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I Gave Myself The World

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“what is it that you want?”
i want all this world can give me.
“then you're going to have to give it to yourself.”


i gave myself the world showcases the beauty of introspection and exploring personal conflict. Through a conversation with an inner voice, Catarine Hancock portrays and symbolizes the peaks, valleys, and plateaus of the journey toward recognizing self-worth. This collection of uplifting verse is a balm for the soul in need of peace and will help the reader grow into the person they’re meant to be.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2023

71 people are currently reading
1943 people want to read

About the author

Catarine Hancock

10 books209 followers
Catarine Hancock is a 25-year-old poet, author and opera singer from Lexington, Kentucky, currently living in Chicago. She holds a bachelor of music in vocal performance from the University of Kentucky and a master of music in voice from Indiana University.

Aside from music, writing is her other great love. Having been a bookworm and writer all her life, her passion for poetry began at the age of 13, and shortly afterward, she began sharing her writing online. Over the past 11 years, her platform has grown to an audience of over 300,000. She is the author of five poetry collections: "shades of lovers" (2020), "sometimes i fall asleep thinking about you" (2021), and "i gave myself the world" (2023), all published with Central Avenue Publishing. Her self-published collections are "sprout: selected poems" (2022) and "holy ground" (2023). Her next poetry collection is slated to release with Central Avenue in 2025, and her debut fantasy romance novel, "Curse of Stolen Flame," will release in fall 2024.

When she is not singing or writing, Catarine can be found curled up with a good fantasy novel, wandering the aisles of the local bookstore, or adding a weird décor item she found at the Goodwill to her already too-cluttered apartment. You can find her on Instagram or TikTok at: @catarinehancock

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5 stars
133 (33%)
4 stars
128 (32%)
3 stars
96 (24%)
2 stars
32 (8%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Teddy.
107 reviews9 followers
July 8, 2023
I don’t think I’m the correct audience for this book, as it’s very much centered on the ideas of early, early adulthood.

Like 5 poems I thought were breathtaking. The rest were super repetitive in content and phrases. Some poems were very basic (I’m looking at you Phoenix poem) and many were Instagram caption-esque.


Profile Image for eva.
63 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2024
“You still mean the world to me but you’re not my entire galaxy.”

Wow… I would say that there were definitely a few poems that really hit hard, but the rest were… meh.
It felt repetitive, and a lot of the poems felt more like venting then actual… poems.

With that being said, there were probably 4 or 5 that were really beautiful.
Profile Image for Martha andrade.
818 reviews18 followers
January 4, 2023
El poemario perfecto para iniciar el año, y aunque hubo mucho bonitos pero que no me dejan un impacto, hubo algunos que TUVE que imprimir para releer una y otra vez, que me hicieron llorar y/o soñar y si eso no es algo que logre un buen poema, no sé qué lo sea.
Profile Image for Melissa Melfessity.
217 reviews7 followers
February 18, 2024
A motivational self help book but poetry.. which isnt bad. I like self help books now & again. Im happy the author is doing better and healing. Not my kind of poetry though.
Profile Image for Kade Gulluscio.
975 reviews64 followers
August 27, 2023
I Gave Myself The World is a modern collection of poetry by Catarine Hancock. I wish I had found their books sooner, because honestly, this collection was beautiful.

As with any poetry collection, there are some hits and misses. But thankfully I found more hits than I expected. Some of these pieces sincerely touched my heart, and I'm so grateful to have found this book.

I can't wait to read others by Catarine.
Profile Image for Joana.
293 reviews22 followers
March 31, 2023
4,5 ⭐

Não sou uma pessoa que aprecia poesia, mas há poemas que tocam em temas com os quais me consigo identificar ou simplesmente me tocam.

Pelo que consegui perceber, este livro é um desabafo da autora. É a sua jornada, fala sobre a forma como voltou a juntar os pedacinhos do seu coração depois de este ser partido ❤️‍🩹

Não sei bem explicar o que é este livro, mas gostei bastante. Li-o numa tarde quando já não conseguia ler nada desde meio do mês.

