NON-CRAPPY Book Giveaway: Suburban Haiku

Talking about another writer’s book today, spreading the love, baby! This time it is (drumroll please) Peyton Price with her new book, Suburban Haiku: Poetic Dispatches from Behind the Picket Fence.

You may have “seen” Peyton around these parts, she comments here and on FB in haiku form. You know, a poem in 5-7-5 syllables? I wrote one in elementary school about a swan and a red flower. It was neat. But hers are in a totally different league. They are clever! And true! She distills the trials and tribulations of life and parenting down into these succinct 17 syllable bundles of brilliance.

Her new book is about living (and also raising kids) in the suburbs.

Here is a sample from the book that I slapped on a crappy picture because she said I could draw it:

suburban-haiku-ipad

And here’s another:

If two-thirds of kids
are in the advanced math class
aren’t they average?

It’s not just parenting stuff either. You’ll see yourself in it if you live in the suburbs, whether you like it or not. Carpooling, parking spots, lawns, dog poop, shopping, losing your phone, checking out other moms, school stuff… It’s all there.

Giveaway! You can WIN a copy of Suburban Haiku: Poetic Dispatches from Behind the Picket Fence by filling out the rafflecopter thingy below. Giveaway ends April 2, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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160 Responses to NON-CRAPPY Book Giveaway: Suburban Haiku

  1. Julius says:

    As a child of the suburbs, and having seen what just that does to a person, I have a deep fear of how the combined power of suburbs and technology will shape the childhoods of tomorrow. That being said, I can’t wait to read this book.

  2. Jennifer says:

    Teaching my children
    Causes daily frustration
    A lifetime of growth

  3. Gena Marshall says:

    I need this book so
    A seventeen syllable
    Wry smile in poem form

  4. Elizabeth says:

    Sit and eat your lunch.
    Why is this always so hard?
    “Time for cookies now?”

  5. acey says:

    it’s time to sleep now
    not later or in a bit
    but now, please please please

  6. Samantha says:

    I could use a laugh.
    My son is terribly two.
    I don’t know what to do?

  7. sam-c says:

    this is really quick
    checking your blog while at work
    good for a quick laugh

  8. Julia C K says:

    I’m not very good
    At coming up with Haiku
    Oh look, I did it!

  9. Tracey says:

    oo oo oo, pick me, pick me! *Flails arms in the air*

  10. Chelsea says:

    I never knew I’d
    Have to tell my darling son
    Not to eat his hair.

  11. Fuzzy says:

    Terrible haikus?
    I think I can manage that.
    It can’t be that hard.

  12. sarah says:

    I struggled to “hear” syllables in grade school. Thus, no haiku. But I appreciate a good one! 😀

  13. Rebecca says:

    I cannot haiku
    seven syllables to write
    I can just do five

  14. Cyn says:

    “I no eat, Mama!”
    Three weeks of this, I’m done.
    Can she live on air?

  15. Sam says:

    Eating my lunch now.
    I only have fur babies,
    but still so much poop!

  16. Charlotte says:

    I don’t read poems
    But those haikus are fun
    And we all need laughs!

  17. Tracie says:

    My four-year-old son
    will not poo in the potty
    someone please send help.

  18. Bolted from slumber
    Wretched noises awake me
    Cat vomit abounds

  19. Peyton Price says:

    A haiku party!
    These comments are amazing.
    Amber, you’re the best.

  20. Kristina says:

    It was clear to me,
    You needed some more haiku,
    In best comments evs 🙂

  21. Heidi says:

    If I have to sing
    Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
    One more time, I’ll scream.

    Also,

    Why do all three kids
    Have to talk to me at once?
    Only two ears here.

  22. Sonya says:

    My two year old son
    Goes ‘hop hop like a bunny’
    Then wants grass for tea

  23. Erin says:

    haiku is meant to
    be about nature, what is
    most natural? KIDS! 🙂

  24. Amy Barron says:

    Can totally relate to the ipad haiku!

  25. Cheri says:

    Illustrated life
    So true, she drew my life too
    Childhood in crap form.

  26. Christine says:

    Oh no, how to haiku?
    But mommy I want the book!
    Let me try baby

  27. Angela says:

    Peach plum pear and beans
    I pick my nose in my car
    Random is funny

  28. Laura B. says:

    She comes home cranky
    from school every single day.
    Give her a snack quick!

