I really enjoyed a lot of the poems in the beginning & at the end. Most were very relatable but eloquently put. Like she took the things I’ve thought about but wrote them in such a beautiful & inspiring way. Some of the poems in the middle got too political for me & I ended up skipping quite a few. For that reason I won’t be posting a review of this one on my public profiles.

Loved the book! Was very relatable. I felt the words come out of her heart. I think the collection was well written.

The book reads like Shel Silverstein for adults. Philosophical truths of the modern world wrapped up in sarcastic lyrical stanzas. It brings tears to the eyes, from laughing or from facing the truth depending on which page you turn to.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Bit Much was a fun, poetry book about love, friendship, how 2020 changed our lives (which was relatable!) life and living it.
There were so many quotes I liked/highlighted.
It’s okay to be “a bit much”

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Today I learned that pecans fall from trees when they’re ripe and the best way to crack them open is to take two and squeeze them together in your hand—the pressure of the closeness exposing the good stuff Is that a nice metaphor for relationships?”

“If cauliflower can be pasta you can be whatever you want.“

One of my favorite poem was “Caretaking Notes”
Even at 39, we still need to be taken care of as if we’re a kid, because that inner child is still there regardless and I loved that message!

As a follower of Lindsay Rush (@maryoliversdrunkcousin) on instagram for years I was so excited to hear her book was being released! I’ve read many of the poems in this collection previously but there are many that were new to me. Using humor and absurd headlines to make deep connections between the lives we all live, these are poems to feel renewed joy for life and the small moments within. I laughed, I cried, and I highlighted and re-read lines and pages. I plan to purchase a physical copy of this collection so I can read it again!

If you're a human, put A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush on your TBR!

This book of poetry is broken down into four different parts, separated into current or desired mood, allowing you to either boost your feel-good vibes or settle in and really feel those feels (but like in an "I got your back kinda way")!

I felt seen! I felt understood! I felt represented!

I was shocked that I wasn't the only one ever feeling these things!

My favourite poems?
-Share Plates (how I want to live my best life!)
-Like A Duck Eating Lunch (bottoms up!)
-Reassurances To Save For A Rainy Day (OMG I may print this poem out to funnel into my brain daily!)

Bonus points for the remixes!!!

(Clearly, I was vibing most with Part IV When Someone Telling You To Relax Actually Works!)

The audiobook? Rush read her own poetry, and it was pure magic!

This book made me smile, laugh, and nod my head along with it. What can I say? Read it!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

In terms of enjoyment, I could rate this lower, but I think this can be a good intro to people trying to get into poetry. The writing here is accessible and flows nicely, although it's also incredibly millennial. That's not a crime though, just not my particular taste. I think if you enjoy millennial humor and phrases, you might actually really enjoy this! It's a good place to get started.

Wowowow. Genuinely, I immediately bought a copy for myself. I want to annotate so bad. So many different things spoke to me. Everything from amusing, to realistic views on myself, to how I view the world. It was incredible to see such a "hot take" that mirrored myself so closely. I have never really understood poetry, but now I truly believe I just wasn't reading what resonated with me. 10/10 would recommend to my friends and family.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

While mostly full of idiom puns as titles (e.g. “Let Go and Let Goddess”) and the kind of contemporary witticisms you’d find printed on an apron or mug in a novelty store (e.g. “be a platter of sizzling fajitas”), there are some shining moments of genuine humor (e.g. “If you ever see me make a typo it’s just because I’m a method actress trying to understand what it feels like to be average and relatable”) and existential depth that do well to represent the author’s dynamic writing style.

In a world where we see the quirky, modern reclamation of tired phrases plastered on Pinterest and IG FYPs every day, it feels less unique to read this type of writing in book form - however, Rush does a decent job of making the journey interesting and unpredictable.

As a fan of Rush's Instagram account, I was really excited about this collection and it did not disappoint! Sweet, hilarious, thoughtful poems that will be appreciated by many, especially those that thought they weren't poetry fans.

Poetry for the millennial era covering topics ranging from 2000s purity culture to our modern culture wars, and all the feelings of grief, arrested development, and insecurity (with some joy!) in between, the callbacks are nostalgic and plentiful and the feelings heart achingly familiar, though unlikely as a whole to withstand the test of time. Regardless, this was a delight to read and relate to.

