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You Better Be Lightning

You Better Be Lightning

$18.00 USD
$18.00 USD $18.00 USD
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Andrea Gibson, 2021

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson is a queer, political, and feminist collection guided by self-reflection.

The poems range from close examination of the deeply personal to the vastness of the world, exploring the expansiveness of the human experience from love to illness, from space to climate change, and so much more in between.

One of the most celebrated poets and performers of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson's trademark honesty and vulnerability are on full display in You Better Be Lightning, welcoming and inviting readers to be just as they are.

Awards

2022 American Library Association Over The Rainbow - Shortlist
2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards - Poetry - Winner

Praise for Andrea Gibson

Andrea Gibson’s work shows up to your door without any pretension. It gives, pushes, and asks, knowing that even its beauty cannot answer it all. Each poem is a small fire signaling home, and home happens to be ourselves. Gibson has generously given us a blissful surrender to the immensity known as love.

— Yesika Salgado, author of Corazón

With such tenderness and empathy and humor, Andrea Gibson’s You Better Be Lightning does such important dreaming work, visioning work, looking work, in this stunning collection of generous poems. Of these poems’ infinite superpowers, my favorite might be their use of anecdotes as a sort of beckoning, welcoming a reader into this book’s lush ecosystem of intimacy. Read these poems and feel held, welcomed, forgiven.

— Safia Elhillo, author of Home Is Not a Country

 

 

 

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Overall rating: 4.9948454 / 5 from 194 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson is celebrated for its powerful and emotional writing style, beautiful imagery, and heartfelt content. Customers highly recommend this collection, praising it for its ability to evoke pure and easy emotions, making it a popular choice among poetry lovers.

Summary topics

  • Andrea Gibson's Poetry (11%): Customers loved Andrea Gibson as a unique and unmatched poet, describing her as unique, unmatched, and an amazing artist.
  • Collection Quality (6%): It was highlighted by customers that the collection is absolutely beautiful and they love it, making it a popular choice.
  • Writing Style (7%): It was observed by customers that Andrea Gibson is a terrific writer, with a powerful and emotional writing style.
  • Emotional Impact (5%): It was reported by customers that the book is magical and makes easy and pure emotions feel easy.

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

  • "Andrea Gibson is an amazing artist, who can break down complex feelings I could never find the words to describe." — Jennifer J.
  • "I have loved Andrea Gibson (Andrew Gibby)'s writing and readings from the accidental discovery online." — Cynthia H.
  • "Loves the poems, the feelings and the Vulnerability in the writing of this book." — Jennifer C.

Reviews

I stumbled upon Andrea a

"I stumbled upon Andrea a few years ago. I immediately resonated with their words/thoughts/feelings. And shortly after they shared their fatal diagnosis. I was so saddened to learn this. Since then I've followed them and their wife, and now just the wife. I saw that I could easily order this book and so I did. It arrived today and I was so excited that I took it to the gym with me to read it whilst navigating the stair master. One poem in, I had tears flowing down my cheeks. One poem. Moved me in a way that is difficult to articulate. Needless to say I won't be reading it at the gym in the future. I can hardly wait to read the rest yet want to savor it at the same time. Magic on paper. I'm in awe and incredibly grateful for Andrea's existence and the perseverance of their wife to continue sharing something so deeply treasured to herself."

— Stacey H. (5/5)

A tap on the shoulder

"Sometimes poetry is loud and demanding. This collection is one that taps you gently on the shoulder and says ‘ look over there, don’t miss that. ’ I bought it when I was recovering from surgery for lung cancer- and it felt like Andrea was reminding me to shift my focus and see things in newer ways. It showed me so much, with such Grace. Stunning!"

— Beth (5/5)

This is a gift

"This is a gift."

— Stephanie H. (5/5)

Love love love this book!!

"Love love love this book!! I never knew them, but I felt them… days before"

— Eppah M. (5/5)

"Such a beautifully written book"

— Kelly (5/5)

The most perfect, life changing

"The most perfect, life changing book of poetry I’ve almost ever read"

— Jessica V. (5/5)

Outstanding customer service. Highly recommend.

"Outstanding customer service. Highly recommend."

— Maureen M. (5/5)

I didn’t know my lungs could be this full

"This book has given me hope for what could be when I needed it most. Andrea’s poetry is like nothing I have ever experienced before and I will be pressing this book into the hands of everyone I know."

— Anna (5/5)

Andrea is an icon!!

"Andrea is an icon!!"

— Katharine H. (5/5)

Striking poems crack open my heart.

"In the wake of Gibson’s passing and the many well deserved accolades she was given I wanted a collection of her poems. Her strong voice, courage and performative style means the poems jump off the pages and lodge in my heart. My brain bolts awake and I hear Gibson’s call to become a lightening bolt in my writing and in the world. Highly recommend this book!"

— Lisa A. (5/5)

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