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How Poetry Can Change Your Heart
From the acclaimed "HOW Series" of books
Poetry can transform: How can a poem transform a life? Could poetry change the world? In How Poetry Can Change Your Heart , spoken-word stars Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley roll out the welcome mat and prove that poetry is for everyone.
• Whether lapsed poetry lovers, aspiring poets, or total novices, readers will learn to uncover verse in unexpected places, find their way through a poem when they don't quite "get it," and discover just how transformative poetry can be.
• Andrea Gibson is a leading voice in spoken-word poetry, headlining prestigious performance venues internationally. Megan Falley is a National Poetry Slam finalist and creator of the online writing course "Poems That Don't Suck."
Fans of Andrea Gibson's Lord of the Butterflies and Take Me With You , and Megan Falley's Drive Here and Devastate Me will love taking a deeper dive into the inspiring power of poetry.
Discover or re-discover the magic that is poetry.
• A gorgeous and inspiring gift for any fan of the written word
• Will become a go-to volume for poetry writers and readers
Poetry can transform: How can a poem transform a life? Could poetry change the world? In How Poetry Can Change Your Heart , spoken-word stars Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley roll out the welcome mat and prove that poetry is for everyone.
• Whether lapsed poetry lovers, aspiring poets, or total novices, readers will learn to uncover verse in unexpected places, find their way through a poem when they don't quite "get it," and discover just how transformative poetry can be.
• Andrea Gibson is a leading voice in spoken-word poetry, headlining prestigious performance venues internationally. Megan Falley is a National Poetry Slam finalist and creator of the online writing course "Poems That Don't Suck."
Fans of Andrea Gibson's Lord of the Butterflies and Take Me With You , and Megan Falley's Drive Here and Devastate Me will love taking a deeper dive into the inspiring power of poetry.
Discover or re-discover the magic that is poetry.
• A gorgeous and inspiring gift for any fan of the written word
• Will become a go-to volume for poetry writers and readers
112 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2019
193 people are currently reading
2610 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Gibson
44 books3,043 followersAndrea Faye Gibson was an American poet and activist. Their poetry focused on gender norms, politics, social justice, LGBTQ topics, life, and mortality. Gibson was appointed as the Poet Laureate of Colorado in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
July 27, 2020
I am attempting to be a bit more adventurous in my reading in 2020. This means more poetry, plays and graphic novels. I also have a few 1000-plus pagers lurking on my ‘to read’ list, but that is another story, as they say in the classics. And if my sanity can stand it, I might even get through my first audiobook without chewing on my headphones!
Recently I read ‘Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns’, my introduction to poet Andrea Gibson. At the same time I stumbled across another book she co-authored with Megan Falley. What better idea to read a book called ‘How Poetry Can Change Your Heart?’, I thought.
Well, that title should have been a warning signal. Not to mention the pink cover. And the fact that many pages contain pink writing on a brown background, which seems like book design straight out of Dolly Parton Land. (In case you were wondering, there is a chapter arguing the case for song lyrics being poetry.)
So instead of a thoughtful collection of essays debating the role and function of poetry, and its successful enjoyment and interpretation, I instead got what seems like a weird self-help book for poets with fragile egos, trying to bolster their artistic enterprise as a Great Endeavour destined to result in Universal Peace and Goodwill.
This is very basic, rattling through the different types of poetry and some technical aspects like line breaks, page appearance and metaphors and similes. There is nothing wrong with basic, of course, and I am sure there is a market for this somewhere.
Where the book either entertains or fails completely, depending on your mood, I suppose, is in the slightly dippy advice that the authors dispense, such as the ‘fact’ that the saddest poems are the happiest. And that everyone has it in them to be a poet (dear God, no. That is a terrible idea.)
What torpedoed this book for me completely was the following load of codswallop:
Writer’s block is make-believe and many times used as an excuse to be lazy, because a writer wanted a brilliant poem to appear without really wanting to do the hard work of writing it. You can always write something. Even if it’s overflowing with suckiness.
Again, dear God, no. This is awfully judgemental, not to mention appallingly bad advice. Besides, who the fuck is going to read your endless suckiness?
Recently I read ‘Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns’, my introduction to poet Andrea Gibson. At the same time I stumbled across another book she co-authored with Megan Falley. What better idea to read a book called ‘How Poetry Can Change Your Heart?’, I thought.
Well, that title should have been a warning signal. Not to mention the pink cover. And the fact that many pages contain pink writing on a brown background, which seems like book design straight out of Dolly Parton Land. (In case you were wondering, there is a chapter arguing the case for song lyrics being poetry.)
