Clouds On The Ground by Autumn Williams

The story of how the book came to be was a fascinating concept as Autumn's struggle with M.E, has inspired the collection after she became bed bound. My aunt has M.E too and I felt drawn to read the collection pondered on how feelings between each warrior fighring to continue life in a some what normal enough way experiences. Using poetry as therapy and for escape, set across the seasons in sections focusing on nature and the renewal of it's life each season as it progresses in it's journey. Spring, the awakening, the hope, growth, all spoke deeply to me about the way we all grow and our journey's move in different ways to each other. It was a great collection and especially being as a collection for escapism was brilliant and immersive in it's emotive poetic flow, fabulous.

In The Absence Of The Sun by Emily Curtis

A beautiful debut collection of poetry capturing many moments of life, tender, true, emotional, at times a bit dark linking nicely to the title of the collection. The title poem of the collection was reality by night, those of us who struggle to sleep at night and lay awake contemplating or writing. Another deep poem, reflecting on life, feeling so much, living through characters in books can feel relieving to close the book and have done with the emotional turmoil and return to life. A poem about strangers and the connection simply sparked by saying hello, so simple, yet impactful with it's truth was one that we can all read and live by I feel. A beautiful book looking at human connection and all that occurs when we let ourselves feel deeply.

The Flower That Went Mad by Yogesh Chandra

This was a poetry collection which in a world of more lows than highs, how writing can provide solace to create and relatability when shared. Some poems I related to were: Quietness, about the joy, peace and tranquility a garden provides. Chronicle of the pills, an open look at medication testing and failing you trying to see if it helps or hinders you. Blueprint of the society, a real look at how people can dismiss depression as sadness, want help yet never get it because of stigma still existing in society which can cause people to feel unable to open up. This is a sad yet beautiful book born from the depths of deep sadness and depression and the delicate dance of trying to find your footing to feel steady and able in life once again, it was honest and open no feelings held back and honesty which is relatable to many people who've dealt with similar feelings too.

Whispers Poems For When You Can't Say It Out Loud by Sk Masiur Rahaman

Looking at love and connection in the digital age especially with social media being so popular, talking about Tiktok, Instagram, dating apps and more. How reaching out to strangers can be easier for a quick connection hit but ghosting can leave you questioning what changed so quickly. How face value photo's and captions hide true real life to paint a fake happy online personality versus how generations who are elder show love in physical actions rather than online in texts, voicenotes or emoji's showing the impact of connection across generations and also anxiety and achievement goals sometimes pushed on us in love but feeling pressured as well as in tough times how faith can be a life line. It was a detailed poetry collection detailing modern generations lives compared to our parents and grandparents etc.

Signs Of Jealousy by Sophie Eve

This was a great poetry collection, literally as the title says about the ways jealousy can seep into and effect friendships and relationships. From finding love, to feeling like you're hiding your feelings, being torn between your good friend who knows you so well and your new love who's openly showing jealousy and envy at such a strong bond, it was a really powerful look at how the friendship and relationships dynamic can test each person involved deeply.

Growing Magic by D E Daly

Amie is sixteen living with her mum who is very spiritual and superstitious. When her mum disappears one day leaving a mysterious note, Amie discovers her mysterious Aunt Heather and also discovers many cousin's in Filbert where her mum was from and sets about discovering her family's history and magical ties as well as finding out about her dad, who she doesn't know, another mystery to she sets about figuring out. A captivating story of family mysteries, discoveries, magic, curses and keeps you hooked in the verse style it's a fast flowing novel with a magical edge.

Conversations With Myself: A collection of poems about survival and hope by T.L. MacRae

