Citizen: An American Lyric

I’ve known Claudia Rankine’s name for years but, as a not reader of poetry, it’s always been a sort of back burner name for me. But every once in a while, I do decide to try some poetry (and have enjoyed collections from Joy Harjo and Jericho Brown, though I’d by no means consider myself…

A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing

This isn’t a book that I’ve seen around or reviewed often. In fact, I had to request my library purchase it since they didn’t already have a copy when I went looking to borrow it. So, I had to wait for it to be bought and delivered before, excitingly, being the first person to borrow…

Brown Girl Dreaming

I know I don’t usually read children’s/middle grade books, and Woodson has written “adult” books, so I’m not really sure what made me feel like this needed to be the first one by her that I read. But there was definitely a reason, because I bought this a year or so ago and have had…

The Tradition

I don’t read a lot of poetry. I never really have. And though I’ve picked up and loved a few collections over my years on this blog (notably: If They Come for Us and Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings), I haven’t really been what I would consider “converted” to the art form. However, as is…

Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems

I picked up this collection of poetry in honor of Native American Heritage Month. There are so many ways to read diversely, and I try to vary them, but it’s difficult. So using these “official” recognition months as a guide throughout the year is very helpful for me. Plus, this was the theme for November…

If They Come For Us

April is National Poetry Month, so, naturally I chose reading a book of poetry as this month’s prompt for the Just One More Pa(i)ge Reading Challenge. And, as it's my last review post for the month, it's time to share my thoughts on it with you! I don’t normally read poetry and I love using…

The Poet X

This book is one of the three I let myself buy when I was at Powell’s (vacation means of course I was going to visit famous bookstores) a few months ago. This is one of those books that has the perfect mix of a gorgeous and artistic cover, an important contemporary and diverse premise, and…

Long Way Down

I cannot remember where I first heard about this book, but I do know that I ordered it as soon as I saw it/learned what it was about. On theme with the recent increase of YA literature that tackles important social and equality-based themes, particularly those that are violence and race related (i.e THUG), this…

The End We Start From

My first thought when I picked up this book at the library: it’s so small. (My second thought, upon opening it: it smells amazing. I’m weird – sorry not sorry.) It’s like half the size of a normal book, both in regards to actual physical size and length. But definitely do not let its size…

Milk and Honey

A few years ago I read an article about a lady who was receiving a lot of criticism for posting a photo on Instagram of herself (completely clothed) with a menstrual blood stain on her pants and the bedsheets she was laying on. I remember being outraged on her behalf: having your period is an…