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You Better Be Lightning (Button Poetry) Paperback – November 9, 2021

by Andrea Gibson (Author)

726 ratings

Goodreads Choice Award nominee

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2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards Gold Medal Winner
2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Gold Medal Winner
2022 Over the Rainbow Short List
2021 Goodreads Choice Awards - Best Poetry Book Finalist
2021 Bookshop's Indie Press Highlights

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson is a queer, political, and feminist collection guided by self-reflection.

The poems range from close examination of the deeply personal to the vastness of the world, exploring the expansiveness of the human experience from love to illness, from space to climate change, and so much more in between.

One of the most celebrated poets and performers of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson's trademark honesty and vulnerability are on full display in You Better Be Lightning, welcoming and inviting readers to be just as they are.

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“ANDREA GIBSON WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT GENDER.”

― BUZZFEED

“ANDREA GIBSON SEAMLESSLY SPINS HOPELESSNESS INTO HOPE, FIRES BACK AT SOCIAL NORMS, AND CHALLENGES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ALIVE AND TO BE HUMAN”

―THEM

“ANDREA GIBSON'S POETRY… WILL MAKE YOU FEEL SEEN AND HEARD AND BEAUTIFULLY ARTICULATED…”

― HUFFINGTON POST

”GIBSON CAPTURES RAW HUMAN EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONS―BOTH GOOD AND BAD AND TURNS THEM INTO SOMETHING OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL, REMINDING THEIR AUDIENCE OF THE POWER IN VULNERABILITY AND IN LIVING.”

― OUT FRONT MAGAZINE

“ANDREA GIBSON IS IN THE FIGHT FOR HEARTS AND MINDS. WITH A RELENTLESS SENSE OF URGENCY AND EMOTIONS ― “HAVING FEELINGS ALL OVER” ― LEAVENED BY AN OCCASIONAL FLASH OF HUMOR.”

―BOSTON GLOBE

About the Author

One of the most celebrated and successful poets of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson began their career in 1999 with a break-up poem at an open mic in Boulder, Colorado. In 2008, Gibson leapt into the forefront of the national spoken word poetry scene when they won the first ever Woman of the World Poetry Slam. Gibson is the author of four previous books of poetry and has release seven spoken-word albums. The honesty of Gibson's work makes audiences and readers feel welcome as they are. They are based out of Boulder, CO.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Button Poetry (November 9, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1943735999
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1943735990
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.25 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #16,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in LGBTQ+ Poetry (Books)
- #21 in Love Poems
- #77 in Love & Loss

Customer Reviews:
726 ratings

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Andrea Gibson

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Andrea Gibson (they/them/theirs) is a queer author of five full-length collections of poetry, including Lord of the Butterflies (Button Poetry 2018) which sold over 20,000 copies worldwide. Winner of The Independent Publishers Award in 2019, Andrea is also a two-time Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist. In 2017, Penguin Books published Take Me With You, an illustrated collection of Gibson’s most beloved quotes, and in 2019, Chronicle books published their first non-fiction endeavor, How Poetry Can Change Your Heart. The winner of the first Women’s World Poetry Slam, Gibson has gone on to be featured on BBC, Air America, CSpan, and regularly sells out large capacity venues all over the world. Gibson has also released seven full length albums of spoken word. Their most recent book, You Better Be Lightning, is forthcoming from Button Poetry November 2021.

“ANDREA GIBSON WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT GENDER.” — BUZZFEED

“ANDREA GIBSON SEAMLESSLY SPINS HOPELESSNESS INTO HOPE, FIRES BACK AT SOCIAL NORMS, AND CHALLENGES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ALIVE AND TO BE HUMAN” —THEM

“ANDREA GIBSON’S POETRY… WILL MAKE YOU FEEL SEEN AND HEARD AND BEAUTIFULLY ARTICULATED…”— HUFFINGTON POST

“ANDREA GIBSON IS IN THE FIGHT FOR HEARTS AND MINDS. WITH A RELENTLESS SENSE OF URGENCY AND EMOTIONS — 'HAVING FEELINGS ALL OVER' — LEAVENED BY AN OCCASIONAL FLASH OF HUMOR.” — BOSTON GLOBE

"ANDREA GIBSON IS AN AMAZING QUEER, SPOKEN-WORD POET WHO CAN MAKE YOU WEEP WITH A HEART WRENCHING LOVE POEM AND THEN SWIFTLY INSPIRE YOU TO ACTION WITH A POWERFUL POLITICAL POEM." — SEVENTEEN

Their work has been featured on the BBC, Air America, C-SPAN, Free Speech TV and in 2010 was read by a state representative in lieu of morning prayer at the Utah State Legislature.

Andrea Gibson was born in Calais, Maine in 1975 and now resides outside of Boulder, Colorado.

Customer reviews

726 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this poetry collection powerful and poignant, with one review noting how it resonates with readers and captures the essence of the human condition. Customers describe the writing as heart-expanding and beautiful, with one comparing it to "precious hand-crafted artisanal chocolates." Customers appreciate the book's humor, with one mentioning it made them laugh and cry, and find it moving.