So instead of a thoughtful collection of essays debating the role and function of poetry, and its successful enjoyment and interpretation, I instead got what seems like a weird self-help book for poets with fragile egos, trying to bolster their artistic enterprise as a Great Endeavour destined to result in Universal Peace and Goodwill.
This is very basic, rattling through the different types of poetry and some technical aspects like line breaks, page appearance and metaphors and similes. There is nothing wrong with basic, of course, and I am sure there is a market for this somewhere.
Where the book either entertains or fails completely, depending on your mood, I suppose, is in the slightly dippy advice that the authors dispense, such as the ‘fact’ that the saddest poems are the happiest. And that everyone has it in them to be a poet (dear God, no. That is a terrible idea.)
What torpedoed this book for me completely was the following load of codswallop:
Writer’s block is make-believe and many times used as an excuse to be lazy, because a writer wanted a brilliant poem to appear without really wanting to do the hard work of writing it. You can always write something. Even if it’s overflowing with suckiness.
Again, dear God, no. This is awfully judgemental, not to mention appallingly bad advice. Besides, who the fuck is going to read your endless suckiness?
January 1, 2022
Drobná, pôsobivá a hravá knižka o čítaní a užívaní si poézie, o ľahkosti, a o tom, že básne často odsúvame na akýsi piedestál, kde "nie sú pre každého". Dopriala by som toto čítanie každému stredoškolákovi (len ako učebnicu by ju vlastne nikto nemal rád). Je písaná vyslovene pre tých, ktorí nevedia prečo by mali nejaké básne vobec skúšať.
Ukazuje na mnohých skvelých príkladoch, že poézia ozaj má čo povedať aj dospievajúcemu puberťákovi (a že je v tom viac než čo tým chcel autor povedať).
Najlepším efektom tejto knižky je, že som z políc oprášila staré obľúbené zbierky a s chuťou si nimi listujem.
Ukazuje na mnohých skvelých príkladoch, že poézia ozaj má čo povedať aj dospievajúcemu puberťákovi (a že je v tom viac než čo tým chcel autor povedať).
Najlepším efektom tejto knižky je, že som z políc oprášila staré obľúbené zbierky a s chuťou si nimi listujem.
October 3, 2021
I'm not going to say this book has changed my life, but I think that's mostly because poetry already has. I am a writer and poet at heart, and I've been writing poetry for more than six years now.
I agreed with most of what Megan Falley and Andrea Gibson said in this guide, and none of it was really anything I didn't know. I did like the contrast in the early part of the book between the poetry everyone learns in school, and the way poetry can be seen by everyone.
I think the part that resonated with me the most, though, was the writing tips. Although most of them are things I know and do sometimes, I don't do them regularly, and some of them were things I didn't really even think about. For instance, poetry from lists is something I've often done at poetry workshops, but it's never something I try to do at home or with my own writing.
I somewhat disagree with the statement that "Writer's block is make-believe and many times used as an excuse to be lazy..." (115), but I think the authors did have a point when saying that one way to combat this is to write every day. This is also something I need to put into practice more.
I understand why the book was so small, but I wish some of the chapters were a little longer. Some of them kind of left me hanging, wanting to know more about poetry in general, and the way it is seen through different eyes. They touch on this briefly, but I wish there was more about the ways people experience poetry throughout the world.
This is definitely a book I want to keep around. It's a useful guide for when I'm stuck, and I hope having it will encourage me to write more and also read and appreciate more poetry.
Disclaimer:
I agreed with most of what Megan Falley and Andrea Gibson said in this guide, and none of it was really anything I didn't know. I did like the contrast in the early part of the book between the poetry everyone learns in school, and the way poetry can be seen by everyone.
I think the part that resonated with me the most, though, was the writing tips. Although most of them are things I know and do sometimes, I don't do them regularly, and some of them were things I didn't really even think about. For instance, poetry from lists is something I've often done at poetry workshops, but it's never something I try to do at home or with my own writing.
I somewhat disagree with the statement that "Writer's block is make-believe and many times used as an excuse to be lazy..." (115), but I think the authors did have a point when saying that one way to combat this is to write every day. This is also something I need to put into practice more.
I understand why the book was so small, but I wish some of the chapters were a little longer. Some of them kind of left me hanging, wanting to know more about poetry in general, and the way it is seen through different eyes. They touch on this briefly, but I wish there was more about the ways people experience poetry throughout the world.
This is definitely a book I want to keep around. It's a useful guide for when I'm stuck, and I hope having it will encourage me to write more and also read and appreciate more poetry.
Disclaimer:
December 31, 2019
“I swear, these scars —
can pick locks.