Pub Date: 9/17/24
Review Published: 9/15/24
eARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection of poetry!

It’s relatable, witty, and filled with quirky charm, yet also deeply honest and raw. My interaction with the collection began when the publisher offered me an eARC, which led me to discover Rush’s Instagram. Her online presence has the same distinctive voice found in her book, and that unique tone is a crucial element of her work.

This collection might not be for everyone. If you're seeking intricate, abstract poetry that challenges the intellect, this may not be for you. However, if you appreciate clever metaphors, a sassy attitude, and genuine self-reflection - then you’ll likely find this enjoyable.

👍🏻Would recommend!

(4.5 stars rounded down)

**Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this free digital review copy.**

I was a bit unsure going into this because I almost never read poetry, but I really enjoyed these poems! Many of the poems made me laugh, some made me sad, and they were all quick and easy reads, which I appreciated as a novice poetry reader. I even found myself highlighting lines on my Kindle and wishing I had a hard copy to mark up. I definitely would like to revisit this collection in the future.

These poems were okay. The best thing about this collection is that it’s pretty straightforward—there’s not much guessing or trying to figure out what the poet is trying to communicate. In general, I think there’s a good variety of poems that most people could pick up and find at least a few they can easily connect with.

Honestly, this collection comes across like a good tabletop book. It’s the kind of thing you’d see on a coffee table, bought more for the cover than for anyone actually finishing it. There are tons of easy-to-digest lines that I’m sure people will use in their Instagram captions. However, not much expressed in these poems feels overtly personal, and in some ways, that caused me to disconnect from it. There were moments where I thought more depth was needed, but Rush seems more focused on keeping things at a level that’s consumable in mass.

Overall, it’s not a book I would buy for myself, but I could see a lot of people owning or enjoying its simplicity. Through this collection, I have no doubts that Rush is someone who would generally be liked. This collection is probably a good read for anyone just getting into poetry and looking to explore the basics of structure while reading about specific millennial experiences.

Thank you so much to Griffin and NetGalley for this digital arc.

I love this book, I may even buy the physical copy.

“A Bit Much” was a perfect title. I frequently feel like a bit much, and I found these very relatable. Reading the words kind of feels like my thinking style, and it reads like I’m talking to a friend.

I usually put a favorite quote on these reviews, but there were so many I like I just recommend to read it.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! Like the description says, it is poetry for people who don't think of themselves as enjoying poetry. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. Sorted into categories if you want to go back for a specific mood/event.

This collection of poetry was such a breath of fresh air. Most pieces were so relatable yet unique and quirky, that I found myself feeling not alone in my thoughts and feelings. My only complaint is that some of the angry poems were—quite fittingly—a bit much. I loved this book so much that I will be buying it as a Christmas gift for my favorite cousin. It is witty, unapologetic, and whimsical. It gave me hope that life does not have to be all stressful and serious all the time. It can be joyful just by being ourselves. I also want to note that the acknowledgment section made me cry it was so beautifully filled with gratitude. I cannot wait to read her next book!

I've followed Lyndsay Rush on Instagram for years, and A Bit Much is one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. This is such a great collection of poems! I especially appreciate how they were organized for different moods/emotions. I couldn't stop myself from highlighting passages and bookmarking poems to return to as I read. I cannot wait to recommend this to our library patrons upon its release and I already have a list of friends to send copies to. Highly recommend!

Millennial poetry that is beautiful and feels very needed in this time! It was beautifully written and was an updated version of the poetry that we've been reading for decades.

I don't think I even made it to the halfway point of this collection before I went to my local indie's site to pre-order a hard copy for my shelf. I am certain this will be one of the most dog-eared and marked up books in my personal library. Lyndsay is writing to my generation in such a tender, yet laugh-out loud way. I didn't know how much I needed some of these poems. I need to print and frame the poem "Hot Sh*t" - I need the reminder to be unashamedly myself without apology. I'm grateful for poet's like Lyndsay Rush who put in to words so many of our shared struggles in a way I never could. If you are a female between the ages of 40 to 18, this should be required reading, but honestly I'd recommend it to a female of any age!