Monthly Book Pick: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

“I was blessed with another trait I inherited from my mother, her ability to forget the pain in life. I remember the thing that caused the trauma, but I don't hold onto the trauma. I never let the memory of something painful prevent me from trying something new. If you think too much about the ass kicking your mom gave you or the ass kicking that life gave you, you’ll stop pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules. It’s better to take it, spend some time crying, then wake up the next day and move on. You’ll have a few bruises and they’ll remind you of what happened and that’s ok. But after a while, the bruises fade and they fade for a reason."

The autobiography and debut of Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show lets readers into the South African life he led before arriving in New York. Noah was literally was born a crime as the son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother. At any moment, the government could whisk Noah away and detain his mother for up to five years just because he exists. Noah lived hidden in his home where he found inventive and often hilarious ways of entertaining himself; only going outside for school and church until liberated by South Africa's tyrannical, white rule. Noah narrates his childhood and his journey to adulthood with his best friend and most reliable team-mate by his side: his mother.

The dramatic and uproarious stories compiled in this unique narrative will both shock and touch readers every page. This book is perfect to read during quarantine because there is never a time when someone doesn't want a little laughter injected into their day or to be sucked into a tale that is so unlikely and seemingly impossible. You will rightfully be in awe of Trevor Noah when you close the book.