so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This sadly wasn‘t my favorite of Nikita Gill‘s collections of poetry, as I felt that most of the poems felt pretty generic. As a nurse who worked in the ER during the COVID pandemic, I wish Gill explored more of the trauma that those on the frontline faced and dealing with all of the lives that were lost during that time.
“You do not walk this earth, feet blistered with burdens and suffering, by yourself. There are so many of us who walk with you, yet each one us believes we are abandoned in our pain.”
- Nikita Gill
Probably one of my favorite poetry/prose collections I have read so far this year (Courtney Peppernell‘s All Dogs Are Good is giving it a run for its money though.) A reflective collection following the start of lockdown over covid and how it changed everyone‘s plans for 2020. It addresses mental health, loneliness, love and kindness. My favorites in it were “ City, Ruins and You” as well as “And Even Through This”.
I woke up early for me and thought “I‘ll wait to open my #PoetrySwap”! Then the day got away, and as I was settling in for an evening of Olympics watching I went “OHHHHH!!!! I have a box of goodies to open!” You really gave me a special swap, @BookBosomed1 ! I can‘t believe all the wonderful choices, but I‘m delighted by them all, and I especially love that the coffee is sourced from close by you. What a lovely swap!
so-soGill‘s letter in the beginning of the book is deeply heartfelt, but the poetry throughout didn‘t give off the same vibe. I think she wrote about a lot of meaningful topics, but much of this collection felt generic to me. I thought the poems felt forced, rather than words generated from the theme of heartbreak and isolation. That‘s not to say they didn‘t genuinely stem from those things, but the actual ache didn‘t translate on paper for me.
pickWhat a beautiful poetry collection! This book is the perfect beauty that came from the hell that was 2020. In Gill's poetry, we can find ourselves and our complicated feelings about this past year. Gill's imagery, her view of the world, and her hope in goodness and kindness is sure to resonate with all readers. This book belongs in a time capsule to show the best of what came from 2020.
#netgalley #hachettebooks
“You do not walk this earth, feet blistered with burdens and suffering, by yourself. There are so many of us who walk with you, yet each one us believes we are abandoned in our pain.”
pickSOON TO BE RELEASED: June 1st!! 20 minutes in, I pre ordered a hard copy of this phenomenal collection that captures the the heartaches, loss,& fears that we all experienced at some point during the pandemic since last year. Very honest and vulnerable, Gill presents encouragement and hope “even in this”. This did such healing for my soul and mental health. Verdict: a must read for all! Hopefully will be able to add to my teen library next year.
Major praise: my summer classes don‘t start until June 1!! ( Info I found said classes started today 🤪)
Not so great news: library classes are only offered at 10 weeks. So it‘s going to be really fast and furious with two classes, both which are known to be difficult professors/ classes.
Good news: I have a 2 1/2 week break from grad school until then! 🎉🎉 Will be catching up on my reading during this needed break!
A collection of poetry that was created during the beginning of the global pandemic, COVID 19. The intro ALONE is amazing!
pickVery quick and pleasant read. Very gentle in its reminders of 2020 and looking forward to the future. Nikita takes apart the stages of grief and puts them in line of hope stages. Was refreshing to read this low key affirmations and reasons to live over her usually firey poems. How we have galaxy particles in our blood, how we are like the stars above us, exploding and rebuilding stronger
This is a sweet and slow read of getting through despair and finding hope again. Through terms akin to astronomy.
Where Hope Comes From: Healing poetry for the heart, mind and soul | 
