The Poet X | 
pickI lost this book midway 6 months back. Found it in the storeroom today randomly, and finished it in one sitting. So happy about it!!
pickThe power of words. Being quiet outside doesn‘t mean you‘re quiet inside. Words bounce around a lot in Xiomara. While I don‘t understand her life, I can feel her desire to let loose. To find her freedoms. Through her journals; her lifeline. That‘s the power of words. Xiomara gets better in standing up from her fists to her words. This growth is amazingly written. She questions it all
Book being written this way helps tell story. Used book
The Poet X vs. The Founding was so, so hard to choose. I chose the Poet because it came as a surprise to me, while I knew I was going to love The Founding.
So here we are.
pickThis was good, but for some reason, I didn't connect with the story as much as with her other two books. #BookSpinBingo #DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks
"my body was a problem"
I'm walking and listening with some tears in my eyes because I don't know any woman who hasn't felt this way. Maybe not specifically in the context of X, i.e. being sexualised by men at a young age when it is unwanted, but just in general. How young we get taught that our bodies are problems to always be fixed, tweaked, solved, worked on, etc. That's just fuckin' sad.
pickAll of the stars 🌟 I loved this. Once I started, I was loathe to put it down (this why I sneak read most of this under my desk at work 🤫😆). While depicting the specific experience of Xiomara, Acevedo is able to capture feelings that may be near universal for teens - feeling lonely, unheard by the adults in your life, wanting to belong, wanting to be unnoticed, but also wanting to shine.
“She cocks her head at me, and pats the seat next to her.
‘I‘m Isabelle, who woulda thought you was a poet? Dope.‘”
pickWow! What a book! And I got lucky to get audio book read by Acevedo herself. That's even more intense! This is so strong, so deep, so important and meaningful. Amazing and breathtaking. For sure one of this months highlights.
pickHad to re-read this one for a class, and really enjoyed it! Plus, it‘s a great excuse to get my own copy lol
pickAnother winner from Acevedo! The lady sure has talent! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
#bookspinbingo - got a 3rd bingo!
#pop22 - book by a Latinx author
pickI loved this story, it was moving and emotional. I have not read many books in verse, but I do enjoy that way of writing.
ELIZABETH ACEVEDO will discuss the recent removal of THE POET X from a New Kent Middle School in Virginia, as James River Writers explores the harmful effects of book banning and the not so subtle patterns emerging in the books that are being targeted.
https://jamesriverwriters.org/event/censorship-book-banning-an-important-and-tim...
pick"Late into the night I write and
the pages of my notebook swell
from all the words I‘ve pressed onto them.
It almost feels like
the more I bruise the page
the quicker something inside me heals."
It is incredible how this prose in verse can encompass such a fabulous avalanche of emotions, hit with giant waves of teenage frustration and passion and make the reader relive that unforgettable age that is adolescence.
This is one of the most important events James River Writers is holding this year. Banning books isn‘t about protecting children, it‘s about silencing voices that need to be heard. This is a chance to learn how to help protect the stories that need to be shared. The deadline to register is December 5th. #BannedBooks
https://jamesriverwriters.org/event/censorship-book-banning-an-important-and-tim...
pickGorgeous day here in London ON today ( 15° C) finished this amazing book today driving to school. I cried at the end ? this is a small but powerful book and the audio is phenomenal
Making me think of On the Come Up and Clap When You Land. Loving this on audio
pickAn audiobook that is short in length but packed with emotion. I usually avoid books #writteninverse but so enjoyed this one. Acevado writes such strong characters and I felt so much for Xiomora as she discovers her voice and explores the tumult of emotions she feels growing into herself and finding her way within her family, her first relationship; and her world.
#booked2021
pickThis is an amazing book. I will be purchasing a physical copy.
The story. The writing. The emotion. Fantastic.
I only have one issue … why did I wait so long!?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excuse my language… Holy fuck what took me so long!!!!?
pickThere's no denying that Acevedo is a powerful writer, invoking a strong sense of place, culture, and emotions with her beautiful prose. In this book a teenage girl finds her voice, learns to accept herself and her body, comes to terms with the differences between her and her family - it's a complete coming of age tale told in free verse that flows as easily as water from the tap. A quick read that shouldn't be missed.
pickSecond book by Acevedo and it didn‘t disappoint. I love that‘s it‘s written in verse, especially because the main character, Xiomara, learns confidence and self-acceptance through writing in verse. It‘s very poignant for a teenage girl but I immediately passed the book on to my sister and mom to read as it touches all ages.
pickI don't usually read poetry but I found this verse novel amazing. It is a YA about Xiomara who is struggling to find her place in the world until she discovers slam poetry. She expresses her feelings and fears through her written words and as she gains confidence she shares her writing.
