Obviously Audiobook By Akilah Hughes cover art

Obviously

Stories from My Timeline

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Obviously

By: Akilah Hughes
Narrated by: Akilah Hughes
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.20

Buy for $16.20

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

"A refreshingly funny and blisteringly unsentimental coming-of-age memoir." (John Green, number one New York Times best-selling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars)

In Akilah Hughes' world, family - and life - are often complicated, but always funny. Through intimate and hilarious essays, Akilah takes listeners along on her journey from the small Kentucky town where she was born - and eventually became a spelling bee champ and 15-year-old high school graduate - to New York City, where she took careful steps to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer and performer.

Like Tiffany Haddish's The Last Black Unicorn or Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? for the YA set, Akilah pens revealing and laugh-out-loud funny essays about her life, covering everything from her racist fifth-grade teacher, her struggles with weight and acne, her failed attempts at joining the cheerleading team, how to literally get to New York (hint: For a girl on a budget, it may include multiple bus transfers), and exactly how to "make it" once you finally get there.

©2019 Akilah Hughes (P)2019 Listening Library New York Funny Witty Nonfiction

Critic reviews

"This book is like Akilah: vulnerable but tough, positive without being annoying, and so, so funny. Through all these stories-some happy, some sad, some insane-there's always a message that says don't give up. Boyfriends let you down. Raccoons fall through ceiling vents. Sh*t happens. Keep going." (Jon Lovett, co-host of Pod Save America)

"These laugh-out-loud accounts read like warm conversations with an older cousin who provides helpful advice - sandwiched between love and laughter - on growing up." (Kirkus Reviews)

"In terms of drive, wit, and confidence, look no further...Hughes presents a charming and surprising essay collection." (SLJ)
Hilarious Storytelling • Engaging Narration • Emotional Depth • Sincere Memoir • Inspiring Content
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
see above ( this had to be at least 15 characters, and I'm not worthy )

Akilah fucking rules. Obviously.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was my very first audiobook and was definitely what got me hooked on listening! This book is hilarious all the way through. The book is narrated by Akilah herself and she makes it even funnier.

Hilarious Read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed reading Akilah’s timeline. It is always enlightening to learn that some life lessons are mutual. I loved the humor, positivity, and real ness of her life experiences. I recommend this book to all diverse backgrounds because everyone could learn from Akilah’s spectrum of experiences. She truly gets turning lemon into lemonade! Happy reading!😃

Ifyouarereadingthisbookisawesome!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved the honest storytelling and comedic timing of the book. Akilah's narration was smooth and I laughed and cried.

Black Girl Magic At Work

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I discovered Akilah on Twitter and I really enjoy her Tweets. I realized that she had written a book and decided to listen to it. I do no regret listening. The book is funny, entertaining and inspiring. Akilah is not only a good writer but she is also an excellent narrator. I highly recommend.

I highly recommend this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Obviously it’s amazing.. it’s Akilah Hughes! The audiobook is definitely the right option if you’re doubting yourself.

Obviously

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My time listening to this flew by! Hughes storytelling is engaging, funny & sincere. I looked forward to each chapter as she told her story. When it ended, I yelled, "That's it?!" forgetting the length the book. I want to hear more from Akilah Hughes as her story continues.

Read this please, is good!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
definitely worth the listen but can bypass beginning if time limited. Don't miss this book

starts slow then so funny!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Obviously you need to read this book about the real life spelling bee champion named Akilah.

Akilah is funny, impressive, and basically Oprah.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I picked this book because I've come to appreciate Akilah's work on the Crooked Media podcast "What a Day". Akilah, herself, mentioned this book among others people should read to become a better BLM ally and to gain a small sliver of insight into the racism black women experience on a regular basis.
I enjoyed the vulnerability, the honesty, and the humor. This is a great read and I am glad Akilah shared her stories.

So you want to be a better ally: start here

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews