One of NPRâs Best Books of 2020
One of Timeâs 100 Must-Read Books of 2020
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Canât Date Jesus, which Vogue called âa piece of personal and cultural storytelling that is as fun as it is illuminating,â 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, âDonât be afraid,â Michael Arceneaux has been scared to death. You should never do the opposite of what Oprah instructs you to do, but when you donât 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 Donât Want to Die Poor, he reveals the extent to which it has an impact on every facet of his lifeâhow 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 âdreamâ turning into an ongoing nightmare as he realizes one bad decision could unravel all that heâs earned. You know, actual âeconomic anxiety.â
I Donât Want to Die Poor is an unforgettable and relatable examination about what itâs like leading a life that often feels out of your control. But in Michaelâs voice thatâs âas joyful as he is shrewdâ (BuzzFeed), these razor-sharp essays will still manage to make you laugh and remind you that youâre not alone in this often intimidating journey.