A powerful collection once again about life during and the aftermath of an abusive relationship that led to marriage and kids and the fact T L faced victim shaming and going to court to no avail is absolutely shocking but not surprising in other ways unfortunately as often happens we hear about. Some stand out poems that I found really relatable to me were: 7. Don't Touch Me, about feeling safer having no one touch you, friends or family after suffering abuse at the hands of people before making you weary. 50. Almost Taken Out By A Speeding Car, especially in a week where speeding has been talked about on the news being one of the main causes of points on licenses and how dangerous it is and having recently witnessed a car by me drive clean through a red light, is shocking that it resulted in no action being such a close near miss and sounding utterly terrifying. 51. Mittens, about the comfort of a furry companion and how it can leave you with pet loss and the grief from it in your life echoes in many ways especially when they can provide you with comfort for years unquestionably unlike another human could. As someone who's lost a pet and close a friend in a year it stings in multiple ways and until you go through it and feel it affect many areas of your life, you don't realise how hard it can be to just carry on at all. Another wonderful collection in the deep honesty T L writes with and to share so much of her story too I know people can read and relate to many parts separately of their own from grief, abuse, separation and divorce, there'll be something many people can relate to in this collection for sure.

Pumpkin Spice Pact by Arwa Chakkiwala

Calla and Jude begin fake dating as the autumn festival approaches and Calla's family think she has a boyfriend, Jude. Then her ex Miles shows up and lines blur more as Jude plays the role of boyfriend more seriously, charming her family, until he vanishes and suddenly Calla finally faces up to her family. This was a great seasonal short story themed around pumpkin season as Calla carries the weight of her family expectations, trying to run her business solo and the deep theme of her never feeling enough for having a traditional life, in a relationship or married, which her family pressures her over a lot.

Tulips & Sunsets by Jupiter Moon

This poetry collection had a great use of colour text to highlight key words and the visuals drawn from writing entwining nature and feelings throughout the collection discussing depression and anxiety, life and love and the struggles of dealing with your feelings. A couple of stand out poems to me: Life's Alterations, all about how changes are inevitable in people and life and the way that can make you feel too, negative or positive. The Sunset, was a powerful poem about the impact of nature when you feel so low, how it can be calming and comforting to you. Some really relatable poetry to anyone who has struggled through dark times to find any glimmer of hope and light in the future.

Things I Learned In The Night by Emily Juniper/Byrnes

Detailing the joys of childhood with no ties in life, first love, the feeling and impact it has, joy and questioning, the brutal realities of aging and self love as we judge ourselves all the way through growing through life. More Unhelpful Help was an absolutely gutting poem about friendship, love and betrayal which was heartbreaking to read but shows strength in the beautiful writing detailing openly and honestly how hard it can effect you. Poems including references to Bon Iver and Steinbeck to me were so relatable especially feeling like Lennie after losing love in any way, it can be hard to feel understood in trying and ultimately this collection made me feel like the depths of my mind had been explored, living up to the collections title, it definitely made me feel reflective at night.

Soliloquy by Olusina Faniyi

A beautiful collection of poetry about all aspects of human life and connection. How Much More, a poem about how the world can be a dark place full of fighting and darkness, really hit deep at the tragedies we see or hear on the news daily unfortunately but this poem was so impactful, it should be shared more widely to make people think more wisely of their actions. Farewell At The Train Station and Goodbye were two poems exactly summed up by their titles. How hard parting from a loved one can be, how if effects you to feel sad and lost, even alone when they've gone or you've had to part. A beautiful, sad at times, relatable read of poetry to get you deeply thinking and reflecting.

Patchwork by Catarine Hancock

Such a relatable collection of poetry exploring the theme of love, from the thrill of the nervy excitement first love brings but the bitter aftermath of it falling apart too especially the pain of being cheated on and fearing it occuring again in the future feeling you are seen by them as the back up. How the idea of love can be kinder than the cruel reality of the wrong love and watching them move on and see another person awaiting to be changed forever by them for better or worse. I love the title for the collection too how after each try at love, the scars are patched to try again not be dampened in spirit just reshaped to retry again find the right love despite any previous scars that linger.

Loveletters by Vicky Tang

This poetry collection was summing up the cycle of liking someone and falling in lust or love and how you wind up guessing their feelings compared to yours when unclear. Some stand out poems were: Let me know what’s up, about being so happy to get a reply to a message, to the then questioning what are we in, it sucks having to wait, making you overthink and question and how the cycle happens on repeat. I wonder if he would ever read this, about reflection on letting the person you really like or love see your thoughts and work, especially a book of your deep honest feelings, is a very brave and bold move as it's not easy to open up such raw feelings, like opening your heart and mind to be judged. The final note of the book too, touches on self love and self worth, knowing the right love won't make you question or desire change or clarity, it should just work, a great note to end on for us all to take from the collection with us.

