Smells Like Twentysomething Spirit

Whatever today's American twentysomethings want to be called, or whatever marketing agencies want to call them, the simple fact remains that any generation is a collection of individuals. Today Random House releases Twentysomething Essays by Twentysomething Writers. Although this book can't hope to define those who have been stamped X, Y, whatever, the collection is a bold reminder that this generation is extremely diverse and very capable.

The book's editors---Matt Kellogg and Jillian Quint---are twentysomethings themselves and have taken great care to showcase the breadth of their contemporary generation's perspectives and experiences. What started out as a literary contest with more than a thousand submissions was pared down to 29 little essays. The featured works range from playful and absurd to poignant and earnest.

In terms of specific content, Radhiyah Ayobami's "An Evening in April" and Burlee Vang's "A Red Spoon for the Nameless" are two good reasons to give this book some attention. Both essays are elegant, understated, and powerful. Ayobami's piece artfully addresses the difficulties of parenting and the institutional tragedy of homelessness; Vang's essay explores the constraints of family on sexuality and personal expression.