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There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce | Morgan Parker
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce uses political and pop-cultural references as a framework to explore 21st century black American womanhood and its complexities: performance, depression, isolation, exoticism, racism, femininity, and politics. The poems weave between personal narrative and pop-cultural criticism, examining and confronting modern media, consumption, feminism, and Blackness. This collection explores femininity and race in the contemporary American political climate, folding in references from jazz standards, visual art, personal family history, and Hip Hop. The voice of this book is a multifarious one: writing and rewriting bodies, stories, and histories of the past, as well as uttering and bearing witness to the truth of the present, and actively probing toward a new self, an actualized self. This is a book at the intersections of mythology and sorrow, of vulnerability and posturing, of desire and disgust, of tragedy and excellence. "
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

I really liked this. I will admit the title made me curious about what the poet had to say. Because are there? Really?

UwannaPublishme Catchy title indeed! 😁 13mo
marleed Yea , but could she name two!? 13mo
33 likes2 comments
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BkClubCare
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Pickpick

A bold in-your-face anger-driven collection that I warmed to in the middle but was worried when I started. #poetry #poemeveryday #DogsofLitsy #ReadICT Long Title category

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

A strong book of poetry; thoughtful, edgy and powerful. I‘ll definitely read more from this poet. Highly recommend! #ownvoices #blacklivesmatter #blm #diversevoices #blackpublishingpower

Emilymdxn I loved this poetry collection! 4y
64 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Panpan

I probably shouldn't review it at all. I am not a poetry reader, and this style is way beyond my limits.
I adore the title and have seen Parker speak before and she is wonderful.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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So far this is the only thing that has made sense to me.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Starting the morning with coffee and poetry and hoping to calm the mind before remote logging into work.

11 likes1 stack add
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TrishB
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#thecallofdestiny (child😁) #soaringscores
All my brain was throwing up today!

CrowCAH True. The world holds many beautifully things! 4y
Cinfhen Brilliant ❤️😁 4y
81 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

Strongly recommend this poetry collection! It did so well at being ‘very 2019‘ but also using the cultural references to go deep on some very timeless themes and issues, and while it was very playful and funny sometimes it also knew how to rip at your heart strings and make you angry. Never cliche or cheesy at all. Some of the best poetry I‘ve read this year for sure

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Emilymdxn
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Another page from this stunning collection, I could genuinely post every page from it it‘s that good. Can‘t recommend enough

ReadingEnvy She‘s so amazing 5y
69 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
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Best poetry I‘ve read in a long time, this collection keeps genuinely stopping my breath.

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hwheaties
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Pickpick

Love. I love how poetry is always new and every collection I read teaches me something.

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hwheaties
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Current poetry read!

24 likes1 stack add
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WhatDeeReads
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It‘s all Morgan Parker over here tonight.

kgriffith This was recently on display at Odyssey Books, the indie that serves as our campus bookstore as well. Such a great cover. 5y
33 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Weaponxgirl
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Pickpick

I went in wanting to love this for the title and only really liked it. It‘s worth a read but I felt like I missed a lot of the references and connections.
One of those some connect some don‘t kinda book for me but I would like to revisit it sometime. #readblackwomen

KT1432 This is exactly how I felt about the collection! A few really stood out to me and hit home, but many of them didn't resonate with me the way I'd hoped. I want to read her new work though, and I probably should revisit this one. 5y
Weaponxgirl @lele1432 I‘d definitely read more by her but a part of me wondered if I was maybe just the wrong generation for these poems. This collection on the other hand is still one of my favourites. 5y
KT1432 @Weaponxgirl That was my thought exactly!! It felt very black millennial...but I'm an old millennial and I think that played a part. The tagged book has been on my TBR for months so I'm glad you mentioned it and enjoyed it! I'll have to move it up on my list to get to. 5y
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Weaponxgirl @lele1432 I can only just call myself a millennial if you go by the stats with the very generous range in millennial ages 😆 5y
KT1432 @Weaponxgirl these generation ranges are way too large lol!! 😂 (edited) 5y
Weaponxgirl @lele1432 they are! I really love how socially conscious millennials are but we also had such different life experiences. I remember before the internet and also when it was expensive and slow. Before camera phones so doing stupid shit wasn‘t as well documented (thank god!) 5y
KT1432 @Weaponxgirl lol yesss!! Especially now that technology changes so quickly...every few years...our life experiences are vastly different! I definitely remember dial up internet, I didn't have a proper camera phone until after college, and I was a late adopter to social media lol. 😂 5y
62 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Sue
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It‘s Black History Month in the US. What are you planning on reading?

Weaponxgirl I‘ve read 2 in that stack and enjoyed and I‘m planning to read this one this month too. 😊 5y
readordierachel The Jemisin and Drayden are on my list too! 5y
72 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Mehso-so

I read this #bookofpoetry for #halfbloodbingo #bookbingo. It was not totally my style, but well written and full of references that I mostly got!

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Bindrosbookshelf
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I really enjoyed these poems.
5 stars
#24in48 #24in48ausnz

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Bindrosbookshelf
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Book 3 is poetry, to spice things up
#24in48 #24in48ausnz

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TheSpineView
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#poetrymatters @lazydays
Prompt: Lush

Beautiful imagery! 💜

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VioletBramble
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gradcat This is great 👍 5y
35 likes1 comment
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amma-keep-reading
Mehso-so

I'm sad I didn't like this more. I admit I don't know what I expected but I wasn't satisfied. Maybe it was her writing style. Maybe I expected more social commentary. Maybe this collection was over my head. Regardless, I want to read her other work.

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Cinfhen
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#HeatOfJuly #CrazyinLove Queen B 4Ever 👑🎤🖤I‘ve been eyeing this poetry collection ever since I saw the title and cover

monkeygirlsmama Stacking since this book seems to be getting lots of rave reviews. 6y
BarbaraBB That book looks awesome! 6y
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TrishB I did this one too 😁 I have the book just haven‘t got to it yet! 6y
JoScho 🙌🏼👑🐝🖤 6y
Cinfhen Perfect emojis @joscho 6y
sammisho 👑🐝 i love her! 6y
GripLitGrl 💖💖😎 6y
Kalalalatja I have been eyeing the book as well 👀👀 6y
Reviewsbylola Queen Bey! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
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TrishB
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#crazyinlove #heatofjuly
Not read yet- I have to be in a poetry mood and not had one recently!!
Can‘t tag again!!

Cathythoughts Interesting title, meditative moods are good for me for poetry. ——- as for the tagging feature 🙄 6y
Cinfhen #GreatMinds 💕😘 6y
TrishB @cinfhen absolutely 😘 6y
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kgriffith @trishB you had to type the full username to tag in the comment just now, right? Are you on iOS or Android, if you don‘t mind me collecting info for the bug report? (edited) 6y
TrishB @kgriffith I‘m on iOS 👍🏻 6y
kgriffith Great, thank you! 6y
Kalalalatja Oh, I haven‘t seen this edition before 😍 6y
TrishB @kalalalatja I think this is the U.K. one! 6y
126 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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ElleSkel
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Pickpick

Too much to say in under 451 characters... so I will say WOW. For me this book of poems was the lyrical equivalent of a death drop. It did not hold back. It was certainly not created in everyone‘s comfort zone, but I still think everyone should read it. Soulfully jam packed with feminine pride and a continuous nod to pop culture made this collection a pick for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TrishB Have this on tbr 👍🏻 great review 6y
Itchyfeetreader This looks like my kind of poetry. Stacking! 6y
Heideschrampf Aaaaaand onto the list! 6y
Cinfhen Love your review!!! 6y
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ReadingEnvy
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Pickpick

Strong voiced poems that demand multiple readings: There are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce by Morgan Parker.
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Favorite poems include:
-The President Has Never Said the Word Black
-Afro
-The Gospel of Jesus's Wife
-Heaven Be a Xanax
-Slouching Towards Beyoncé

rather_be_reading love the title! 6y
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TrishB
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#singleladies #aprella
Been thinking what to do all day- then this jumped out at me 😁

Cinfhen Ahhh!!! How was it??? I‘m really intrigued by the author.... 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen only read a couple so far and liked! Have to be in the mood for new poetry- have a few on the pile ready for poetry mood to begin 😁 6y
Reviewsbylola That title is begging for a fight. 🤣🤣🤣 6y
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Mdargusch So perfect! 6y
emilyhaldi ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Kalalalatja I‘m so interested in this too! 6y
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Bertha_Mason

"what if I said I'm tired / and they heard wrong / said *sing it*"

-"What Beyoncé Won‘t Say on a Shrink‘s Couch"

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Bertha_Mason

"With champagne I try expired white ones / I mean pills I mean men"

-"Welcome to the Jungle"

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Bertha_Mason

"At school they learned that Black people happened."

-"All They Want Is My Money My Pussy My Blood"

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DimeryRene
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“Is loneliness cultural.. what does money cost.. is desire making me sick.. what does beautiful cost do I afford it.. are calories and sitcoms here to make me sad.. am I a moon no one sees..”

18 likes3 stack adds
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BlackandBookish
Pickpick

It was a slow start for me but by the end I was feeling much more comfortable with her style.

11 likes2 stack adds
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BlackandBookish
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I don‘t know. It took me almost half the book to even “connect” with a poem. I almost bailed. I haven‘t yet, I‘m about 15 pages from the end. Some poems I read and Im in them. And then some are like Greek to me. Who‘s read this? I need some book support.

