panThis was such a hyped book and... that's it? Self help platitudes? And not particularly original ones at that? Don't get me wrong, self love, self worth and body positivity are important things to read about, but for a lauded work of poetry, this felt like something Iyanla would write. Or rather, has written. There were two passages that I adored but the rest seemed to be written for your basic Quote of the Day calendar. Very disappointed.
OSChamberlain I was very skeptical of this book. I saw people posting entire poems and was not at all impressed. A lot of it read like those 4 line "instapoems" that I can't stand. 8y
BookishFeminist You're entitled to your opinion of course but my perspective on this collection couldn't be more different. The simplicity of the poems contained a lot of complexity of emotion and that isn't that common to find in poetry, which is often over shrouded in allegory and metaphor. Her messages about family and trauma are anything but self help. I think this collection is about her emotional journey as told through a story of her life and creativity. 8y
BookishFeminist I offer my perspective not to change your mind but to provide alternative thoughts about the messages and depth behind this collection. It doesn't have to resonate with you of course but I think there is a lot more to it. 8y
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BookishFeminist @OSChamberlain Don't let it turn you off if you're interested at all- it's meant to be taken as a collection not individual poems! It's split into parts etc that describe her healing journey, but done in short simplistic poems along the way. 8y
britt_brooke Finally, someone else who didn't love this book. You're reviewed nailed exactly how I felt, too. 8y
OSChamberlain @BookishFeminist I'll still read it. Lol. I'm just not one for simplistic poems. And I love the message she's providing. It's a great message. I just don't know if I'll enjoy the poems... As poems. You get me? 8y
BookishFeminist @OSChamberlain Yep, completely! I didn't always enjoy the individual poems either but as a whole I find the collection beautiful & sometimes her incisiveness really floored me. Just don't want folks to be turned off! 8y
Treatyoshelf @OSChamberlain Anyway. As you can see, the hype beast is ridiculous for this book. It made a mediocre book even more disappointingly mediocre. 8y
OSChamberlain Hahahaa yeah I see that. And it always sucks so bad when a book gets crazy hype like that and then it's just blegh. Oh well. On to the next great read! 8y
Treatyoshelf #WhiteWomenExplainThingsToMe 8y
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