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485th out of 975 books
—
1,052 voters
B
In 2011, Sarah Kay performed her poem "B" at the TED conference in Long Beach, California to standing ovations. Now the video of that performance has been forwarded to mothers and daughters (and fathers and sons) all over the world. Originally written in 2007, "B" is a thank you note, a love letter, a wish, a promise, a confession, and a secret. With beautiful illustration...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
November 29th 2011
by The Domino Project
(first published November 15th 2011)
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I first heard this poem performed quite awhile ago. I was just starting to listen to spoken word poetry through the IndieFeed: Performance Poetry podcast, and from that I was searching youtube for various poets and videos. I came across Sarah Kay and fell in love with what I heard.
The performance I listened to was from the TED conference, referenced in the description. It became one of my favorite poems to listen to. This is why I was happy to find out that the poem was available in print. I had...more
The performance I listened to was from the TED conference, referenced in the description. It became one of my favorite poems to listen to. This is why I was happy to find out that the poem was available in print. I had...more
Sarah Kay has been a performing poet since she was 14-years-old. At 22, she is now a slam poet who wrote a powerful note of love for an unborn daughter.
First performed at TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design), “B” opens with the lines, “If I should have a daughter, instead of mom, she’s going to call me Point B. Because that way she knows that no matter what happens at least she can always find her way to me.”
In her poem, Kay tells her daughter she will always be there to help with the hea...more
First performed at TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design), “B” opens with the lines, “If I should have a daughter, instead of mom, she’s going to call me Point B. Because that way she knows that no matter what happens at least she can always find her way to me.”
In her poem, Kay tells her daughter she will always be there to help with the hea...more
I've tried to watch any video of Sarah Kay's performances that I can get my hands on. All of her poems are real, and her voice is just spectacular. Watching her perform truly is a treat, even if it's just over the internet.
Now let me say that this is a wonderful poem, and I love the artwork that went along with it. You can absolutely sit and read it in one sitting, and I would suggest you do so because starting, and then picking it back up later will interrupt the flow.
But if you're planning on...more
Now let me say that this is a wonderful poem, and I love the artwork that went along with it. You can absolutely sit and read it in one sitting, and I would suggest you do so because starting, and then picking it back up later will interrupt the flow.
But if you're planning on...more
Amazon's Domino Project presents a small gift binding of Sarah Kay's "B," the poem she debuted at the TED conference. One can't help suspecting that the decision to publish was based more on the potential tie-in for Mother's Day sales than on the quality of the poem itself - Kay's verse, while serviceable, is hardly inspiring enough to warrant a stand-alone edition, no matter how many YouTube hits she has. (Try a mental comparison to Ginsberg's Howl, say, and see if you don't agree.) Perhaps exc...more
I honestly haven't read it but heard it in a way (not until today!! got a copy!! Yay). This is one of those simple reads that will totally give you pleasure. It's simple yet delicate and is straight to the point. It hits you fair and square.You read it, listen to it and you learn from it . It's one of those realities that gives you enough understanding because every word and phrase it speaks tells a whole lot of truth.
" when you step out of the phone booth and try to fly, and the very people yo...more
" when you step out of the phone booth and try to fly, and the very people yo...more
Actually, no, I didn't read the book. But I watched Sarah Kay perform this on TED (here) so I shall mark this as read.
I like the idea of spoken word poetry. But I don't know how I'm going to work up the courage to speak and where exactly I can do this (and get the encouragement to do so). My will isn't that strong, though, so I'll probably stick with writing on paper for a while.
But some day, maybe. Thank you, Sarah Kay.
I like the idea of spoken word poetry. But I don't know how I'm going to work up the courage to speak and where exactly I can do this (and get the encouragement to do so). My will isn't that strong, though, so I'll probably stick with writing on paper for a while.
But some day, maybe. Thank you, Sarah Kay.
Sometimes you read something and it touches you. You can't put your finger on how exactly, but you're at a loss for words. You just sit there in silence and think, 'Yes. This was some good piece of writing.' This poem by the amazing Sarah Kay is one of those things. By far, this is my favourite poem. I'm trying to study it so I can recite it for my literature class and every time I practise on a fellow student they go silent just as I do every time I read the words to this poem. A poem everyone...more
If you only read one book in twenty-twelve, this is it. And if you don't know what to give someone for a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or just-because, THIS IS IT. In the matter of mere pages, Sarah Kay eloquently delivers screamingly gorgeous and stunning advice on life...and there is something there for every. single. one. of us.
***Even better, although this book is still a MUST OWN, is to hear her deliver this message live...check out her TED performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?...more
***Even better, although this book is still a MUST OWN, is to hear her deliver this message live...check out her TED performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?...more
Based upon her poem "If I Should Have a Daughter" (frequently forwarded and attached to status updates as a result of Sarah's having performed this piece at a TED conference. Lovely, lovely little book sure to be gifted over and over to mothers and daughters everywhere. Don't miss this single verse book sure to touch a mother's heart. I know who I will gift this to right away. Well. ..a couple of people. . .this one is not to missed as the holidays approach. Kristie's stocking stuffer!
Jan 10, 2012
Stacey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
My sisters + girlfriends
Recommended to Stacey by:
Amanda Peters
Ya know how sometimes you read something that strikes a cord in your soul and makes your heart feel like it could burst? Ya know how sometimes this something is so wonderful you have a physical reaction to it (as in, tears + goosebumps from head to toe)? Ya know how sometimes poetry is so powerful it takes your breath away? Ya know how sometimes words are beautiful in a way that to say they're beautiful is simply not enough?
