Books Close

by Kori Jane Spaulding

A collection of poems about love, loss, loneliness, lament, learning, and life. You can read this book from start to finish as a story about the way one grieves and grows, hurts and heals. Or you can read it using the table of contents, finding poems that speak to your current thoughts, emotions, or circumstances. Either way, bring tissues, and a desire to think deeply reflecting on your own life, loves, and losses.

Genres: Poetry, Self Help, Coming Of Age, Love

111 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2023

About the author

As a rising star in contemporary poetry, Kori Jane Spaulding self-published her #1 best-selling debut poetry book, "Books Close," in 2022. She later self-published her sequal poetry collection, "Open Wounds." Known best for her poetry reading on social media, Kori Jane Spaulding began her journey in the literary fiction world with her first novel, "Behind The Picket Fence." Kori Jane's work explores love, loss, grief, mental health, and healing.

Reviews

[anna]

„overdeveloped children make underdeveloped adults“

[emilia ┊͙ ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I recommend to read it with a box of tissues by your side, I cried not only once while reading. The way a lot of these poems are so simple yet so real and touching just amazed me. I really hope Kori will release more books, because I will definitely reread this one several times.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever, Wasted on Being Wanted, Curly Hair, Never Say Goodbye, My Father (genuinely brought tears to my eyes), Old Friends, Butterflies, Blue, Petals, Click and Scroll, and Anxiety were some of the most beautiful poems I’ve ever read.

Higher Than I made me close the book for a minute cuz it lowkey pissed me off. Other than that, loved it!!

[Emily Ketchand · Rating 5 out of 5]

felt like reading a diary

[Brittany Allman · Rating 2 out of 5]

TikTok made me buy the book. The video was of the author reading what I think was one of her best/better poems. I like poetry that has a rhythm and flows. This just didn’t have that and I didn’t like it. There’s too many sections and doesn’t really have a theme. It’s too broad and I think that makes it hard to recommend.

[vanessa ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"i am more of a women when i cry about my reflection...
no matter how much weight i loose, or makeup i put on, i still feel the most feminine while looking at the distorted person in the mirror." 🫀

i've never related to anything more in my life than the majority of poems in this book. it was short and beautifully put together. i highly recommend reading it.

[Kelsi Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

My sister ordered this book of poems and lent it to me, and I’m so glad she did. I’m not usually a big fan of poetry, but Kori wrote everything I needed to hear at this time in my life. To know someone understands the way I feel and for them to be able to put it all into words so beautifully, it was healing for me.

Thank you Ms. Spaulding for sharing your work with all of us! I hope to see more of your writings published!

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw her videos on insta of her poems, I guess it was slam poems or spoken word. I liked 2 I heard a lot, one about Eve and the devil and one about a boy who watched porn and his girlfriend being insecure because of it. I bought the book and was disappointed those were not in it! My favorite poems in the book were “Trophy” and “Click and Scroll”. The rest of the poems read as redundant and played off of cliches a little too much for me. Majority of the book seemed to be about anxious attachment. I would’ve liked to see a lot of the poems on her Instagram in the book, and I would’ve enjoyed more variety in the themes of the poems.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutel loved this. The writing was beautiful and I was able to relate to so many thoughts. I found myself reading parts over and over.

My favourite had to be 'Jittery Hands'. It reminded me of the friendship I shared with my cousin who I haven't been talking to in years. It gave me a reason to initiate contact again and I sent her the poem. She saw us in it as well and I am so happy it made me reach out to her. :)

[_ariannaxx_14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75☆
guys, on her instagram account she reads her poems and i enjoy them even more so that way!! that how I found her, haha. her account is @kori.janes
<33

[Danny Hacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wish pain felt as beautiful
as poetry makes it sound
my rage sounds romantic
the screams like singing
the tears shimmering
the burning beautiful
the fire looks warm
when written down”

Kori is another person on Tiktok who I have followed for some time now and finally got around to her book. It’s a beautiful account of falling in and out of love, grappling with loneliness and struggling to find yourself in all of this chaos. I really enjoyed this collection of poems a lot, it really hit me harder than i expected it would

[Malou Wiersma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great poetry book. Love how Kori plays with words, she truly makes art of expressing thoughts and emotions

[Victoria Ashleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this poet immensely. I follow her on instagram, and as a spoken poet myself and an english major, I’ve practically studied her. She is very well spoken, quick at reading, and has these poignant pieces that tell a story so well. Every line is surprising in new ways with how raw and relatable they are. That’s why I was a bit disappointed by this book. It is very clearly her younger poems. They are sweet, sentimental, and relatable, but they are also cliche, predictable, and unvarying.

