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Breath Better Spent: Living Black Girlhood
A Netgalley "Must-Read Books by Black Authors in 2022"
From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing comes a new book of narrative in verse that takes a personal and historical look at the experience of Black girlhood.
In Breath Better Spent , DaMaris B. Hill hoists her childhood self onto her shoulders, together taking in the landscape of Black girlhood in America. At a time when Black girls across the country are increasingly vulnerable to unjust violence, unwarranted incarceration, and unnoticed disappearance, Hill chooses to celebrate and protect the girl she carries, using the narrative-in-verse style of her acclaimed book A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing to revisit her youth. There, jelly sandals, Double Dutch beats, and chipped nail polish bring the breath of laughter; in adolescence, pomegranate lips, turntables, and love letters to other girls’ boyfriends bring the breath of longing. Yet these breaths cannot be taken alone, and as she carries her childhood self through the broader historical space of Black girls in America, Hill is forced to grapple with expression in a space of stereotype, desire in a space of hyper-sexuality, joy in a space of heartache.
Paying homage to prominent Black female figures from Zora Neale Hurston to Whitney Houston and Toni Morrison, Breath Better Spent invites you to walk through this landscape, too, exploring the spaces―both visible and invisible―that Black girls occupy in the national imagination, taking in the communal breath of girlhood, and asking In a country like America, what does active love and protection of Black girls look like?
From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing comes a new book of narrative in verse that takes a personal and historical look at the experience of Black girlhood.
In Breath Better Spent , DaMaris B. Hill hoists her childhood self onto her shoulders, together taking in the landscape of Black girlhood in America. At a time when Black girls across the country are increasingly vulnerable to unjust violence, unwarranted incarceration, and unnoticed disappearance, Hill chooses to celebrate and protect the girl she carries, using the narrative-in-verse style of her acclaimed book A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing to revisit her youth. There, jelly sandals, Double Dutch beats, and chipped nail polish bring the breath of laughter; in adolescence, pomegranate lips, turntables, and love letters to other girls’ boyfriends bring the breath of longing. Yet these breaths cannot be taken alone, and as she carries her childhood self through the broader historical space of Black girls in America, Hill is forced to grapple with expression in a space of stereotype, desire in a space of hyper-sexuality, joy in a space of heartache.
Paying homage to prominent Black female figures from Zora Neale Hurston to Whitney Houston and Toni Morrison, Breath Better Spent invites you to walk through this landscape, too, exploring the spaces―both visible and invisible―that Black girls occupy in the national imagination, taking in the communal breath of girlhood, and asking In a country like America, what does active love and protection of Black girls look like?
- GenresPoetryNonfictionMemoir
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2022
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1327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 26, 2022
At the start of this, her second published poetry collection, Hill mentions the lessons we have learned from Audre Lorde and others. I like Lorde’s poetry, too, but it’s time for Lorde to move over and make some space. Hill is a powerhouse. Her recent collection about imprisoned women, A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing, is phenomenal, and it’s won her awards and many accolades, but this new book, an ode to Black girlhood, is better still. Her perception, intimacy, vulnerability and fearlessness all come through in what is most likely the best poetry collection we’ll see in 2022. My thanks go to Net Galley and Bloomsbury for the invitation to read and review; it becomes available to the public January 25, 2022.
In the preface, Dr. Hill discusses her influences, as well as the way she has divided this collection into sections. She starts by discussing the murder of Breonna Taylor, right there in her home state of Kentucky, and she goes on to point to the increasing incidents of disciplinary measures against Black girls in school, along with a disturbing rise in their incarcerations. Society is failing Black girls, and we need to do better.
In reading this collection, I find I process the poems best if I only read one or two each night. As I go, I highlight the titles of my favorites. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, but I am most taken with the first, “Jarena Lee: A Platypus in A Petticoat;” “How the Tongue Holds,” which is completely horrifying, and and so well done; “What You Talking ‘Bout;” “Hotter Than July;” and one dedicated to a family member that served in the military, “Those Sunless Summer Mornings.” At the end is a series themed around missing Black girls, here and in Africa. Again, I am drawn to a segment dedicated “to my niece and her bullies.” And breaking up the intensity are occasional moments of surprising humor that make me laugh out loud.
