Philly Reads Philly: Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Philly Reads Philly is a free book club for anyone who loves reading about this city, hosted by Kelly Braun of At My House and journalist Kiley Bense. Each month, we pick a book set in Philadelphia or written by a Philly-based author.

This month, we're discussing Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, a Philadelphia-based author.

Set right here in Philadelphia, the novel follows Emira Tucker, a 25-year-old Black woman working as a babysitter for the Chamberlain family, and her employer Alix, a white influencer and mom in her thirties whose family recently relocated from New York. One night, Emira is called in last-minute to take the Chamberlains' toddler out of the house — and while shopping at an upscale grocery store, she's stopped by a security guard who accuses her of kidnapping the child. The incident, caught on a bystander's phone, sets off a chain of events that pulls Emira and Alix's lives together in increasingly complicated ways.

Sharp, funny, and unflinching, Such a Fun Age digs into race, class, privilege, and the messy line between good intentions and real harm — all set against a very familiar Philly backdrop.

Haven't finished the book yet? No worries, come anyway for good conversation and good company. New members always welcome.