queerbookreader I read it 🙋🏻 personally I liked it, but I rarely read poetry so I guess I don't have much to compare it to 6y
queerbookreader If you're interested in reading a collection of environmental poetry that was created around/about the BP oil spill, that was the other poetry book I read last year 6y
queerbookreader Anyways. I admire folks who can wholly enjoy poetry, but for me I either totally get it or totally do not. There is no in between. Like those word jumble puzzles!! 6y
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BlackandBookish @queerbookreader This! I‘m not really “into” poetry but I like it sometimes. I‘ve been reading more poetry lately so I was surprised that this book didn‘t click. 6y
queerbookreader Yeah I've been trying to read more poetry lately!! Mainly Emily Dickinson's poetry because she may have been super queer and that's my main area of interest. But I'm not one of those folks who *pensively reads poetry while on the train, sipping tea and staring out the window to ponder life itself*. That's a nice aesthetic. But I read wayyyy too many comics to ever be that kind of person 😅 6y
BlackandBookish @queerbookreader Yay Emily Dickinson! I love her stuff. Granted, I haven‘t ready any of it since high school but I gravitated to her work when I was introduced to it. I love it. This current book is nowhere near that. Not in a bad way. (edited) 6y
queerbookreader I never got the chance to read her in high school, so it's all new to me. I liked this book of poetry because it was so direct in its statements, and so raw with its words. It wasn't super difficult for me to decipher what the author meant or intended, which is a big plus for a poetry novice 6y
13 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Angitron
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Panpan

I just didn‘t connect with this collection of poetry, unfortunately.

IamIamIam Kudos for trying! Not all collections can be stellar. 😁 6y
26 likes1 comment
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WanderingBookaneer
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Pickpick

So this is what happens when an anthropologist writes poetry. This collection does not hold back any punches, is definitely Beyoncé-centric, but it deserves to be explored. It was a pleasure to read. #poetrychallenge2018

Lindy 👍I‘m going to a launch tonight for a book that combines poetry and science: Welcome to the Anthropocene by Alice Major. https://www.alicemajor.com/poetry-writing/anthropocene/ 6y
WanderingBookaneer @Lindy : That sounds right up my alley! 6y
Lindy @WanderingBookaneer Stay tuned. I will report back. 🤓 6y
116 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Amberjune
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Pickpick

Here is a book I love

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PassportBooks
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Pickpick

I'm never quite sure how to talk about poetry. I don't feel like I have the right tools to discuss or critique poetry. All I can say is I enjoyed this.

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LibrarylandLisa
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“The only thing more beautiful than Beyoncé is God, and God is a black woman sipping rose and drawing a lavender bath...”

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Keyoung
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Time for a change of pace. Poetry + a latte ☕️#24in48 #booksandcoffee

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Blaire
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Pickpick

This has been my bedtime reading the last few nights and some of the lines I just loved: 1) so what if I have more regrets than birthdays, I am old for my age; 2) dear anyone, dear high-heel metronome, white noise, hush us shhhh, hush us. Favorite poems were 99 problems and we don‘t know when we were opened. I liked reading these quietly aloud. A lot to think about. #poetry #pocpoetry

TrishB Have this on the tbr 👍🏻 good review. 6y
Cinfhen I read a review a few months ago and have been curious ever since...great review🙌🏻 6y
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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CiViiLy
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Pickpick

Sharp and true are the two words I would use to describe this collection of poems. Parker doesn't hold back. Her words are ever so lyrical as you read it that it soothes you as well it eviscerates you at the same time.

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CiViiLy
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New day, new book!

Heideschrampf Thanks for the tip! 6y
10 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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elizabethlk
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Pickpick

This was just as good as everyone said. My personal favourite poem out of it was 99 Problems.

38 likes3 stack adds
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OffTheBeatenShelf.com
Pickpick

I gave this a 👍🏼 but it‘s really somewhere between that and so-so. I went back and forth the whole time reading it.

I realize that being white I‘m not the target audience, so it makes sense there are some things I wouldn‘t get, but there was a lot that confused me. This is probably more about my intelligence or cultural unawareness than about the actual quality of the writing. I also admit there‘s a lot of poetry I don‘t understand. ... 1/2

OffTheBeatenShelf.com 2/2 That being said, there were definitely some beautifully written lines that I couldn‘t help underlining and highlighting. The quotability on a sentence level is what pushes a book up a star for me. If I can‘t help writing in the book, that‘s an automatic extra star for me. I‘d give this one four out of five stars. 6y
14 likes1 comment
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missberlyreads
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Mehso-so

I think I'll need to read this again with other people so we can talk about it as we read along together. Have you read this? Thoughts?

#therearemorebeautifulthingsthanbeyonce #morganparker #beyonce #thatcovertho #poetry #librarybook #getlit #kvnreads17

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jessicarenee
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Mimi28 Oooooooo!!! 😍😍😍Stacked!! Thanks!! ❤️❤️ 6y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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balletbookworm
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Pickpick

So much to unpack in this slim volume. Bravo, Morgan Parker!

Going to have to sit with this one a bit. It makes me itchy - both the good and uncomfortable kinds of itchy - and there is such rhythm to the lines without actual “meter.”

Book #2 for Readathon!

rubyslippersreads The cats are confident there is nothing on earth more beautiful than cats. 😻 6y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lindsaycree
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nikirtehsuxlol
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I'm terrible at this font crap so don't take it out on the awesome quote 😅

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nikirtehsuxlol

You are beautiful because you're funny.
You are alive because you're a question.