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Poetry Heartfelt writing Beauty Readability Humor Pacing

27 customers mention "Poetry"27 positive0 negative

Customers praise the poetry in the book, describing it as powerful and rich with meaning, with one customer noting how it resonates with readers.

"This work is stunningly beautiful: honest, wise, and — as my aunt texted me, after I gifted her this book — "truly life-changing."..." Read more

"I loved this book so much! The poetry opened my heart, made me think, made me laugh and cry. Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving...." Read more

"I love Andrea's works. They stir you deep inside." Read more

"I am so glad that I came across Andrea Gibson. Their work is so incredibly profound, yet at times simple and joyful...." Read more

19 customers mention "Heartfelt writing"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the heartfelt writing of the book, describing it as poignant and inspiring, with one customer noting how it captures the very essence of our human condition.

"I loved this book so much! The poetry opened my heart, made me think, made me laugh and cry. Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving...." Read more

"I love Andrea's works. They stir you deep inside." Read more

"Andrea has a beautiful way of writing and finding wonder in ordinary moments. They are my favorite poet and this is my favorite book!!!..." Read more

"...resonates with every reader because it seems to capture the very essence of our human condition and holds it up to the light for us to marvel at...." Read more

14 customers mention "Beauty"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book lovely, with one describing it as breathtaking and another noting its wonderful YouTube videos.

"This work is stunningly beautiful: honest, wise, and — as my aunt texted me, after I gifted her this book — "truly life-changing."..." Read more

"I loved this book so much! The poetry opened my heart, made me think, made me laugh and cry. Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving...." Read more

"...They always look new and enticing, as if they are all still untapped wilds waiting to be explored...." Read more

"This book is fun and a bit sassy. It touches uncomfortable emotional subjects with grace and encouragement in the poems within." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a beautiful collection about real and hard things, while another compares it to precious hand-crafted artisanal chocolates.

"...Highly recommended for any wise reader; especially poignant as a gift for loved ones who are queer, navigating a hard/chronic health diagnosis,..." Read more

"...They are my favorite poet and this is my favorite book!!! I have purchased several copies for myself, my friends, and my family...." Read more

"Such a beautiful collection about real and hard things (aka human life) but shared in a generous and heart-expanding way...." Read more

"...Instead, I keep it close. As if it were a box of precious hand-crafted artisanal chocolates, hand carried home on the plane from France...." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning it made them laugh and cry.

"...The poetry opened my heart, made me think, made me laugh and cry. Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving...." Read more

"...Their work is so incredibly profound, yet at times simple and joyful. I've already bought another book...." Read more

"This book is fun and a bit sassy. It touches uncomfortable emotional subjects with grace and encouragement in the poems within." Read more

"...is such a treasure trove of relatable insight; beautiful, visceral, funny and so warm...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book moving.

"...Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving. I will read this over and over." Read more

"Moving and inspiring and I will buy all Gibson's poetry now..." Read more

"Clever, Tender, Moving..." Read more

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Charlotte Austin
Extraordinary writing.
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
Verified Purchase

This work is stunningly beautiful: honest, wise, and — as my aunt texted me, after I gifted her this book — "truly life-changing." Highly recommended for any wise reader; especially poignant as a gift for loved ones who are queer, navigating a hard/chronic health diagnosis, and/or are feeling grief and overwhelm at the state of the world.

I don't write this lightly: these words are a lifeline. Truly.

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3 people found this helpful

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Devin
Heart opening poetry!
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2024
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I loved this book so much! The poetry opened my heart, made me think, made me laugh and cry. Andrea’s use of language is so unique and really moving. I will read this over and over.

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Linda Seaman
It is food for your soul.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
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I love Andrea's works. They stir you deep inside.

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Simoriah
Gibson is a light
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2024
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I am so glad that I came across Andrea Gibson. Their work is so incredibly profound, yet at times simple and joyful. I've already bought another book. Listening to Gibson read them aloud is a whole other experience, so I would recommend to any fan to check out their Instagram or find them on a podcast.

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Anonymous
Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024
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Andrea has a beautiful way of writing and finding wonder in ordinary moments. They are my favorite poet and this is my favorite book!!! I have purchased several copies for myself, my friends, and my family. Cannot recommend highly enough.

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Eric Titus
Youthful and open
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
Gibson exudes energy, and their perspective on things is uniquely their own. Even though they call theirself old in one of the poems, I think Gibson feels young, like a 20-something who's all charged up--enamored with beauty, enraged by injustice, and committed to living with intensity and sincerity. That youth, though, can come off as naïvté, sometimes saying self-helpy platitudes that are too idealized to hold much weight (but damn do they feel good to read or hear). And sometimes the form in lines and stanzas feels haphazard. But for whatever critiques I might have of Gibson's words, they did what poetry should: make you feel, not only in the sense of evoking emotion but also in the sense of making you perceive the world anew. I know that whatever faults I might find in the words or content or artistry (my god, how presumptuous and pretentious I have to be to say that), Gibson is more transparent and self-aware than most writers I know, and they chose every word for effect. Gibson respects their own experience, but they also respect me as an audience who has to read and understand that experience through words. And for that reason alone I would recommend their work. "Know thyself" is age-old advice, and I feel Gibson is a sage.

