DigeeBooks

“Riveting, fearless, and vividly original” (Emily St. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author), this instant New York Times bestseller explores the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing.Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust. Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW. It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career. Having joined Wagner Books to honor the legacy of Burning Heart, a novel written and edited by two Black women, she had thought that this animosity was a relic of the past. Is Nella ready to take on the fight of a new generation? “Poignant, daring, and darkly funny, The Other Black Girl will have you stressed and exhilarated in equal measure through the very last twist” (Vulture). The perfect read for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace.

The Other Black Girl: A Novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris is a compelling and thought-provoking story that delves into the complexities of race, identity, and power dynamics in the workplace.

The story centers around Nella Rogers, a young, ambitious black woman who lands her dream job as an editorial assistant at Wagner Books, a prestigious publishing house. Nella is excited to be the only black woman in the editorial department, but her enthusiasm quickly fades as she encounters a series of microaggressions and subtle racism from her colleagues.

Nella's life takes an unexpected turn when Hazel, another black woman, joins the company as an editorial assistant. At first, Nella is thrilled to have a black coworker, but she soon discovers that Hazel is everything she is not: confident, outgoing, and seemingly well-liked by everyone. Nella becomes increasingly jealous of Hazel's success and begins to question her own worth and abilities.

As Nella navigates the treacherous waters of office politics and her own insecurities, she uncovers a dark secret about Wagner Books that could threaten her career and her life. With the help of Hazel, Nella must confront the uncomfortable truths about her workplace and her own identity to find her voice and fight for what is right.

The Other Black Girl is a powerful and insightful novel that explores the intersection of race, gender, and class in a modern workplace. Harris's skillful storytelling and nuanced characters bring to life the complexities of navigating a world where success often comes at a price. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction, social commentary, or the experiences of black women in the workplace.