  29. emily goodyear says:

    Parenting is hard
    Sometimes it fucking sucks, yeah
    But I love little me’s.

  30. Meri says:

    I am a poet
    However not a parent
    I have two ferrets

  31. Annette says:

    Why I need this book
    Don’t know how to write Haiku’s
    so help me out please

  32. Melody says:

    Writing this quickly.
    Baby sleeps– but for how long?
    Computer distracts!

  33. Sheela says:

    Imaginative
    I thought, comment in haiku.
    But you all beat me.

  34. Lauren A. says:

    One kid is asleep
    The other is on my boob
    Story of my life

    When one falls asleep
    The other wakes up again
    I’m so very tired

  35. Michelle says:

    When I’m away from the kids
    I miss them so much
    When I see them, I forget

  36. Carmelle says:

    I have no talent for writing poetry of any kind, but would enjoy reading this book!

  37. Ashlee says:

    Great ideas!!

  38. Renee says:

    eating blueberries
    some are mushy and yucky
    came from Chile, oh

  39. Vanessa S. says:

    Three under five
    Please let this one be easy
    The first two are not

    • Sanj says:

      Birth control is great
      for women who are sexy
      moms with three new kids.

      (I’m just teasing you.

      • Sanj says:

        …it cut off the rest:…

        (I’m just teasing you.
        Only meant to make you laugh!
        Here’s a Haiku hug.)

  40. mb says:

    Hahaha. I love the iPad haiku. So true…and sad…and funny. All at the same time.

  41. Erin says:

    Knitting with kittens
    is nearly as frustrating
    as cleaning with kids

  42. Laura says:

    Love a good haiku

  43. Michelle says:

    I wish I could win
    Being mom is not easy
    But I love my life

  44. Mary Dickerson says:

    No suburbs for me
    but i still appreciate
    suffering of moms.

  45. Erin Olsen says:

    I need to have this book!

  46. Nikki H says:

    I used to teach school.
    Sixth graders made me crazy.
    So glad I retired.

  47. Cassandra says:

    haiku’s have always confused me…sounds simple…but

  48. Amanda says:

    I am way to tired
    and my children are still wired
    when is it bedtime?

    I’d love to read this book.

  49. Laurie says:

    Daughter is pregnant.
    Don’t think she knows what’s coming!
    Recommend “CP”!

  50. Lauren says:

    I would like to win!
    Oh yes I would. Please, Amber,
    tell rafflecopter!

  51. Alicia says:

    I actually wrote a haiku one sleepless night when my (now 3 year old) was a newborn:
    Tiny Baby Boy:
    Why won’t you go to sleep, huh?
    Mommy is (so) tired.

    (I can’t decide if tired is one syllable or two. So is optional depending on how you say it). 🙂

  52. Doreen says:

    I would love to win
    I need a good laugh today
    My toddler is nuts

  53. Emma says:

    I love to read books!
    Especially funny ones.
    Please give me a book!
    <3

  54. Amy U says:

    Ha ha ha! I liked her on FB, not necessarily to win (not super odds), but because of the iPad thing. I’d LOVE to read more!

  55. Laura says:

    Ah, haiku, how fun!
    Perhaps I could win the book
    and learn to do some.

  56. Adeline says:

    Is it bedtime yet?
    Busy life with three kids, but
    Wouldn’t change a thing.

  57. mel says:

    Trying to remember
    How to write
    In Haiku
    Gives me stage fright

  58. AngieG says:

    The books looks super cute and funny! Thanks for a chance to win!

  59. Julia says:

    feet in the stirrups
    singing twinkle little star
    must find a preschool

  60. Kelly says:

    What is a haiku?
    Many minds have often asked
    But I just want to win the friggin’ giveaway

  61. Brit says:

    Poop on the sofa
    Poop on the dining room chair
    My kid has the runs

  62. Karen says:

    These comments are good
    I’m sure the book is awesome
    If Amber liked it

  63. sarah says:

    two boys: sun and moon
    from different planets BUT
    common goal: crazed mom

  64. Katherine S says:

    I need a new book
    Nothing is not about kids
    My life as a mom

  65. Jack says:

    I can’t write worth shit
    But I’d like to win this book
    Yeah, I just did it!

