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sphynxreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
There is a raw and unapologetic quality to Cataluña's debut that makes it hard to rate. It is very personal which speaks to the author's courage to let the world see her at her most vulnerable. While I would have enjoyed more imagery in the writing, the emotion is very apparent all throughout as the persona expresses what many of us are too afraid to verbalize when it comes to depressive episodes and love unrequited.
veron's review
5.0
"You are not your mistakes. You are your virtues, you are the people you love, and you are the morals you uphold. I'm not disregarding your flaws, though frankly they don't change a goddamn thing about the way I feel. They're part of you and I understand that loving you means loving that too.”
Pillow Talk is divided into four parts, with topics ranging from love, both the sweet and the obsessive side, to sensitive ones such as depression and self-harm. Each poems are personal and bravely honest since they are based from the author's own experience. Prepare yourself and prepare some tissues too. And don't forget to take note of the trigger warnings indicated in the opening pages of the book and before certain poems.
The thing that amazes me most about great poems is how writers manage to pack a ton of feelings into a few lines, sometimes, even in a few words. Reading a bunch of them in one sitting is definitely a rollercoaster ride for the heart for it'll make you feel every emotion poured into writing it reaching out beyond the pages. Pillow Talk, I guarantee, is one of those poetry collections.
The knowledge that this situations actually existed in real life made it more painful to read and imagine. I rarely cry because of books but some poems, especially in the first part, made me tear up.
Some of my favorites are To Whom It May Concern, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of You), and Out of My Mind.
Pillow Talk is an deeply emotional and important book as it depicts mental issues from the point of view of a survivor. These fifty pages made me satisfied but also wanting to read more. I'll surely look forward to the author's future works.
Thank you, Alyssa, for sharing this words and providing me a copy of the book. I received it for free but rest assured that it doesn't affect my opinion in any way. Thanks also to Emmanuel for hosting and encouraging me to join this tour. This my first one and I'm glad that it is for a Filipino-authored book.
Pillow Talk is divided into four parts, with topics ranging from love, both the sweet and the obsessive side, to sensitive ones such as depression and self-harm. Each poems are personal and bravely honest since they are based from the author's own experience. Prepare yourself and prepare some tissues too. And don't forget to take note of the trigger warnings indicated in the opening pages of the book and before certain poems.
The thing that amazes me most about great poems is how writers manage to pack a ton of feelings into a few lines, sometimes, even in a few words. Reading a bunch of them in one sitting is definitely a rollercoaster ride for the heart for it'll make you feel every emotion poured into writing it reaching out beyond the pages. Pillow Talk, I guarantee, is one of those poetry collections.
The knowledge that this situations actually existed in real life made it more painful to read and imagine. I rarely cry because of books but some poems, especially in the first part, made me tear up.
Some of my favorites are To Whom It May Concern, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of You), and Out of My Mind.
Pillow Talk is an deeply emotional and important book as it depicts mental issues from the point of view of a survivor. These fifty pages made me satisfied but also wanting to read more. I'll surely look forward to the author's future works.
Thank you, Alyssa, for sharing this words and providing me a copy of the book. I received it for free but rest assured that it doesn't affect my opinion in any way. Thanks also to Emmanuel for hosting and encouraging me to join this tour. This my first one and I'm glad that it is for a Filipino-authored book.
bibliophilicrichard's review
5.0
Review to come soon...
The author, whom I befriended in a book club I'm in, sent me an advanced reader's copy. I'm volunteering this review to show my utmost support for my friend, fellow Filipino writer, and fellow survivor.
UPDATE!
Review:
Poetry is always difficult to critique because of its personal nature but the mere sharing of poems is an intimate experience between poet and reader. Pillow Talk gives readers an inside look into what happens in between the sheets as the moon casts its shadow over the world.
Pillow Talk is a booklet of poems poured out from the heart and soul of a beautiful person whom I befriended from a book club I’m a part of. Though we haven’t personally met, Alyssa’s words reflect that of their experiences from life and love and they are nothing short of breathtaking. Each piece is a shard of a soul that Alyssa so bravely shares with the reader given how private and personal they are. Although given trigger warnings, readers can’t help but feel the emotion each piece conveys, but at the same time, they must also be made aware of their own limitations since some pieces strike so close to the heart as they have mine.
The entire collection is separated into four different parts with each part flowing into each other into a common theme of love loss and depression. Digging deeper into the essence of each soul fragment that Alyssa laid out, readers are able to glimpse Alyssa’s experiences while examining their own similar ones. This process can be polarizing since it can either open old wounds to eventually assist in the mending or help the reader reflect and aid with the healing. Either way, the beauty of poetry lies in how the reader perceives the pieces they’re presented with. In my case, the poems resonated with me on a fundamental level and one that happens rarely from poetry books. With such unflinchingly honest words, this collection has something to offer those who choose to tread the waters of this flowing river of emotions.
This collection of poems is artistry and honesty at its core with its evocative cover, creative and minimalistic divisions, and bare pieces. Pillow Talk is a book best-suited on a coffee table or on a bedside one so that the pieces are well within reach. I’m so thankful to Alyssa for this collection and for sending me an advanced reader’s copy and to Emman for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour.
I couldn’t praise it more than I already do but I am looking forward to reading more of Alyssa’s poetry, hopefully with a different theme this time around.
Rating: 9 out of 10
The author, whom I befriended in a book club I'm in, sent me an advanced reader's copy. I'm volunteering this review to show my utmost support for my friend, fellow Filipino writer, and fellow survivor.
UPDATE!
Review:
Poetry is always difficult to critique because of its personal nature but the mere sharing of poems is an intimate experience between poet and reader. Pillow Talk gives readers an inside look into what happens in between the sheets as the moon casts its shadow over the world.
Pillow Talk is a booklet of poems poured out from the heart and soul of a beautiful person whom I befriended from a book club I’m a part of. Though we haven’t personally met, Alyssa’s words reflect that of their experiences from life and love and they are nothing short of breathtaking. Each piece is a shard of a soul that Alyssa so bravely shares with the reader given how private and personal they are. Although given trigger warnings, readers can’t help but feel the emotion each piece conveys, but at the same time, they must also be made aware of their own limitations since some pieces strike so close to the heart as they have mine.
The entire collection is separated into four different parts with each part flowing into each other into a common theme of love loss and depression. Digging deeper into the essence of each soul fragment that Alyssa laid out, readers are able to glimpse Alyssa’s experiences while examining their own similar ones. This process can be polarizing since it can either open old wounds to eventually assist in the mending or help the reader reflect and aid with the healing. Either way, the beauty of poetry lies in how the reader perceives the pieces they’re presented with. In my case, the poems resonated with me on a fundamental level and one that happens rarely from poetry books. With such unflinchingly honest words, this collection has something to offer those who choose to tread the waters of this flowing river of emotions.
This collection of poems is artistry and honesty at its core with its evocative cover, creative and minimalistic divisions, and bare pieces. Pillow Talk is a book best-suited on a coffee table or on a bedside one so that the pieces are well within reach. I’m so thankful to Alyssa for this collection and for sending me an advanced reader’s copy and to Emman for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour.
I couldn’t praise it more than I already do but I am looking forward to reading more of Alyssa’s poetry, hopefully with a different theme this time around.
Rating: 9 out of 10
kinsa_zia's review
5.0
Pillow Talk is a collection that hits you right in the gut with its raw and intimate poems. It tells a painfully relatable story about loneliness and vulnerability. The language is lyrical, and at times even frantic. The emotions practically leap off the page.
eleennaeisloved's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic relationship
pamshenanigans's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
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"Anger is such an ugly emotion;
the precedent of hate and the successor of spite.
There is no beauty in it;
only a fiery, catastrophic force of motivation
that will eventually lead to destruction."
Reading Pillow Talk felt like I broke Ysa's heart because of how raw the emotions are portrayed in the book. It discusses heavy topics as well like depression, self-harm, suicide ideation, panic attacks, and unhealthy obsessions. The amazing author made sure to place trigger and content warnings at the beginning of the book and before every poem that has triggering content starts.
As someone who also struggles with her mental health, this was like a punch in the gut. I may not have experienced having an unhealthy obsession as depicted in Ysa's Pillow Talk, but I do remember feeling and dreading a love unrequited and how that could feel like you're drowning. I'm glad I've found the love and light of my life and I truly wish that for everyone.
Ysa, I'm sending you one tight hug right now. Thank you for sharing your words and feelings with us. Again, please pick this book up with caution and read the trigger warnings.
"Anger is such an ugly emotion;
the precedent of hate and the successor of spite.
There is no beauty in it;
only a fiery, catastrophic force of motivation
that will eventually lead to destruction."
Reading Pillow Talk felt like I broke Ysa's heart because of how raw the emotions are portrayed in the book. It discusses heavy topics as well like depression, self-harm, suicide ideation, panic attacks, and unhealthy obsessions. The amazing author made sure to place trigger and content warnings at the beginning of the book and before every poem that has triggering content starts.
As someone who also struggles with her mental health, this was like a punch in the gut. I may not have experienced having an unhealthy obsession as depicted in Ysa's Pillow Talk, but I do remember feeling and dreading a love unrequited and how that could feel like you're drowning. I'm glad I've found the love and light of my life and I truly wish that for everyone.
Ysa, I'm sending you one tight hug right now. Thank you for sharing your words and feelings with us. Again, please pick this book up with caution and read the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm
aruerra's review
5.0
Pillow Talk is a poetry book full of emotions, and Alyssa did a great job in portraying these emotions through words. It speaks true to its title, "pillow talk (noun) - private conversations, endearments, or confidences exchanged in bed or in intimate circumstances between spouses or lovers. This is so personal, and the way it reads made me feel like my soulmate is telling me all their thoughts and feelings with full honesty and without any censor, with no fear of getting judged.
As someone who's also struggling with my mental health, there are a few lines and pieces where I could totally relate, some pieces even made me shed some tears. This is one of the reasons why I love reading books with mental health representation or books that talk about mental health because they make me feel seen. They make me feel that I'm not alone.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange of an honest review but this does not, in any way, affect my opinion on the book.
As someone who's also struggling with my mental health, there are a few lines and pieces where I could totally relate, some pieces even made me shed some tears. This is one of the reasons why I love reading books with mental health representation or books that talk about mental health because they make me feel seen. They make me feel that I'm not alone.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange of an honest review but this does not, in any way, affect my opinion on the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm
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