Swim by Emily Byrnes

I really related hard to this collection of poetry. Written with such honesty and as someone who has lived through anorexia, copes with anxiety, depression and panic attacks, where family don't understand the struggle it's really hard. This collection made me feel like there's people out there who not only will relate to the issues and topics discussed but will educate too on how it can feel to deal with the effects of these illnesses and how they can consume your life at times feeling at the title says, you're trying to swim to keep yourself steady and afloat.

The Little Book Of Winter by Brittany Viklund

As a winter baby born in November, I loved this book encouraging us to embrace the cold crisp days, layer up and embrace the cold with soft lighting, warm blankets, winter films and playlists made especially for the winter months. Along with good ideas for crafting, learning new skills or hobbies getting cozy and warm, nice recipies for multiple meals and fun flavoured porridge a warming breakfast to appreciate stimulating your senses with warming spices and simply taking time to enjoy a nice warming coffee to, maybe even a new winter special blend, writing or reading feeling gratitude, spending time with family or doing solo rituals, appreciating nature's beauty, soaking your senses in all winter brings us the see, hear, feel, prepare fun plans, solo or with friends, family or both. A great book/guide to embrace the season and make the most of the joy it brings!

Dancing With My Reflection by Happily Lover

This poetry collection is all about forgiving yourself, seeing strength in admitting weaknesses and embracing them. Believing in nurturing strong self love in the reflection you see and not pick apart any or every little detail, as I did personally and think we all did, growing up as a teen, avoid the mirrors for a while and talk kindly about anything about yourself other than your reflective physical look. Simple joys, was a poem about finding joy in books and author's and characters that relate to you as well whoch can help you escape your mind and the negative thoughts. A book to encourage us to embrace who we are flaws and all and see the beauty we each hold in kindness and actions etc over looks we seem to value and put emphasis on too much until it wears down our mind and spirit.

This House Remembers Every Grief by Eugene Miller

This was a heartbreaking poetry collection that reads in a poetical storytelling way, easily flowing through the story of a relationship falling apart with your best friend, losing your love, how cruel they can be treating you and how it can break you. The book was set through parts, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Exactly how grieving a relationship goes, each part was a long poem set out in stanzas that flowed so well to tell the story and convey the emotions felt. Being told from a guy's perspective as a girl reading who's friends with a guy who went through a similar situation with an old friend of ours it really hit me hard. Leaving me even more glad I stood up for him against someone spreading lies, knowing I was always there to listen especially if he went through all the ways emotionally for a guy written about here, it was so beautifully honest even about the worst part of a relationship, the fall out and I know many guys if they struggle to open up, could sit and feel with this collection like they are less alone in how they feel.

This Trauma Is Sponsored by Anna Lindwasser

Rosalie's family is a family of mum, dad Rosalie and her younger sister, altogether, a part of a family vlogger channel, a very well know one too. The novel shows the impact sadly probably in many vlogging families keeping up the facade of all being happy on camera just for monetisation and makes you reflect on the impact of modern social media culture being told in a verse format hits all the more deeper as it explores the impact on the family dynamic, their relationships, mental and physical side effects in trying to achieve a so called standard of perfection and the danger of strangers watching and knowing every detail of your lives, which can lead to dangerous encounters. I was also happily surprised in the novel of a friend Rosalie makes, Stella, who raised awareness of the impact of fibromyalgia all the more relatable to a reader like me who also have the condition, yet, I've never read a novel with it mentioned. The novel also explored young people feeling stifled in revealing their sexuality too for fear of judgement a very relatable situation for many people still I imagine too. It was a powerful novel about the highs and lows of internet fame and what you gain and lose.

Love On The Line by J.C. Savoy

Claire runs a bookshop, The Cozy Quill and after a customers order goes missing, she ends up on customer service phone call to Will and soon they begin texting and calling, teasing and debating books and encouraging each other to read one book each the other picks. As time goes on they arrange to meet and it's undeniable the connection the two have is easy and vibrant not to mention the whole of Whispering Falls is rooting for them both! It was a great heartwarming story, a fun meet cute, with witty remarks and the dialogue between the two was exquisite making me want to read on and see where their story went, a great book to spend an evening reading in these cooler autumn times for sure.

