Kate Baer

Kate Baer slaps back at her internet trolls by finding some mic-drop responses hidden amongst the words of their own diatribes. This clever turn is called erasure poetry, though I seem to recall Mad magazine doing something similar in their pages with political statements and advertisements back when I was a kid.

Baer also tries the same trick with positive comments -- drawing out affirmations -- and from other sources to lesser success. It has the most emotional impact for me when in direct show more response to her haters.

Slim book, quick read. show less

Squeezing this one in for National Poetry Month, barely. Kate Baer has created a unique collection that speaks to what it means to be a woman. In part 1, it is college/young adulthood, in part 2 it is marriage, and part 3 is motherhood. None of these life phases is clearly labeled as such, but she writes very convincingly and caustically (sometimes) about events that tend to fall in this span. Two favorites are: "For the Advice Cards at Bridal Showers" and "For the Advice Cards at Baby show more Showers" - I'd call them subversive, but also brutally honest, as are all the poems. Even ones with a softer side, have some good zingers. She nails the challenges - especially imposed - and also the celebrations. show less

I have been waiting so impatiently for this book - anything written by Kate Baer is an automatic buy from me. This absolutely did not disappoint. There have not been many times in my life where I have been so impressed by all the works of a single writer, but Kate definitely claims that honor. After What Kind of Woman it seemed like that would be her peak, but she absolutely proved me wrong.

Once again, it feels like Kate took notes from my life in new and maturing motherhood and created show more poems that made me feel seen. She talks about so many different parts about being a mother, especially the things that people shy away from normally. Motherhood, parenting, and adulthood are messy and complicated. Most of us have it together less than we'd like to admit, and this collection of poetry makes that seem so...normal. It is totally fine that we're all just doing our best.

I found myself just staring at pages thinking that I felt so seen. It makes motherhood seem less isolated - no matter the struggle you're going through, someone else is too. Identifying with others makes us feel less alone.

This is so re-readable that I want to start it again already. show less

Really enjoyed seeing how she took both good and bad words and altered them into something meaningful and powerful here. I’m still fascinated by the people in the world who reach out to strangers on the internet; it’s a psychology that I truly don’t understand.