  66. Fiona says:

    I’m due in July
    Friend told me to read Crappy
    I’m hooked forever

  67. Jill says:

    Why won’t my kid sleep?
    I just want to be alone!
    I need Pinterest

  68. MeggieB says:

    Wish I could make food
    Without a kid on my leg
    The impossible dream

  69. Leslie says:

    Oh bedtime, so hard
    Why won’t she just stay in bed?
    “I’m not tired Mom”

  70. Tobi says:

    Time to go to bed
    Mom and Dad party instead
    Morning comes too soon

  71. Ann Phillips says:

    teenagers today
    smartphones and tablets do play
    stupid am I

    signed Mom.

  72. Emile says:

    I’m in to try one
    For some good liturature
    And maybe to laugh.

  73. Jo says:

    small girl with big cast
    toddler with broken arm sad
    but OOH butterfly!

  74. Jeanna says:

    Haiku
    Bless you…
    Mom….

  75. Rebecca says:

    Small one on my lap
    Latch on unlatch latch on un-
    Ouch, that’s mommy’s hair!

  76. Susan says:

    Haiku Waikiki
    Uka Laka fiddledee
    Syllables are strange

  77. Tenessa says:

    I haiku…can you?
    Sitting here drinking some wine
    Fingers crossed I win!

  78. Maura says:

    TV on in room
    Always playing kids’ cartoons
    When is it my turn?

    Seriously… I am so very behind on Coronation St! But quite caught up on Curious George.

  79. Ruth says:

    I am Mom to five
    Laundry, dishes, piling high
    Loving these fun days

  80. C Joseph says:

    Witty haiku book
    Will breathe fresh air into my day
    I want to read it

  81. Kelsey S. says:

    The end of the day
    Does not lend itself to wit.
    Check, I commented.

  82. Jenny says:

    Wish I could win book
    But who has time to read now?
    Kids keep me too busy

  83. Heather says:

    must. have. this.

  84. Nosheen says:

    You guys make me laugh
    Much needed after bedtime
    Wasting precious time

  85. Christina F. says:

    i have not written
    a haiku-style poem since high
    school. twenty years?! *faint*

  86. Christine R says:

    Got 2 sons also
    Potty train 1st this weekend
    Wish me lots of luck!

  87. Emily s says:

    Looks like a good book!

  88. Meggin D says:

    My son loves Star Wars
    Jar Jar Binks is his hero
    Mom and dad so sad 🙁

  89. csa says:

    i like poetry.
    but i’ve never liked haikus.
    um…yeah i’m done here.

    😛

  90. Katie says:

    During dinner time
    Baby only spits on me
    When my shirt is white

  91. Tricia says:

    Thursday is my day
    For 8 hours at work, so
    Dad has kids all day!!!!!

  92. Ali says:

    I should be sleeping
    But a “quick look” at your blog
    Keeps me up too late!

  93. Cristin says:

    This is the best!
    I can’t wait to read haikus
    In my Twitter feed.

  94. Chris Carter says:

    WOOHOO YIPPEE YAY
    PEYTON PRICE IS HERE TO PLAY
    THIS IS JUST SO COOL

    😉 Love that Amber is supporting you girl!! That is just awesome.

  95. Elly says:

    mother and worker?
    A match made with vexation,
    oh to find balance.

  96. Jane says:

    Starving! Must eat now!
    I see food straight from oven
    Why torture me so?

  97. Corinna L. says:

    She’s very talented
    To write all her stories
    In only haiku

  98. Tara says:

    Finding poetry
    in my day to day helps make
    toddlers bearable.

  99. Nedaa Almier says:

    I don’t know how to haiku
    I’m just writing this to enter
    and hopefully win the book

  100. laura iversen says:

    Many tears are bad
    Please send a ray of sunshine
    Cloudy puddles suck

  101. Meriel says:

    5am, wakeful –
    small child thinks she owns the bed.
    Too tired to argue.

  102. Elizabeth says:

    Baby sleeps at last,
    Washing up is piling high,
    When is time to sleep?

  103. Cherie says:

    Doing a Haiku
    To win a cool book
    Yep count me in!

  104. Liz O says:

    This book sounds like fun! man all you ppl with your haikus…. funny. i’m not so good with them!

  105. Jenna says:

    Cool cool cool. Sounds funny.

  106. Andrew Garthwaite says:

    ‘void suburbs, my dear –
    town anonymity please.
    Dodge curtain twitchers.

