Helen Ubiñas, The Philadelphia Inquirer
First things first: I vote to name Deesha Philyawâs debut short story collection, âThe Secret Life of Church Ladiesâ the next One Book, One Philadelphia.
And yes, Iâve already been politely informed that thereâs a committee, of which I am not a member, that decides what book the city will read together on any given year.
But to paraphrase a popular expression: Iâm columnizing it into existence. Book-lover Jesus, hear my prayer.
Thereâs a reason for my enthusiasm, and itâs not just because after more than a year of pandemic brain slogging through all kinds of great works, I opened up Philyawâs sometimes steamy book and devoured it. Like three syllable de-vou-red!