MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Career

Meet The Debut Author Reese Witherspoon Is Obsessed With

Is there any higher praise? - by Maeve Galea
  • 22 Jan 2020
Meet The Debut Author Reese Witherspoon Is Obsessed With

Nine is Kiley Reid’s number. It is the number of years she lived in New York City as a babysitter, spending her evenings hugging other people’s children goodnight. It’s the number of crushing rejection letters she received from every graduate school she applied to in 2015 after finally pursuing her lifelong dream of being a writer. And, amazingly, it’s the number of triumphant acceptances she received from those same nine schools the very next year, culminating in her attending the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop (yes, that’s the one Lena Dunham attended in Girls).

It was those three moments of her life that led her to write the summer’s most hotly anticipated debut novel Such A Fun Age. A sharp, observant and sometimes uncomfortable story about power, race and class told through the conflicting perspectives of a 20-something black babysitter and her wealthy, white boss.

reesesbookclub View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
The first #ReesesBookClub pick for the new decade is... #SuchAFunAge by @kileyreid! 📚Set in Philadelphia, the story centers around Emira Tucker, a black babysitter, and Alix Chamberlain, a white woman who employs Emira to watch her children. The story takes a turn when an incident at a local grocery store completely changes the course of both of their lives. Click the 🔗in bio to listen to this powerful story on @Audible.

“It’s a story about well-intentioned people who sometimes make mistakes and you don’t tell the reader which people are good and which ones are bad,” says the 32-year-old, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, before moving to New York where she worked as a babysitter and became obsessed with class dynamics.

“I was fascinated by the very strange dynamics of the relationship between parents and the people they pay to take care of their children,” reflects Reid, who after her recent wedding to scholar Nathan Rosenberg moved to the leafy suburbs of Philadelphia, where her novel is set.

kileyreid View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
"Excuse me? Can everyone focus on me for a second? Ok great, I have an announcement...IT'S LEO SZN." 🔥 🦁 ☀️

“Publishing a book is a big dream come true, and now as I start novel number two, it’s the best challenge to do it again. But every day I’m realising how much work I have ahead of me so I might be a few years,” says Reid, with a nervous laugh. Let’s hope we’re not waiting nine.

kileyreid View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
SUCH A FUN PAGE

This article originally appeared in the January issue of marie claire. 

  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • International Women's Day
Maeve Galea
Maeve Galea is a freelance writer. When she's not reading Malcolm Gladwell books (or listening to his podcast), you'll find her sipping mimosas and/or doing a face mask.

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Books That Need To Be On Your Reading List This Summer

The Books That Need To Be On Your Reading List This Summer

JLo On Breaking The Internet, Being A Boss And ~That~ Body

JLo On Breaking The Internet, Being A Boss And ~That~ Body

Liane Moriarty on Meeting Meryl, Living Like The Queen And Her Latest Hit Novel

Liane Moriarty on Meeting Meryl, Living Like The Queen And Her Latest Hit Novel

Looking To Escape? Here Are 14 Books You Won't Be Able To Put Down Once You Start

Looking To Escape? Here Are 14 Books You Won't Be Able To Put Down Once You Start

{headline}

{headline}

Who Will Be Australia's Next Female PM?

Who Will Be Australia's Next Female PM?

Awe-Inspiringly, Female Athletes Are Making Up The Majority Of Our Gold Medal Haul In Tokyo

Awe-Inspiringly, Female Athletes Are Making Up The Majority Of Our Gold Medal Haul In Tokyo

Here Are The Winners Of 2021's BOLD By Veuve Clicquot Awards

Here Are The Winners Of 2021's BOLD By Veuve Clicquot Awards

{headline}

{headline}

5 Female Founders Who Are Committed To Creating A Better World

5 Female Founders Who Are Committed To Creating A Better World

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows Have Been Announced & They’re Seriously Impressive

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows Have Been Announced & They’re Seriously Impressive

Scarlett Johansson On the Delay of 'Black Widow' and Having No Regrets

Scarlett Johansson On the Delay of 'Black Widow' and Having No Regrets

Rita Therese Is The Game Changing Author We Need RN

Rita Therese Is The Game Changing Author We Need RN

The Femme Podcasts That Will Feed Your Mind And Soul

The Femme Podcasts That Will Feed Your Mind And Soul

7 Australian Stars Salute The Women Who Paved The Way For Them

7 Australian Stars Salute The Women Who Paved The Way For Them

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This Month

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This Month

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire