The Pain Hidden Everywhere Book 4 Bride In Black by Maria T. Anderson

This book tenderly captured the most mundane yet heart-breaking moments after loss leads to grief and lingers in daily life. It was clever the irony of items awaiting their owner who'll never return or missing silly habits that wound you up but you deep down didn't actually mind so much, especially on reflection after loss. The book also perfectly captured how scent and song can send you spiralling back to reminiscing on happier times shared and how in couple's you see too, it echoes you and your lost one how you were too. Fulfilling empty promises made before when life was too busy as well another hard hitting fact, yet, after the loss, making time feels like a special dedication in memory. Chapter 23, about headphones and music, sharing an earbud each and half listening to music and each other caught up in the moment you share. Chapter 30, about a tote bag he would carry for her was exactly like my friend would with me and was a great every day moment to capture in the book, loss can linger easily in shared items and seemingly mundane every day moments. Another great instalment in the series so far showing grief's impact in the mundane and how it can be so impactful to daily life trying to carry on without them.

The Day I Became His Bride Book 2 by Maria T. Anderson

This book, the second of the series, was a really good reflection of how the aisle leads you towards singularly but away together seemingly in union, despite any doubts you may have feeling or lingering. How the pressure of a wedding can make you feel doubt and conflicted between yourself before, during and after in the new marriage full of doubts and hope for the future together. A great second book setting the scene of the storyline in perfectly flowing verse you could really immerse yourself in and feel as if you were there in the story with the characters, a really engaging story to make you reflect on the situation the characters experience.

The Heart Beet by S. M. Lucky

A series of plant based fun stories as veganism etc is so popular now especially amongst younger people. The first story with Ezra and Liv, was so cute Tofu or not Tofu, then a meet cute by chance, Delilah and Theo's story, was hilarious wedding chaos fun. Frankie and Mason, a duo bonding over milk types which was fun and very true, there are lots of milk options these days to try to find what you like! The collection had lots of modern day social media nods adding to the fun of modern day life connections. So many fun puns, especially in Jules and Maya's story which has them connecting over salad, these short stories all had me laughing and smiling along hooked to read on and on in one go, guaranteed to make you feel uplifted!

Poems For The Signs by Michaela Angemeer

This was an intriguing collection to learn about the star signs and each set of poems for the signs explored their character and depth with each poem showing how we can learn from each sign in life lessons for example, self love, emotions, depression and self doubt I have to say as well, the Scorpio sign part, to me as a Scorpio was very accurate especially as I love an Aries often am wearing all black and have also done so to a wedding along with another Scorpio cousin too, very accurate point made in this collection!

To Make Monsters Out Of Girls by Amanda Lovelace

This poetry collection tells how a seemingly nice guy can lie to your face and tell you what you want to hear, becoming tiring in trying in the relationship, but also how the wrong love can make you realise and appreciate the right love when it shows up too. The collection also had a series of illustrations throughout and the use of white/black/red colour theme for a more dramatic emotive read.

This Made Me Think Of Us by Emily Bird

This was a beautiful collection of poetry about loving that one person so much, how even in the little moments you love them the way they are, what they do, coming home to each other with a hug, being the one constant and standing strong together to face the good and bad times together. Some beautiful long poetry, sometimes set in short stanza's, but nonetheless, read like you could imagine just what it's like, relatable to your own relationship and life as the title perfectly says.

I Swear This Isn't Love by Jim LaFleur

Drew and Paige end up crossing paths more times than they'd like as it seems fate has other plans than them hating each other. When they end up faking being a couple on a couple's retreat and finally they get to realising they actually work in some ways unforeseen to them until they're forced to make the best of a close situation. A really clever story, a bit opposites attract and enemies to friendship/love/something more that keeps you hooked on reading on to see where the story goes, I just wish we got a sequel to see how their future played out!

This Isn't Flirting Probably by Jim LaFleur

This was a really sweet and fun story about the joy basic routine, connection and taking a chance can bring in life. For Wes and Riley, their routine for getting a coffee and simply for being at work, meant they met and continued to do so and even after revelations, shows how much joy taking a chance and risking your feelings can bring. It was a great book full of wit and humour, the characters were sweet and funny together but also caring and encouraging, making you want to read on to see where their story went and it's definitely worth a read to find out!

The Caregivers Heart by Werner Stejskal

Florence is a broken woman when her fiancé walks out on their wedding day and she suffers a break down ending up under hospital care. Robert, a private carer is hired to help bring Florence back to living her life as normal, only as they spend more time together their bond forms stronger and more sure as they come to rely on each other beyond the tentative care, a deeper bond forms from trust and reliance into more. Told through a dual POV, the book captures beautifully how care and connection can unite and heal and the beauty of finding unexpected love and how healing the right person and love can be.

Desperate Lover by Heather l. Roche

This was a beautiful collection of poems about love and all the emotions it can make you feel good and bad. Smile, was a poem about hating to miss even one smile, how beautiful they are to you to see your loved one so happy. Moon Light, about being unable to sleep and instead the moon witnessing the inability to rest for racing thoughts. Proud, about how love isn't enough to get through problems such as alcohol abuse and reliance just burying problems not facing them. The Wrong Thing, about feeling you and your loved one are talking at opposing points and can't align. It was definitely like the title says enlightening about the way love can make you feel during and after a relationship.

I Love You In Every Language by Ikeli O'farrell

This was a sweet poetry collection talking about falling in love throughout the collection and between small little poems, snippets of insight from the author from their view into the theme of love and each poem is started by a different language showing how to say I love you in a certain language each one different in each poem. The poems discuss how people who meant so much to you can linger can affect you even years after splitting, how love and hope can linger years on wondering and hoping they're ok.

So You're Just Going To Love Her Forever by WULAN SS

This collection is a poetic diary of memories over years of love lost in various ways. It perfectly captures the feeling of longing and how you can feel hopeless trying to accept and move on knowing you won't be together forever as you wished and hoped to.

Words As Love Language by Kanessence

This poetry collection was a sweet series of love notes about the author's beloved and all the delights of how with your person you feel about them as love grows. It was a beautiful collection recalling little truths of how being seen, appreciated and nurturing together, love can allow you both to bloom together. A really sweet collection of love notes.

Schoolyard Crushes & Prozac Prescriptions by Tori Lutz

This poetry collection focuses on early life and how crushes and mental health can collide side by side growing up. Some Stand Out Poems To Me Were: Even Good Stories End, alikening our stories, the pages of our life chapters and bookmark moments in life too that we remember even years on like revisiting chapters in a book. If Hallmark Made A Card For Everything, was a funny ironic poem about even bad situations having a suitable card made for them even if inappropriate! Mind Races, about how you can wonder if you linger on someone else's mind how they do in yours too. Littlest Surprises, was a fun metaphorical poem about alikening a dress, to a partner, finding a fit and joy at surprises you encounter. A great collection showing how growing up can be tough not just for facing crushes but also dealing with mental health too.

Eternity Between Us by Katherine Nandita

This poetry collection was written in a classical style that flowed with lots of ethereal and natural imagery that touched upon the beauty of the love we hold and have the ability to grow and nurture. From requited and powerful love to the simmering endurance of unrequited admiration and adoration too, it was a collection that flowed like reading multiple stories about love in various ways existing.

Loving Him Is Heaven & Hell by Madison Meadows

This was a great collection of poems about all the happy and sad ways a relationship can cause you to feel. Some stand out poems to me were: The Closed Door, about the pain hiding behind a shut door, unknowing what emotional state awaits you, turbulent or loving. A Bad Habit, about the pain from hoping and facing unrequited feelings, lust or love and how it's hard to break through feeling how you do. The Art From Heartbreak, literally playing into even creating the poetry collection from heartbreak and how from the relationship dying art can grow and something positive can come from your heart being broken. Support, the final poem, about regaining independence and learning yourself again after a relationship ends was an empowering poem to read and relate to. A collection that captures the happy and sad times of falling in and out of love.

The Big Black Dog by Lesley Scott

This poetry collection focuses on the dark times of life and struggles with depression and mental health and grief. Some stand out poems to me were: Eyes Closed and Haunted, about the way a love can leave you, how it can really linger and effect you deeply even as time continues on. Tree Of Me, was a beautiful poem alikening us and our growth to the life and strength of a tree. This was a great collection that captures the pain and hope at the same time from various life situations.

Gym Junky by Brentom Jackson

This was a fantastic verse poetry style written story about the dangers of steroid use in young men and boys especially. Showing how in the social media age we live in and how it can pressure young guys to view themselves and others in an unhealthy way wanting to be seen as 'bigger' or more 'manly' and muscular. The story developed flowing excepionally well, touching on health, relationships and friendships and feelings of feeling inadequate to others older and the danger on mental and physical health of bulking and steroid use and pushing your body into unhealthy habits from outside pressure not of focusing on what makes you happy deep inside. The book also had plenty of shocking twists and turns along the way and the title was a clever play on words too. An eye opening read on the complex dangers of steroid use and eating/training disorders that can effect men and women equally.