One day all your survival attempts
are gonna free somebody
so say it with me:
I give myself permission
to exist in my own body.”
Connor Martin’s This Is Slam and We Do
can pick locks.
One day all your survival attempts
are gonna free somebody
so say it with me:
I give myself permission
to exist in my own body.”
Connor Martin’s This Is Slam and We Do
April 25, 2019
Instantly fills your heart up!
October 30, 2023
The perfect writing companion ! Poetry is NOT DEAD 💕
April 11, 2020
Written in a heart-warming, intense & enthusiastic way — the kind of book to make you question how you perceive life and art, but in a light and feel-good way!
Although this could be read quickly, I‘d recommend taking your time with it and actually thinking about each description and question, following the almost stream-of-consciousness like exploration of this book.
Although this could be read quickly, I‘d recommend taking your time with it and actually thinking about each description and question, following the almost stream-of-consciousness like exploration of this book.
August 20, 2019
It was pink and it was poetry and it was displayed just so at the bookstore. Impulse purchase, 1. Ginger, 0.
The best part about this slim little volume is the pretty pink lineny cover.
Inside. Meh.
The best part about this slim little volume is the pretty pink lineny cover.
Inside. Meh.
January 3, 2020
As a person who loves poetry, this was just a beautiful short piece to read about the ways that poetry can enhance your life. I really want to get back into writing this year in 2020. So this was a great way to end/open up the year. It gave me a lot of hope and this served it's purpose perfectly.
April 13, 2020
The perfect read for National Poetry Month, for both long-time lovers of poetry and those just beginning to dip their toes in the water. There's no pretentious pretenses here, just two outstanding poets inviting everyone to experience poetry with open arms.
September 13, 2025
The past few years I have started to read more poetry. This short read-in-one-sitting book offers encouragement to the beginning poetry reader (still me!) for why to read poetry, with a little how sprinkled in. There is a brief section on poetic devices that illustrate why a poet may have chosen each and how it affects how it is read. From a poet's perspective, it gives more insight on how a writer arrives at certain word choices and even poem subjects, which also is a guide to what to pay attention to and the questions to ask yourself as you are reading. I appreciate the perspective that there is no "right" way to read poetry and the need to find what resonates with you, whether it is an entire poem, or a specific line or image.
I only discovered Andrea Gibson, and partner and co-author Megan Falley, in the past few years and have been inspired by their hopeful, courageous spirit and their way of seeing and noticing and appreciating the world. I want to spend more time with their poetry, and it was great to see poetry through their lens before picking up more of their work.
I only discovered Andrea Gibson, and partner and co-author Megan Falley, in the past few years and have been inspired by their hopeful, courageous spirit and their way of seeing and noticing and appreciating the world. I want to spend more time with their poetry, and it was great to see poetry through their lens before picking up more of their work.
February 10, 2025
5 stars 🌟
I have been wanting to get into poetry a lot since years, so finally got around to reading this one. I'd first added it to my TBR when it was recommended by Racheal Oates. I really enjoyed this book. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting but I loved the structured and information here. It might not have been the best book I read but worth the 5 star for me.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite
I have been wanting to get into poetry a lot since years, so finally got around to reading this one. I'd first added it to my TBR when it was recommended by Racheal Oates. I really enjoyed this book. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting but I loved the structured and information here. It might not have been the best book I read but worth the 5 star for me.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite
January 3, 2022
This book was a gift. And in one sitting I devoured it front to back. It hits on the reasons and ways I have always had a love hate relationship to poetry.
An easy read that made me smile and feel seem. Layman’s terms without feeling condescended. If you are curious about poetry, love it hate it or ambivalent I recommend this book.
An easy read that made me smile and feel seem. Layman’s terms without feeling condescended. If you are curious about poetry, love it hate it or ambivalent I recommend this book.
March 15, 2022
This has inspired me so so much. Not only has this book expanded my knowledge of poetry and poetry writing in general, but it has also inflamed my passion for poetry. It has really shown me new perspectives I’ve never even considered before, and the thought that you can poetry in everyday life, literally everywhere, is so amazing.I feel so refreshed, my mind feels enriched and opened. I can’t wait to write!
October 30, 2022
this was such a beautiful tiny book
April 23, 2019
Would be great for a HS classroom or someone who isn’t a writer already. Had some good excepts I will use in my classroom.
October 22, 2025
I'm kind of on a journey to understand or better yet, feel poetry. I wasn't expecting this short (short) book to make it click for me but I'm grown enough to admit when I'm wrong. This book opened my eyes to see the poetry in the ordinary and mundane. I'm excited to dive deeper and learn more!
