Linny brings us up to speed on how last episode’s interview with Doc Widman (Max Out Mindset) has positively impacted her enjoyment of pickleball. Nancy describes how she has implemented Doc’s recommendations in her tennis game. This month’s book is Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Linny mistakenly believed Such a Fun Age was a comedy book. Nancy thought it really was, but it was a little heavier than Linny expected. The book starts with a racial profiling incident targeting the lead character, Emira. Nancy reads the definition of satire and likes how this book satirizes the idea of a post-racial America and a certain sort of progressive white person. Alix employs Emira as a babysitter, primarily for her three-year old daughter, Briar, after the birth of a new baby. Alix is pretty cringe-worthy in her unconscious racism and classism. Linda remembers her own experience as a college graduate who is employed as a babysitter and trying to figure out how to get ahead. Linny really likes the depth of the characters: their backstories, their families, past experiences, and how that has shaped who they are. Linda refers to Kiley’s appearance on Trevor Noah, in which she recounts all the anxious white women who approached her following her readings asking what she wanted them to do. Nancy saw the interview and liked Trevor asking Kiley how many times white people have asked to touch her hair. Nancy discusses an interview she heard on Fresh Aire with Imani Perry, author of South to America, in which Perry says white people need to recognize we all live in a racist society and instead of defending ourselves, we need to decide what we are going to do about it. Linda points out the characters that are pressing Emira to release the video of the incident are the other two lead white characters. Eventually Alix decides to leak the video against Emira’s wishes. Nancy comments on Alix’s general lack of boundaries in her relationship with Emira. Linda believes Alix should have paid attention to all her peers when, in high school, they believed she had been racist. But she did not recognize that in herself. Linny points out there is also some ageism. Peter, Alix’s husband, is able to resolve the racial incident when he shows up – described by Emira to the security guard as an old white man who the guard will feel comfortable talking with. Linny and Nancy discuss the “uniform” Emira wears, thinking Alex wants her to wear it, but which appalls her boyfriend, Kelley. Linny thinks it’s telling that Alix and Emira never specifically discuss this, with them both making assumptions about whqat the other’s expectations are. Linny dislikes Alix’s assumption that Emira is “less” than she is. Some of Alix’s best friends are Black, but they also seem oblivious to Alix’s racism. They are also equally superficial and classist and ageist, in that they want to mentor Emira and raise her up. Although Emira also is trying to figure out what she wants to do as a career and wants health insurance, no one really recognizes how fantastic she is. Nancy points out that Alix wants some of Emira’s coolness, and Kelley does, too. Nancy also points out that it is following the racial profiling incident that Alix pays any attention to Emira and quickly begins obsessing about how to be her friend. The incident also makes Emira’s white Green Party boss to want to give her a promotion. And, Kelley, also doesn’t see Emira until the incident. In sum, all the white people don’t see Emira until the incident. Briar is also a cool little person with whom Emira has a wonderful relationship, wanting to save her from her mother, Alix. Nancy was happy Linny liked the book because she did. Linny loved it, too.