This is a collection of poetry by Kate Baer—her first book, in fact! I happened to pick this up at a second hand book fair because of the punchy title, and I’m so glad I did. These poems are easy to digest without being too simple. She spends a lot of the book meditating on motherhood, but she goes about it in a way that investigates gendered work and female performance. The only thing that might make this feminist collection better are some gay poems—but we can’t win them all and I won’t hold the author’s straightness against her. As a matter of personal preference, I felt a few of the poems leant grandiose where subtly would have sufficed.

Some of my favorites from the collection:

“Commencement Address” (29)
“Like a Wife” (33)
“Curveball” (34)
“Etymology of the Word Wife” (47)
“Little Miracles” (56)
“Social Studies” (66)

Rating: 4/5

What this rating means: A lovely read for poets and novices alike, and you know I can’t stay away from feminist literature. These poems are accessible, include some fabulous lines, and sassy language. Again, I took off a point for my person preference of subtly over grandiosity, but I can see that aspect drawing beginner readers in. You’ll find a safe space of entry-level feminism and a mother’s love.

What Kind of Woman

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