DEWEY'S READATHON REVIEW: THE SUN AND HER FLOWERS BY RUPI KAUR.

Title: The Sun and Her Flowers
Author: Rupi Kaur
Series: Standalone
Edition: Paperback
Publication: October 3rd 2017 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: Bought from National Bookstore
Pages: 249 pages
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:

From Rupi Kaur, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of milk and honey, comes her long-awaited second collection of poetry. A vibrant and transcendent journey about growth and healing. Ancestry and honoring one’s roots. Expatriation and rising up to find a home within yourself.

Divided into five chapters and illustrated by Kaur, the sun and her flowers is a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. A celebration of love in all its forms.

this is the recipe of life
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
think of those flowers you plant
in the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon ▴ Barnes and Noble ▴ Book Depository ▴ National Bookstore

Trigger Warning - Rape

The Sun and Her Flowers is my first Rupi Kaur book, I must say that I enjoyed and connected to it the most part. The verses bring awareness to issues people would normally ignore and some had hit home. Most of my fave parts left me uttering what-the-fucks because of how real and strong they were.

However, it was a little bit of a let down. Maybe because of my high-expectations brought by the hype. A lot of the verses or topics confused me. What also weirded me out is that the book is chopped in to 5 chapters but some entries do not feel like they were in the correct chapter? Most of my feelings jumped between the previous chapters and the verse I was at. Also, a chunk of it bore me. To death. The illustration also wasn't my cup of tea.

The Sun and Her Flowers is an okay read. I loved the cover and I liked it enough to rate it 3 stars. I will definitely pick up Milk and Honey, there might be more feels in there.

"it isn't what we left behind
that breaks me
it's what we could've built
Had we stayed"

REVIEW: THE MAPS THAT CONTAIN US BY MARLA MINIANO.

Title: The Maps That Contain Us
Authors: Marla Miniano, Reese Lansangan
Series: Standalone
Edition: Paperback
Publication: September 2017 by Summit Books
Source: Bought from National Bookstore
Pages: 99
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:
What are the places that have transformed you? What are the cities you’ll never forget? What are the paths that will forever mark your soul?

In creating their new book of poetry and flash fiction, The Maps That Contain Us, bestselling author Marla Miniano and singer/songwriter Reese Lansangan write about the restless, unforgettable migrations of their spirits. From Ann Siang Road in Singapore to Matnog in Sorsogon, from Amsterdam to Tokyo to Hawaii, they explore love, loss, life, and loneliness in this collection, hoping to finally find their place in this world.

LOCATE THE BOOK HERE:

National Bookstore ▴ BookSale Store ▴ Fullybooked

"Guard your heart, the blues and the purples of it,

close it and lock it and slode the key under

the threadbare carpet for now. Don't worry,

you will find it when you need to. It can

wait. Close your heart, love, but open

your mouth to speak just before you leave--

not to say goodbye, but to tell him you're done

breaking. There are only pinks and golds

in your horizon, and even indelible ink

washes off in time, fades out the way voices

in the night do. And when he laughs

and tells you to save it for yourself, don't

allow yourself to shut down. Even when

he says it again and again: save it for yourself.

Save it for yourself. Run a hand over your face,

everything is in place, remember,

tear your eyes away from his mouth, still

moving, trace a path to the front door, and

save yourself. --MM"

The first time I heard of this book on Twitter, I knew I had to get it. I just knew. The gut-feeling that it's something I would enjoy was just there, flickering. You know that saying about trusting your gut? Damn son, my gut was right because I LOVED THIS!

As a frustrated artist, I admire prints that are done in watercolor. The Maps That Contain Us has these illustrations on the cover that are catchy and pretty much sold me the book. I cannot tell you how much I adore the cover alone! It showcases the talent of the illustrator and it gets you intrigued by just one look. Not only that, the illustrations inside are all gallery worthy I wanna frame them all and hang them on my wall so when I look at them, I will be reminded of how beautiful this book is.

Such a tiny book but is full-packed with the things that make your heart ache. The loss and longing in this book are all so deep I can't help contemplate about such sensitive topics in my life. That raw pain in there was just so strong I am at a loss for words. There's nothing more painful than knowing the story behind an art and this little book is surprisingly such a beautiful outlet of the said pain. The prose was alluring and it felt like - *snaps fingers* - a comfort and reassurance that every thing is going to be okay. You know when you also get that sentimental feeling that when you go to a certain place, you associate it with a memory? This book is THAT, exactly and it is beyond beautiful.

