Chaotic Good

by Sabrina Benaim

From the author of Depression and Other Magic Tricks and I Love You, Call Me Back, a special new collection of poems and stories—available only as an audio exclusive. For fans of Rupi Kaur and Hanif Abdurraqib.

From acclaimed spoken word poet Sabrina Benaim comes a dazzling audio-exclusive collection of poems and stories that capture the journey of finding oneself amidst the highs and lows of being alive. From a meditation on her daily skincare routine, to lifting depression’s fog, to the medicine of music and a devotion to Beyoncé, Chaotic Good alternates between feeling like your best friend whispering in your ear and shouting a confession at you from a crowded party.

Returning Sabrina to her spoken word roots with full force, and steeped in her signature vulnerability and sparkling wit, Chaotic Good is an ode to staying true to yourself despite external forces and a celebration of modern ritual and worship in the search for something to believe in.

Genres: Poetry, Audiobook

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Guylou (Two Dogs and a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHAOTIC GOOD by Sabrina Benaim is a collection of poems that explores themes of mental health, relationships, and personal growth. The audiobook version features the author's own voice and is divided into 13 tracks, each containing several poems. One standout poem from the collection is "The Most Inspiring Girl in Toronto," which explores the pressures of social media and the performative nature of online personas. The poem is a powerful commentary on the unrealistic expectations placed on young women and the toll it takes on their mental health. Throughout the collection, Benaim's writing is raw, honest, and deeply personal. She uses vivid imagery and metaphors to explore complex emotions and experiences, making the poems both relatable and deeply affecting. Overall, CHAOTIC GOOD is a compelling and thought-provoking collection of poetry that offers a unique perspective on contemporary issues. The audiobook version, with the author's own voice, adds an extra layer of intimacy to the reading experience, making it a must-listen for fans of spoken word poetry.

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[Rebekah Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

In preparation for an upcoming unit on poetry in my classroom, I have been collecting, reading, and consuming as much poetry as I can. So, when I saw that @tandemcollectiveglobal was having a listenalong for Sabrina Benaim’s, @badass_sab’s, latest collection of poetry, entitled CHAOTIC GOOD, I knew that I needed to be a part of it.

✨

“CHAOTIC GOOD is a collection of poems and stories that capture the journey of finding oneself amidst the highs and lows of being alive”

Listening to Sabrina made me laugh, made me feel sad, but it mostly reminded me of my younger self—of going through the motions of high school and of me finding comfort and solace in John Mayer’s lyrics. I appreciated Sabrina’s honesty, and realness, and her ability to express moments that I too have felt and experienced, but have never been able to fully express myself. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this collection, and for being able to hear these poems in the way that they were intended to be heard. It really is a special experience being able to hear a poet read their own work.

✨

Given that Sabrina is a spoken word poet, it makes sense that this collection is an audio-exclusive collection, however, for it to have been even more impactful for me as both a listener and reader, I would have needed to see the words of her poems written down on paper, to read along with as she is speaking them aloud. I really hope that, in the future, there will be a printed version of these poems that I can add to my ever-growing collection.

Thank you to Tandem Collective Global, Double Day Canada and Sabrina Benaim for the complimentary copy to listen to and review, as well as for the lovely listening care package.

[Court.betweenthecovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Curiosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with access to this audiobook.

This was my introduction to Sabrina Benaim's work, but I doubt it will be the last collection of poems I read from her. I loved her lyrical and literal voice, as she was the audiobook's narrator.

The format of this collection entranced me. I felt like I was having a deep conversation with an old friend. Her vulnerability inspired me, and the stories shared were very relatable. I found myself heard in the conversations on anxiety and friendship, I felt excitement and apprehension during the segment on the music festival and mentally reached a hand out to comfort the author during the segment on heartbreak.

I fully recommend this to anyone and everyone who might want to dip their toes into the world of poetry or who is already a veteran reader of the genre.

[☕️Hélène⚜️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an audio about Sabrina’s life and mental health. It was very interesting and inspirational.
I recommend it

[Book.ishJulie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina Benaim absolutely delivered with Chaotic Good!

As this book is audio-exclusive, this was an experience unlike what I have ever experienced before. I listened to it at 1x speed (something I haven't done in a long time) and imagined myself sitting at a live event, listening as Benaim shared her poetry and stories.

It's a quick, one hour heart-felt narrative, showcasing quips, thoughts, and poetry. At times, it is funny. At times, it is sad. But it is always real and honest.

Some words to showcase how I felt and how I found my reading experience, with some quotes (in no particular order):

-"soundtrack to a feeling"
-seen
-hippie
-ONE
-stand up
-"time is a river"
-live show vibes
-shuffle
-dig
-love
"familiar strangers"
-virginity lost
-March
-"freedom feels carbonated"
-blue
-little things
-open mic

"A listening experience" was promised, and I'm so glad it exceeded my wildest expectations! Thank you Benaim for creating this!

Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Double Day Canada for the complimentary copy to listen to and review, as well as for the lovely package.

[JJ Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 years ago at the ripe old age of 15, I was scrolling on YouTube when I found a video of a woman describing her depression to her mother. That video became my identity. Nobody in my inner or outer circle could have missed it. I slept to it, woke up to it, shared it to everyone I knew. The words felt like the feelings I’d been trying so hard to explain was finally on the outside, with just the right inflections and it moved me to tears every time I listened to it. I found a home in the comments, where everyone felt safe to talk about their feelings, too.
8 years later, I’m 23, and notice that I haven’t finished a book in far too long, so I reach for a short audiobook to fill out my spread, and the voice transported me back to a time that feels like more than one lifetime ago. While short, I was happy to feel seen again. As an adult, with pearls made of my deepest pain and Self care that sooths but doesn’t heal. (listen to the book and you'll understand why my words don't compare to hers)
Sabrina discusses the monotony of being and becoming your own version of a beautiful woman in the morning. She discussed what it’s like to gossip with your friends and still feel a bit jealous of their disasters.
All in all, I had a fantastic time revisiting the rawness of Sabrina Benaim’s words. And I think there are a few quotes that I’ll take with me for years to come, just like I did as a 15 year old girl. I can’t wait to grow with Sabrina as she finds more ways to articulate things in ways I wish I could.

[Bee Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina’s poetry always, always pulls me in & I’m never disappointed. She has a way of capturing small joys with such light, and a way of capturing depression and mental health with such rawness and authenticity that it makes me feel seen. This audiobook was no exception - Sabrina’s writing feels so personal that it feels like listening to a friend who speaks in beautiful metaphors & analogies. Her writing on friendship, on love & heartbreak, on mood & raw emotions in such a visceral and beautiful way is always astounding. ❤️

[Stephanie - naturally.caffeinated.reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Tandem, Double Day and the author Sabrina Benaim for including me on the listenalong. This is my second book of poetry by Sabrina and I am the only one that didn't enjoy it from our group. So, take my review with a grain of salt. I do not enjoy her style of writing - just is not for me. I didn't like that the apeed couldn't be adjusted and found it hard to listen to. The platform it was on is not user friendly. There is an audience for her work.

Ad-pr product

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring 2023 (March);

I will read anything and everything Sabrina Benaim puts out. I love, love, love getting to read each new book of poetry she puts out. I find myself in her words time and time again, as she puts forth the best descriptions of depression and that of reaching for joy, always working on the work of survival, and how there's no working too hard when it comes to that. Always a recommend to everyone.

[Megan Wicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Maybe it’s just summer. Freedom feels carbonated.’

A sweet and sappy little spoken word audiobook that left me smiling and gave me that warm-inside fuzzy feeling. Brief but solid! Some of the poems didn’t speak directly to me, but overall I really enjoyed this and would absolutely recommend to someone who wants some bright, young, and modern poetry to listen to on the way to work.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of seeing Sabrina perform her poetry from depression and other magic tricks. Hearing her recite her poems gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for them. I have very much enjoyed listening to chaotic good in the audio platform and have been able to replay and immerse myself in Sabrina’s spoken word. She is my favourite contemporary poet and I’ve enjoyed following her journey.

[Eden Whiteley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the only time I’ll say that I would prefer to read an author narrated book over listening to it . Thought it was just okay- didn’t connect to it on anything other than a trivial level - didn’t move me the way I want poetry to

[Ellie Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'Chaotic Good'. Once again, I listened to this as an audiobook, read by the author, and enjoyed it a lot. I loved her discussion surrounding love, her name, and why she was labelled as chaotic good. It was good fun!

[Hannah (hngisreading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally it’s on here so I can mark as read. My StoryGraph & Goodreads data being off by one was driving me nuts.

This was an okay audio-exclusive poetry collection.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of manifestation for Beyoncé at Coachella

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want to be friends with Sabrina Benaim.

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked: audio-only release (actually loved this!) and the content of the poetry never disappoints. Disliked: Not a whole lot except I really dislike the cover art (tone and depiction of her).

[Zoé Saulnier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible poetry. Felt young and whimsical despite it discussing depression and loneliness.

[Megan Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't quite hit as hard as some of her other poetry, but still enjoyable

[CJ Opal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure Button Poetry

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chaotic not good. I love poetry but this was not for me.

[Tanya Neumeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her, deep in my soul I love her.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a poetry book that I could relate to and thoroughly understood the process of.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Sabrina Benaim (I Love You Please Call Me Back; Depression & Other Magic Tricks) released an audio-only poetry (& stories) collection, returning to her spoken word roots. Pitch perfect as always.