Once Upon a Midnight Scroll: Poems for the Overstimulated & Disillusioned

by Heidi Becker

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

Reviews

[2raccoonsinacoat]

I fear this was…too millennial for me.

I appreciate this for what it is, but it did not read like poetry to me. The author is being honest and talking about some real issues, particularly with social media, body image/femininity pressure. But I’ve heard a lot of it before in the comment sections and there really wasn’t much to attach to poetically. Just not for me.

Thank you to Andrews McNeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Wolfie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When there is no land left / To buy, level, and brand / They will come for our attention spans"

What to Expect:
- anti-capitalism themes
- body image and beauty standards
- internet culture critique
- contemporary poetry

3.50★ rounded up to 4★

I was interested in this book because of itsuseof poetry to comment on the impacts of being chronically online and the way that capitalism, advertising, and social expectations all shape the way people see themselves. I think this book will especially resonate with those who relate heavily to doomscrolling culture, and to the pressure surrounding appearance and womanhood (as well as girlhood).

Going into it, I will admit I was expecting the collection to focus more broadly on internet culture and capitalism, rather than focusing more specifically on women within these systems. However, I think these topics are applicable to everyone and can be something many readers strongly connect with, even those who do not identify as female. So while I don’t think I was necessarily the target audience for this one, I still found it to be an interesting and enjoyable read at times! The collection leans heavily into a contemporary, conversational style, with many poems reading more like reflections or internal monologues. I especially liked the fairy tale twists woven throughout the poems, and there were several lines and poems that particularly stuck with me (especially, "The Fast Lane Just Got Faster" and "70 Degrees in February in the Northeast").

While I appreciated many of the ideas and conversations this collection explored, some of the poems began to feel repetitive to me after a while. Still, there were moments that felt genuinely insightful and thought-provoking, and I am glad that I read it. I can absolutely see this collection resonating deeply with the right audience!

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

a poignant look at how social media has worked its way into nearly every aspect of many people’s, especially women’s, lives. it serves as documentation of micro trends, niche aesthetics and -cores, and slang that comes and goes in an instant. one critique I do have is the first section feels very samey poem to poem, but otherwise each poem delves into internet culture and the harm that follows in its footsteps.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this galley because I was intrigued by the title and cover, and it didn’t disappoint! I enjoyed Heidi Becker’s poetry about being a woman in the modern world, and the fairy-tale twist was interesting. I would definitely read more of her poetry in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the review copy.

Pub Date: July 28, 2026

[Josie Kandich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a doom scrolling girly’s poetic manifesto- and I’m here for it

[Kai (CuriousCompass) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stroll through the midnight musings of a chronically online doomscroller who may or may not have a retail therapy problem.

On the one hand I was warned before going into this poetry collection that it was a collection for the chronically online era, on the other hand I do believe almost all of this author's problems would be solved by either turning off her phone or changing her algorithm and how she interacts with social media.

Plenty of the poems in the book are relatable, although relatable doesn't always translate to good, and unfortunately a few poems here that should have been good overstayed their welcome by a few lines. Cutting more meat from the bones to leave these pieces at their sharpest and most concise would have elevated them from okay to fantastic.

There are a few fantastic poems here though, particularly Lucky Puppet, where the author talks about how, as the saying goes, life is but a stage - she's noticing some of the other puppets start to notice their strings for the first time. Interesting stuff. The followup poem Lucky Puppet Inception was also a personal favorite.

Obsessive Girl, Awkward Woman was an incredible piece about society's fear of just calling a woman a woman, and womanhood in general, and our desire/tendency/insistence on reducing grown women to girls and girlhood.

Other favorites: "When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Kid," "Mom's Phone Number," "Clock In, Lock in, Wake Up, Fear," "Sleeping Beauty Goes For A Stroll," "How Old Were You," "My Skinny Shack is Falling Apart," "I Think I'm Turning Plastic," "What Radicalized You," "The Attention Economy," "The Fluffy White Caterpillar," and "Silence is A Scarier Sound"

Although there's great material here there's also a lot that feels like filler or just feels trite, been-there, done-that. Not all art or poetry needs to be groundbreaking, but there's something to be said for needing to mine deeper sometimes; a few of these poems definitely should have been left on the cutting room floor.

While this collection overall certainly could've been sharper and more fulfilling for me, I still found a lot to love here and will definitely revisit the author in the future. Heidi Becker definitely has something, I believe this was a case of the 'chronically online' persona/themes not working for me as opposed to the writer herself not working for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free review copy via NetGalley!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical themed poetry collection that details the peril of modern internet culture and society.

I appreciate the wide range of topics that were covered, the beauty industry, body image, overconsumption, technology, and more. You do have to be chronically online to feel the full effect of the poems, which I am, so I quite enjoyed this. I am excited to what what else Becker will write in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sentiments are exactly what goes through one's head while doomscrolling, yes.

I liked a lot of Heidi's verses and the word choice. A lot of the poems are focused on womens' appearances, and that does definitely crop up a lot if you are indeed doomscrolling on the wrong side of the net. (Fun fact: I tried to bean soup theory this whole thing by searching for horses.. it fixed my algorithm LOL)

I'd love to see other works from this poet. <3

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t work for me, which sucks because I was really intrigued by the premise. I think the poet accomplished what they set out to do, but I didn’t find it engaging. This felt like Insta poetry at times, and that’s not my thing. The cover is beautiful, though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Nasty_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like if you are a Millenial straight white woman who doomscrolls way too much I feel like this would be a great HIT
I just don't think I was the target audience but this a fun read even if it bored me a bit lol