Cover Image: If My Body Could Speak

If My Body Could Speak

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Member Reviews

Her writing really packs a punch. Heavy heavy heavy trigger warning. The material of the poems is so raw and thought provoking. Definitely interested in reading more of her material.

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This was a great poetry book. I always absolutely enjoy her work and I can't wait to read more in the near future. I highly recommend it.

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I'm a fan of Blythe Baird, and this book didn't disappoint at all. A powerful and raw collection about abuse, eating disorder, and homophobia that will definitely leave a mark on its readers. A must for any poetry lover.

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Spoken poetry doesn't always translate well on the page and sadly, that was the case with this collection.

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Tw for eating disorders
Baird’s book talks about eating disorders and.fatphobia along with the impact that it has on your mental health as a bigger person. She goes into detail about how people don’t think you have an illness when you’re a bigger size compared to when you are already skinny to begin with. It’s a tough subject to talk about because it can affect people differently and the experiences may not always look the same.

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This was an incredibly powerful collection of poetry about body image and eating disorders. I wish I had had something like this as a teenager!

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Did not relate to this book. I felt like there was not enough in this to arouse any sort of emotion from me.

DNF'd the book for that reason.

but thank you for accepting my request.

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100/10 I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry. This book is amazing and all emotions are so raw and Blythe's vulnerability is just out there on the page.
I devoured this book in one sitting, I just had to keep reading. This book is so empowering and truthful. The book talks about what it’s like to be a queer woman and a woman in general, dealing with sexual assault, and does so in such an amazing way. If you love poetry and are a bit of a feminist this book is for you

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Powerful collection of poems addressing some tough issues around eating disorders and body image. The author gives these experiences a raw, authentic voice.

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It's a hard book but it speaks honestly and powerfully about important topics such as eating disorders, sexual assault, rape culture, being a feminist, being a survivor, love, sexuality and family.

I did enjoy it, even if it took me a long time to finish it because it is not an easy read in terms of topic. I wish her poems were longer, though. I preferred her longer poems, I think she has a lot of potential and could've expanded many of her shorter poems. Sometimes they felt too simple to be a finished poem (although I just tend to have that opinion of many short poems, not just Baird's ones).

Still, this is courageous work. It is clear and direct and raw.

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Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And this is an honest review. I like poetry, This is my first time with modern poetry. I think I need a book like this, with such theme. I guess every woman need to read such words, even when she feels good with herself.
I give 2 stars 'cause I need to come to terms with moder poetry...

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I actually really enjoyed this book of poetry. I don’t usually connect with poetry, but Baird’s work made me have all the feelings. I’ve never been anorexic, but I could connect a little to her experience. I’ve never been sexually assaulted or been to one of those parties where I was eye candy (thank goodness), but her experience came through. Her shortest poems were the best of the bunch for me; she really made her points well in only a few words. It may not be sophisticated poetry, but let me tell you I’m buying the book for my library.

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Trigger warning for disordered eating, and sexual assault:

I absolutely fell in love with Blythe's writing in this one. As a sexual assault survivor and recovering from an eating disorder, this one hit me in all sorts of ways. Although mildly triggering, I think they are words that needed to be said.

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It was an ok collection. The poems felt immature, as though the writer needs more depth of form. I do hope to read more from this poet in the future.

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I’m taking you back to like 2016!DB (with long hair 😀). A friend told me I should watch a Youtube video so we sat next to each other and watched it. It was a slam poetry piece, something about economy and patriarchy and feminism. I don’t recall the title now. But that was my introduction to slam poetry (other than 22 Jump Street). And I fell in love. I loved it since it was both poetry and drama combined.

I quickly found Blythe – as she is a popular one. I loved how she took topics straight on and wasn’t about to let things lie down. She was ready to stand in front of the microphone, speaking her heart out and I was ready to sit and watch her.

My favourite poem has to be GIRL CODE 101 because it rings so true. As girls, we are expected to be kind and gracious, but boys can be rude and do what they want. We have to be demure and not speak up but boys seem to get a pass at whatever they want. Pocket-Sized Feminism is my other favourite one as the verse:

We text each other when we get home safe and it does not
occur to us that not all of our guy friends have to the do the same.

because that’s true – my friends and I do text each other, saying we’re safely home. And yes, our guy friend in the group also does that, but he has grown up with 4 sisters and he’s been in the friendship group for a long while. And we basically wait for everyone to sound off, saying they’re home safely and about to get into bed, and then we all go to bed. And does a group of (mostly) guys do this? Are they required to do this? Do they sit up in their beds and think why their friend hasn’t texted yet since they left 15 minutes ago and it takes 10 minutes by car from your house to theirs?

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In this collection, Blythe pieces together anecdotal experiences and self-revelations to discuss body image, mental, illness, sexuality and how these things can change young girls. While some points Blythe makes are over-saturated, over-complicated, and unnecessary, her narrative remains feeling important. There is an underlying urgency with which she writes. She presses that we must think now, that we must act today. She is able to instill self-reflection and point a mirror at society to ask whether we realize what it is that is going on. All in all, Blythe offers important insight into the world of women and young people alike, though the writing suffers from cliches throughout.

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Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I have no doubt that I will re-read these poems again. My favourite poems were For The Rapists Who Called Themselves Feminists and To Live In The Body Of A Survivor.

These poems cover themes such as abuse, silence, misogyny homophobia, love, rape, rape culture, and eating disorders.

The best modern poetry that I have read in a while.

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I often enjoy titles from Button Poetry authors because it is an extension of the glimpse we see of them on YouTube. This book is a deep dive into Blythe Baird's world, full of difficult topics that would warrant trigger warnings, but then again, what poet doesn't use words to give voice to difficult topics on their journey to healing? Raw and candid, Baird talks about eating disorders and body image, mental health and sexual assault. If you can relate, it is gut-wrenching to see yourself in her words. If you can't relate, it still packs a punch.

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This book was such a refreshing, yet raw and real take on taboo issues, such as homophobia, eating disorders, sexism, abuse, and mental health. Page after page I felt myself relating so many of Blythe Baird’s words and feeling every emotion that she poured into this book. This book will touch you and give you new perspectives.

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I had a great time reading this book and now I am looking forward to reading more books by the same author. Many many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this eARC.

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