This is the second novel that I've read by Acevedo and I've loved both of them. Looking forward to reading more.
so-soDon't be hating on me. I liked it: didn't love it. I was rooting for Xiomara as she came into her power by finding and learning to trust her voice through poetry. (I could have done without all the obsessing about a boy, but she *is* a teenager.) But that's the thing: I enjoyed it as a novel. As *verse* it read to my ear as chopped-up prose. I think it wants an actual voice to bring it to life. There must be an audiobook, surely? I'd choose that.
pickThis story gave me so much inspiration that I placed myself in the shoes of the protagonist. Writing allowed me to express my voice, and Xiomara wanted her voice to be heard. I am grateful to have read the story about a young poet, who goes through this navigation called life. I am also even more proud to have this book in my Recommended Book Club.
pickI love books written in verse. This was a story that‘s told so beautifully. I loved the unflinching look into some hard themes like rape culture, body shaming, slut shaming, religion/religious abuse etc. I also adored Xiamara. The only thing negative I can say is a spoiler for the ending so I won‘t get into that. But I would happily read more from this author.
#Booked2021 - latinx author
I finished Midnight Library last night, I‘ll post a review later this evening. I try to write reviews before I dive into another book but my goal is to finish this one before work tonight. Since it‘s written in verse I don‘t think that will be too much of a challenge.
pickMy favorite summer activity: reading a whole YA book in one day. This one was in one sitting! I don‘t read poetry often, but I loved this one.
pickWow, Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing author!!! All the books I‘ve read by her have been amazing, and this one was no different. The one thing I would have liked is if there had been a sequel following Xavier‘s experience throughout and after this book. 5🌟
pickThis is a beautiful and heartbreaking story. It is well written,very interesting.
Lots of feelings in this story.
I love Xiomara. I feel for her,but she is strong. I rooted for her from the beginning.
Her mom was very hard on her because her mom did not want Xiomara to end up like her. She wanted more for Xiomara. Xiomara has a brother, Xavier. A quiet young man,with his own problems.
pickThis book has been sitting on my shelf for a year waiting to be read. I decided to pick it up this morning and I‘m so mad at myself for letting it sit there. For so long. Xiomara writes her thoughts and feelings through poems in a journal. Poems about boys, and questioning religion, being able to be herself. The novel is told entirely in verse. 4.5⭐️
pickI picked up the audiobook for The Poet X while I was on a walk and needed something to listen to. I was immediately drawn into Acevedo's voice and storytelling and couldn't stop listening even after my walk was over. This is a short story but one that packs so much into it. I remember thinking that if I'd picked this up at my local library when I was a teenager, it would have been one of those that I checked out over and over again. cont IG and GR
pick💗 💗 💗
Just finished the audiobook version of this beautiful novel. It's read by the author which is always a plus! Poetry and fierce feminism, what's not to love?
Commute view. New audiobook. I loved Acevedo‘s voice and the way she uses it.
pickThis was amazing. I love a book in verse and this was beautiful. The story in the verse is enthralling and features family, first love, and tackles parents' expectations and how sometimes you just can't live up to them. And that's ok. Just beautiful
They just called Jay-z, Nas, and Eve 'old-school' rappers. I. Am. Ancient.
Excited to read this but I noticed it has like a 97% rating. I love to try to find the bad reviews of books that are clearly loved. Couldn't find the so so or pan reviews of this one so not sure why that rating but seems to be well loved.
#JanuaryStats
I read 22 books last month, and some of the ones I liked best are pictured here. There was a decent mix of non-fiction, balanced with some #KidLit and romance, but my favorite of the month was The Poet X, hands down! #LovePrevails
@Eggs
pickFinished my January #DoubleSpin, a very compelling read!!
Sadly didn‘t get to my #BookSpin, but will carry it over and hopefully read it in February.🤞🏽
pickI don't typically read novels in verse, but I really enjoyed this one. Xiomara made me feel like a 15 year old girl all over again. She is grappling with first love, finding her identity, and an overbearing mother among other adolescent struggles. It was beautiful and telling -- a reminder about how hard it still is to be a kid! I think my students would love this one too. Thanks for the recommendation @Kdgordon88 and @monalyisha for organizing!
“Maybe, the only thing that has to make sense about being somebody's friend is that you help them be their best self on any given day. That you give them a home when they don't want to be in their own.“
“She tells me words give people permission to be their fullest self and aren't these the poems I most needed to hear?“
“Their gazes and words are heavy with all the things they want you to be.“
