Playing Time In Tongues
Deeply moving and thought provoking, I read this book twice before writing the review, absorbing it both times in a slightly different way, this is a book that I would honestly recommend rereading several times over. And it isn’t that the message is missed the first time around, it’s that this is truly a unique piece, that you can take new insights from each read through.
Released last year by Querencia Press, Playing Time In Tongues is the debut release from Vita Lerman, and let me just say it is a masterpiece. I have personally never read a poetry book quite like this.
The entire first half of the collection is told from an onlooker’s perspective watching a woman age from child to adult, told in a scattering of mismatched dates that in no way follow a linear pattern, bouncing to and fro rather, yet I found it easy to follow and loved the brilliance of it.
The second half felt to me more like scattered fragments of memories and thoughts, musings on life and meaning. I don’t want to give too much away, because I really think this book speaks for itself and needs to be read.
Vita took a risk with this book and in my opinion it paid off, she tells a beautiful story in an original way, making it all her own. Her writing style is fascinating and brilliantly accomplished, this was one of the most interesting pieces I’ve ever read and I very much enjoyed it.
At only 78 pages, it’s a fairly quick read, though the contents within are filled with deep thoughts that will have you contemplating life in much the same way. It’s a beautiful collection, one you’ll be sorry for having missed out on it.
You can find a copy of Playing Time In Tongues here https://a.co/d/icM81e7
Review: Grasshoppers In The Field by Michael Shoemaker
Walk through old fields and reminisce over memories of those who have gone before, taking solace in the little moments that now, feel so big.
Released in July through New Harbor Press, Grasshoppers In The Field is a collection of poems by Michael Shoemaker on love, faith, and living. It’s a lovely collection that captures everyday moments and raises them up, turning what may seem like an ordinary moment into something beautiful.
I particularly liked Taking The Long Way Back, The Milky Way Is In Your Eyes and The Chalk Flower. The last one is the only one obviously written during the pandemic, and I found very relatable.
I particularly enjoyed the pieces on nature and family, he does include a large section written on faith, which was very well done and I would encourage you to check out if you enjoy faith based poems, they were beautiful testaments to his faith and beliefs.
I really enjoyed Michael’s approach to writing, and look forward to reading more from him in the future.
You can find a copy of Grasshoppers In The Field here https://a.co/d/ef3VQpj
Namaste Motherfucker by Dan Denton
This is a very short but very lovely read about everyday life, from struggling to let shit go even as it feels like it’s piling on top of you, to life as a factory worker, to beautiful moments you wish would last forever.
Namaste Motherfucker is a chapbook by Dan Denton I picked up at the Last Insomniacathon, I was instantly drawn to the cover before anything else, and ended up buying a copy.
It is an Insomniacathon exclusive, so I cannot include links on where to buy, but Dan has other books you can find on Amazon, and he also has a substack where he posts.
I really enjoyed this chapbook, though brief, it’s very relatable and filled with well crafted poetry. The Factory Life Ain’t for Everyone is incredibly relatable. Others I personally enjoyed were Namaste Motherfucker, and I want to Microdose Sunshine.
In The Calm by JD Phillips
Mysterious, with the first page I instantly wanted to know what was happening, and what led Dani to arriving there.
In The Calm is a novella by JD Phillips, about a young woman, Danielle Morgan, who finds herself in Harlane, a bizarre old home, while trying to recover from the murder of her beloved. Immediately, strange things begin happening, and she starts having a disturbingly vivid, reoccurring dream.
It is a very good book, and also very short at 74 pages, but covers a surprisingly large amount of information. This is one of those that I might classify as a paranormal fiction, and strongly encourage readers to check it out. There is plenty of suspense even in the fast pacing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and think you will, too.
You can find a copy of In The Calm in paperback and kindle here https://a.co/d/4cJSrTQ
Up All Night by April Ridge
Another Insomniacathon grab, this small collection of just five poems is absolutely lovely.
Up All Night is a short collection by April Ridge, beautifully hand made and stitched together, rather than stapled (yes, I noticed, and thought it was cool). The poems within are simply stunning, well written and complimented each other perfectly.
My personal favorites were As The Old Crone Weaves Her Web and Listen, Silent but all five poems are exceptional.
The Scars Across My Thigh by Peter Kaczmarczyk
Encaptivating, it pulls you in with its whispered words and holds you there, feeling less like you’re reading poetry and more like you’re having a conversation, it is a beautiful collection that needs to be read. Take this journey, and walk with Peter through the pages.
Released in November through Alien Buddha Press, The Scars Across My Thigh is the second collection of poetry by Peter Kaczmarczyk.
The collection is exceptionally well done, covering a variety of topics, with loss being a reoccurring theme throughout the pages, written in such an unbelievably relatable way. My favorite overall was Box or an Urn, because of how very real it felt, and the emotion it stirred in me as a reader.
However, other incredible pieces include I See Our Mothers, Cool Sheets of a Hard Bed, Costumes, Scars Across My Thigh, Fitted Sheets and Translucence.
Peter has a unique voice that needs to be heard, so please, do yourselves a favor, and listen. I look forward to seeing more from him.
You can find a copy of The Scars Across My Thigh here https://a.co/d/3F23xgD