Foi um livro que me partiu o coração ao início, que me fez pensar na pessoa que era há uns anos, pois houve coisas que li que teria sido tão bom lê-las naquela altura. Mas no final, senti que as feridas que foram abertas, se estavam a curar ❤️‍🩹

Recomendo!
Profile Image for molly.
109 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2023
“sometimes
the hardest part about
letting go isn’t
the act of loosening your grip,
but wondering what you’ll do
with your now-empty hands.”
Profile Image for ⋆˚࿔ mary 𝜗𝜚˚⋆.
325 reviews31 followers
January 29, 2023
I didn’t go into this with high expectations since I find a lot of the poetry books written in this style hard to connect too. I loved this, the writing was easy to read; it didn’t feel pretentious or that it was trying to be something it wasn’t. It was just honest. I did feel like some of the longer bits dragged and wished there were shorter lines and that’s the only reason why I didn’t give this five stars. This is more centered on overcoming your own fear and self doubt; over coming the stalemate that comes along with inner turmoils. It is one battle to defeat the limits the world places on you, it is another to defeat the ones you place on yourself. Thompson writes true. I found myself highlighting and making notes and wondering how someone wrote what I felt onto a page so perfectly

I mostly read poetry when I don’t have the patience nor the mental capacity for novels, this had me having to set it down and physically move around because I had to get out of my head.

I read this a few weeks ago and would definitely read this again (and probably will before the end of the year).

4/5 stars
Profile Image for Fish.
2 reviews
April 9, 2025
Rating: ★⯪☆☆☆
1.5/5 stars

Format: Digital/E-Book

This a collection of poems and one-page snippets (think: excerpts of a novel or short story), focused around early adulthood, broken up into sections named after tarot cards. I saw it in a poetry book recommendation video somewhere and the cover is what made me pick it up.

Though I understood most of these poems are about the same ideas — discovering who you are, doing all of life's "firsts", navigating adulthood and the struggles that come along with it, pondering over which parts of your personality and viewpoints stem from which parent, self doubt... overall, it fell flat for me. The execution for most of them was so similar there were times I got poems mixed up. Didn't help that a lot of them didn't have titles while others did. For the ones that did, sometimes the titles were before the poem, other times at the end of it. Snippets weren't given titles at all.

I could relate a lot to the theme, and I thought the tarot sections were a clever idea. But between one too many poems that had the same exact topics/ executed styles and the odd grammar ("I" was never capitalized for some reason?)... I couldn't get into it and reads like something that should've had a little more editing. And the lack of titles made it hard for me to keep track of which pieces I liked (which wasn't many; most of these felt very "meh" to me, the reviews that said they read like Instagram captions were right), which was very frustrating and made me knock down my rating from a 2 to a 1.5. Disappointed to say the written work didn't live up to the beauty of its cover.

Quotes:
"the moon glows, her light gentle compared to that of the sun. there is a steadfastness in her. she knows exactly who she is." — (unknown title)

"there is so much more to love than romance. my best friends have outlasted every one of my lovers. i fear losing one of them more than a breakup." — Platonic Soulmates

"some days i miss having a gravestone to visit, but i am learning that having a garden is so much better." — Stormy Gray
Profile Image for Noy Buchman.
26 reviews
March 21, 2024
“i have grown so tired of feeling small, of having my ambitions looked down on, and my dreams mocked.
every condescending “wow, you've got big plans”, every empty “i'm sure you can do it”, pierces my soul like a knife.”

“it is okay to ask for help. it is okay to need help. you are not meant to do this alone. life is hard. it's hard even when you are surrounded by people who love and support you. to try and conquer it on your own is terrifying. you should not have to feel that fear. so please, reach out when you need to. someone will be there to answer.”

“how many more pieces of myself am i willing to lose, to bury deep within me, to swallow down just to please somebody else? — when will i learn that that isn't love?”

“i don't think the 17-year-old version of me would recognize the person i've become, and i think that would make her very, very, happy.”

“sometimes the hardest part about letting go isn't
the act of loosening your grip, but wondering what you'll do with your now-empty hands.”

“just because they did not see the beauty they were holding before they dropped you, does not mean you are not beautiful. some people just don't realize what they have, until after they’ve let it go.”

“your fire doesn't always have to be something that burns.
sometimes, your fire can be something that warms, something that lights, something that helps.
use it as a weapon when you must, but that is not all it is.
you should never be afraid of your natural spark.״
— when they call you feisty.
Profile Image for Cwellere.
286 reviews8 followers
October 23, 2022
A lot of poetry books deal with the same subject nowadays, and it’s very easy to sound repetitive or unoriginal when your readers enjoy reading that sort of poetry. What makes the difference for me is the number of poems that speak to me personally and the poetic form itself. I felt that this collection lacked the poetry I thought it would have; this felt more like a collection of advice written in a self-help, self-love, healing diary. So although the subject is touching and deeply personal and I can appreciate the way the author shares the wisdom of her journey, it did feel a bit overdone to me.
I did find a few nuggets of poetry that I really loved, but overall, I could not always connect with the love letter the author wrote to her younger self and to her readers, even though all the themes tackled by the collection echoed some point of my own history. I wish I could have appreciated it more, but this was probably not what I was looking for at this moment.
Although this book wasn’t a perfect match for me, if you’re looking for an inspiring journey about change, about taking care of yourself, trusting yourself and loving yourself, it will probably be exactly what you hoped it would.
Profile Image for Amy Littleford.
300 reviews14 followers
February 11, 2023
*4.5 stars. Firstly I'd like to thank Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for an eARC for an honest review.