The thing that comes through, strong and long, is Hill’s affinity for, and understanding of Black girls. I have written scathing reviews several times, one quite recently, when authors include children prominently in their books without having taken the time to learn the developmental stages of their characters. Here, it’s the opposite. Hill knows girls, and she knows them well and deeply. She mentions that some parts of this collection are “semi-autobiographical,” but her knowledge runs much, much deeper than one gets simply by having been a girl. And so, though this collection will be useful to those teaching or studying courses in Black Studies, Women’s Studies, and of course, poetry, the people that absolutely need to read this collection are teachers in training. This should be mandatory reading for anyone planning to go into education. For that matter, it would also be excellent material for teacher in-services.
Several of Hill’s poems are contextual, dealing with the current political climate, and it’s now, with voting rights in question, cop violence rampant, and racism becoming increasingly overt, that we need books like this to counter the reactionary elements. It’s brave and powerful writing, and if you don’t order a copy, you risk missing out. Highly recommended.
In the preface, Dr. Hill discusses her influences, as well as the way she has divided this collection into sections. She starts by discussing the murder of Breonna Taylor, right there in her home state of Kentucky, and she goes on to point to the increasing incidents of disciplinary measures against Black girls in school, along with a disturbing rise in their incarcerations. Society is failing Black girls, and we need to do better.
In reading this collection, I find I process the poems best if I only read one or two each night. As I go, I highlight the titles of my favorites. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, but I am most taken with the first, “Jarena Lee: A Platypus in A Petticoat;” “How the Tongue Holds,” which is completely horrifying, and and so well done; “What You Talking ‘Bout;” “Hotter Than July;” and one dedicated to a family member that served in the military, “Those Sunless Summer Mornings.” At the end is a series themed around missing Black girls, here and in Africa. Again, I am drawn to a segment dedicated “to my niece and her bullies.” And breaking up the intensity are occasional moments of surprising humor that make me laugh out loud.
The thing that comes through, strong and long, is Hill’s affinity for, and understanding of Black girls. I have written scathing reviews several times, one quite recently, when authors include children prominently in their books without having taken the time to learn the developmental stages of their characters. Here, it’s the opposite. Hill knows girls, and she knows them well and deeply. She mentions that some parts of this collection are “semi-autobiographical,” but her knowledge runs much, much deeper than one gets simply by having been a girl. And so, though this collection will be useful to those teaching or studying courses in Black Studies, Women’s Studies, and of course, poetry, the people that absolutely need to read this collection are teachers in training. This should be mandatory reading for anyone planning to go into education. For that matter, it would also be excellent material for teacher in-services.
Several of Hill’s poems are contextual, dealing with the current political climate, and it’s now, with voting rights in question, cop violence rampant, and racism becoming increasingly overt, that we need books like this to counter the reactionary elements. It’s brave and powerful writing, and if you don’t order a copy, you risk missing out. Highly recommended.
January 22, 2022
This collection of prose and poetry looks at Black girlhood in America, through the poet's eyes but also in conversation with SOLHOT (Saving Our Lives, Hear Our Truths), an art installation at the Colored Girl Museum in Germantown PA, the Urban Bush Women, and including the #bringbackourgirls movement.
So much that needed to be said, spoken out loud, called out - this is a worthwhile read I'd highly recommend when it comes out January 22nd.
What You Talking 'Bout was probably my favorite but a lot of it is moving and words to return to.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access through NetGalley. This comes out January 22, 2022.
So much that needed to be said, spoken out loud, called out - this is a worthwhile read I'd highly recommend when it comes out January 22nd.
What You Talking 'Bout was probably my favorite but a lot of it is moving and words to return to.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access through NetGalley. This comes out January 22, 2022.
