Michael Arceneaux, a longtime writer and author of I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé, describes his first book as his B’Day or Janet album. Released in July, the book is a series of charmingly cynical, reflective essays about his Houston upbringing, finding his way out of the clutches of religion, and life as a freelance writer and Sallie Mae nemesis. (Full disclosure: Arceneaux is a good friend of mine, and he’s written multiple pieces for Gawker and The Root—do not talk to him about Bitcoin.)