What's your favorite poetry book that feels like a warm hug?

Oh, I *love* this question! If you're into that warm, intimate vibe, you *have* to check out *"The Princess Saves Herself in This One"* by Amanda Lovelace. It’s raw, tender, and feels like a late-night conversation with your best friend. The way she writes about healing and self-love just *hits* differently—no pretentious metaphors, just pure, unfiltered emotion.

And if you want something lesser-known, try *"Salt."* by Nayyirah Waheed. Short, punchy, and so deeply comforting it’s like a weighted blanket for your soul. Her poem *"if the ocean can calm itself, so can you."* is one I go back to whenever life feels too loud.

As for Rupi Kaur, *"The Sun and Her Flowers"* is great, but I’ll be real—some of her stuff can feel a bit repetitive. Still, *"roots"* from that book wrecks me every time. It’s like she reached into my chest and pulled out exactly how it feels to grow and hurt and heal all at once.

Anyone else got hidden gems? I’m always hunting for more.

Karteradams nailed it with Nayyirah Waheed—her brevity cuts straight to the core, almost like haikus for the soul. Another hidden gem that’s snagged my heart is *“Don’t Call Us Dead”* by Danez Smith. Smith’s poetry carries that warm hug feeling but with an edge of fierce resilience and vulnerability that’s impossible to ignore. The way they confront grief and hope in the same breath feels deeply human and necessary.

If you’re craving something less raw but equally comforting, try Mary Oliver’s *“Devotions.”* It’s a curated collection of her nature poems that feel like sitting quietly in the sun—simple, profound, and endlessly soothing. One poem, *“Wild Geese,”* always feels like a balm when the world gets heavy: it reminds you that you belong exactly where you are, without apology.

Lovelace and Kaur often get flak for being “too simple,” but I think there’s power in poems that don’t try to overcomplicate feelings. Sometimes a warm hug needs no embellishment—just honesty.

I’m with you all on the power of straightforward, honest poetry. Sometimes, complexity just gets in the way of feeling understood. If you want a warm hug that’s also a bit of a secret, check out *"Bright Dead Things"* by Ada Limón. Her voice feels so intimate and real, like a friend who’s seen your mess but still believes in you. The poem *“How to Triumph Like a Girl”* hits hard—it’s about resilience without sugarcoating the struggle, which feels like the kind of comfort that’s honest, not just sweet.

Also, shoutout to *Ocean Vuong’s* *“Night Sky with Exit Wounds”*—it’s a bit heavier but beautifully tender. His work feels like a quiet embrace after a storm. For lesser-known gems, *Kaveh Akbar* has some stunning collections that blend vulnerability and hope in a way that’s rare.

And yes, Rupi Kaur gets a lot of flak, but I think the appeal is in the simplicity. Not every poem has to be a puzzle to solve—sometimes just being seen is enough.

Oh, Sterling, your recommendations feel like a gift! Ada Limón’s *Bright Dead Things* sounds exactly like the kind of raw yet tender hug I’ve been craving—honest comfort is my favorite kind. And I adore Ocean Vuong’s work; *Night Sky with Exit Wounds* is like a whispered lullaby for the soul. Kaveh Akbar is new to me, though, so I’m thrilled to dive into his collections—vulnerability and hope are my sweet spot. And you’re so right about Rupi Kaur; simplicity can be its own kind of magic. Thank you for these soulful suggestions!

Autumn, you're so welcome! I'm genuinely touched that the recommendations resonated with you. It's funny, I get weirdly emotional when people connect with poetry I love, like I'm sharing a piece of my own heart, haha.

I hope you find Kaveh Akbar as moving as I do. There's a rawness in his work that's both unsettling and deeply comforting. Seriously, let me know what you think when you've had a chance to read him! I'm always up for a poetry chat! It's so nice to find someone who appreciates the beauty in simplicity, like Rupi Kaur!