Do you, do you know?
This book IS that something.
Do you, do you know?
This book IS that something.
The piece is a spoken word piece, but published in written form with illustrations as well. Short, charming, moving. Numerous videos are available online of the author performing the work, such as the one that probably got her most of the attention, at a TED talk.
I both listened to the performance and read the written version, and while the illustrations are indeed charming, in written form the piece pales to it's performance, which is clearly polished and refined through frequent recitation. T...more
I both listened to the performance and read the written version, and while the illustrations are indeed charming, in written form the piece pales to it's performance, which is clearly polished and refined through frequent recitation. T...more
Este libro, chiquito pero hermoso, inicia con las líneas de "If I should have a daughter, instead of mom, she's gonna call me point B. Because that way, no matters what happens, at least she can always find her way to me."
Es un poema chiquito, que encierra en verdad, algo que me gustaría leerle a mi hija, algún día.
Es un poema chiquito, que encierra en verdad, algo que me gustaría leerle a mi hija, algún día.
I'm not usually a big fan of poetry. I just don't get it. But when I heard Sarah Kay recite this poem (it was a video from the TED conference, which I found on Seth Godin's blog, I think), I immediately fell in love with the poem.
In book form, the poem does lose some of the punch, but it's still a brilliant work of art.
In book form, the poem does lose some of the punch, but it's still a brilliant work of art.
There is nothing as powerful as this poem, nothing. I first heard it spoken aloud, then hunted down the book (which I proceeded to give to nearly everyone on my Christmas list this year). It is brilliant and poignant and completely sums up the relationship every woman has with her child or her mother or a dear friend.
This is one of my favorite poems. Sarah Kay knows just how to speak to us in a way that we can understand what she's experiencing.
Sometimes, I pick up this beautiful, illustrated poem and it makes me feel better or inspires me to write. I highly recommend this poem, especially the performance of it.
Sometimes, I pick up this beautiful, illustrated poem and it makes me feel better or inspires me to write. I highly recommend this poem, especially the performance of it.
A spoken-word poem put to writing with illustrations by Sophia Janowitz. I liked when I heard this as a Ted Talk and think Janowitz's illustrations are beautiful. This is sort of kid's book like but probably a good gift for parents-to-be. If they happen to be women and having a daughter.
I'm not the biggest poetry fan, but Sarah Kay is amazing. This is my ultimate all time favorite poem, and my students love it too. She's inspiring and hypnotic to watch, and I'm just glad I get to preserve this verse on my bookshelf. I wish I could get book full of poems by her.
I watch this poem from the beginning of Sarah Kay's TED talk all the time -- I can almost recite it word for word. When I found this little book version online, I bought it instantly. This poem is just the best. Sarah Kay can really make words shine and hit you.
Nothing comes close to experiencing a live performance of this poem. That said, it's a great read regardless. Having it in written form is just allows me to savor it just a little bit more... :)
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if...
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if...
I did enjoy the poem. It certainly has some lovely turns of phrase. I suppose my only real issue is that since it's originally a performance piece, I think some of the power that would be heard simply because the reader doesn't hear her voice.
"B" made me return to writing poetry, gave me a new appreciation of the relationship I have with my mom, and inspired me to keep going, no matter what. I had to own a copy of this to carry around with me and remind me to hold my hands out.
I never saw the TED piece, only read it in book form. It was nothing special and I really like poetry, so it wasn't that that was off-putting. It was just not that great. I don't understand all the five star ratings.
I loved this poem when i first heard Sarah Kay perform it and it's just such a great one to go back to. I do suggest hearing her perform it on youtube or TED at some point, but definitely worth reading.
A lighthearted and yet an inspiring and a heartwarming poem. As I read the book I could only think of my ma and how grateful I'll always be to her. To mother-daughter relationships!
This is the text of the poem that Sarah Kay presented in her fabulous TED talk. This version is sparsely illustrated and would make a wonderful gift, or something nice to keep on your shelf for when you need a little inspiration yourself. From her declaration that she is "going to paint the solar systems on the back of her [daughter's] hands, so she has to learn the entire universe before she can say, 'Oh, I know that like the back of my hand.'" to he reassurance that "rain will wash away everyt...more
Dec 05, 2012
Ruben Z
added it
I absolutely love Sarah Kay and her poetry. Though I'm a father of a daughter this poem still speaks to me in hopes that my daughter will one day share this with her daughter.
"Cause there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline
no matter how many times it's sent away."
Beautiful. Too beautiful.
no matter how many times it's sent away."
Beautiful. Too beautiful.
Instantly, with quirk, pomp and character, Kay's message is as beautiful as it was on TED.com. (And yes, I do want my future child to call be B.)
Absolutely love this. If you haven't seen her TED performance of this piece, please do - it's a must see. Beautifully written.
Really great poem. I am very glad that I bought this and want to buy copies for my daughter (due this week!) and for my mom!
Sarah Kay is an American poet. Known for her spoken word poetry, Kay is the founder and co-director of Project V.O.I.C.E., a group dedicated to using spoken word as an inspirational tool.
Sarah Kay, a graduate of Brown University, was born in New York to a Japanese American mother and a Jewish American father. She began performing poetry at the Bowery Poetry Club in the East Village at the age of 1...more
More about Sarah Kay...
Sarah Kay, a graduate of Brown University, was born in New York to a Japanese American mother and a Jewish American father. She began performing poetry at the Bowery Poetry Club in the East Village at the age of 1...more
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Jan 10, 2012 04:01pm