This is my third book of Catarine Hancock (my favourite being Shades of Lovers) and this one is such a beautiful read. I love watching an author's growth. I thought that the format of the book was really good with all the poems being inspired by a different tarot card. Hancock had my crying in the first 15% of the book. This is a truly uplifting collection that focuses of the self - journeying through the peaks, valleys, and plateaus that lead to accepting ourselves completely. I am once again in awe of how personal poets like Hancock are in their published works. Each book becomes a small window into their lives.

Some of my favourite sections were Justice and The Devil and two of my favourite poems were the recovery of a teenage girl and do as I say, not as I do. I loved how Hancock moves away from writing poems about ex partners and moved towards self worth and all that it entails. Another really good collection of poetry. I look forward to reading more in the future.

Amy x
Profile Image for Anastasiya M.
1,237 reviews13 followers
January 7, 2025
Besides its pretty cover, I Gave Myself the World failed to leave any lasting impression. The poetry lacked emotional depth and felt more like broken-up sentences than pieces meant to resonate with readers. Most of the collection was overly simplistic, offering little to grasp or reflect on after finishing. While I might not have been the target audience, I found it hard to connect with or find meaning in most pieces.

I’ve read the poet’s collection Shades of Lovers, which I thought was a decent offering, but The Boys I’ve Loved & The End of the World didn’t work for me either, much like this one. Unfortunately, I Gave Myself the World followed the same path, leaving me disappointed and unmoved. While the cover drew me in, the content inside failed to match its appeal.

Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
Profile Image for Emmy.
256 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2022
Another amazing collection of poetry from the wonderful Catarine Hancock. I adore this author’s work so much. She has an incredible way with worlds and a unique and exciting perspective on life. That comes across in her poetry for sure, and she adds layers of complexity and insight into many difficult topics such as mental illness, trauma, relationships and the journey of healing.

Catarine’s writing has grown so much with each new collection and evolved in such a way that it makes me proud I’ve followed her writing journey.

This collection leaned more toward positivity, which I loved to see, and I still related to it. I believe she could write anything and I’d love it. That’s how much she has a way with words. Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Grumpybookworm.
356 reviews
Read
January 30, 2023
I never enjoy "rating" poetry collections because they are deeply personal and I truly do not think anyone can be the determiner of what constitutes "good" or not" when it comes to self expression. The reality is, it will resonate with some and not with others. And that's ok.

That said, this wasn't for me simply because I felt it read like so many of the other similar ones out there - a lot of self-help, personal empowerment "advice." I struggle with how many of these collections feel so similar to one another and I wouldn't be able to tell one from another if asked again. I think if I was in a different place in my life and hadn't learned many of the life lessons being imparted I would perhaps feel more connected, but alas that is not where I am. I just don't think I'm the right audience for this type of collection, even though I always read them.
Profile Image for Aimee.
168 reviews
February 3, 2024
Had I read this when I was a teenager or early twenties, I would have loved it. This book at times feels like a self help book. Like you're reading the diary of your older sister.

With the title, i was expecting more uplifting poems. I loved the beginning and end of this book. I feel that the author spent too many pages on her dark days.

I loved the first 30 pages. I loved the tarot inspired poems, the poems about taking that leap and being open to opportunities. Page 50 to 150 is all angst. Poems about loving too much and not getting the same in return. The last chunk of the book is realizing your self worth and finding relationships that deserve you.

This wasnt quite what I was looking for, but this would be a great gift for Gen Z (ages 17 to 23!)
5 reviews
February 20, 2025
o livro de maneira geral não é surpreendente, não trouxe nada que eu já não tivesse lido por aí, com outras palavras, em outros livros... achei tudo muito com cara de legenda motivacional do instagram kkkk em alguns momentos, parecia mais um desabafo do que poemas (e ta tudo bem também).

masssss, nunca um poema mexeu tanto comigo. li a pagina 2 preendendo o folego e eu já tava chorando nas primeiras palavras. foi um experiencia intensa e inesperada, tão doido que devo ter passado a semana relendo a marcação que fiz...

