GOD LOVES HAIR

Vivek Shraya warmly narrates her tenth-anniversary edition of connected short stories inspired by her own childhood. Shraya's youthful tone reflects a curious boy's innocence as he navigates coming of age with Hindu parents unwilling to discuss bodies, sex, and queerness. This book was originally published before the author began to identify as transgender. Shraya's emotional connection with the protagonist adds a layer of authenticity and sincerity to an audiobook full of heartbreak, anxiety, and, ultimately, joy. This performance highlights the realities of being brown, queer, and Hindu and the necessity to figure out how those identities intersect. While the audiobook lacks the illustrations of the physical book, it does feature Shraya's stunning singing voice. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2020]