Breakable Things: Poetry and Prose

by Katie Wismer

Our lives are made up of delicate, fragile pieces. Time, memories, ever-changing versions of ourselves.
Things so easy to break. To waste. To lose.
Breakable Things is an open letter to the small, sometimes seemingly insignificant pieces of our lives that oftentimes turn out to be what’s most important in the end.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

Katie Wismer writes books with a little blood and a little spice (sometimes contemporary, sometimes romantasy.)

Be the first to know about upcoming projects, exclusive content, and more by signing up for her newsletter at katiewismer.com. Signed books are also available on her website, and she posts monthly bonus content on her Patreon (including a Patreon-exclusive book!)

When she's not reading, writing, or wrangling her two perfect cats, you can find her on her YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

Reviews

[tappkalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the author's novels, but I truly think she was born to be a poet.

Her last poetry collection, Poems for the End of the World is my emotional support book, and is the reason I care about the genre at all. I've tried poetry a few times in the past, but I never understood the appeal until then, and now I am constantly on search for good ones.

Even if I won't find other ones that speak to me, I hope Katie Wismer will continue writing them, because I trust her ability to make me feel.
Like the third poem... I was not prepared to cry at the very beginning.

One thing is true. It was not my last time reading this.

[Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This flowed perfectly and made me cry.

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 🥺

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 2 for bookoplathon: short book

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection

[Chella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this collection. We covered a lot of topics about relationships ( both the good and the bad), beauty in the small moments, acceptance of yourself (no matter what stage you’re in), writing and so many others things that fit together so well. My personal favorites were the ones that spoke on those quiet moments that seem so small and yet can be so significant in a person’s life. Will share favorite lines following official release date.

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love loved!!

Broken things ⭐️
My forever single heart aches with each poem. Best yet!

“I did not spend the last twenty-five years of my life having every bone in my body broken time and time again by the impossibilities of a patriarchal society just to crush myself even smaller to cradle a man’s ego like some kind of delicate breakable thing”


“maybe I’ve conditioned myself so I can only love things that hurt a little”

“ it’s the conflict of liking the world better when I’m drunk but liking myself more when I’m sober”

“the hardest part was not letting him go it’s wondering waiting willing myself to feel like that for someone else”

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. This is my favorite poetry collection from Wismer yet! I’m looking forward to her next one.

[Dely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Level of excitement ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Also... Book description gives me chills. Like its from my own soul...

[DeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all of Katie Wismer's poetry collections I would definitely say that there is a progression from the first to this one and this one is by far her best in my opinion. All of them deal with different stages in life, or different situations. While all of them have resonated with me, this one was the easiest for me to identify with. The different sections of the collection tied together well, while obviously being different stages of not only life, but a transition and adjustment to changes in life.

[Anna Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, for sure, my favorite poetry collection from this author. It’s also now a new favorite collection of all time!!

This one feels hopeful, uplifting, and comforting. There wasn’t a single poem in this collection that I didn’t personally relate to, or annotate/highlight. I am so glad to have preordered this, and even happier that I didn’t wait long to read it. I would highly recommend this.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection should be called Katie Wismer Is Trying to Murder Specifically Me.

[CATastrophe · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I rate a book 2.5 stars it means the book maybe wasn’t bad, but I sure ain’t remembering it.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I liked this more than I expected! Powerful and crisp, delivering so much emotionin a few words

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tabbed all my favorite poems, and now my copy of this book is LITTERED with my dorky kitty tabbies. I’ve read all of Katie’s poetry books and this one is my new favorite. I know, I know, I said that with Poems for the End of the World too, but I can’t prevent myself from falling in love!!

My favorite section by far is The Empty Things, but my favorite poem (it made me cry) is within The Good Things. Seriously. Pick up this collection, especially if you like modern poetry and if you’re prone to deep introspection. I believe you’ll find Katie’s words cathartic, especially if you’re like me and have a hard time expressing your own words / thoughts / experiences onto paper.

P.S. KATIE if you’re reading this - “teen angst” is definitely the best kind of compliment ;)

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of Katie Wismer's poetry that I have read. I have found something to enjoy in each collection. I especially enjoyed the flow and connection between poems. It's been fun to see a modern, self-published poet curate and put out poems that mean something to her and, I can't help but think, represent her journey.

I would recommend this poetry collection to poetry enthusiasts who can't get enough of verse and for those who enjoy the current first-person, confessional-style of modern poetry.

[shaughnessy duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge fan of this author but I don't love poetry so I was excited to try it when a lot of reviews mention it's poetry for people who don't like poetry.

Reading through, I was able to recognize and appreciate a lot of what I was going through at previous points in my life and pick out a few things that will help me grow moving forward (without it feeling self-help-y).

Parts that don't really apply to me made me think of people close to me so they'll be getting this recommendation.

[Nina Natascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Katie Wismer wrote an incredible collection! She taught me to love poetry and I adored every single of her collections. This one is no different. Not only is it touching, but you actually feel things. The cover is gorgeous and I found so many poems I absoloutley loved!

[Kristy Lindbom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her best poetry collection, yet!

This book felt so incredibly personal. It feels like she put her heart and soul into it. It allowed the collection to resonate so much more with me.

[Emma Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard not to tab every single page. I cried a lot. It did not need to take me this long to finish it. I just kept putting it off because it hit THAT deep. Not in a triggering sense, just in a “how much do I want to feel right now” sense.

Amazing, as always.

[A Book Matchmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great poetry collection!

I'm not a huge poetry person. But Katie Wismet has such a way with words. I really resonate with her poems and I will read every collection that she publishes!

[fireheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poetry collection focuses mainly on heartbreak and boys and relationships, which unfortunately isn't something I can relate too much to. However, I think this collection is still beautiful and touching!

[Marie :)]

i loved poems for the end of the world so I can't wait for this one!

[Jacob Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breakable Things is Wismer third collection. Her first one being one of my favorite poetry collections of all time. This one was no different. The poems are more precise, less raw, but still so open. Everything is relatable one way or another. Most poems I saw myself, even if it had nothing to do with me. Some of the poems brought me joy, and some brought me pain. Like most of Wismer books there is through line throughout the novel, and just like fiction real life can bring plot twist. Everything seemed vivid. I will say this felt closed off, and I wonder if the collections going forward will feel the same way.

Still an amazing collection for anyone a poetry fan.

[Martina (sith acolyte) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and perfectly raw! I just love Katie’s poetry

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This collection made me think and was so relatable.

[Bailey Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's the conflict of
liking the world better
when I'm drunk
but liking myself more
when I'm sober

My favorite poem from this collection. <3

[Senja Laakso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this.
From the bottom of my heart.

[Kayla Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful poetry collection about life and the relationships you have with yourself and others.

[Alison Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! I'm the same age as the author so a lot of her rumination about life lessons learned at this time hit me, as well as the affirmations about moving forward.