Origin
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (December 2019) follows a Black babysitter accused of kidnapping the white child in her care. The debut novel became a book club phenomenon and Reese’s Book Club pick.
Cultural Impact
- Reese’s Book Club pick (January 2020)
- Booker Prize longlist (2020)
- #1 New York Times bestseller
- 1.5 million+ copies sold
- Lena Waithe film adaptation announced
Why It Resonated
The novel’s examination of performative white liberalism, transactional relationships, and weaponized concern resonated during 2020 racial reckoning. The viral video premise felt prescient (filmed March 2020, George Floyd May 2020).
Book Club Gold
The ambiguous ending (was Alix’s final act genuine or performative?) sparked fierce book club debates. Reid refused to provide answers, trusting readers to interrogate their own biases.