  107. Sandy says:

    too much loud yelling
    I need some good medicine
    please pass the red wine

  108. Theresa says:

    I want Amber’s book,
    But a haiku one will do,
    A break needed now!

  109. Noelle says:

    I love all the haiku comments. Not that clever but I enjoy reading other people’s cleverness

  110. JS says:

    Why did you do that?
    Applesauce smears sister’s hair
    Oatmeal stuck to face

  111. Erica says:

    Sounds like an awesome book!

  112. Sarah cantine says:

    I want to read books
    in the world I dream about
    in which I have time

  113. Jennifer HIll says:

    So many things I
    never thought I’d have to say
    Kids are so weird

    One son upside down
    One son emits constant sound
    Life with ADD

    🙂

  114. JC says:

    Bought the book last week.
    Winner is in for a treat.
    Losers? Amazon!

  115. Noelle says:

    A small silent visitor
    5 scratchy heads
    Lots of cash to fix
    Lice

  116. Melissa says:

    How I love my books
    House filled to capacity
    Want it anyway

  117. amy says:

    Love Crappy Mama!
    And love Suburban Haiku!
    Wish I were so cool. 🙂

  118. mrs. p says:

    3AM tantrum
    No you can not play that now
    Desperate for sleep

  119. Sara Myers says:

    I see I’m not the
    only person to decide
    to write a haiku.

  120. Manjari says:

    I must read this book
    I love humor in all forms
    Make me laugh please please

  121. Manjari says:

    Ev’ryone else’s
    Haikus are really clever
    Amber’s readers rock

  122. Mary D says:

    Thanks for another great giveaway!

  123. Kristine says:

    Haiku posts are fab
    because I can only think
    in 5 syllables.

  124. Maria says:

    so sick of winter
    supposed to rain all weekend
    just want the sunshine

  125. Emma says:

    I can’t write haiku
    I find it much too hard, so
    I won’t do one. No.

  126. Ally says:

    oh please let me win
    i need a good laugh, I do
    I have a toddler

    (no further explaining needed) 🙂

  127. Mandie says:

    They say two for one?
    Seven. They all yours? they ask.
    Craziness for me.

  128. Gretchen says:

    Crappy giveaway
    To win I must write badly
    Please can I have it?

  129. Erica T says:

    I want this book please.
    Babies turned my brain to mush.
    Need brain food or die.

  130. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in
    our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on.
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  131. Rachel R says:

    Can I get an amen about the advanced math class bit?!?! I’ve always thought that!

  132. Emma says:

    Would love to win this
    I cannot write good haiku
    Oh look! I did it!

    (Well, a haiku at least… I think I failed on the “good” part)

  133. elizabeth says:

    kids out with dad (yea!)
    grad school work to do but no
    eh. what else is new

  134. Lisa B says:

    Too many errands
    Kids need to go everywhere
    Just call me taxi

  135. Dawnisha says:

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  136. Stephanie Leasure says:

    I’m a life-long suburbanite, so I think I’d find a lot to relate to in this book.

  137. Nancy says:

    I’m sure this won’t work
    Very bad poet, I am
    But I want that book.

  138. Kathleen McLennan says:

    I read every day
    Books about all kinds of things
    But never haiku.

  139. Samantha says:

    Thank you for the site
    I read it every freakin’ day
    Yes, many days are freakin’ (for me)

  140. k says:

    I cannot write poems
    But I really want to read
    Poems of another

  141. Gale says:

    the coffee is not working
    I might as well drink some wine
    and then back to bed

  142. Irene says:

    I’m really tired
    My son is sick, again
    Soda is my friend

  143. Sara says:

    Chickens or ducklings?
    Cloth diapers in the breeze

    HOA is not pleased!

  144. Charity says:

    Work sucks today, yes
    But so does being home with kids
    Yet, I am happy

  145. Beth says:

    I am a suburbanite. This sounds pretty awesome.

  146. Beth says:

    Pee on floor again,
    Older son too hot to sleep,
    Where is my damn beer??

  147. jessica says:

    hope i win!!! 😉

  148. esther says:

    This haiku is my
    Way of showing my support
    I commented, yes.

  149. Michelle says:

    Oh mom, my homework
    My project is due today
    I thought I told you

    Yeah….sure you did, kid

  150. Laura w says:

    One glass of wine
    I can’t do poem
    Win book, please?

  151. Sarrah Stutzman says:

    I like these haiku
    They are lots of fun to read
    And more still to write