Dear Midnight by Zack Grey

This poetry collection was set across three sections, sunrise, sunset and midnight and the feelings those times can evoke in us reflecting on life and love. Sunrise, waking up to love, Sunset, the end of love, unmet feelings, falling in and out of love, how it hurts each other or just one of you more so. Midnight, about accepting the end of a relationship and lingering traces of feelings for the person you were with There was a clever use of type in various formats to suit some poems more for emphasis and made it fun and engaging to read rather than sticking to normal verse or stanza poetry to read, something uncommon to see used a lot which I really like to see, as to me, it especially makes the collection memorable to recall.

All The Things I Never Said by Mae Krell

This was a deep collection of poetry told as if a private diary of thoughts being shared, there is mentions of self harm in this collection too so do be aware of that before reading too if it could trigger you. The poems that stood out to me most were: Beauty, looking at abuse/cruelty to animals or self and how we can judge harshly or harm ourselves or others. The End, about a relationship breaking apart and just becoming memories you hold on to eventually for better or worse. Speak, was an honest poem of how hard it can be to voice your thoughts and fear facing judgement for them and how it can hold you back from saying anything at all. There's lots of poetry to make you think and reflect on your life and as the title says, a very deep thinking collection and bold to share the depths of your thinking so openly.

Lost In The Black Garden's Of Sorrow by Jupiter Moon

This collection talks a lot of serious mental health issues and self harm, please be aware before reading my review or the collection yourself. Set in a garden, exploring various types and shades of flowers and the emotions or memories they provoke in a poetic story like manner. Some stand out poems of this collection to me were: Scars, as being a sign of fighting and remaining despite the pain you've endured. Silver Primrose, -Bandaged Heart, was a poem about relationships never being the same, good or bad, mixed, toxic, I personally heavily related and too, feel third time is lucky but you're still weary in trying, even then. Alcea Rosea -Abandoned Under the Bridge, about you feeling deeply for someone you love even if it's not always happy and positive. Plum Blossom -The Silence of Loneliness, was a poignant and reflective ending on how we can exist, crave connection and still, with or without, feel loneliness lingering like a curse in our lives. There were clever double meanings in the poems defined by text colour usage so the poems were a two of one almost and was a really clever more emotive way of expressing each poems deep running feelings.

Let Go by Lavender C

Alex has died yet his soul can witness the life of his loved ones trying to move theough the never ending weight of grief, the depth and echo of his loss in their lives especially, his partner Chloe. Alex was used to being the strong one, helping kids, not just working with them, saving one. Now he's watching how his mum and partner Chloe adapt to life, before he can truly be at peace. It was a poetic and beautiful story of loss and the love felt, devotion in care, in sharing a life and the roles we play to each other and feelings honoured in the harsh silent aftermath of what feels like never ending depths of grief and if you've lost someone, be aware you'll definitely feel teary reading this book, in a good way, if tears come, embrace them, sit with your feelings it's the love remembered, cherished and felt still.

Cinnamon Lattes and Rainy Afternoons: Poems and Texts (Seasons and Lattes Book 1) by Pip Wilde

This poetry collection is all about the changing season of autumn and embracing it like we embrace change in life too talking of the way nature speaks, makes music, embraces us as time changes nature and we grow older through the seasons shared too. A couple of stand out poems to me were: 21. foreign, a simple poem how a bed can be a home to the good and bad, a witness of the happiest and lowest of times, of comfort and solace or joy. 38. all the things i love make it worth it, was a super relatable poem almost mirroring how I feel about life, embracing books and music and finding joy in what you love. A lovely collection starting off a new series which I look forward to reading the coming collections to accompany this one.

Lithium by Yogesh Chandra

This was a powerful collection of poetry depicting the battle with bipolar disorder which I was inspired to read having a close friend who too has been through a cycle many times of depression, suicidal ideation and self harm. Young Love and Never Forget were two relatable poems about feelings others will have dealt with before and knowing that we will or can learn and grow from what we face especially as others will have gone through similar situations before. I also felt deeply the story shared especially at the end in a final written note of reflection and if he ever reads this I hope he keeps on enjoying life through photography and poetry and the beauty and freedom nature can bring to help in any crisis might not be healing, but can be soothing.

