Why read Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her?

Book cover of Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her

Book description

"I have never been anything but a paper girl. Something to tear into pieces. Something to burn."

We've all been paper before. We've all been fragile. Leaflike and gently blowing, enough to create stories or build fires. We go through life like that. We come across things that tear us…

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Poetry

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Why read it?

1 author picked Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Alicia Cook

Author

When I read this, I felt like I was being trusted with something delicate and personal. At times, it felt like I overhear something I shouldn't—but not in a bad way! Let me explain. Cofer’s poetry is what I prefer to read as it focuses on trauma, suicide, depression, and the often-unseen roads of relapse and recovery.

I appreciated how she also examined topics like racism, body dysmorphia, and self-harm. I walked away from this poetry book, having learned more about the human experience. Cofer's writing reminded me of the strength it takes just to survive another day, something too…

From Alicia's list on The best modern poetry books for days when life is doing the most.