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dejonsimmons's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
steel_city_peach's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting
I enjoyed learning more about Giovanni through the snippets she shared about her upbringing. Her reflection on her parents and grandmother was very relatable. I love how she spoke so affectionately about her friendship with Maya Angelou. She made someone that has always seemed larger than life sound approachable and easygoing. The poems and thoughts about education reform were really interesting to me. I’d love to see her ideas brought to life. At times, the text lost me. It felt like senseless rambling. But what I liked about that was that it made me pause and think. It made me wonder if I missed the point or if maybe the point wasn’t for me to receive. I can appreciate the mental aerobics.
tyaneka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
linguinismom's review against another edition
No rating because I feel like I didn’t read it critically. I will always enjoy Giovanni’s work. I might prefer her love poems though.
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book of poetry. Some very touching dedications, like those to Maya Angelou. This was a quick but heartfelt read and I really enjoyed it.
shanyeahh's review against another edition
reflective
5.0
It's a beautiful thing to be able to study one of the greats while they still walk the Earth. I was inspired to read this collection after watching Going to Mars on HBO. I appreciate Nikki's strong desire to share genuine truth and raw emotion while breaking out of how we've been conditioned to receive it. An excellent collection that causes you to ask yourself the important questions.
stevem0214's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite book of poetry; I'm a fan of Billy Collins and his style. But a good book by a wonderful person. I've just found her as a poet and look forward to reading more. My favorite is this stanza from "Autumn Soup":
I am actually a better
Fisherman than Gus, my father,
Because I cast my line with
A smile and the fish are
Seduced.
I am actually a better
Fisherman than Gus, my father,
Because I cast my line with
A smile and the fish are
Seduced.