December 11, 2023
A fun read!
January 11, 2020
Even though it isn’t necessarily ground-breaking or special or anything, 4 stars because of the following reasons. Landed in my life at just the right time. Helped me understand poetry a bit more because I’ve been feeling like an imbecile since reading a poetry collection yesterday. Made me smile at many points with its clever writing. Rekindled my enthusiasm for writing. Shared some lovely poems I wouldn’t have been otherwise exposed to. Got me excited to read Gibson’s poetry (and other poetry). Read it all in one sitting.
August 18, 2025
An empowering and inspiring book. Written by the late Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley, this book aims to democratize poetry. To provide pathways into the diversity of poetry in our lives. Spoken word. On the page. In songs.
As expected, it is magnificently written. The sentences are short and punchy. The meanings are warm and offer connection and community.
This book stands for the gifts of reading. The gifts of writing. The gifts of listening.
Magnificent.
As expected, it is magnificently written. The sentences are short and punchy. The meanings are warm and offer connection and community.
This book stands for the gifts of reading. The gifts of writing. The gifts of listening.
Magnificent.
June 27, 2020
This book is hard to read because it is on pink paper with gray printing and the other pages are gray with pink printing. What were they thinking? Lots of glare on the gray pages. Also small print, not even taking up the entire page. What were they thinking? When I got the light just right to read it, the content was okay.
June 28, 2023
I "discovered" Andrea Gibson when she was on Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambaugh's podcast. She read a poem aloud that gave me goosebumps and tears and just tore me to bits in the best way.
This little book isn't her poetry, but it was written with her voice and with her partner. I love the way the book looks and the content - BUT the coloration makes it extremely hard to read.
It was worth the effort.
Also, my Army Veteran husband referred to the blackout poetry as "redacted poetry" and I shall love it forever for the memory.
This little book isn't her poetry, but it was written with her voice and with her partner. I love the way the book looks and the content - BUT the coloration makes it extremely hard to read.
It was worth the effort.
Also, my Army Veteran husband referred to the blackout poetry as "redacted poetry" and I shall love it forever for the memory.
December 5, 2021
This is a lovely book and the contents are easier to swallow than other poetry intro books. Unfortunately the design was made to look beautiful and not to be reader friendly. The grey on pink is already difficult, but the pink on grey is almost impossible to read. Maybe it's the lighting in my house but that shouldn't impact a book *that* much, especially when I'm reading other things like graphic novels and such with no issues.
July 31, 2024
A beautiful, humorous, and quick explanation about the importance of poetry and how anyone can get started writing. I've long admired Andrea Gibson's poetry and this book only deepened my appreciation of their knowledge. It might also be a great supplemental book for those teaching poetry to high schoolers and first-year college student students.
July 12, 2023
Definitely recommend to everyone. As a person who absolutely adores writing/poetry, this book helped me get more in depth with it. Poetry is truly a part of everyone, it just takes a little spark for it to come out. There’s beauty in the simplest things :)
December 31, 2023
For poetry lovers and wanna be lovers and writers
This book solidifies my love of poetry and would be good for anyone who is getting into poetry- either as a reader or writer. So so good.
This book solidifies my love of poetry and would be good for anyone who is getting into poetry- either as a reader or writer. So so good.
February 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this! For someone who does not read a lot of poetry and admits to oftentimes feeling like "I just don't get it!" This was perfect! This has inspired me to go ahead and read more listen to more, watch more poetry!
January 12, 2020
This book is precious, the physical book, it is precious with its pink pages and grey (yes, grey not black) font and lovingly simple layout. But if you're hardcore into poetry and looking for some inspriation to get back into the game, the words simply don't jive.
I have a feeling I'm much too cynical to be in this target audience. High school students, young ladies fresh out of college feeling a little lost, this might be for you.
April 30, 2021
Inspiring!
January 25, 2023
A very dear and close friend recommended me this book after sharing with me some poems they wrote themself 💛 I was admittedly hesitant at first going into this, having always been skeptical about poetry (especially ones not written by said friend) but this was a pleasant surprise.
I loved this book. More than I could have ever imagined. This is all coming from a complete poetry noob so do with that what you will 😅 But it is just...✨brightening✨ is what comes to mind. I'm already excited to learn more and venture a little further into this writing craft I've seen so long ignoring 💛
I loved this book. More than I could have ever imagined. This is all coming from a complete poetry noob so do with that what you will 😅 But it is just...✨brightening✨ is what comes to mind. I'm already excited to learn more and venture a little further into this writing craft I've seen so long ignoring 💛
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews