Tiny Imperfections

Such a great book during these crazy times (and any time)! I loved this book for three reasons.

First, I rarely laugh out loud and this book had me in stitches, a bunch! Second, it pokes fun at the private school madness in America, which is so true even though it seems like the distant past with COVID. Lastly, in midst of hopefully big cultural change happening in real-time, the three generations of black women in this book provide a glimpse into being a person of color interacting in a predominantly white society of privilege.

I really thought book was targeted/more relatable to women but as a guy I also found it to be a great read…

WOW!! Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, authors of Tiny Imperfections have written a witty, humourous, entertaining, captivating, and delightful novel. The timeline for the story is set in the authors present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events in the story. The story takes place mostly in an affluent Private school in San Franciso but also takes place in New York. The colorful cast of characters is just perfectly flawed, mostly likable, quirky, and comical.

Josie Bordelon is a 39-year-old Black administrator of an elite private school, where affluent parents try as early and hard as they can to get their Kindergarten children to be accepted. Each parent sends in proof of travel, languages, and scholastic skills of their children. The admission process is very selective and competitive, and their acceptance is not guaranteed for everyone. Some of the email and test communications between Josie and the parents are hysterical.

Josies Aunt Viv has been the head cook for fifty years and has brought up Josie. Josie now has a daughter Etta, that is going to apply to colleges. Etta has her heart on Juilliard in New York City. Josie does not want Etta to repeat the mistakes Josie made when she was in New York.

I love the way the authors vividly describe the parents, the Supervisors, and the scenery. I also appreciate that the authors discuss the importance of a diverse population, the importance of family, and friends, mothers and daughters, love, hope and dreams.

I would highly recommend this book to many of my teacher friends, and readers that enjoy an entertaining, yet thought-provoking novel.

Tiny Imperfections is a fantastic book. Alli and Asha bring us into the lives of three generations of African American women living in San Francisco. Josie is a single mother working as Head of Admissions at an elite private school in San Francisco where her Aunt Viv has been the head chef for fifty years and her daughter, Etta, is entering her senior year. You will laugh a lot at the hilarious stories of ultra wealthy parents and how far they will go to secure a stable future for their five-year olds. There are more serious lessons and things to think about as well, some that make you wonder if these authors had a glimpse into the future and saw what was happening in America today. There are important issues touched on such as race, inequality, and women’s roles in supporting each other. Towards the end of the book Josie says, “no one told her you don’t step on the necks of other women to get ahead.” While you laugh a lot, you also see Josie struggle with being single, raising her daughter, and questioning what she will compromise to provide the best life for Etta. By the end of the book you will want to be more like Josie or spend a lot more time with a friend like her. And everyone should have an Aunt Viv.

This book is engaging, smart, and witty. Im not a single-mother, nor in the education field but I could relate to and connect with Josie, Aunt Viv and at times Etta. Josies inner dialogue and descriptive commentary is hilarious and I believe we would be fast friends. The characters come alive and the unexpected twist was well played. This book captured and maintained my interest from the opening and I devoured it in 24 hours. Quarantine or not, this book is time well spent and well worth the read. Im stunned and very impressed that this is their first book – I look forward to/need more.

Once you start reading this fabulous book you will not be able to put it down! The relationships of the Bordelon women is heart warming, I want to move in with them! The surprises and twists in the plot will make you gasp out loud, and you will get to know the characters as if they were part of your own life. As a teacher I laughed throughout the book thinking about my own experiences with students and parents. The authors clearly know how to collaborate to create a fun, engaging, humorous read!

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member