February 28, 2026
If you appreciate poetry, this book was a really good gathering of different poems. Good end to Black History Month.
Read
April 30, 2022No rating, but with reason.
Normally, if you follow my Goodreads reviews or my Instagram, I can normally give anything that I read an arbitrary numerical rating. The scale is not set it stone, it’s based mostly on gut-feeling and vibes. But I, as a novice poetry reader, just can’t bring myself to add a star rating to this. I’m so outside of my comfort zone and I don’t know if it would be fair given how unsure of my feelings I am.
Breath Better Spent is something I’m glad I experienced. But I am not sure I’m walking away feeling or knowing anything more. I’m still so closed off to poetry. This is a me problem, not at all a problem with Breath Better Spent. I know this because there were lines that resonates much louder than others, so something was happening — but what exactly? I do not know.
If you’re looking for a new way to experience Black girlhood and the spaces they occupy, as well as the erasure of Black girls metaphorically and literally, this may be for you.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the gifted copy.
—
✍🏽 Add me as a friend or follow my Goodreads for more reviews like this!
📚 Follow me on IG: @whataprilreads
🐝 Keep tabs on me here, so you know when I start a new project! https://linktr.ee/whataprilreads
Normally, if you follow my Goodreads reviews or my Instagram, I can normally give anything that I read an arbitrary numerical rating. The scale is not set it stone, it’s based mostly on gut-feeling and vibes. But I, as a novice poetry reader, just can’t bring myself to add a star rating to this. I’m so outside of my comfort zone and I don’t know if it would be fair given how unsure of my feelings I am.
Breath Better Spent is something I’m glad I experienced. But I am not sure I’m walking away feeling or knowing anything more. I’m still so closed off to poetry. This is a me problem, not at all a problem with Breath Better Spent. I know this because there were lines that resonates much louder than others, so something was happening — but what exactly? I do not know.
If you’re looking for a new way to experience Black girlhood and the spaces they occupy, as well as the erasure of Black girls metaphorically and literally, this may be for you.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the gifted copy.
—
✍🏽 Add me as a friend or follow my Goodreads for more reviews like this!
📚 Follow me on IG: @whataprilreads
🐝 Keep tabs on me here, so you know when I start a new project! https://linktr.ee/whataprilreads
July 14, 2025
Beautifully written, this poetic prose captures the journey of Black girls becoming women, illustrating both the sass and sensitivity of growing up in a world that fails to see or value their beauty and existence. Damaris breathes life into the wings of every forgotten Black woman, made invisible by society’s indifference. This book will not leave you the same.
March 27, 2022
My first poetry collection I’ve read cover to cover, and I couldn’t ask for a better or more poignant foray into this art form. At times silly, devastating, joyful, rageful, and bitingly specific, I know I will revisit Hill’s words for years to come.
August 17, 2025
A surprisingly powerful collection.
October 28, 2021
In this poetry collection, DaMaris B. Hill explores Black girlhood, including her own, historically, and the current reality. Her writing is absolutely phenomenal and demands your time and attention. Even the introduction is a powerful work of art. This book—and anything written by Hill—cannot be missed.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2021
stunning collection! i really appreciate Hill's continuing commitment to writing history poems of the then and the now. it's a really interesting juxtaposition of celebration, loss, memory, and survival. black girlhood is the driving force behind this book. which allows for a sense of wonder that i found particularly interesting. enjoyed much more than her first collection (which was still wonderful!)
thanks to netgalley for the arc
thanks to netgalley for the arc
December 16, 2021
More of a 3.5 than a 4, but the language was powerful and strong, so I don't mind rounding up.
I loved the structure of this book having both the poetry and essays. I loved the preface as it covered what was going to be in the book, the motivations for writing it, and the things that inspired Hill to put it together. This is what drew me in. I loved the idea of being exposed to a culture from a raw and honest standpoint.
The walkthrough of Black women who set-up what Black girlhood is, in Hill's mind, was a history lesson for me. I had to look up some of the various names in order to understand the context of the poems, but it never needed to be extensive. I like that it provided me with a frame of reference as to who Hill admired and shaped her understanding of it through.
