Tag Archives: Poetry

ARC — Artemis Made Me Do It — Trista Mateer

“The wolf caught me in his jaws
but when I cried out,
others only said:

I have seen the wolf many times
and he has not bitten me.”

Genre: Poetry, New Adult
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A
Content Warnings: As given by the author: blood/gore, body image, death/grief, domestic and emotional abuse, rape, sexual harrassment, and probably more.

“Artemis Made Me Do It” is more than just poetry and doodles. Trista Mateer has brought together impressive art that takes countless shapes and forms. Using images and different compositions, a story of hurt and healing is told through beautifully curated words.

“I resent my own resiliency.
I don’t want to bounce back.
I don’t want to be strong.”

This poetry book is heavy, don’t take those content warnings lightly, but it is worth the read. Although it is somewhat Greek-mythology-based, you don’t need extensive knowledge on every single god or demigod. Trista gave a small summary at the beginning of the book about who was who, and that should be more than enough to understand the poems in this collection.

“Grief makes you feel small, though you are not small. Grief makes you feel weak, though you are not weak.”

For someone who is continuously grieving, such as myself, this book was specifically hard. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t speak to my grandma, even though it’s been almost 3 years from her passing. It does make me feel small, but it doesn’t make me feel weak anymore.

I think Trista Mateer did an excellent job at capturing raw emotions through various forms. I would highly recommend this poetry book. It’s beautiful, yet heartbreaking. It touches on important topics and it breaks their mold. I’ll definitely be reading more of Mateer.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing (one of the first publishers that trusted me with their ARCs) in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

“I don’t know why
I keep their names
out of my poetry.
They don’t deserve it.

I KEEP THEIR NAMES
OUT OF MY POETRY
BECAUSE I MUST
ALLOW MYSELF
A SAFE PLACE.
I DESERVE THAT.”

ARC — Lunar Tides — Shannon Webb-Campbell

Genre: Poetry
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings: Grief

If there’s one thing I love about this poetry book it’s the theme that was followed. The fact that this book was closely linked to the ocean (and the moon) made me really enjoy it. But it was not the greatest poetry collection by any means.

Some poems were immaculately creative and meaningful, but then parts of them made little to no sense. Is that the new theme with poetry books? Because that’s been the case with the last few poetry books I’ve read (both ARCs and already published books). I know art is subjective, and I bet the nonsense parts move some people, but there were parts of some poems that felt like they could’ve been left out of this collection.

Let’s take an example from early on in the book, with the poem “Tides”—which was actually one of my favorite poems because it was one of many that mention whales, and I work with marine mammals for a living. It almost ends like this, which I loved:

“if whales are deep thinkers, do they know
it takes one day and 52 minutes for a point
on earth to be noticed
by the moon?”

Then to be followed by:

“humans believe logic is time

we’re all shift workers

here on the lip of Atlantic”

??? Excuse me? The whole poem was flowing so cohesively right up to the last 3 lines, which felt out of place compared to the pace of the rest of the poem. And this is not a solo occurrence, this kind of weird narrative kept coming up throughout this book. And if you ignored those parts I would even dare and say this could’ve been a 5-star poetry book for me, but with all the intrusive thoughts and nonsense verses, it just really wasn’t.

I haven’t talked about nonsense verses yet, not really. But an example of this can be seen in the poem “Sea Change”, where there’s a verse that makes no sense no matter how you spin it:

“if whales have everlasting memory
then what does the moon recall?
some say grandmother”

First, what does whale memory recollection have to do with the moon? Second, what does it have to do with a grandmother? Third, and most importantly, what was even the purpose of this poem as a whole?

I know it sounds like I’m being unfair to this book, but these things happened constantly and were too repetitive to ignore. Also, this poetry collection was so heavy on the imagery that sometimes you lost track of what was being told in the poem. Sometimes too much is actually too much.

Ignoring my criticism of this piece, I would actually recommend this book a lot. I would recommend it for poetry readers that are looking for a book that’s mid- on everything. It’s mid-sad, mid-clever, mid-happy, mid-length, and mid-life-changing. It’s perfect for a quick airport read or a break between emotionally-charged books.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: April 05, 2022

ARC — Waiting for Frank Ocean in Cairo — Hazem Fahmy

“I recall the moment
white Americans around
me started learning how to
fear the police, or at least
understand why others do.
I wish I knew what that
sweet innocence tasted like.”

