, weight, and self-acceptance. Although the character Issa is a fictional version of Rae, if you love her writing on the show you’ll appreciate this series of essays.
I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillian - Feeling stuck and restless in spite of her great friends, family and career, Dr. Georgia Young confronts long-standing fears to embark on a wild journey that may or may not give her a second chance at love. Although Young is older than Issa her ability to confront her trials and tribulations with humor and hope are reminiscent of Insecure.
Liar’s Game by Eric Jerome Dickey - Leaving New York to build a new life for herself in Los Angeles, Dana Ann Smith plans to start over with a new job, new surroundings, and a new man--the handsome, industrious Vincent Calvary Browne--but the arrival of her former lover and Vincent's ex-wife forces them both to confront painful truths about their pasts.
Complications by Devon Scott - Trey, Erika, and Vince are successful professionals and best friends but when it comes to looking for the perfect romance they each keep coming up short. Confident and too-charming, Trey is always primed for a good time with no commitments—until he rediscovers the one woman who’s more than his match. Vince is sure he’s finally found someone who meets his high standards—until his dream of happily-ever-after turns into anything but….And Erika’s new man is supportive and irresistible—yet keeping him satisfied is a challenge she somehow keeps losing…
If the World Were Mine by E. Lynn Harris - Reuniting for a weekend nearly a decade after their graduation from Hampton University, four friends--and their spouses or significant others--play a game called "If This World Were Mine," a diversion that brings to light sexual tensions, dark secrets, failed dreams, and hidden animosities.
Holiday Temptation by Donna Hill, Farrah Rochon, and K.M. Jackson - Three holiday romances reveal who has been naughty and who has been nice, including A Gift of Love, in which drama professor Traci Long has an affair with a sexy barista, but past betrayals make her wary. Even though they are holiday set, the steamy stories are reminiscent of some of the more steamy scenes from the show.
You Can’t Touch My Hair (And Other Things I Still Have to Explain) by Phoebe Robinson - The stand-up comedian and WNYC podcaster offers humorous, poignant essays describing her experience as a black woman in modern America on topics such as how she's been questioned on her love of Billy Joel and U2 and why you can't touch her hair. Her sense of humor runs a similar vein to Rae’s and her guide on how to tell if you are the designated black friend is reminiscent of the character Issa’s experiences at work.