Tag: poems

Review Roundup

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Acrostic by E.M. McConnell 

Witch they call me
Ill-mannered I call them
Claw of dragon, powdered newt
Kriss-krossing hexes here and there
Engaging with spirits, I do
Dare you tango with me, human?

I had no idea what acrostic poetry was before this. The first letters all spell down a word. Very cool! A lovely little collection of acrostic poems from McConnell!

Betty the Yeti Hates Spaghetti by Mandy R. Marx, María Antonella Fant

A very cute little tale about moving to a new city, trying new things and making friends! The drawings are utterly whimsical and I thought the Yeti family were adorable.

Grandma Says Hush, Little Baby by Shana Gorian, Patricia Kennedy, Art Portra (Illustrator)

A cute, updated twist on the classic rhyme, with colourful pictures!

Wally and the Sweet Mountain Candy Factory by Meghan Christensen

A fun, interactive book-game that encourages kids reading along with their parents to partake in various activities whilst reading, all of which are candy themed! Very cute.

Finley: A Moose on the Caboose by Candace Spizzirri

The artwork in this is super cute and the main character is a wholesome moose who just wants to see the world from onboard the train. The conductor keeps turning him away, but he’s determined to ride the rail and doesn’t give up his attempts.

Seeking Shanti by Jesse Byrd, Sandy Kaur Gill, Mónica Paola Rodriguez

A very touching story with lovely prose that teaches children about climate disasters and flooding, and how families have worked together to make it through such moments and rebuild after.

The Bridge by Eva Lindström, Annie Prime

I found myself a bit confused by this one, if I’m being honest. I got the feeling it was meant to be kinda sinister? But I’m not actually sure? Like, I feel like the wolves were setting the pig up to be murdered? But maybe the point was that it seemed super suspicious but ultimately wasn’t? Just a big fake out? It’s hard to say. I’m leaning towards sinister and dark, though.

The story is certainly thought-provoking given how short and narratively-light it is. An intriguing little read.

The Panic #1: Coffin by Neil Kleid

A comic that features commentary and references to a lot of modern political, social and health issues – BLM, the pandemic, social distancing, people not wearing their masks, people being called ‘snowflakes’ are just some examples. It’s actually rather surreal seeing these current things in a comic book (mostly cos, at least in the case of the Covid the pandemic, I’ve only seen it referenced in Superstore and Glass Onion), but the comic itself seems to be going in a different direction. Very much set amid current strife and chaos, but something new throws a very different, confrontational and divergent group of people together. Curious where it will go.

Review Roundup: The Orc Who Saved Christmas (2023), No Period (2020), She Was the Storm (2018), Super Gay (2022), Symphony of Secrets (2022)

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The Orc Who Saved Christmas by Michelle Franklin

He wasn’t frightening at all—in fact, he looked quite huggable, his muscles rounding his shoulders and arms in a way that made him seem comfortable and pleasant to sleep on.

Once again, Michelle Franklin has penned a lovely and wholesome and adorable holiday book for children! The illustrations are also top tier. I must say am utterly impressed by the artwork!

I absolutely adored Werewolves Don’t Celebrate Hanukkah – I honestly cannot recommend it enough – and I was delighted to learn that Michelle had another children’s book coming this year! SUCH LOVELY STORIES AND SUCH ADORABLE ART AND SUCH JOY OH MY GOSH! If you haven’t picked up your copy of Werewolves Don’t Celebrate Hanukkahdon’t walk, run to get it!

“And what if Father Christmas was an Orc?” Karla rejoined. “He saved our men and brought us our tree and firewood—isn’t that what Father Christmas ought to do? What’s the difference if he wears a costume or not?”

This is just such a wholesome little tale about an Orc who wants to belong and the little girl who helps him do it! It’s about broadening one’s mind and accepting others. Very sweet and kind and lovely!

I can’t wait what adorable little tale Franklin publishes next!

Thank you so much to the author for the eARC!

She Was The Storm by Cherie Avritt

the passion between us
burned hot and fast
it felt like a fairytale
that should’ve been my first
warning sign;

This is a quick read of uplifting, kind-hearted poems!

Super Gay by Jessi Hersey

Very cute! The art was super adorable and it had a lovely message. I do wish it had been a bit longer, though!

Symphony of Secrets by Mia Sanchez

I decided to replace you
With the moon

I’ve been meaning to check out Mia Sanchez’s debut poetry collection for a while now, but alas I’ve been so busy that I didn’t get to dive into it straight away. But I’m such a poetry fan and I love finding new poets so I’m glad I finally found some time recently to catch up on some of the collections I’ve picked up (also reading Roaring Twenties and Blushing Muse: Poems).

Also, I just want to say that the cover is gorgeous! I love the atmosphere and vibes and title.