The Maps that Contain Us has impacted me in ways I didn't anticipate. It speaks to me. I loved the prose, writing style combinations, illustrations and cover. This book is written from the soul, a masterpiece that mirrors the heart, sorrow and all.

"I keep coming back
Not because I love you best
But I had you first -RL"

REVIEW: ; (SEMICOLON) BY NAVEED KHAN.

Title: ; (Semicolon)
Author: Naveed A. Khan
Series: Poetry
Edition: eBook
Publication: February 4th 2013
Source: Free on Amazon
Pages: 125
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:
A collection of poetry by xq, published in February 2013. The pseudonym "xq" was adopted by writer Naveed Khan as an experimental anonymous release. Other works by this author include Cheap Therapy, Wrapping Paper, and Decaf.

One day, I might perhaps become something so small and insignificant to you that you only think of me as often as you think of the little particles of dust that you can see floating around the window in the late afternoon sun.
If I'm lucky enough, you'll think of me as often as never thinking of me again at all.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon

The same forces that bring two people together are the same ones that pull them apart.

I only read a handful of poetry books and Semicolon definitely stands out. The beauty of words showered me with feels and the captivating emotions within this little book gave me a heartwarming experience. A few pages in and I knew I'd love this. The passion of the author is something else. You can feel it leaking as your turn every page. I am absolutely happy that I stumbled upon this poetry book! My heart is so SO full right now and don't you wish someone loves you this deeply, freely and tenderly?

OMG, what an amazing book! I highly recommend this to fans of Lang Leav! Semicolon is a feel-good and swoony book!

"I remember feeling the most alive
the moment I realized that it hurts
far more to miss something I never had
than to miss something I did."

"I learned to love you quietly, because I know you prefer silence"

"We grow together as we fall in sync with our inconsistencies"

REVIEW: THE LAST TIME I'LL WRITE ABOUT YOU BY DAWN LANUZA.

Title: The Last Time I'll Write About You
Author: Dawn Lanuza
Series: Standalone
Edition: Paperback
Publication: 2016
Source: Bought from the author
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:
Should I be
Thankful
Or
Regretful
That my only idea
Of love
Is
You?

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

 ▴ Amazon ▴

This is the first poetry book I owned and I quite enjoyed it. It wasn't as deep as opposed to what I am accustomed to but it still pinches the heart greatly. The lines are written as if you wrote them yourself in the middle of the night while nursing your broken heart and this one is absolutely relatable!

Made these by the way:

"I meant to keep you but I didn't want to be kept. You see the problem?"

"You are the dream but I've had wake-up calls"

REVIEW: THIS IS HOW IT STARTS BY DAWN LANUZA.

Title: This is How it Starts
Author: Dawn Lanuza
Series: Standalone
Edition: Kindle
Publication: June 24th 2017 by Indie Sisiw Books
Source: Bought from Amazon
Pages: 62
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:

Not all
heartbreaks
have to end
with you
broken.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon

Another short masterpiece by my lovely Dawn! This is my second poetry book by her and I loved it! I just feel so sorry for my heart after reading this. The things you read in here would either rip you apart or uplift you (but mostly rip you apart). Don't be fooled by how quick this read is because the feels could probably smack you down. Exquisite book! The cover and illustrations are cute and I know this would be perfect once printed! Can't wait for the print copy!

"We're no longer present in the future
We once imagined in the past."

REVIEW: BEFORE I LOSE MY NERVE BY LAYLA TANJUTCO.

Title: Before I Lose My Nerve: (This is NOT About You)
Author: Layla S. Tanjutco
Series: Standalone
Edition: Paperback
Publication: April 29th 2017 // Self-Published
Source: Bought
Pages: 55
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:
If you’ve ever had your heart broken you would know that it takes courage to love again. Before I Lose My Nerve is a collection of poems about heartbreak, the journey to finding the courage to love again, and realizing the kind of love that one deserves.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon ▴ RomanceClass ▴ Author's Site

Before I Lose My Nerve: (This is NOT About You) was my second #RomanceClass poetry book and I did enjoy this one. It encompasses different feelings and I can't help but face the nostalgia! It definitely lets you reminisce and express. There's this pinch in the heart that makes you feel everything. The joy of loving and being needed and the crushing pain of being left behind. How hard and maddening it is to accept the reality that the person you long for longs for someone else. Damn, feels. It's a good one but totally short. I wish it was longer, a little bit longer.

"You are a mistake I am willing to constantly make."