All of my younger poetry looks like this too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to share it, but almost none of the poems she shares online are in this book, and if they are, only clips of those poems were put on the page. I wish she had advertised a little more honestly or put more of her stronger pieces in this collection, which she truly has no shortage of, but I guess we just have to hold out for her future publications to see the full strength of her work (assuming she won’t keep clipping some of her best pieces).

However, for me, I think I’m going to stick to enjoying her spoken poems on instagram from now on.

[Heenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes I forget,
I was created
By someone higher than myself.

My body, my face, my curly hair, my fair skin.
Everything I call an imperfection.
He thought intentionally to His design.
I feel so far removed from my own reflection.
It is hard to believe it is an image of Him.

I wonder if He sheds a tear,
Each time I look in the mirror,
When I cry and compare.

Does He know why I wear tight clothes?
So they will look somewhere else,
Besides my face.
Does it make Him sad?
As His own work of art rips apart the canvas.

The One who formed the earth and heavens The stars in the sky and the waves in the sea
Found it necessary I look like me."

[cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite poetry book i have ever read. it put me through all stages of grief and did not disappoint me, not once

[Olivia Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

she is so incredibly talented. It was beautiful and left me reflecting after each page. Each topic hits you down to the core. I’m amazed by her mind and hope she shares more thoughts and gains the recognition she deserves. Check out her tik tok (@korijanes) for more poems not in the book that are still so wonderful- that’s how I found ‘books close’ and knew it would be amazing

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We watch our neighbors
Thinking we don’t belong
But the floorboards all made
From the same tree
That held the first sin on its branch”

This is the best poetry collection I’ve read in a while. There was something about this collection that spoke to me in a way no other poetry collection has before. I don’t know how to fully explain it, but it’s so beautiful in its sorrowful vulnerability and self-awareness.

[rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

apparently i love poetry

[Alex Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems are just so incredibly beautiful. They put into words everything I have ever felt that I could not explain myself.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, elegant and gorgeously written.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorites: Valentines Day, Jittery Hands, Butterflies, Judas, Hell to Heaven, Higher Than I, Anxiety

[graceannacramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

so teen girl core

[Danika Dool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I bought this because I saw her videos online and honestly I loved it. Some of the poems felt very young but aside from that I really resonated with many of them. I have been on the hunt for poets who speak of God as their saviour, not as their biggest enemy; Kori recognizes her inadequacy while accepting grace from God and I love that. I really would like to see more faith-based poems from her moving forward and look forward to reading more of her art!

[Ry-Bread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book that feels like someone took my heart and used it as ink to fill a page. This is me

[Brooke Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book in one sitting. I’ve always loved reading poetry, but reading these poems made me fall in love with it. It’s amazing how you can relate perfectly with someone else’s writing. Thank you so much for writing this, and giving me something to do on this Saturday night. I would definitely recommend it!

[Ella Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely brilliant, I don’t think I’ve ever read poetry this good, I cried my eyes out. This book perfectly encapsulated some of the things ive never been able to properly describe in the most gorgeous lyrical poems but also some of the most simple yet deep. 5 stars, it deserves them all

[Rhianon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw poetry that hits hard and forces self reflection - and in some cases, acceptance for all the parts of us that we don't want to acknowledge. Beautiful work.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new favorite poetry writer, I loved this collection so much. It doesn’t seem to matter if I relate or not, I really feel every poem she writes regardless of what it’s about. Her writing is so beautiful and powerful and I bought her other book, Open Wounds, within about 10 pages of reading this.

[alittlebitbookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 24th (second read)


Reread this in preparation for her new book to come out and ahhhhhhh I just love her poetry 🥹🤭




January 19th (first read)

Oh my goodness 😭😭

I first found Kori on Instagram and was immediately pulled in by her poems.
She’s an astonishing poet, and as a fellow poet i find beauty in words. And i have come to want to write like her. Her poems are both emotional and beautiful.

Some of my favorite poems:

“Valentine’s day has become something I hate,
There’s nothing sadder than a love that’s fake.

I love chocolates,roses and dinner dates with him.
I love brunch, dresses and romcoms with friends.
Until the sun sets, and it comes to an end.
When relationships become normal again.

When flowers become occasional.
When friendships become circumstantial.
When love becomes contractual.
Everything back to being transactional.

I wish unconditional love was here to stay,
Not only to be performed on Valentine’s Day.“

•••••••

“Words without wisdom are a waste of words,
Words not put into wisdom is a waste of wisdom.“



•••••••


“No scarier words have I read,
“I never knew you depart from me“ Jesus said.
Why if that frightens me, do I still live in sin?
There’s a part of me deep down at war with my skin.
“If you love me you will keep my commandments“ He cries.
Obedience isn’t my love language, but that’s why He died.
If I love Him, why do I only care,
About my sin when other people are there?
And why do I worry that when the day comes,
He will tell me to depart for a Judas I’ve become.“

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wisdom and depth in these words blow my mind and pierce my heart.