The essays were also fascinating. I loved the way Hill was able to weave narrative feelings into something that felt more informational. I forces the reader to take a break from flying through the poetry and really taking in the different topics and experiences Hill covers.
Overall, it's a really great look at the evolution of Black girlhood and the trials and triumphs faced. I wouldn't say this is a "Black girl magic" book, as those focus more on more directly uplifting ideals, but it does carry a lot of hope. Would recommend.
I loved the structure of this book having both the poetry and essays. I loved the preface as it covered what was going to be in the book, the motivations for writing it, and the things that inspired Hill to put it together. This is what drew me in. I loved the idea of being exposed to a culture from a raw and honest standpoint.
The walkthrough of Black women who set-up what Black girlhood is, in Hill's mind, was a history lesson for me. I had to look up some of the various names in order to understand the context of the poems, but it never needed to be extensive. I like that it provided me with a frame of reference as to who Hill admired and shaped her understanding of it through.
The essays were also fascinating. I loved the way Hill was able to weave narrative feelings into something that felt more informational. I forces the reader to take a break from flying through the poetry and really taking in the different topics and experiences Hill covers.
Overall, it's a really great look at the evolution of Black girlhood and the trials and triumphs faced. I wouldn't say this is a "Black girl magic" book, as those focus more on more directly uplifting ideals, but it does carry a lot of hope. Would recommend.
August 21, 2023
I'm glad I finally got into it...
I finally got a chance to get comfortable and cozy with this collection of poetry, which I'm proud to say I finished and found to be a necessary read, in many respects. I think my struggle with it was not so much of what I'd read but how I would rate it, objectively. Thank you to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for this gifted copy.
Breathe Better Spent: Living Black Girlhood is a narrative in verse/poetry collection that explores historically and personally what the Black girlhood experience in America is all about. From living in a constant state of vulnerability being exposed to unjust violence and murder, increasingly unnoticed disappearances, and dealing with hyper-sexualized visibility. To very personal and yet common experiences like double dutch, love letters, and summers filled with glee and penny candies from the neighborhood candy store.
It is a well-written exploration of the spaces that we as Black girls occupy as well as the erasure that comes for just being.
I definitely recommend it!
I finally got a chance to get comfortable and cozy with this collection of poetry, which I'm proud to say I finished and found to be a necessary read, in many respects. I think my struggle with it was not so much of what I'd read but how I would rate it, objectively. Thank you to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for this gifted copy.
Breathe Better Spent: Living Black Girlhood is a narrative in verse/poetry collection that explores historically and personally what the Black girlhood experience in America is all about. From living in a constant state of vulnerability being exposed to unjust violence and murder, increasingly unnoticed disappearances, and dealing with hyper-sexualized visibility. To very personal and yet common experiences like double dutch, love letters, and summers filled with glee and penny candies from the neighborhood candy store.
It is a well-written exploration of the spaces that we as Black girls occupy as well as the erasure that comes for just being.
I definitely recommend it!
May 9, 2022
Full Disclosure: Goodreads Giveaway Winner
I entered the giveaway because I found the title intriguing, however, I thought it was more essay than poetry. I am not a poetry reader - I'm not sure I understand how to read poetry... but this was interesting.
Admittedly, I didn't understand all of the references, some I understood and was horrified, some it took a bit to get.
I'm not sure one can 'enjoy' poetry of this topic, to me, it's like 'enjoying' a movie about the Holocaust - but I do think that the subject matter is important to read and understand.... and I am glad that I read it.
I entered the giveaway because I found the title intriguing, however, I thought it was more essay than poetry. I am not a poetry reader - I'm not sure I understand how to read poetry... but this was interesting.
Admittedly, I didn't understand all of the references, some I understood and was horrified, some it took a bit to get.
I'm not sure one can 'enjoy' poetry of this topic, to me, it's like 'enjoying' a movie about the Holocaust - but I do think that the subject matter is important to read and understand.... and I am glad that I read it.