3 estrelas porque teve mais uns 4 ou 5 que me deixaram com o coração quentinho, mas no geral foi um livro bem mediano.
Profile Image for Joan Kim.
30 reviews
June 27, 2023
self-worth or knowing to believe in yourself - that's the main thing you will learn upon reading this book.

the content really ventured through different aspects of life like hardships, love, being a kid, a woman, and others. it was really motivational but i think i would appreciate the contents of it more in the future. however, overall it was really full of lessons, and you will gain some new confidence and tips to help you live your life to the fullest or to know how to prioritize yourself first. 🌟🌟
Profile Image for Meganne.
11 reviews
February 4, 2024
At first, I didn’t like this book as it felt like it was just a collection of random thoughts piled into several paragraphs or “chapters” but it was also the same reason why I liked it in the end.

I was fascinated how someone younger than me (Catarine) was able to put into words all of the feelings and experiences and aspirations and it honestly felt like she was talking about me (although of course, a different story). It felt like I was reading my own journal while finishing the book.

I liked that I was able to relate to the stories but I feel like it wasn’t written in the best way.
Profile Image for Danni.
350 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2025
Usually, books like this, beautiful poetry and prose entwined together, I read in a day, often within a few hours as I appreciate the beauty and just want to carry on. I couldn’t do that with this book, because of the feels it made me feel. I say it quite often about these books, that I feel them deeply, but this one made me think, and reflect, and it made me hurt. This book more than any other resonated with the feelings I have towards myself and the experiences of love that I have had. I will undoubtedly carry this book and these words with me.
Profile Image for Cristian Marrero.
946 reviews9 followers
November 20, 2022
I just reviewed I Gave Myself The World by Catarine Hancock thank you for the ARC NetGaley.

This is a wonderful poetry collection written by a female voice that will grab hold of you. I read this as a middle school teacher and had in mind all of my students and the years ahead of them.

This could be read by any age group. It is packed with different insights that the threads will connect to a piece of you. Take note of each lesson, it can be a helpful guide.
26 reviews
August 18, 2024
This felt like a huge step up from what I've read of Catarine's work previously. This is definitely her best collection in my opinion. The poems in this book feel empowering and healing, with themes of self-love, healing, and growth. Catarine's writing feels a lot more refined and developed in this book. I look forward to seeing what she does next!
Profile Image for Ronel Sidney.
Author 2 books4 followers
November 9, 2022
This book of poetry will filled with many moments of pausing and reflecting on what the author just brought up with her words. Thought provoking, creative and inspiring. I will definitely be looking for more poetry by Catarine Hancock!
Profile Image for gladness.
287 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2023
“i gave myself the world” by catarine hancock? so awesome! most of those poems hit me right in the feels – like, they're gonna stick with me forever, you know? some are legit masterpieces, though, and it kinda makes the others seem a bit meh in comparison. but overall, great stuff!
Profile Image for Hannah.
30 reviews17 followers
December 29, 2023
I gave this book three stars because some of the poems were fantastic, but some of them felt fairly mediocre, like perhaps they could have gone through another stage of revision. Overall, I enjoyed this book and found the strong poems to be quite moving. Definitely poems of the modern age.
Profile Image for Katrina.
134 reviews
May 6, 2024
I like little books like this. Everything feels so different now to me. I was given a second chance at life by kicking my cancer in the ass in 2023, so even though i'm almost 40, I feel like I'm starting over. And little poetry like this helps motivate me.
Profile Image for ArcmelaEsseleno.
320 reviews
October 31, 2024
"i didn’t know
how badly
i wanted somebody
to look at me that way
until you did.


like you saw right
into the center of me,
like you knew my soul
from the very first second."

—you were the last thing i ever saw coming

I'm so in love with this poem. 💜
Profile Image for Valérie Montour.
417 reviews
December 4, 2024
I don't believe in selfhelp books, because I have Catarine's poetry. It always finds me when I most need it. This book is all about healing, learning to love ourselves and putting energy in what's most important. Some poems really hit home.
Profile Image for Serena Fitchett.
1 review
September 14, 2025
I’m definitely the audience for this book !! I like that it steps away from a lot of other similar modern poetry books I’ve read in the sense that it is more about self growth, reflection and becoming a better version of yourself, rather than sad breakup loneliness type poetry
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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