To Make Monsters Out Of Girls Review

Happy Hump-Daaaay!

 So I was walking through Target one day, and came across a book that drew my attention to the cover. When I read the description, I decided to give it a try, although this would only be the second book of poetry I have read. I was also worried about the trigger warnings, and didn't know what to expect when I read the warning. However, I decided to give it a try and went ahead and bought it. To Make Monsters Out of Girls by Amanda Lovelace, was not what I expected in a good way. The way she wrote the poems had me connecting with her on an emotional level, and it made me realize that I was holding on to the people in my life who did me wrong. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and I realized after reading this book that I need to bury the past and move on.

The description comes from the Goodreads website:

 ""What happens when the man of your dreams turns out to be a nightmare with sharp teeth and claws?"

Winner of the 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Poetry, amanda lovelace presents her new illustrated duology, “things that h(a)unt.” In this first installment, to make monsters out of girls, lovelace explores the memory of being in an abusive relationship. She poses the eternal question: Can you heal once you’ve been marked by a monster, or will the sun always sting?"

This is the first book that I have read by Amanda Lovelace, and I am definitely going to continue to read what she writes. Amanda has found a way to turn her experiences into lessons and add stories that will make people who have been in the same situations as her, believe that there is a way for them to be whole again. These poems are something I wish I could say to my ex, and made me understand that I was not alone in the world. They helped me understand that I need to let go of the past, because if you keep living in the past, you can never really grow to become the person you were meant to be.

One of the poems that stuck out to me when I read it, was the poem that she starts out with. I have provided it for you below taken from the book To Make Monsters Out Of Girls...

"this is the sun-filled sky. these are the singing blackbirds. these are the empty pews. this is the cracked piano. this is the choking choir. these are the withered roses. this is my little black dress. these are my tear-dry cheeks. this is my red lipstick grin. this is your silent eulogy. this is our word-wrapped coffin. and this-this is how i will bury you. -it's much too late to repent, sweetheart."

If this touched something within your soul or you find yourself relating to this in anyway, than you need to pick up this amazing book. Know that your inner monster can be set free if you truly want it to be, and you can believe in yourself again.

Release those inner monsters my friends, and know that you are loved!

Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul Review

Happy Wednesday!

 I will be the first person to admit that I am not that big on poetry, however when I was walking down the book aisle in Target one day, I came across this book cover that drew me to it. When I picked up the book and read the description, I knew that this book had to come home with me, so that I could read it. And let me tell you, this was one of the best impulsive buys I have made in a while. Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul by Nikita Gill, made me feel so empowered, and made me think about my life, and how I was able to relate to some of the stories.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Poet, writer, and Instagram sensation Nikita Gill returns with a collection of fairytales poetically retold for a new generation of women.

Traditional fairytales are rife with cliches and gender stereotypes: beautiful, silent princesses; ugly, jealous, and bitter villainesses; girls who need rescuing; and men who take all the glory.

But in this rousing new prose and poetry collection, Nikita Gill gives Once Upon a Time a much-needed modern makeover. Through her gorgeous re-imagining of fairytale classics and spellbinding original tales, she dismantles the old-fashioned tropes that have been ingrained in our minds. In this book, gone are the docile women and male saviors. Instead, lines blur between heroes and villains. You will meet fearless princesses, a new kind of wolf lurking in the concrete jungle, and an independent Gretel who can bring down monsters on her own.

Complete with beautifully hand-drawn illustrations by Gill herself, Fierce Fairytales is an empowering collection of poems and stories for a new generation."

These stories have strong female and male characters in them that will make you see a lot of Fairytales and the world in general in a new light. The poems and stories do deal with some difficult topics, and will have you thinking about some of the Fairytales you know in a different light. This book will make you think about your life, and will help you find your inner strength to face anything the world may throw at you!

For Example, one of the poems in here that spoke to me was titled "Why Tinkerbell Quit Anger Management", which I have provided below from the book:

"I had to give up on their remedies. They kept trying to make me less angry, but I refuse to surrender my rage. Because whole kingdoms have already spent millennia trying to keep women subdued, only to be discarded in old age. My fury gets things done, it has saved lives, it has made the world listen where I could not speak, my anger has screamed. Think Helen of Troy when they took her freedom. Think the Rani of Jhansi leading rebellions. Think Joan of Arc leading armies on what she dreamed. So now I love my tinderbox heart so easy to light up, all it takes is half a spark. A woman's anger can change the world, I know mine can and this is not a gift I will give away. I am small and I am angry, it is how I channel my energy and I like me that way."

If this moved you in some way or lit a spark inside your soul, than go pick up a copy of this amazing book, because I promise they just keep getting better and better!

Go find your inner light readers!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.