The Girl I Used To Be: Poems on Healing, Worthiness, and Becoming by BreAnn Manuel

This poetry collection was very short and reads as a poetic monologue of truths laid out bare, raw and unfiltered about the negatives that relationships can bring and lessons from them that can shape you in the future. A real and true collection of life as you grow up through the poems penned and shared.

A Violet Rose, Bloomed in the Winter: Poetry for the heartbroken by Cristian Solís

This poetry collection was incredibly moving capturing all the various emotions stemming from a relationship once so strong breaking up. A stand out poem of the collection to me was, Love Is Like An Orchard, playing into bruising and rotting as pain alikening human life to fruit life and the battles we can face. The final sentence and author's note were a lovely lingering tone to end on of hopeful positivity and the lingering appreciation for a person who's made you feel so much.

You Don't Have To Be Normal You Just Have To Be Here by Hans Sinob

This poetry collection is born from the depths of dealing with bipolar, the highs and lows it brings you like a sometimes positive gift or an unwanted gift depending on the impact in the moment. Touching on dark and light moments in life, this book definitely gets you thinking on how our differences make us truly who we are.

Fading Into Bloom by Cheryl Haynes

This poetry collection focuses on the impact types of dementia can have on your loved one's and in this case the author's mother and captures the ways in which she can remember yet still be slowly fading at the same time. The book really captures the juxtaposition the condition can give with up's and down's the condition delivers over months in experience of observing and being witness to the sad changes dealt to have to face.

I Am Learning To Love Me: Story and Poetry Book by Aradhya Sharma

This poetry collection talks of the pain of heartbreak and the aftermath you are left with to adapt, rebuild and become yourself again by treating yourself with soft care and healthy boundaries. The book also has a section of Dear Me letters and affirmations, a series of self belief and self love encouragement pieces to end on and be left to sit with and reflect which was such a lovely way to make us reflect.

For Those Who Stayed by Thomas Veins

This was a beautiful collection of poetry about appreciation for moments in life that lead people to come in to your life and leave you with a lasting impression. Some stand out poems to me were: If You Want To Write, a simple poem about as it says quite literally if you want to write and to actually do so and get inspired. Almost Zero, about the chances of each of us being here by generations of choices made making our lives all collide now. Snowdrop, was a beautiful poem alikening the strength of a flower to grow through a harsh winter to the strength in life some people willingly take on their shoulders. You Should Be Here, about moments amplifying missing someone, even the mundane everyday ones, especially those. Loving A Writer, about the depth and the different lenses that anyone who writes sees through, reading people and scenario's and situations in multiple ways compared to others. It was a great collection of poems about various people and situations we encounter in life and showing appreciation for all they have given us.

The Change: A Healing Journey by Rae Greenwood

This poetry collection focuses on the change of how losing a baby can cause you to feel and how companionship in a surprising way by in the author's instance of a pet cat and in my own a pet bunny can help you find fragile hope and help you cope after such a loss that once seemed impassable.

The Loss: A Fragile Journey (The Journey Series: A Poetry Collection Book 1) by Rae Greenwood

This was a tender collection of poetry honouring a little one lost tragically too soon, early loss or chemical pregnancy which can sound clinical, is something a lot of us can experience and this book of poems perfectly captured how a pregnancy can change your life forever, even if you never got to hold your little one.

Fragments Of Love by Saraswat Dey

This collection of poetry focuses on all the small fragments of showing love in poems displaying illustrational line drawings with each poem to annotate the idea and meaning further. The stand out poem to me was easily, Before You Fall Asleep, a simple idea but deep feeling about the tender moments shared before sleep together with your loved one. The collection perfectly captures all the ways you feel from falling in love, the tender moments, the hard goodbyes, the way love lingers in various ways in every day moments and after a relationship ends too. A great collection that absolutely suits it's title, a beautiful collection of fragments of love captured.

A Garden in the Dark: Poems of quiet strength, blooming in silence by Emory Rivers

This poetry collection is all about reconnecting to yourself after being hurt by people through life and how moving on and leaving them in the past can be freeing and healing over time for yourself. Some stand out poems to me were: The Beauty Of Solitude, a relatable poem about enjoying your own company, not being lonely but content pleasing yourself. Holding Hands With Loneliness, spoke openly of the empty space being more welcoming and comfortable than guessing how another truly feels to leave you questioning and worried over feeling content. The Mirror's Reflection, was a really relatable poem about body imagie discomfort caused by others judgement before our own appreciation for what it can do. The Roads We Didn't Take, about versions of us that could've once existed had we made different choices in life. Some heavy and powerful poems to relate to.

I'll Leave A Light On by William Bortz

This poetry collection was tender and hopeful and the title poem especially about the act of choosing each other again and again was beautiful. Some stand out poems to me were: Grasping, especially stood out as the tender breath of connection between a baby and parent. Apple Picking, too, about the delight in simple things providing joy in family life daily. Even When The Day Is Over, about returning to the one you love after a day whether full of good or bad moments. Tourniquet, was a great ending poem to remind us all the pain we can inflict on ourselves we have the ability to prevent harming us. A beautiful concept collection of the light family and connection provides us with hope and love, always.

Things I Never Learned How To Say by Ever Grin

This poetry collection focuses on some hard hitting life topics from grief, self love, cutting off friends and relationships despite the hurt it can cause but protect you from. The collection reads as poems giving truly honest reflections on life issues and hard times faced which we can relate to.

Poetry Book Hidden Narrative by Sohini

This poetry collection focuses on the pain childhood can cause in trauma lingering on into adult life and how you can feel you were diminished instead of cherished and how you can struggle with attachment and feeling solitude is safer after everything you've faced. A deep feeling collection.

It Will Be Ok by Gracie Madison Elizabeth

This poetry collection tells of the author falling in love, all the emotions that came with it and the aftermath of the ending of said relationship and friendship. The book was beautifully set out with black on white type and illustrations throughout to annotate the poems too it was a sad but beautiful collection of poems that flowed easily telling the story of love and friendship and the effects of the break-up leading hack to the title, especially, with hindsight too.

Distorted Mirror: Truth Scars Can't Cover by Lesli Black

This poetry collection focuses on the trauma lingering long after childhood and the echoes that persevere into adulthood and upon reflection of your life compared to others your age. Especially how at surface level, such as in photo's, a family can look perfectly fine. The book also talks deeply on sexual trauma and how the effects of sexual assault can almost rewire you as a person struggling and existing in survival mode. A collection that cuts deeply and cuts no corners in the brave depth of honesty.

3AM Poems by Ashis Tiwari

This poetry collection focuses on the thoughts that creep in and linger during the night and echo in the day too from feeling low and unsure to feeling the story of how faking happy can be more draining and ultimately how writing and talking can help, especially making this collection I know so many will easily relate too from spending nights overthinking, ruminating and finding yourself unable to switch off and sleep.

Trauma's Witness by SaDee Hodge

This new poetry collection by SaDee holds nothing back alike in her other poetry collections about trauma and abuse in relationships and how the effect's linger set across six parts in the book. Some stand out poems of this collection to me were: The Graveyard Of Memories, was an epic poem of reclamation of your favourite things after the trauma caused and their lingering memories. Not Guilty, was such a sad and solemn poem of how the system can be so wrong for the victim's of crime. Shell-shock, was an absolutely honest match up between war and trauma and how so many terrible situations can be traumatic and cause lingering PTSD in years after the event happening and the way it's not just caused by wartime as can be so often mistaken for being the solo situation to be the only cause and effect of PTSD. I also was delighted to read the final part and learn that SaDee after everything bravely being retold has been supported and is feeling more positive currently too.

Sad Faery Poems 2 by T.L. MacRae

This new collection from T.L. MacRae was a great new no holding back continuation of her Sad poetry series, detailing highs and lows of feelings and relationships with reflections on past relationships, hopes for finding someone just like you to stay and lots of honest, raw and deep discussion on past abuse. A couple of stand out poems to me were: Unrequited Love, such a simple poem about the magic of liking soneone so much and the feelings they can evoke in you. Struggling, was an honest poem about trying an failing to make money last especially now it's so relatable to many especially more so when you've grown up living in poverty barely scraping by and being forced into picking and choosing which bills to pay. I loved how this collection ties back to discussing the other previous collections and is so empowering in owning making art from painful situations. The collection also ends on a hard reflective note on abuse and important messages about trust and love. I also appreciated the end acknowledgement note as a fellow self publishing writer, in a world changing I too feel often for the worse I agree with every word written and agree that writing is definitely the healthiest therapy for yourself.

The Witch Doesn't Drown In This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic) by Amanda Lovelace

This is a collection of empowerment poetry for anyone of any gender or sexual identity to step back and realise as people we should all just be more kinder and caring towards each other. The book especially does focus on the modern day ways that women having a voice has caused clashes of opinions especially about right to have opinions and show strength in choices only you can make over your body, the pro-choice debate and even if you can have a baby, infertility effects so many and isn't discussed or accepted enough still and is so taboo and it's refreshing to have a poetry collection openly writing to display all situations and experiences we can encounter. The title poem of the collection especially captures the sadness I think many of us feel especially if we've experienced toxic and draining relationships and overall this collection is a triumphant return to Amanda's poetry collections I've read and enjoyed before.

An Ode To Healing by Mira Patel

This poetry collection was hugely engaging and very moving, looking on situations that can be tough to face and make you feel rough in life situations you face. Some stand out poems to me were: Friends, about feeling like the after thought in many situations when people don't check in Double Life, about dressing to go out vs the house you live in falling apart a metaphorical look at trying to adapt and flourish into more than your surroundings can sufficate you in to feeling. The Girl Who Speaks In Smiles, was such a truthful and relatable poem about covering up sadness and trying to feel like you fit in by smiling to cover up how you truly feel for it being easier and less odd that saying actually, I'm not ok and having to face people asking simply why? Then not understanding you. Projection, was again, a really relatable poem about seeing your parents traits in yourself and how their views and opinions can be reflected back in the words they speak and the way they treat you too. Daydreamer, about being the observer and having a fantastic imagination others might not understand, especially relatable if growing up you were branded as shy not just silent and observing until you have something to contribute. This was easily one of the most relatable collections of poetry I've read and the honesty through the poems was courageous and made it all the more heartfelt.

The Size Of Your Joy by Elise Powers

This poetry collection perfectly captures the feelings of growing up as a girl becoming a woman and learning through life situations, how you grow, adapt and change and how you become aware of dangers to your safety especially unfortunately. Some stand out poems to me were: California, was a deeply hard hitting poem, especially having gone through a near same situation, panic attack and all. The poem, Inventory Of Unnecessary Apologies, was a really simple poem playing into it's title about all the silly things we say sorry for in life, like the old joke of saying sorry for always saying sorry! A Broken Rule, about self judgement by looking in mirrors and how we should all I feel too, be more animal, and love ourselves without seeing our physical selves and putting all our worth into looks alone not character. Generational Healing, was such a beautiful and aware poem, I wish we all treated daughters, nieces etc to embrace not desire to change their natural physique and accept how we're all meant to be as our unique selves. Part 2, another accompanying poem as well, was a lovely reflectional as time has passed further and showing a lovely progression. Savage, was such a deeply impressive and well thought out poem on all angles of becoming a mother from the literal, the physical and to the emotional equivalent of holding your heart in your arms and having to protect it forever more not being inside you safe from harm. Two Sides Of The Same Moon, was a tender and deeply moving poem about both sides of fertility and the truth of how fragile it can truly be. There was also a great poem about simply appreciating clouds, something simple yet magical like all the colours of the sky, shapes and textures we observe not often enough that nature gives us the simple beauty of to appreciate and enjoy observing yet often overlook It was a beautiful collection of simple ways to see joy in every day life and situations.

The Dogs I Have Kissed by Trista Mateer

This collection of poetry details the all consuming feelings of falling deep in love and wanting to stay together before we read how it can unravel and leave you reeling and coping with your feelings. Keys On The Coffee Table, was a powerful poem of freedom and escape from feeling trapped in a relationship too when it can be a toxic situation and was easily the stand out poem of this collection to me for being so simple, leave a bad situation if you don't feel loved or happy there or in that relationship, a very important core message to take away from the collection.

To Be Loved By A Poet by Michael J Schiuma

This poetry collection literally does as it says and tells us of how a poet felt so deeply for his beloved. A couple of stand out poems to me were: Mine To Lose, was a beautiful poem about how we can easily lose sight of the weight of precious love in the heat of an argument and how it can ruin and sever Space, was a poem about longing for love that has left leaving you feeling deeply sad at the end of the time together. It was a beautiful collection capturing how it is to feel so deeply encompassed in love but the turmoil of loss and grief of it as well, the beauty and pain of having the chance to feel the depths of emotions so fully.

