THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES

THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES

by Deesha Philyaw

If you read only one collection of short stories this year, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies should be the one. This group of nine stories is Philyaw’s debut publication and deserves all of the accolades that it has received, including winning the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Each of Philyaw’s stories is about Black women, their sexuality and the restrictions society imposes on them. All of these women have been brought up in the church but find themselves struggling to reconcile the beneficent God of their faith with the judgmental mores of its congregants.

There is much to ponder in each of these beautifully crafted stories and much to enjoy about the author’s clean and funny writing style that consistently manages to pack a punch. I have found myself thinking about many of her characters who expertly reveal the hypocrisies that still exist in what we have come to think of as our liberal attitudes toward sexuality in women. I highly recommend this book. (Liz)

A SECOND HELPING

Possibly the best collection of short stories I have ever read, each one is vibrant and full of real women struggling to make sense of their faith and their sexuality. I devoured this book and find myself remembering it often. (Lily)

THE SECRET LIFE OF GROCERIES

THE SECRET LIFE OF GROCERIES

HOW TO LOVE A JAMAICAN

HOW TO LOVE A JAMAICAN