What will it take for us to realize
The worth of all of this

This collection of poetry is filled with emotion and commentary on modern relationships and had some really great lines!

I will make the midnight mine

Definitely excited to see what Sanchez publishes next!

No Period by Harry Turtledove

and you come to the mournful and melancholy conclusion that, regardless of what you do to the world and its past, there is no period, no period at all, you can change that gives you any real chances of making a go of it with your ex, and that makes yet another Gedankenexperiment, this one dealing with altering the Cambrian Explosion, pretty pointless when you get right down to it,

A stream of consciousness story where a man imagines various different scenarios of how his relationships and life – and the direction of history and wars and evolution – could have gone. No full stops used! I definitely felt a little dizzy by the end, but thought it was a cool way to write a story.

Poetry Review: while the rest of the world dances (2022)

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poetry review

while the rest of the world dances by Bryony Rosehurst

two ghosts dance
through concrete
cemetery gates
on a cold October night

I’ve been waiting for Bryony Rosehurst’s poetry collection from the moment she first announced it on Twitter and I’m so glad to finally dive in! This is an incredibly poignant, emotional, touching, relatable collection of poems and prose that focuses on life, love, mental health and personal struggles, and much, much more.

So many of the poems herein really struck me on an emotional level, and I related to so many of them, but this one really stood out to me.

she is a cracked teacup
without a saucer,
stained with age,
faded by strangers’ lips,
leaning lifelessly in
a row of pristine china.
they send her back,
ask for another cup.
this one’s been used already,
this one’s no good.
now she gathers dust.

Rosehurst’s poetry is simply wonderful! Definitely check out this collection! I can’t wait to read more from this truly talented voice!

Poetry Review: Scarlet Shadows (2019)

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Scarlet Shadows by Scylla Grand

‘the woman fed us wine and bread
and hungry, I should eat my fill
but food so fine could not be mine
I ate, but I was starving still.’

All I could think about whilst reading this collection was John Keats and ‘Bright Star’, haha. Good poetry makes me think of good poetry, what can I say?

Like, I am absolutely in awe of Scylla Grand’s poetry. I mean:

‘I shudder and rip
the skin off my flesh –
illusory mesh
decided by script.’

How amazing are these quotes? I wanted to post more, but I think you should just get a copy and be as pleasantly surprised as I was! Honestly, I am blown away by this collection of poetry. It’s quite short, but the poems are positively exquisite. I’m a bit of a poetry fangirl anyways, but goodness, these are great. Definitely worth checking out!!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.

Poetry Review: Black Movie (2015)

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Black Movie by Danez Smith

‘why does it always have to be about race?’ Because you made it that way! Because you put an asterisk on my sister’s gorgeous face! Because you call her pretty (for a black girl)! Because black girls go missing without so much as a whisper of where?! Because there is no Amber Alert for the Amber Skinned Girls! Because we didn’t invent the bullet! Because crack was not our recipe! Because Jordan boomed. Because Emmitt whistled. Because Huey P. spoke. Because Martin preached. Because black boys can always be too loud to live. Because it’s taken my father’s time, my mother’s time, my uncle’s time, my brother’s & my sister’s time, my niece’s & my nephew’s time… how much time do you want for your progress?

If I could quote this whole collection of poetry and prose, I would. Each one tugged at my heart and filled me with emotion. I read it pretty much start to finish, only pausing once. The words in here are achingly raw, poignant and beautiful. The prose is exquisite and painful and brutal. A must read for sure.

I thoroughly recommend everyone give this their time.

Poetry Review Roundup

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Of Darkness and Light by Despoina Kemeridou

In rivers of hatred,
and oceans of lust,
I’ll roam forever,
until I am dust

Some really good poems in here! This was my first time reading Kemeridou’s poems, and I will definitely check out more by this author! Great stuff.

The Beauty of Words by Gary Pollard

We shouldn’t need to request
To be free.
But some leaders
Simply would disagree.

I stumbled across this little book of poetry completely by random, but I’m so glad I snagged a copy! It’s a really fun, magical (maybe magical realism?), wholesome little book and the rhymes are smashing! Definitely worth reading!

Poetry Review: Fairytales (2020)

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Fairytales: A Poetry Collection by M.E. Aster

twisted lies and poisoned trees
you are more than that to me
a volatile orchard perhaps

This is a collection of introspective, emotive poetry and prose that is definitely worth checking out! I can’t wait to read more of Aster’s writing.

Review Roundup

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Masquerade Season by ‘Pemi Aguda [short story]

This one really made me think and it hit me harder than I anticipated. Actually, Masquerade Season reminded me of The Giving Tree, honestly. One of those stories where the message makes you ache and it leaves you deeply melancholy.