Genre: Poetry
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings: Mentions police brutality, discrimination, domestic abuse, and violence.

“Waiting for Frank Ocean in Cairo” is Hazem Fahmy’s sophomore book and it uses some Frank Ocean lyrics to build the story of a life: one that is split between two cultures, two continents—or across Oceans, if you will.

This poetry collection gives you a multi-sensory experience, as you’re moved by Hazem Fahmy’s words and Frank Ocean’s tunes and lyrics. Hazem Fahmy has found a way to transport you into their poetry collection in such a unique and absorbing way.

Hear me out, this is of utmost importance: as you’re reading this collection, open up whatever app or website you use to listen to music and be ready to look up Frank Ocean songs as they come up. Personally, I would listen to the song first and then read the poem, but you do you.

I think this is the most creative poetry collection I’ve read in years. I love music and how it can move you; and even though Frank Ocean isn’t amongst my favorite artists, it was still amazing to revisit his music from a whole different perspective, one that invited me to live through it.

I would recommend this poetry collection to people who like melancholic songs—those that make you want to dance *and* cry. It’s hard to read this book and not be moved. Oh, and of course, absolutely read this book if you like Frank Ocean or experimental soul and rap music in general, or if you’re up for a uniquely different poetry collection.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Hafl Mystic Press’ bookstore, so you can order the book.

Thanks so much to Topaz Winter and the team at Half Mystic Press for sharing this ARC with me and including me in their blog tour.

Publication Date: March 18, 2022

“Music, at the end of the day, can only do so much.”

ARC — Pangaea: Prose and Poetry — Hinnah Mian

“No matter how much I wear to cover my skin, I can never seem to hide it enough.”

Genre: Poetry, Essays and Collections
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses racism, discrimination, death, and depression.

“Pangaea” is a collection of poetry and prose where the author, Hinnah Mian, looked to express how a body can be destroyed and reborn through many means and for many reasons. Looking at the color of skin, the significance of cultural bias, the power of love—lost and gained, from family and from lovers—, and the impact society has on us, Mian has composed a beautiful oath for our bodies and our selves.

I saw being watered down as a theme. It was mentioned various times and it was something that resonated a lot with me through this book. Hinnah Mian made a wonderful job at highlighting how you can feel like you’re not appropriate in your own ‘home’, how at times you’ll have to dilute yourself to be accepted. The only reason why this book didn’t get a perfect rating from me is because some poems were repetitive and a bit monotone.

I would recommend this poetry book to anyone who’s ever felt invisible in their own skin or—even worse—targeted because of it. I also feel like this could be a powerful gift for a friend or loved one who loves poetry.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 8, 2022

“some nights i am less star
and more the darkness that shrouds them”

ARC — Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her — Ari B. Colfer

“i think about how we are both paper
but i was the one who got the cuts.”

Genre: Poetry, New Adult, Self-Help
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Given by the author (10/10 for that)— Discusses mental health conditions, suicide/suicidal ideation, self-harm, sexual assault, gun violence, and violence against POC. Briefly mentions body dysmorphia and drug/alcohol use, and other tough topics.

First things first, I must say I came into this book a bit biased. I have loved Ari B. Cofer’s poetry (and illustrations) on instagram for years. I have been on her email list/tender poets club for a while now too. I came in knowing I would love this book. I knew it would be great. But yeah, not even my wildest thoughts could’ve predicted how much this book would move me.

This debut poetry collection does not disappoint. It’ll take you through an emotional rollercoaster, for sure, but it’ll also soothe you with doodles and drawings scattered between the words. These drawings are characteristic of Ari B. Colfer’s work, as can be seen on her social media (@ari.b.colfer on instagram, check her out, you won’t regret it), and they add a special touch to this collection. I know doodles and drawings aren’t an innovation when it comes to contemporary poetry books, but hear me when I say that Ari’s drawing hit different. With their bright colors and harsh words, they bring so much to this book.

Not all poems in this collection are perfect—some are more like a broken down sentence pretending to be a poem—yet I seriously couldn’t recommend this poetry book enough.

I would recommend this book to people who’ve hurt before but are halfway through (or fully) mending now. This book could be a tough read for anyone who’s vividly living through a mental health crisis right now or who is still processing a traumatic event. Be careful when you grab this book. Be gentle with it and with yourself. But grab it once you’re feeling up to it, as it’ll be healing in and of itself.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Central Avenue Publishing for letting me read an early copy of this book. I preordered a physical copy this morning because 1) I love Ari’s poetry, and 2) It’s just that good and I feel a need for a physical copy even though I’ve already read it.

