Good Talk: A Memoir in ConversationsGood Talk: A Memoir in Conversations
Score Modern
What it's about
When her young son starts asking questions about race, Mira Jacob, an Indian American author married to a white Jewish man, begins to reckon with her own story. In this graphic memoir, she tells of growing up, falling in love and becoming a parent in America, through hard, funny and honest conversations.
Why it's worth reading
It was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. It's funny, heartbreaking and unlike any other memoir.
You'll love it if you liked
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African ChildhoodGood to know
It's a graphic memoir and reads quickly. It covers the 2016 election and its aftermath.
By the numbers
- Readers93 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics21 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller11 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz10 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #144 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #452 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #872 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Moving, Funny
If you like this, read next
Between the World and Me
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
Educated: A Memoir
When Breath Becomes Air
The Passage of Power
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert OppenheimerExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations worth reading?
Yes. It was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. It ranks #872 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations about?
When her young son starts asking questions about race, Mira Jacob, an Indian American author married to a white Jewish man, begins to reckon with her own story. In this graphic memoir, she tells of growing up, falling in love and becoming a parent in America, through hard, funny and honest conversations.
How long does it take to read Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations?
About 9 hours (369 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations?
If you liked it, try Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel or Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah.















