Nerdette Book Club: ‘The Vanishing Half’

With Audible editor Abby West and ‘Such a Fun Age’ author Kiley Reid, we look at what made Brit Bennett’s second book so great.

By Greta Johnsen
Book Cover for Brit Bennett’s ‘The Vanishing Half’
Earlier this month, author Brit Bennett told Nerdette that her new novel, 'The Vanishing Half,' is about “identity and transformation and how we all become who we eventually become.” Greta Johnsen / WBEZ
Book Cover for Brit Bennett’s ‘The Vanishing Half’
Earlier this month, author Brit Bennett told Nerdette that her new novel, 'The Vanishing Half,' is about “identity and transformation and how we all become who we eventually become.” Greta Johnsen / WBEZ

Nerdette Book Club: ‘The Vanishing Half’

With Audible editor Abby West and ‘Such a Fun Age’ author Kiley Reid, we look at what made Brit Bennett’s second book so great.

By Greta Johnsen
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Welcome to the Nerdette Book Club! Each month, we read a book and chat about it with a rotating group of panelists.This month’s pick is Brit Bennett’s sophomore novel, The Vanishing Half.

The story starts in rural Louisiana in the late 1950s, when two light-skinned Black girls run away from home to New Orleans. When one decides to pass as white, she leaves her past behind. The book unfolds to tell the stories of both sisters and their daughters as they live with the repercussions of the choices they’ve made.

Listen along as Nerdette host Greta Johnsen discusses the book with Abby West, an editor for Audible, and Kiley Reid, author of Such a Fun Age.

And then get ready for next month’s pick: Last Tang Standing, Lauren Ho’s debut novel. The publisher calls it a cross between Bridget Jones’ Diary and Crazy Rich Asians.

We want you to join the conversation! Read the book and send us your thoughts by recording your voice with your smartphone, then email the audio file to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com. And tune in for the next conversation on Friday, July 31.