I Know Her Name by Shanti Hershenson

This was a powerful collection about the effects of going to school and bullying as well as sexual assault. Jokes and Bathroom Stall were too harrowing yet bold poems about the reality of physical harm and threat and the anxiety it causes you to feel in the wake of the harm faced unable to escape it. What Do I Do? Again, was a strong poem imagining the authors future child in the situation she faced and in particular the pain to feel that you couldn't stop in happening in future alike the present and knowing how it effected you affects your future thoughts on reflection. A bold and necessary collection that depicts bullying at it's absolute worst, yet I'm so happy that, Shanti didn't let it hold her back from her dreams of being an author and instead has owned the pain to turn it into poetry and share to us to relate and reflect on.

The Elegance Of Sadness by Noa Grey

This collection was so powerful about the way emotions can make you feel everything all at once on reflection and at presence too. Some standout poems of this collection were: Violin, a poem which as a former cellist myself I relate to hard about how each note holds so much emotion and can cause you to feel emotional at certain notes and tempo's. Loss, a poem about any kind of grief you feel but especially in this collection pet loss was a huge subject another relatable and heartbreaking subject to many of us too. Perspective, about the way we all interpret different things in life so differently, beauty and sadness to one isn't the exact same to another. This was a collection that definitely spoke to my heart and so honest with the words shared, hard to feel everything, even harder I imagine to write to capture the depths of feelings and their impact.

Pandora's Box by Vicky Tang

This collection of poetry literally opens up a Pandora's Box of emotions and feelings from journeying through life. Poems that stood out the most to me were: Garden Stroll, a play on the old roses are red rhyme only on a more cynical side of unrequited love. Shelter In A Storm, about friends being there through heartbreak and weathering the storm with you through all you're feeling. Illogical, about sharing your feelings after a short time of knowing them not knowing how you can feel so much so soon or how they'll reply. It Never Lasts, about what is the point and the inbetween of bring strangers or friends or more. Unlovable and Carousel about feeling tired of trying and feeling like you must be the issue, really relatable cycle when you're left wondering what the relationship definition is. A real mix of poetry from all angles of liking, loving and hoping for a relationship with who you desire and all the feelings unlocked by feeling so much, a really honest and deep feeling collection of poems.

Love Beyond Sight by Werner Stejskal

This story centre's around a carer, Julian, as he embraces his new job being a carer for Clara, a young blind lady who's a passionate piano player and requires assistance to continue her daily life and playing her concert's. The story explores the way the two slowly build trust over time and was a tender, touching and clever story capturing the lifeline carers can be for disabled people and how they can inspire each other and make them both appreciate the power each other has in their abilities, especially heightened senses to rely on in Clara and many blind people's lives. The story beautifully captured how falling in love can happen unexpectedly and the depths grow from beyond sight and how relationships built on trust can grow from learning together and developing over time. A simply stunning heart-warming story.

Poems For: People who want to be left the f*** alone by Esme Redwine

Every poem was so relatable of this collection talking openly about life solo and how you find memories in music, feel on the outside watching others lives rather than living your own sometimes too. A couple of poems that really stood out were: By The Window and Late Afternoon about the world and the beauty in nature around us. Coming Home, about appreciating out bodies as home and treating them well not harming them just appreciating them as they are. A shorter collection but one full of deep feeling poems and reflections.

Every Word You Cannot Say by Iain S. Thomas

This poetry collection welcomes us in instantly addressing us with a poem as readers united by one choice we've made to pick this book to read and spend time in a positive uplifting collection reminding us all that life goes through highs and lows, but moving forward can be healing and positive in the long term. There's lots of poetry to make you reflect on the unexpected or even never thought about effect you have had on others lives around you when you think you've meant nothing to someone usually on reflection, you have, even just with a kind smile. The book was set out really well using coloured text to highlight key points of each poem to emphasise points of the poem which are the key core subject. Hurt and love were common themes, whether it be about to each other or ourselves. It is a collection to make you reflect on how you treat yourself and speak to yourself and others around you too.