Reviews

If My Body Could Speak (feminism, survival, and my new favorite modern poet) — Blythe Baird

March 18, 2019
41766537

TITLE: If My Body Could Speak
AUTHOR: Blythe Baird
RELEASE DATE: February 5th, 2019
GENRE: Poetry/Nonfic
AGE RANGE: Adult

If My Body Could Speak is about fighting for the space one takes up in a world that would rather they take up none at all.

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Wow. Just… wow. I have a new favorite modern poet, full stop. Never has any poetry book resonated with me quite as hard as this one did. It’s so unapologetically feminist, bold, brave, body-accepting, queer, rape-decrying, angry, broken, beautiful and I never wanted it to end. I can count eight poems I would tattoo on my body right this very moment. Wow.

Whether she was talking about eating disorders, surviving sexual assault, or coming to recognize her own love for other women, I related so damn much to every bit of it. And I wish I didn’t, and I wish she didn’t get it, because nobody deserves to go through the things that we and so many other people on this planet have been through, but it feels so good to be seen.

I don’t even have words. I’d rather just offer you some of Blythe’s.

This is not female privilege,
this is survival of the prettiest.

We are playing the first game
we learned how to.

———

I have run out of compassion for wolves. I have run
out of compassion for anyone who isn’t outraged.

———

Watch me build an empire from the ashes
of everything that tried to destroy me.

Content warnings for rape, abuse, misogyny, eating disorders

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Button Poetry for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
5stars

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No Comments

  • Reply Laura Beth March 18, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    Wow!!

  • Reply Arya D. @Arya's Fangirl Lexicon March 18, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    I had no idea she was publishing a collection! I’ve watch tons of her spoken word on YouTube through the years! I’m so excited to get to read her peoms! I’m glad you liked them!

  • Reply DeeReadsThings March 18, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    This sounds stunning, I need to read it asap because wow. ?

  • Reply Kelly | Another Book in the Wall March 18, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    This sounds AMAZING! Thank you for bringing this book to my attention, Destiny! I hadn’t heard of it before! Super excited to read it some time! Wonderful review! ☺️

  • Reply Sofii @ A Book. A Thought. March 18, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    I had never heard of this book before but now that I know you liked it, is definitely on my radar. Besides, that cover is so GOOD ???

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries March 30, 2019 at 8:56 pm

      It’s such a good cover!! And so many good quotes!! And such a good… EVERYTHING haha! I hope you like it ♥

  • Reply lauraherondale March 19, 2019 at 3:00 am

    Omg I had no clue that Blythe was publishing a poetry book! I’ve been listening to her spoken word for years (literally can recite “when the fat girl gets skinny” word-for-word, I’m that obsessed with it), so I cant wait for this. I’m glad you enjoyed it :))

  • Reply Mystery Blogger Award // Blog Tag – Raine Reads March 19, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    […] @ Latte Nights Reviews // Destiny @ Howling Libraries // Princess of Pages // Julia @ Fable Hunter // Eline @ Lovely Audiobooks // Em @ Busy Bee Reads […]

  • Reply Sunday Post — March 24, 2019 – howling libraries March 24, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    […] If My Body Could Speak (feminist poetry review) […]

  • Reply March Wrap: the wrap-up that almost didn’t happen! – howling libraries April 11, 2019 at 8:01 am

    […] If My Body Could Speak ✨?? — ★★★★★ […]

  • Reply the pretty poems June 28, 2019 at 5:20 am

    i want this book right now!!!
    I know i’ve read Blythe before but I can’t remember where

  • Reply tostevinwrites July 1, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Argh – I completely agree. This collection did things to me. I reviewed it in detail here and gave it 5 stars too 🙂 https://tostevinwrites.com/2019/07/01/poetry-collection-review-if-my-body-could-speak-by-blythe-baird/

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