The Sea Is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt [fiction]

I got a chapter sampler version, so I’m only reviewing the couple of chapters I read, but I really, really like the prose in this one. There’s a very distinct voice, which is so nice to find. The set up is very intriguing, and I’m really curious to see how it’s going to wrap up.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC-excerpt. Excited to read the full book!

Dust Bowl Venus by Stella Beratlis [poetry collection]

Woe be unto us: We thought dancing did not matter.

I really do have, like, a thing for poetry. I truly do. Poems are so fly, and these ones are awesome.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine [children’s books]

This is such an informative and awesome kid’s book! It’s interactive, which is great for teaching kids and getting them engaged with the material, and there are so many different birds that are described herein. It also delves briefly into how evolution and Darwinism work. A lovely, colourful book for young readers!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Winter Soldier Vol. 1: The Longest Winter by Ed Brubaker [graphic novel/comic books]

I’m gonna admit, I picked this up because of the show. It’s awesome to finally have the focus on Bucky’s character, who I’ve always found interesting. This comic was quite compelling and I really liked the artwork. I was a bit confused? I feel like there was backstory I didn’t have, but maybe it’s just because I’m so used to the show/films universe. Like, I wasn’t expecting Bucky and Natasha to be so close! I liked them together, I was just a bit thrown. That said, I liked it overall. Definitely going to read a few more Winter Soldier tales. 

Mika and the Dragonfly by Ellen Delange [children’s books]

Do you need a spoiler warning for a kid’s book? It’s only 17 pages, so I have no idea! But, uh, spoilers? Haha. The artwork in this is absolutely lovely, and there’s a good message about being kind to insects and making friends. I’m a little unsure about the method of resolution, though: the dragonfly’s wing fell off and the kid ends up gluing it back on.

Adults don’t take kid’s books literally, of course, but I’d just be sure to tell the kid you’re reading this to not to attempt gluing a dragonfly’s wing back on. I really worry about the dragonflies, okay?! That’s my only nitpick, though. Overall it’s a very sweet little book and definitely worth picking up.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Poetry and Photography Review: Rhythm Flourishing (2020) and Seizing the Bygone Light (2021)

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Rhythm Flourishing: A Collection of Kindku and Sixku
by Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis

Today
questions still
haunt old stone.

Ooooh, I do adore photography blended with poetry. I’d never heard of Kindku and Sixku before, so learning about these types of poetry was very informative!

I loved so many of the poems, especially the one quoted above and the one inspired by William Ernest Henley, who is a personal favourite of mine. The photography in here is absolutely stunning, too! \o/

Seizing the Bygone Light: A Tribute to Early Photography
by Cendrine Marrouat, David Ellis & Hadiya Ali

I have seized the light! I have arrested his flight! The sun himself in future shall draw my pictures! – Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, 1839, quoted within.

Oh my gosh, the photographs in here are so stunning. I saw some familiar places, but so many new ones and it’s making my desire to travel so much bigger! Ugh, seeing beautiful pictures while locked inside during a pandemic is just MEAN (but in the best way, haha). \o/

Anyways, this is a lovely little collection of photography and poetry and I totally recommend it!

Thank you so much to the authors for the review copies!

Poetry Review: Emotionally Raw by Carlos Cabrera & Lovable Losers and Romantic Monsters by B.P. Learner

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You guys know how much I adore poetry, and I was so fortunate to stumble across Emotionally Raw and Loveable Losers and Romantic Monsters this week! These two titles are by indie poets Leaner and Cabrera, and they deserve so much more attention than they’re getting! Man, poetry seriously does not get enough attention. Thus, allow me to shout from the rooftops POETRY IS GREAT AND THERE ARE MANY NEW POETS OUT THERE!

In Emotionally Raw, Cabrera writes straight from the heart, and you feel his words in every line. There are so many good lines in his poems, but here are some of my favourites:

This must be a dream, vivid as they come,
What did I do to deserve someone like you?
Whatever it was, I must have love from someone above.

If I could, I’d show you the universe
If I could, I’d leave the darkness for good

Land of the free, home of the brave
If you are not exploitable
You won’t be saved

So many of these lines just hit me. Such brilliant writing!

In Loveable Losers and Romantic Monsters, Leaner evokes emotion with every word, spinning lines beautifully and provoking introspection.

We are the creepers,
the weird, the strangers,
the witches and warlocks,
the monsters

the woods stretched infinitely into black oneness with all of us and our otherliness.

The most powerful thing you can do for yourself is to love all the ugliness in your soul.

Because art is telling us, whispering in our ears, warmly and congenially:
Come to me you hurt people.
I’ll give you all solace.

I love, love, love poetry like this. So impressed. Otherliness is a word I feel in my bones, yo.

I definitely recommend these poets! If anyone has any poetry to share, do link me in the comments!