The Art Of Loving Yourself by Nana Juste

This poetry collection is set into three parts: Healing, Boundaries and acceptance/integration telling a poetic story of healing through to accepting how life was and now is and all endured along the way to alter your feelings. From shrinking to fit in, having boundaries, to respect yourself first before serving up time to people who would use or waste it unappreciatively and how you flourish through learning, growing into the adult your child self once needed, craving the necessary love to feel able to flourish. A lot of the poems talk about how being present for yourself isn't loneliness but healing and solitude to learn to be comfortable alone, a necessity when you will always have yourself in this life. The book absolutely owned it's title and clearly maps a way to approach your own self reflections on life as you grow, progress and reflect on everything you've experienced and find yourself relating to multiple poems in this collection.

Mama Poems by Melody Li

This poetry collection was as the title says, poems by a mama about her experience becoming a mum and embracing all it entails. A couple of stand out poems to me were: Seeds And Fruit, about the sizing and changing baby growing in fun comparisons to foods. We All Just Need To Sleep, was a tender look into life trying to adapt and sleep with a new one, in a comfortable way for all and no judgement to achive said rest much needed! These poems are so precious capturing the delight and pain in pregnancy and the joy and bliss as well as testing times in raising baby too.

After You Notice by OCTAVIA OCTAVIANO

This poetry collection focuses on all the ways of fulfilling your heart and doing want you need to or want to do versus making someone else happy, even if it is work, you need to fulfil your own desire, doing it despite maybe failing ahead but pleasing yourself first.

Every Constellation by Shannon Sonnenberg-Pietila

This poetry collection focuses on the first experience of love and a relationship that shapes you and your idea of love, lust and most importantly trust. Perfectly capturing the highs and lows of young desire and love that felt endless until doubts in trust make cracks and a split occurs.

On This Beautiful Day by Genevieve Luke

This poetry collection reads as if for a wedding, each one usable as speeches but is also just a beautiful collection of poetic words of how love can make you feel and appreciate. Some stand out poems to me were: Evergreen, was a beautiful poem to celebrate how life and love can be like the seasons renewing. Twenty Questions, was a great poem and engaging for people to get involved with. THE ALPHABET OF LOVE, was an incredibly simple poetic look at making the alphabet for a couple in love a set of rules to live by styled A-Z. The collection is full of stunning poetic imagery from seasons to daily life feelings, finding beauty in the every day mundane feeling more spectacular in love and with your beloved. A brilliant collection to spark inspiration from for poetry or indeed, a wedding speech!

This Book Has No Ending by Shannon Sonnenberg-Pietila

This was a beautiful collection of poetry in which each poem serves up hope and realization on reflection about life and love especially self love and putting first yourself always to be truly happy.

Secrets Make You Sick by Sarah Erin

This poetry collection was a raw and unfiltered look into life coping with mental health, bipolar and the effects in life and all the ups and downs it brings. Some stand out poems to me of this collection, focussed on pregnancy loss especially from an unexpected pregnancy and the pain of the sudden experience. There was also a lot of poems about the effects of bipolar and how being misunderstood by others can leave you feeling so sad and worse as your condition can be viewed so negatively by others unwilling to take time to educate themselves.

The Graveyard Of My Mind by Matilda Reed

This poetry collection focuses on the depths of the minds most buried moments and feelings with a fabulous title to sum it up nicely. Some stand out poems to me were: Show Vs Tell, about showing love over voicing it with words. Taking, about someone you love only taking your light and only giving darkness back. Under Educated, was an incredible poem of how reading words versus reading the one you love is so different. Powerful Pens, about reclaiming your voice and power over past pain with words and ink, hence the power of the pen. The Giver/Self Care, about how being the giver drains you so much to finally put yourself first. It was a brilliant collection of thoughts through life captured and spilled as poetry alike laying down life to rest and reset your mind as much as possible.

Don't Let Your Figs Rot by Nana Juste

This poetry collection focuses on figs as a metaphor in various ways gor all the chances available to pick from in life. The Tree Was Heavy, about the branches life gives you some heavy, some light and joyful but overall can make you overthink the choices. All The Lives I Didn't Live and lots of poems especially in the final few poems of the book talk openly and honestly of the pain of choices made and the ones never taken that linger in their own form of grief. It was a beautiful collection of poetry to sit with and read in one go and the fig metaphor was brilliantly executed throughout the collection.