Yesterday I posted a short video of the books I’m currently reading at the moment. I have to say I’m enjoying all of them and most are keeping my attention. Check out my video above to see what I’m reading. Also share what you’re reading?
Tag poetry collection
Home.Girl.Hood. By Ebony Stewart |#bookreview #netgally #ebonystewart
My thoughts / review:
This is a collection of poetry that is yet powerful but is much needed. Ebony Stewart talked about being a black woman especially an “around the way girl” she spoke about growing up and sex, as well LGBTQ. There was so much the author talked about I felt she was talking to me directly as if we were good friends. Mostly everything I could relate to.
The author spoke from her heart and soul. And I believe as a reader I felt her words. This collection is something I will be re-reading many times over It was that good. Although I feel a lot of black women will understand where the author is coming from and can relate to it the most, just about anyone can read this collection of poetry and get a feel and true understanding of what Ebony Stewart went through and has faced.
Overall I absolutely loved this! *Thank you to Netgally, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read and review this book for my own honest opinion*
Rating: 5🌟
Unlock Your Storybook Heart by Amanda Lovelace | #bookreview #netgally #amandalovelace
My thoughts/ review:
*Thank you to Netgally, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read and review for an honest review*
I always loved Amanda Lovelace writing and poetry. She writes the words of how I personally feel most times. Her words are real and raw and not sugarcoated. In this collection the author speaks about mental health, self care, trying to love yourself, self acceptance, not allowing a failed relationship to ruin you or take over your life. This is a collection I can definitely see myself re reading many times. I like how the author uses slight magical realism within her poetry it makes it that more fun to read.
Lastly I know when it comes to poetry it’s very personal for every reader, simply because each reader can feel different things while reading. I always say there is no right or wrong to poetry because it’s so personal and raw from the author as the reader can intercept it differently from person to person.
I loved this and I plan to buy my own copy to support the author. Amanda Lovelace’s writing is real and her words resonate with me.
Rating: 5⭐
Soft Magic by Upile Chisala | #bookreview
My Thoughts/ Review:
This was a beautiful book of poetry. All about what it’s like being a black woman and the things we do on the daily. We love, give, help, educate but black women still aren’t recognized like they should be.
The author also talks about self love and self care. Something on the journey of doing for myself. She also mentioned about not putting a man before yourself. Something I often see way more than I should. She says to love him from a distance but still not lose yourself in the process. We a woman not just black women can get caught up in relationship that it tends to control everything in our life.
The author talked about putting yourself in first; love yourself. I strongly believe more women need to hear this. We do a lot with out children, work, school, family, ect and it’s time we take time for ourselves.
This was a nice fast paced poetry book and I enjoyed the author’s writing.
Rating: 5⭐
Synopsis for SOFT MAGIC
Thanks for stopping by let me know what you think of the review.
Xoxo Nikki 🤎
Books I Recently Read📚…
I came across this author’s book through my library and decided to take a chance. I chose this title to start with. I do like the flow of the story and how it’s set up like a mix-tape.
This story is about two people who fell in love and are trying to find ways to keep their love strong. This was a simple love story I just wanted more.
I also was draw to this because of the cover, this was strictly a cover read and I see the author has similar cover art for all his books so that’s a win. I will be reading more from him to get a more feel and understanding of his writing style.
Rating: 3.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Click here for Synopsis of Book: BEES + THINGS + FLOWERS + MICROFICTION
Harper was a bad b!tch and she seemed to play the game very well. She knew what she wanted and went after it. The whole situation with Mahoney and his wife was messed up. But in reality that’s how it is. I can’t be too mad with Harper she did what she was supposed to do, while making sure she got paid in the process. In the beginning I felt bad for both women but after reading to the end I don’t. These are games people play, any and everything will have a consequence. Mahoney just didn’t play the game right, facts! I enjoyed this wanted more.
5 ⭐
Click here for Synopsis of Book: TOXIC
This was a really cute short story. I always enjoy Daria White’s writing and the characters she brings to her readers. I want to read more about these two characters. Lovely story. 5⭐
Click here for the synopsis of the Book: WHAT MACKENZIE NEEDS
I enjoyed this middle grade novel, this is about a young girl named Bea her mom and dad are now divorced but her dad is getting re married to a man named Jesse. In the beginning Bea is trying to gather her feelings about it all. But once she sees that her mom is okay with it she feels she can be okay with it.
Jesse has a daughter named Sonia, and at first she seemed standoff-ish towards Bea and the idea of her dad marrying another man. But she learns this is going to be her new family now.
I really like Rebecca Stead’s writing this is the second book I read by her. The way she writes middle grade is not in a way that it’s watered down for the younger audience but she puts her young characters in real world situations, that’s something I enjoy.
The writing and the topic of discussion is something that drew me into the story more. This is another book by Rebecca that I would re read really good, about family, friends, love and being there for one another.
Rating: 4⭐
Click on the link for the synopsis of the Book: THE LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL NOT CHANGE
I read this as a buddy read with my friend. This was an okay quick read. I really wanted more with Eve and Layton, this book talked more about their profession than anything else. I honestly just wanted more. I liked the beginning of the story of how Eve and Layton met I thought that was nice. But overall this was a quick read and I can’t be too mad with that, this was the first book I read by Beverly Jenkins and I plan to read more from her soon.
2.75 stars ⭐
Click on the link for the synopsis of the Book: ONE MASKED NIGHT
Overall I enjoyed reading all of these. They were fun reads that I can see myself re reading one day soon.😉
Thanks for stopping by
Xoxo Nikki🤎
Surviving Home By Katerina Canyon | Book Review
Concisely arresting and challenging the beliefs of family and the fantasies of tradition, the poems in Surviving Home show that home is a place that you endure rather than a place where you are nurtured. With unyielding cadence and unparalleled sadness and warmth, Katerina Canyon contemplates the prejudice and limitations buried in a person’s African American heritage: parents that seem to care for you with one hand and slap you with the other, the secret desires to be released from the daily burdens of life, as well as the surprising ways a child chooses to amuse herself. Finding resilience in the unexpected, this collection tears down the delicate facades of family.
Review:
This collection of poems was the most honest collection I have read in a while. The author dives deep into her life and touches on topics such as her family, sexual abuse, her life growing up, and political opinions.
Reading this made me feel a real close connection to the author, as if she was telling me something private yet something that needed to heard. The author seems to not hold back on her thoughts about current events. I liked that she is using her voice to talk about important topics such as political power, abuse, and home life.
I liked how this collection of poetry was written. It’s not like like today’s instagram poetry but more like what I grew up reading when I was in school and I appreciate that, a lot. This is something I can see myself reading again and referencing back to. I took my time reading this because I knew from the first page it was going to be an important read.
Rating 4.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
**I want to thank the publisher for sending me this to read and review. This review and opinions are of my own.This comes out December 2021**