“you will remind yourself it’s not your fault.
you did not choose to be raped,
the rapist chose to be a rapist,
you’ll remind yourself to let go.”

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

ARC — The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy — Edited by James Crews

“We lay together under the stars.
We know ourselves to be part of mystery.
It is unspeakable.
It is everlasting.
It is for keeps.”

Genre: Poetry, Essays and Collections
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

I’ve read poetry collections before, and have always had mixed feelings about them. Sometimes I hate them, sometimes I love them. Sometimes they’re right in between. I think the latter is how I feel about “The Path to Kindness.”

Some poems were good, while some felt slightly forced into the narrative. It’s not I didn’t enjoy reading this collection, it’s just I didn’t feel inclined to keep reading at times.

I think my favorite parts of this collection were the reflective pauses. They included an invitation to write down your thoughts, and I liked the prompts.

I would recommend this book to people who have been lonely through this pandemic and who like poetry and journaling.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: April 12, 2022

ARC — Avidly Reads Poetry — Jacquelyn Ardam

“In the 1990s, poems existed for me in books and in my brain and then maybe you could read them aloud to make someone fall in love with you, but that was it. These days, poetry happens on the internet.”

Genre: Nonfiction, Poetry
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings: Mentions racism, sexism, sexual assault

This is the type of non-fiction book I love. The ones with personal narrators that know they don’t have everything figured out. The ones with narrators that are willing to ask questions and don’t seem afraid to make mistakes.

I didn’t love how the narrator assumed we were all in or from the United States, but I also get it, I guess? They’re writing for their demographic, their usual readers. Too bad I’m not in or from the US. Also, I didn’t like the criticism to Kaur… it felt kind of condescending at parts but to each their own.

Something I did love, tho, was how diverse the poetry verses used as examples were. The author really did quote everything from Walt Whitman and Shakespeare to the poem read in 10 Things I Hate About You, a movie that’s a cult classic at this point.

I would recommend this book to all poetry lovers that are into nonfiction, but also to everyone who’s even remotely interested in poetry. This is NOT a poetry book. It’s a book about poetry (and there are a few poetry verses here and there, but that’s it).

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“The grief is not finished but the poem is. The art of losing this beloved is impossible to master, but still, you go through your motions, you make your rhymes, you complete your stanza, you finish the poem because that is all there is to do. The beloved is gone but the poetry remains. And that will have to be enough (Write it!) for now.”

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

ARC — The Surrender Theory: Poems — Caitlin Conlon

“grief has always kept a neat house, which is to say
sometimes feelings are so large that there
isn’t space for anything else.”

Genre: Poetry
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Death, grief, and mental health (stated in the beginning of the book, 10/10 for that)

This poetry book looks at the topics of death and grief from a very crude, very recent, very real stand point. I loved the hand-drawn doodles that were there to guide you through the story. I loved the duality of Caitlin Conlon’s writing, as the words were both tender and heartbreaking. I think this book has been my favorite poetry book of 2021. I think Coded Signals is my new favorite poem STOP but, also, Ode for the Girls that Camp Out for Concerts spoke to me so deeply. It’s literally the story of me and my friends and how we waited outside of SNL to see Taylor Swift for two seconds (spoiler alert, we didn’t).

I would recommend this book to anyone who’s still grieving (a death or a heartbreak) even if it’s been years since the loss (but really, only pick it up if you feel you’re ready). I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes the works of Andrea Gibson, as I feel they will absolutely love “The Surrender Theory”.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

p.s. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

p.s.s. I think I’m still in the aftermath.

Publication Date: February 22, 2022 (omg 02/22/22, that’s amazing)

ARC — Revenge Body — Rachel Wiley

“She is a woman because she tells me so. She is a woman because there is no wrong way to woman.”

Genre: Poetry, LGBTQIA
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Mentions fatphobia, trauma

This poetry collection touches up on subjects like grief, queerness, love (and heartbreak), race, and body image in all its glory. The ocean and sandcastles are definitely a theme here and I love it. I’m a zoologist that works with marine conservation, so I am 100% here for it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes spoken word poetry. Rachel Wiley’s voice can be read just like that. “Revenge Body” is a beautiful collection of heartfelt poetry, filled with highs and lows that are so well written and so meticulously woven together that you can’t help but finish this book in one sitting (I know that’s what I did).

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 18, 2022