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Milissa
This book broke me and then reminded me why that's beautiful...
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
There is lightening between the covers of this book. Every time I read it again I am struck by something I missed, or struck again by something I can't shake.

I'm a collector. I have more books than walls so every room in our house is a miniature library. Of course, like all good stewards, I have my quirks... and the most stringent rule is to never break a spine. They always look new and enticing, as if they are all still untapped wilds waiting to be explored. I pride myself on the control of reading through a book without ever opening it wide enough to crack. When it came in the male I was thrilled, turned it over on its side and smiled. Andrea Gibson You Better Be Lightening Button Poetry tucked into the stars of a pristine, night sky spine.

I carried it around for a few days, peaking now and then, choosing a poem at random...I think I broke their record for goosebumps on the first day. This morning I sat on the back porch with my Saturday morning coffee and the last nasty habit I can't quite shake, finally able to read it from cover to cover, page by delicious page. I was so lit by the words echoing off my heart I couldn't bear to set it aside, even to reach for the coffee... without hesitation I balanced the precious book in one hand, using two fingers on either side of the spine for balance, I slipped the other two fingers inside and with my thumb as leverage, opened it wide.

It happened with a cloud of smoke ringing my head while I breathed over the steamy cup, sighing at the lightening flash of insight into my crippling time traveling addiction. I don't know if I felt it or heard it... you know how it is when you twist your body some way and something happens in your back, something so subtle you aren't even sure how you know...and for an eternity of a second you're hovering on the edge of pain and relief.... is it broken?... or is it just a feel-good crack back into place?...

Devastation washed over me, and like my life flashing before my yes I traveled back 20 years, my 30-something-year-old self, smiling through the back breaking weight of an untenable situation, waiting to steel moments of escape between the pages of a book, and the fantasy of a world where spines are never broken.

Lightening

I wandered into the house in a haze and found myself on the floor my office holding one of the only books in my collection that is ... marred... I’ve had it since I was 12. A wonder, an age-inappropriate treat, taken from a woman I babysat for... It’s damage suddenly looked like the art of love... white lines of use running up and down the spine, scars I created with careless abandon as I whipped myself into a frenzy of forbidden knowledge and ideas. ... Somewhere along the way, I stopped having enough gratitude for simply living to Truly love, and indulge in, a good story... I think this cracked spine is just the beginning of finding something I lost within myself a long time ago.

I hope others, who need it, will read this book and find the courage to stop fearing the storm and just decide to be the lightening....

Thank you Andrea Gibson, your words are reaching people in a way you might never have imagined.

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36 people found this helpful

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QueenB
5 Lightning Strikes!
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
There is magic in all of Andrea Gibson’s words, but this book has a special kind of potency. The words leap off the page and ride their lightning strikes straight into the hearts and minds of every reader fortunate enough to be in their path.

I teach high school English and in the nearly two decades I have been teaching, I almost always have to force feed the poetry lessons and very few, if any, of my students ever genuinely enjoy the process. This year, I used this book and had a very different experience. Not only were my students highly engaged in our reading and analysis of these poems, many of them were driven to purchase the book for themselves and have been genuinely excited about poetry.

There is something palpable on these pages. A truth that resonates with every reader because it seems to capture the very essence of our human condition and holds it up to the light for us to marvel at. It awakens the entire kaleidoscope of emotions in the reader and invites us to see them as the precious gifts they truly are.

If you love poetry or if you are human, you need this book more than you know, so do yourself and your library a favor by adding it to your collection asap. You won’t be disappointed!

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Amazon Customer
Earth shatteringly beautiful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2025
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The most life changingly beautiful book I've ever read.

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Amazon Customer
Beautiful book
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
This poetry is stunningly beautiful. I find every poem so deep and thought provoking.

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Karla Singson
Wonderful book, Andrea Gibson never disappoints
Reviewed in Mexico on July 29, 2022
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Nothing like it. Full of colorful, loud emotions, written masterfully. Gibson is different on paper, it’s a soft whisper, a gentler landing. Yet just as heartwarming. Will always be a fan.

P.S. Come perform in Mexico? 😊

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kristinschnabel
Tolle Texte
Reviewed in Germany on March 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Andrea Gibson folge ich schon lange auf Instagram und liebe ihre Texte. Das Buch ist für alle geeignet, die englische Poesie lieben.

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Glorious
Reviewed in Australia on February 2, 2024
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An absolutely glorious gem from my favourite living poet.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Earth shatteringly beautiful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, Andrea Gibson never disappoints

5.0 out of 5 stars Tolle Texte

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious

Earth shatteringly beautiful

Beautiful book

Wonderful book, Andrea Gibson never disappoints

Tolle Texte

Glorious