NPR's Book of the Day A new book of poems by Kate Baer wrestles with the realities of middle age
Dec 11, 2025
Kate Baer, a bestselling poet renowned for her insightful explorations of family and womanhood, discusses her latest poetry collection, How About Now. She candidly shares her experiences navigating the balance of honesty and privacy in her work. Baer reflects on her journey through middle age, revealing the complexities of vulnerability, self-identity, and the realities of mortality. Listeners will be drawn in by her creative moments that inspire a sense of peace and a call to embrace life’s immediacy.
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Beloved Bookstore Meeting
- Kate Baer and Andrew Limbong met at Midtown Scholar, a converted theater bookstore they both love.
- Baer says her books share shelf space with poets like Ada Limón and Sharon Olds, which she finds humbling and privileged.
Balancing Honesty And Privacy
- Baer says poetry lets her hide truth under a guise of fiction while remaining deeply personal.
- She weighs ego, shame, and protection of others when deciding what to write about.
Ask Before You Self-Censor
- Ask whether you're protecting others or avoiding embarrassment before you omit details from work.
- When possible, write from deep honesty because that's where the best material often lives.
