Thank you to NetGalley and David Gate for the earc. I love a good book of poems and essays. It’s always a fast paced read for me and gives me so much to contemplate and never fails to stir up some emotions. I absolutely loved this.

David Gates began posting his poetry on Instagram in 2021, words focusing on nurturing the life you want to lead and caring for yourself, community and nature. He espouses beliefs that are antithetical to cynicism, but only because he has experienced it, too. In a world where many things feel bleak, Gates leans into joy, love and the wonder of life. Maybe it’s not groundbreaking and maybe it could feel cliche, but I tend to agree with him that these are things we need right now.

This is easy to read poetry filled with relatable themes. I was moved to tears several times and I can see myself seeking out more of his work in the future.

Thank you to Convergent Books, Random House and Netgally for the advanced copy.

Habría resonado más—y habría tenido un impacto temático más fuerte—si el editor y el autor hubieran elegido incluir solo obras específicas.

Para ser franca/o, los primeros capítulos se sienten forzados, como si intentaran demasiado ser ingeniosos. Es medio cringe.
Es dolorosamente obvio que fue escrito por un hombre blanco heterosexual—pero aprecio que lo reconozca y, sorprendentemente, es bastante decente a nivel emocional y mental.

This is a beautifully written memoir about life, faith, identity, family, and grief. Jeff Chu tells the story of leaving New York City to become an amateur farmhand at the farminary, which is a farm that serves as a place for part of his seminary training. He tells stories through the plants, soil, and compost on the farm. I appreciate these tender reflections on the complicated nuances of being a human who is trying to love God, others, and himself.

(Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher, but this has in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are entirely unbiased and honest.)

A Rebellion of Care: Poems and Essays drew me in with its premise and cover.

However, I cannot believe this book is almost 200 pages long skdkdk

It would've resonated more—and hit harder thematically—if the editor and the author had chosen to include only specific works.

To be frank, the earlier chapters feel like they're pandering and trying too hard to be witty. It’s kind of cringe.

(Twerk of Art? Less radio, more head?)

(Are you okay?)

It’s painfully obvious that this was written by a straight white man—but I do appreciate that he owns up to it, and, surprisingly, he's decent emotionally and mentally.

No regrets still in finishing this collection; the chapter about platonic love is heartwarming, and the poems regarding parental fears are brimming with emotion. I can also appreciate the sentiment about the hypocrisy of religion institutions.

Unfortunately, the majority of this book is... okay (absurd, sometimes)....

The beginning was great, but the ending left a weak impression.

The author tells us about self-acceptance, about caring for the environment, about nature, about love, about the joy of living and about never giving up on yourself.
Most of the book is excellently written, extremely high quality, which I really liked. Real problems are written very realistically.

However, the end of the book seems to be rushed and written like a simple brain-dump, not developed enough, which I didn't really like.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars.

Beautifully written and organized by "type" so that you can browse to whatever topic you want to explore. I enjoyed the verbiage and flow. These are my favorite types of poems and I will be gifting this title.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I absolutely LOVED this poetry book. I laughed and cried and felt all the emotions, especially the ones relating to parenting. I was not sure what to expect but this turned out to be one of my favorite poetry books I have read so far. I will be recommending this to everyone.

Part essay, part poetry collection, this thoughtful book looks at the self as a spiritual being in an imperfect world. How can we show up for ourselves and others in difficult times? What are we called to do? This philosophical work feels like a balm in the polarized climate we find ourselves in. The author has a unique perspective as a British man who moved to the US, and now lives on a homestead in North Carolina.

I thoroughly enjoyed the essays and poems, and look forward to adding this book to my personal collection.

The writing style was not my cup of tea. The overall message came across us forced and theming to hard to sound woke. Although I shared most of the author’s opinions I couldn’t help but cringe at their delivery. Side note, I did try to not be rude because the poems I assume are explicitly the author’s life, so that being said I mean no harm.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, sometimes, a book finds you. And not the other way around.

I devoured this quick read on my way to and from a doctor’s appointment. Admittedly, I couldn’t focus on an audiobook I had on the go so I tried David’s words instead. Thankfully, I was able to sink right into them.

Although the majority of the book is short snippets a la the modern Instagram-style poetry that has become popular with our generations, it was his essays and prose-style pieces I enjoyed the most. And wish there were more of. I think it’s because I preferred how in-depth he went into various topics, whereas the poetry filled in the thinking surrounding them in more colourful ways.

Many thanks to Convergent Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A lovely, compassionate and empowering collection of poems and essays about all things great and small in life.
I found it remarkable that the author managed to put such universally human experiences into words in a very succint and poignant manner that resonated even with me who has next to nothing in common with his experiences.
In the end I decided on a 4-star rating because even though his poetry is heartfelt, raw and honest, it isn't exactly literature, it really is more like Instagram poetry in the most affectionate sense of the word.

I appreciated the layout of David’s poetry and essays as well as his style of writing. His views of the world were similar to my own which made them even more appealing to read. I would recommend this book to my poetry loving friends.
Review shared on fable and goodreads

A Rebellion of Care by: David Gate
3.5 ⭐️

Publishing on July 15, 2025

This book of poems and essays is a fresh take if you try to open your mind to see the world through their word, to see from another perspective. You can see and feel the author within this collection. While I may not understand or agree, I always enjoying learning and appreciate his vulnerability and honesty. It feels incredibly real and without holding back one’s thoughts. A wonderful collection I believe is worthy of all to read, to take the time savour and view without judgment.

Thank you so much David Gate, Convergent Books Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this collection of thoughts and sure my honest opinion.

"don't purchase your happiness - nurture it"

"you don't live to serve your goals but your goals live in service to you"

i like some of the messages in this like don’t give up on yourself, prioritize joy, the impermanence of life/life is fleeting, the importance of community, human connection, & having compassion for yourself. i think i’m drawn towards the essays more than the poetry because david gate delves a bit deeper into the topic being discussed like the one about making & nurturing friendships & how it's something that people have forgotten how to do. now there's more loneliness, & disconnection. there's also one about constant productivity which is really great as well.

i still get to be yours is also a poem that stuck out to me.

overall, not bad. i finished this in a day it’s a quick read has some good messages. i also liked the introduction where david gate was explaining how the title came to be a rebellion of care.

Arc review

It's a good poetry book, with shorter poems & long poems.
There are also essays with every section which I really liked to see.
There are a lot relatable so I think there Is something for everyone in this book.

Thank you to everyone involved for the arc.

really interesting format of short essays beginning each section of themed poetry. I like how his poems are in "everyday" language - accessible to all, relatable to many.

"We are all in this together, so be gentle as you go"

"Flesh is only borrowed dust"

This collection of poems is filled with the hope, humanity, and compassion that we need.

Thank you NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC!

✨This book was filled with so many poem that are so relatable. Some of them made me have to stop reading so I could fully appreciate what the poem was saying. The author was able to express how he felt while also showing others that it is okay to feel that way. He incorporated humor in his poems which made it so enjoyable to read.

I had so many favorites and the ending was so perfect. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys poetry and even self care. ✨

Stunning.

I’ve been reading David Gate’s words online for a long time now, so I had high hopes for this book. And somehow it was even better than I expected. This book is a beautifully organized brilliant collection of his words/stories/experiences. This writing is what the world needs. It's beautiful and complex. It gives words to pain and somehow also comforts. I thought it would be a book of poetry only, but was pleasantly surprised to find essays to go with the poetry.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.