One of NPRās Best Books of 2020
One of Timeās 100 Must-Read Books of 2020
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Canāt Date Jesus, which Vogue called āa piece of personal and cultural storytelling that is as fun as it is illuminating,ā 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, āDonāt be afraid,ā Michael Arceneaux has been scared to death. You should never do the opposite of what Oprah instructs you to do, but when you donāt 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 Donāt Want to Die Poor, he reveals the extent to which it has an impact on every facet of his lifeāhow 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 ādreamā turning into an ongoing nightmare as he realizes one bad decision could unravel all that heās earned. You know, actual āeconomic anxiety.ā
I Donāt Want to Die Poor is an unforgettable and relatable examination about what itās like leading a life that often feels out of your control. But in Michaelās voice thatās āas joyful as he is shrewdā (BuzzFeed), these razor-sharp essays will still manage to make you laugh and remind you that youāre not alone in this often intimidating journey.