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A Good Cry
A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter | Nikki Giovanni
One of Americas most celebrated poets looks inward in this powerful collection, a rumination on her life and the people who have shaped her. The poetry of Nikki Giovanni has spurred movements, turned hearts and informed generations. Shes been hailed as a firebrand, a radical, a healer, and a sage; a wise and courageous voice who has spoken out on the sensitive issues, including race and gender, that touch our national consciousness. As energetic and relevant as ever, Nikki now offers us an intimate, affecting, and illuminating look at her personal history and the mysteries of her own heart. In A Good Cry, she takes us into her confidence, describing the joy and peril of aging and recalling the violence that permeated her parents marriage and her early life. She pays homage to the people who have given her life meaning and joy: her grandparents, who took her in and saved her life; the poets and thinkers who have influenced her; and the students who have surrounded her. Nikki also celebrates her good friend, Maya Angelou, and the many years of friendship, poetry, and kitchen-table laughter they shared before Angelous death in 2014.
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OrangeMooseReads
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megnews
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Another in honor of #NationalLibraryWeek

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megnews
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amma-keep-reading

Completely enjoyed this book. Excited to read more.

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megnews
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Pickpick

I read several of Giovanni‘s poetry collections the last few years. They‘re all good but “A Good Cry” was by far one of my favorites.

#spring #poetry

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UnabridgedPod
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In the newest episode of Unabridged, we share our thoughts about a talk by Nikki Giovanni at Bridgewater College. We hope you'll listen via iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast catcher (or check us out on unabridgedpod.com). We'd love to know what you think about the episode or Giovanni's work.

10 likes1 comment
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triplem80
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My sentiments exactly!
#blackhistorymonth

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triplem80
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The Hokies are well-represented in this stack of #blackhistorymonth books.

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greeniezona
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The five books I finished yesterday in my mad dash to meet my goodreads challenge. Only one more book to go!

A Good Cry — Nikki Giovanni ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Future Science — Max Brockman 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Poison in Small Doses — Tammy Bendetti 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Every Heart a Doorway — Seanan McGuire 💜💜💜💜
Sex Criminals, vol. 5 — Matt Fraction 💗💗💗💗💗

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Brooke_H
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Pickpick

First, thanks again, @Jas16 , for this lovely little book! Most poetry collections, like most short story collections, have hits and misses. Some of the poems here seem to be written so inwardly that they are really only for the poet ("A Poem for Morris," "A Haiku for Mars"). Others had me nodding in agreement or "oh, yes, I never thought of it like that." My favorite poems are the ones where she takes something mundane and makes it radiant.

Jas16 I love Nikki Giovanni so much. I am so glad you enjoyed this! 6y
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Brooke_H
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Thank you so much, @Jas16 ! This package really brightened my day! ❤️☀️

TrishB Lovely 💕 6y
Jas16 Yay! So glad they arrived safely! 6y
16 likes2 comments
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BookReviewsbyTara
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Pickpick

In her latest book titled, A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter, Nikki Giovanni gives us an intimate look into the most emotional moments of her life. In it she pays homage to those she have loved and lost. Writing poems for some of her dearest loved ones including her mother, Dr. Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, Afeni Shakur, as well as many others. My favorites were the pieces written for Dr. Angelou. They were very touching.

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BookReviewsbyTara
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A true bibliophile treasures her autographed books more than she treasures her designer shoes.
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I will forever cherish my autographed copy of Nikki Giovanni‘s book A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter. #nikkigiovanni #nationalpoetrymonth

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BookReviewsbyTara
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“I think money is a good idea and you certainly need some but chasing a dollar will make you crazy. I‘m just me. Still happy. Still sane. Still a small business trying to continue doing good work.” - Nikki Giovanni

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Mixedreader
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Pickpick

Beautiful, simple mediations on life. Wonderful inspiration for writing. #poetry

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cocomass
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Pickpick

It took me a while to get into this collection because, as I‘ve mentioned before, it felt super personal to Nikki Giovanni. There were so many poems and pieces of prose dedicated to her dear friends—some celebrities, some unknown to me. But after sitting with it awhile, this is a pick. I love her direct prose that often feels like listening to an auntie story-tell. I‘m happy I read this as part of the #poetrychallenge2018

Tamra Thank you for posting! I love Litsy & Littens because they send me down deep & wonderful rabbit holes. 7y
Tamra Your post caught my eye because I‘m reading Sun is so Quiet during dinner to my kids. 7y
cocomass @Tamra yes! Litsy has totally expanded my reading life 💕 7y
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cocomass
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Still rereading this intensely personal recent collection of poetry and prose from Nikki Giovanni. This is part of one she wrote for Tim O‘Brien #poetrychallenge2018

There are four separate pieces for Maya Angelou, as well as something for Ruby Dee, Afeni Shakur, and others.

BellaBookNook Ooo I am trying to incorporate poetry into my reading experience this year. Last year was an epic fail but I know that the key is finding connection. Thanks for sharing. It reminds me I have to pick up more poetry. 7y
cocomass @BellaBookNook I‘ve gotten back into poetry the last 3 years. I kind of had to break out of the canon of classic poetry and find the work that resonated with me. Poetry is such a personal thing. 7y
UrsulaMonarch @BellaBookNook same! I love how you put it @cocomass ! 7y
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cocomass
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I finished my first book for the #poetrychallenge2018 this evening. Now I‘m going to spend the rest of the month rereading the pieces that resonated with me, maybe picking one or two to memorize 💕

WarpedSweetness Awesome! That's what I'm doing with Milk and Honey, well minus the memorizing part 7y
cocomass @WarpedSweetness I love having an opportunity to sort of sit with the poems instead of rushing into the next thing. Makes me feel like I get to know the poet a little better ☺️ 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes Oh this is fantastic, I missed this yesterday! That's beautiful, I'll have to look into this one. 😊 7y
WarpedSweetness @cocomass I agree! I like to read them through, and then randomly open to a page and start reading again. 7y
31 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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cocomass
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Water 💦 🌊 💧

#poetrychallenge2018

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WanderingBookaneer
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Want!

Ubookquitous Me too - she may be my favorite living poet 7y
ReadingEnvy She is wonderful 7y
73 likes2 comments
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cocomass
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Early Christmas gift from my bff 😍😍

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Matilda
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Today in my ears and loooooooving it.

AbdA Good ! 7y
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Tameeka
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"We need poetry. We need dreams. We need to offer to serve the future."

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spinesvines
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Not only did I get to meet this living legend and national treasure, I was able to share this wonderful night with @Lupita.Reads 🤗 I️ am looking forward to reading Nikki Giovanni‘s latest book of poetry. She was phenomenal! #latepost #nikkigiovanni #agoodcry #politicsandprose #spinesvines #books #wine

emilyhaldi Great pic!! 👍🏻 7y
Tamra Wonderful pic! 7y
Lupita.Reads Yay!!!!! Such a good night and such a great memory! 7y
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bookshopsc
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Pickpick

This collection by poet Nikki Giovanni is absolutely wonderful. The diversity between short prose and poetry in this collection lends it a great readability, and there is a lovely rhythm to the book. Of note is the poem dedicated to Maya Angelou that embraces tears and sadness as necessary and healing. The personal is political, and as always Giovanni reminds us why. - Louise

kspenmoll Nice review, thanks! 7y
Libby1 I want your shirt, Louise! Where did you get it? ❤️ 7y
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