You all know how much I love poetry. I usually read one book of poems every week, although lately that hasn't been the case. However, of the few books of poems I read this year, I wanted to share my thoughts on this one by a fabulous independent poet, Wendy Haller. There’s something about poetry … Continue reading Indie Book Review – Kiss you love, goodbye: a poetic journey through life by Wendy Haller
I love books of poetry. They're so reverent and revealing and raw. Because poetry is one of the oldest forms of literary expression, I believe all books of poems share a common understanding of what it means to be human. And even though poetry as a genre doesn't have the national renown as it once … Continue reading Indie Book Review – Cadence: Poems by Sharon Arsego
Over the last several months, I've been reading one long fantasy series that has completely taken over my life. They're called The Legend of Drizzt books and they're fucking awesome. R.A. Salvatore is just an absolute master of story telling and character development. I do wish the books had a stronger theme of romance than … Continue reading Fantasy, Gender, And Books
I bought this book because it has dragons in it and I am obsessed with dragons. I'm not particularly fond if the Napoleonic time period, which the era this book takes place in, but I was willing to give it a chance because, ya know, dragons. There's not much I wouldn't push through if it … Continue reading Book Review – His Majesty’s Dragon
It's official: I am a horror movie buff. I started watching/reading horror back in 2019, and since then have found myself on an absolutely incredible journey with all things horror: books, short stories, movies, television shows, etc. I started with Carrie by Stephen King, and while it was intense, I can't say that it was … Continue reading Getting Back Into Stephen King
I'm sure no one is surprised that I just finished rereading Pride and Prejudice for the...I think it's seventh time, now. My bestie/soulmate/spirit sister and I, after reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy decided to immediately dive back into Austen. She suggested we start with Pride and Prejudice and, never one to say no … Continue reading Returning to Austen
Week one of my second graduate degree is done. I've done a lot of reading of texts that I'd never heard of before, including one by the same man who taught Queen Elizabeth I (Roger Ascham). This week we're reading In Praise of Folly by Erasmus, a man I have wanted to read for quite … Continue reading After Week One of My First Semester of my Second Graduate Degree
Well, it's been about a week since my last therapy appointment (maybe a week and a half), and I can already see an immense difference in my mood, motivation, and mental health. I have done what my therapist suggested and returned to my love of nature, and I intend to continue doing so in increasing … Continue reading Sometimes the Excitement is Overwhelming
I think often at the heart of poetry is the theme of love. This book begins with a love poem written to a blind ancestor of Erika Hunt's, and as the book continues to move through time and space, the theme of love resonates so strongly, at times I thought I must be reading one … Continue reading Book Review – Time Slips Right Before Your Eyes by Erika Hunt
The first book of Dionne Brand's I ever read was The Blue Clerk. It was a recommended reading for one of the residencies of my M.F.A. program. I read the excerpts that were listed for the residency, and then after the residency ended I went back and reread the whole book because it was an … Continue reading Book Review – Land to Light On by Dionne Brand
I was first introduced to Alice Knotley in my second semester of graduate school. I read the book Grave of Light and it had a radical impact on how I viewed poetry. Wanting to read more long poems and especially poems that blend genres together, I decided my next book of hers to read would … Continue reading Book Review – Disobedience by Alice Knotley
Books of poetry that tackle a woman's sexuality and love life are some of my favorites to read. They're all so different, they focus on different themes, different types of love, different expressions of sex, etc. And the styles of writing are always so interesting. Cisneros' approach to writing about female love and sexuality is … Continue reading Book Review – Loose Woman by Sandra Cisneros
I have loved everything Rupi Kaur releases since I first read her debut collection, Milk and Honey. I waited eagerly for this book. I saw Kaur perform live after her second book was released and her performance art and poetry are truly stunning. As is she. This book, her third, chronicles the struggles she faced … Continue reading Book Review – Home Body by Rupi Kaur
I have loved sonnets ever since I first read Shakespeare's sonnets in high school. Although I haven't always understood how varied and diverse sonnets can be, I have been fascinated by the form, the styles, and the ways in which poets have utilized sonnets in the modern world. In my second to last semester of … Continue reading Book Review – American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes
This is an absolutely outstanding book of cross-genre work! I honestly can't hype this book up enough. And while it is on the longer side for a poetry collection, I found that I could not put it down. I intended to take a week to read it, but I ended up finishing it in two … Continue reading Book Review – Instrument by Dao Strom