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I have read this slow. Tried to take some time each day, on the train, during lunch, in a quiet minute after dark, or hidden away in a bathroom-stall in the place where I work. This got to me. But in so many different ways. And I learned more than ever, that you read differently in every different (head-)space.

Thank you again for chosing this @JamieArc

#ALSpine @monalyisha

„I know most people try hard to do good and find out too late they should have tried softer.“

I want to highlight the whole thing. I don‘t know what it is with poetry that it just… ugh… ~gets to you. I will devour this in tiny bits. #ALSpine

Bullet journal is set up (so many bookish spreads! 😍) and my reader is equipped with some of my #AuldLangSpine reads. I had to use a lot of willpower not to start with the tagged book already. I am really looking forward to it! @JamieArc

Book mail today. Love her poetry. Thanks for making me aware of her @MrsMalaprop .

This is the best book of modern poetry I‘ve ever read. The humanness and the love that I felt entangled with left me shattered in the best way possible. Seriously so so good.❤️💔♥️

Icelandic author and feminist activist Thordis Elva recently recommended a podcast episode that featured an interview with poet Andrea Gibson. I listened, then headed out to buy myself some of her work.
Beautiful & affecting poetry ✨🥺❤️🙏

This book 🥹❤️🙏
#currentlyreading #poetry

this was my fave of the poetry books my sister gave me. it‘s queer and has political aspects but I can tell I align with this writer a lot and they had very interesting points of view and I just liked the visuals that they‘re writing conjured.

I often have the reading version of “my eyes are bigger than my stomach,” so I didn‘t read near as many as I had wanted, but I‘m really happy with what I did read (and look forward to finishing the #ALS list throughout the year!). The tagged was a standout. Keegan‘s work settles deep in my heart. And Wayward, I have a lot of thinking to do about. I really enjoyed getting to know you @monalyisha and reading your faves of 2022. Thanks for hosting ⬇️

I loved seeing everyone‘s brackets come along last year so I decided to play along this year. The tagged is January‘s favorite. It‘s very possible I would never have read this if not for #AuldLangSpine. I think it will go quite the distance for the year. Thanks to @chasjjlee for creating the bracket!

I always WANT to read more poetry but am afraid I‘ll have to think too hard and the meaning will go over my head. I‘m so glad I picked this up first for #AuldLangeSpine. It hit me in the feels so many times. It‘s meaning was evident - it demanded me to think about it but in a deeply reflective way. Each poem was great, but some caught my breath, some made me sob, and some felt uncomfortable because they were way too personal. (Cont ⬇️)

Oh holy f***. My husband and I were having a conversation tonight about feeling like it‘s time to start saying no to some things that are good for the greater good so we have some more time for the things that strengthen our souls and bring us joy. And doing it without feeling guilt. And then I read this, about sometimes making a decision that rubs up against our values for humanity. Choosing one love over another. It made my eyes leak. A lot 😭

#AuldLangSpine is off to a promising start with this one. The first poem, “Acceptance Speech After Setting the World Record in Goosebumps” took my breath away, made me think “This is how I want my year to be” and yes, gave me goosebumps, and maybe even tears. I can‘t remember the last time I‘ve been moved by poetry ❤️

We rang in the new year with our favorite local Blake‘s Triple Jam Hard Cider. Happy New Year to you, @monalyisha

Today‘s #Bookmail. I need to not buy so many books in 2023, so I‘m getting it out of my system now 😂. Really looking forward to Foster and Lightning for #AuldLangSpine. They seem like the perfect January reads for me. And Corner is for January‘s #NunLit buddy read.

I am genuinely excited about your list, Alyisha!
I‘ve read Why We Swim and Sigh, Gone (on audio too) and they were both 5 stars for me, which gives me high hopes for the rest of your list!
I own and have been meaning to read 1,5,8,11.
I‘m happy there are a few here I had never heard of.
A few of these I had already stacked from YOUR reviews 😂
Foster - I had Small Things by Keegan on my list so that‘s really cool we are in synch ⬇️
#AuldLangSpine

I finished this book of poetry and immediately bought two copies as Christmas gifts. My favorite poem in the collection is “What Love Is,” which, come to think of it, is an apt title for *every* poem in the collection.

I subscribe to Andrea Gibson‘s newsletter “Things That Don‘t Suck” & you should, too! First, note that their recent letters focus pretty intrinsically on their cancer diagnosis.

From the most recent missive:
“By the end of our lives, if we‘ve not said “WOW” thirty million times––we don‘t get into heaven.”

Also, I bought their book & lost it before reading it. If you could send “finding” vibes out so that it magically appears, I‘d appreciate it!

I always say I don‘t like poetry, but then when I read it I really enjoy it, so I should probably stop saying that. The poems in this collection are so good and so beautiful I was sad to have finished the book. I got a copy from the library, but I‘m seriously considering buying a copy for my own collection.

Book #27 of the year: “You Better Be Lightning” by Andrea Gibson

I had to wait to write this until I stopped crying. Their poetry is complex and beautiful, often painful, always honest. They inspire me to write and open to the beauty and creativity just waiting for me to stop being afraid. If you‘re queer, read Andrea Gibson. If you‘re not, probably read them anyway.

Andrea Gibson mines her own traumas and challenges as a queer woman in a heteronormative and misogynistic culture to find deep heartfelt beauty. This new collection further solidifies her growing reputation as a poet and performer who brings authenticity and enlightenment to the world.

[I received an advanced e-galley of this book through Netgalley. The book will be released November 9.]