Overview

From the New York Times bestselling author of I Can't Date Jesus, which Vogue called ""a piece of personal and cultural storytelling that is as fun as it is illuminating,"" comes a wry and insightful essay collection that explores the financial and emotional cost of chasing your dreams. Ever since Oprah Winfrey told the 2007 graduating class of Howard University, ""Don't be afraid,"" Michael Arceneaux has been scared to death. You should never do the opposite of what Oprah instructs you to do, but when you don't have her pocket change, how can you not be terrified of the consequences of pursuing your dreams? Michael has never shied away from discussing his struggles with debt, but in I Don't Want to Die Poor, he reveals the extent to which it has an impact on every facet of his life--how he dates; how he seeks medical care (or in some cases, is unable to); how he wrestles with the question of whether or not he should have chosen a more financially secure path; and finally, how he has dealt with his ""dream"" turning into an ongoing nightmare as he realizes one bad decision could unravel all that he's earned. I Don't Want to Die Poor is an unforgettable and relatable examination about what it's like leading a life that often feels out of your control. But in Michael's voice that's ""as joyful as he is shrewd"" (BuzzFeed), these razor-sharp essays will still manage to make you laugh and remind you that you're not alone in this often intimidating journey.

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9781797104041

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Reviews

[A] witty and powerful collection of personal essays...Arceneaux's confident voice and unapologetic sense of humor will appeal to fans of Roxane Gay. -- Publishers Weekly on I Can't Date Jesus In this collection, Michael Arceneaux is as vulnerable as he is hilarious, sharp as he is shady...I know our patron saint Beyonce would be proud! -- Janet Mock, New York Times bestselling author, on I Can't Date Jesus

I Don't Want to Die Poor is somehow funnier, darker, and actually more incredibly well written than I Can't Date Jesus. And I have no clue how Arceneaux managed to do that. This book is further proof Michael should replace Ben Carson as director of HUD. -- Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy Throughout these essays, Arceneaux passionately and candidly displays his political and racial awareness alongside sharp opinions on popular culture, marijuana use, Instagram, and depression....Anyone who struggles with debt and lives in what Arceneaux calls the 'United States of Wage Stagnation and Economic Inequality' will relate to his predicament. -- Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Michael Arceneaux is a Houston-bred, Howard University-educated writer living in Harlem. Covering issues related to culture, sexuality, religion, race, and Beyoncé, he has written for Complex, Essence, the London Guardian, New York magazine, New York Times, The Root, and many other publications. Additionally, he has lent his commentary to such outlets as MSNBC, NPR, SiriusXM, VH1, and Viceland.

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