January 8, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a powerful novel. The subjects are not easy ones, but they are real, and we need to be more aware of what’s going on in our neighborhood/city/country and around the world with the black community. I loved that there’s a mix of poetry, essays and picture. I especially liked the preface where we learn where this book comes from. I would recommend that one to everyone. 🤎
* Thank you to netgalley and bloomsbury for providing a digital copy of Greenwich Park in exchange of a honest review.
Initially published here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYcshRErj...
What a powerful novel. The subjects are not easy ones, but they are real, and we need to be more aware of what’s going on in our neighborhood/city/country and around the world with the black community. I loved that there’s a mix of poetry, essays and picture. I especially liked the preface where we learn where this book comes from. I would recommend that one to everyone. 🤎
* Thank you to netgalley and bloomsbury for providing a digital copy of Greenwich Park in exchange of a honest review.
Initially published here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYcshRErj...
April 14, 2023
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Moving, raw, and powerful. I loved this exploration of Blackness, girlhood, and the intersection of identities in the African diaspora. Such a great collection, broken into parts that made sense together. I also appreciated the author's note at the beginning that explained the sections - it made them more understandable and you could see the flow between sections better.
HIGHLY recommend!
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Moving, raw, and powerful. I loved this exploration of Blackness, girlhood, and the intersection of identities in the African diaspora. Such a great collection, broken into parts that made sense together. I also appreciated the author's note at the beginning that explained the sections - it made them more understandable and you could see the flow between sections better.
HIGHLY recommend!
Like my reviews? Buy me a Ko-Fi!
January 29, 2022
A truly consuming and visceral collection. Filled with archival photos, figures from history and literature, and most importantly Dr. Hill herself, this is a stunning work that I see myself returning to again and again. The verses were poignant and intense, while also filled with children’s joy and laughter- as well as the fight for it to exist in the past and now. I’m grateful that this collection exists and that I had the opportunity to read it. Don’t miss out!
December 22, 2021
To be reminded of history through poetry is... well, exciting, saddening, and it also brings some sort of learning curve you had no idea you needed.
To read this book is to step into a new perspective, a "new" life, to change and be one with the words and the history behind it.
I won this book in a giveaway.
To read this book is to step into a new perspective, a "new" life, to change and be one with the words and the history behind it.
I won this book in a giveaway.
June 26, 2025
I didn’t love this. It felt pretty heady to me. But some poems deeply resonated at the same time. I really like how she supplemented the work with historical and personal archival photos. I also loved her shout-out to The Colored Girls Museum (my favorite place). I also really appreciated that Hill has been writing trade press and not just academic books as a scholar. Such an inspiration. Taking major notes.
January 27, 2022
I read this book in less than 24 hours. From the introduction to the acknowledgments it took my breath away. Each section, each poem, each photo told a story. My inner child, that little Black girl, felt seen and heard. Some poems made me cry for my Black girls and others made me feel powerful.
March 5, 2023
This collection of prose poems and essays examines and explores African-American girlhood from multiple lenses and perspectives, presenting glimpses into lives that are rarely represented and often misrepresented.
March 9, 2023
There are a million things Hill makes you think about in each poem and picture included. I enjoyed this book but I would probably never read it for pleasure - it was assigned to read for class. All things being said, I am glad I read this book.
January 12, 2022
A great read for women of all races with great insight into a black girl and woman’s prospective
The short essays and prose make for quick short reading
The short essays and prose make for quick short reading
March 21, 2023
made me think. a lot. powerful in it's own right. sometimes felt too abstract for me to grasp, but i liked its abstraction. not everything can or should be fully understood
December 6, 2023
disclaimer: i worked on this book
February 23, 2025
Free on audible
February 19, 2026
A powerful poetry collection!! I loved the layout of this. Collections like this are so important for us to read to get just a glimpse of what Black girls and women go through daily.
Read
February 24, 20253.75/5
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews