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kovost's review against another edition
4.0
I think, if you’ve ever been on Tumblr, you’ve heard of these books and this author. You’ve seen eight billion different quotes; you might even possibly be able to recall them by memory simply because you’ve seen them so many times, not because you read the books.
There’s a reason for this, even if you’re a bit irritated to see them constantly.
Thomas is eerily good at reminding you that you’re both human and not alone in this fact. A lot of this prose and the weight they carry crawls under your skin without even really realizing it’s happened. It resonates deep inside of you and there’s something strangely exhausting about reading these feelings on paper, written by someone else, either because it strikes a strange nostalgic flint that you can’t put your finger on or because you’re painfully intimate with the emotions in front of you.
The poetry is brutally honest and unapologetic. It’s raw and it’s about love and pain and loss and the delicate but simple intricacies of being a human being with a heart too packed. And it’s all given to you without sweetness, without being dipped in honey.
Though that’s not to say that all of the poems were deep and poetic and whimsical. Some of them are eight miles off the mark. They make sense because there’s nothing inherently wrong with the sentences, but they’re about as deep as “hey, how’s the weather?” “the clouds are gray and the air is a bit brisk, I think there’s a thunderstorm coming in” which is to say they make sense, there’s meaning behind them technically, but there’s nothing lyrical to them either. They’re kind of what I’d call ‘Tumblr deep’. They’re a bit dull and some of them come off a tad hollow, but you win some, you lose some, I suppose. And really, it might just be me. Who knows.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book and the weight of all its meaning. It made me nostalgic and it made me sad, but it also made me full. It made me feel validated and quiet. I shared my favorite parts with someone that carries a piece of my heart because although most of the poems imply romantic love, there are others that never specify either because love and all its many forms are a kaleidoscope.
And Thomas does well to show you this.
Here is the simple truth about people: Love the ones you want to keep.
There’s a reason for this, even if you’re a bit irritated to see them constantly.
Thomas is eerily good at reminding you that you’re both human and not alone in this fact. A lot of this prose and the weight they carry crawls under your skin without even really realizing it’s happened. It resonates deep inside of you and there’s something strangely exhausting about reading these feelings on paper, written by someone else, either because it strikes a strange nostalgic flint that you can’t put your finger on or because you’re painfully intimate with the emotions in front of you.
You have until the hour you die to do everything you’ve ever really wanted to do and say everything you’ve ever really wanted to say. It sounds less fair when you get older.
The poetry is brutally honest and unapologetic. It’s raw and it’s about love and pain and loss and the delicate but simple intricacies of being a human being with a heart too packed. And it’s all given to you without sweetness, without being dipped in honey.
Though that’s not to say that all of the poems were deep and poetic and whimsical. Some of them are eight miles off the mark. They make sense because there’s nothing inherently wrong with the sentences, but they’re about as deep as “hey, how’s the weather?” “the clouds are gray and the air is a bit brisk, I think there’s a thunderstorm coming in” which is to say they make sense, there’s meaning behind them technically, but there’s nothing lyrical to them either. They’re kind of what I’d call ‘Tumblr deep’. They’re a bit dull and some of them come off a tad hollow, but you win some, you lose some, I suppose. And really, it might just be me. Who knows.
I have theories about what normal is supposed to feel like.
I have theories about how many times a heart can be heard.
Just theories.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book and the weight of all its meaning. It made me nostalgic and it made me sad, but it also made me full. It made me feel validated and quiet. I shared my favorite parts with someone that carries a piece of my heart because although most of the poems imply romantic love, there are others that never specify either because love and all its many forms are a kaleidoscope.
And Thomas does well to show you this.
You should not look for me in the places I once was.
Look for me in the places I am now. In soft rain.
On starlit oceans.
inkstainedintrovert's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
giulay's review against another edition
3.0
Favourite poem:
"If all you do is make something beautiful for someone else, even if it's only for a moment, with a single word or a small action, you have done a great service.
Because life can be ugly and frustrating and for so many, it is."
"If all you do is make something beautiful for someone else, even if it's only for a moment, with a single word or a small action, you have done a great service.
Because life can be ugly and frustrating and for so many, it is."
natyourusual_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I know I’m supposed to take it seriously, and some poems were genuinely nice, but there were some real funny ones that I don’t think were meant to be funny. It had a real promising start and I liked the concept of a found journal/book thing that’s dated to be yours, but I feel like as the book continues it strays from that a lot and sometimes even verges into weird preaching. I had a fun time reading the funny poems and the meme material it provided for my friend group made it feel worth it at the end, but I could’ve lived without reading most of those pages.
Also, negative points for the way in which he chose to talk about suicide. I wasn’t really expecting that when it happened.
Also, negative points for the way in which he chose to talk about suicide. I wasn’t really expecting that when it happened.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
5.0
It's amazing how the 3rd book is just as perfect as the previous two. I really love it!
barbielatz's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Another re-read for me this year. And I love this book even more now that I am older, and have experienced so many things already in life, compared to when I last read it as a teenager. I love the way Iain Thomas writes. Always out to touch someone’s aching soul. He writes with his heart, and he makes sure the readers would know and feel it. 5/5! Would definitely re-read again!
vickstar's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
starryeved's review against another edition
2.0
"You are alive in a memory. You, are once upon a time."
Not as good as the previous, as with many works and their prequels. Chock-full of life advice and plaintive lamentations on the daily goings of people around us. But here, it isn't really poetry.
How saddening.
Not as good as the previous, as with many works and their prequels. Chock-full of life advice and plaintive lamentations on the daily goings of people around us. But here, it isn't really poetry.
How saddening.
mistercrow's review against another edition
2.0
Another DNF!
I can’t get into the poetry at all. They read like creepy stalker letters to an ex. I bought this book mainly because of the photography and there were a few photos that were interesting but most of the book felt lacking.
Maybe this isn’t my cup of tea.
I can’t get into the poetry at all. They read like creepy stalker letters to an ex. I bought this book mainly because of the photography and there were a few photos that were interesting but most of the book felt lacking.
Maybe this isn’t my cup of tea.