Bone Weaving

by Jenna Malin

A compilation of poems about betrayal and coping with grief, Bone Weaving is a quick, emotionally-gripping read that will break your heart and show you how to put it back together. With her fifth release, it is clear that Jenna Malin has found a home in her genre and knows how to capture feelings and transform them into inspiring, relatable, and empowering works of art. Divided into two short chapters, she takes you on a powerful and profound journey of being broken and abandoned by someone else, and finding the healing you need within yourself.

At only 65 pages, this gorgeous chapbook of poetry will be the perfect addition to your bookshelf.

75 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2023

About the author

Jenna Malin is a St. Louis mystery romance author, poet, and live-music lover. She never feels more herself than when she's in the crowd at a show.

Malin independently released six poetry collections while writing her debut mystery romance novel, Deviant Vandals, which is the first book in her crime procedural series, The Detectives of Defiance.

Reviews

[Madison Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking account of what it’s like trying to heal yourself in the aftermath of an abusive relationship; the mental battles with yourself that never seem to end, the ruminating, the health issues, the scars… There is also healing here, although it seems hard won by the author, their determination is what pulls them through to the end. I admire the honesty and vulnerability required to write a work such as this.

[Elizabeth Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenchingly Honest.

Another incredibly beautiful poetry collection by Jenna Malin. This collection is vulnerable, heartwrenchingly honest, healing, and so incredibly & beautifully written. Some of my favorite pieces are on pages: 21, 49, 61, & 63. ♡

"I don’t know who I am anymore, but I look forward to meeting her."

[Sophie Johannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is full of relatable and shockingly poignant pieces that capture the horrendous reality of being in an abusive relationship, of giving your heart to someone who steps on it on purpose. One of my favorite examples is the line, “You knew exactly what you were taking — advantage.” I kept wishing I could hear these poems read out loud, at a spoken word event (I’d have snapped my lil fingers raw) or scream-sung at a Nu Metal or indie concert. Full of assonance and gorgeously vibrant rhythm yet crystal clear in the truths they convey, these lines leap off the page and straight into your throat, where they tend to feel like the kind of lump that comes from holding back tears. What stood out to me about many of the poems in this volume was Malin’s unflinching honesty. “This body betrayed me / even worse than he did” and, “Fear spilling from my eyes / the only part of my body brace enough / to respond to danger” — these lines are as devastating as they are true, and I’m sure they are also truly eye-opening to those who have never had to suffer through an abusive relationship. The idea of tears being ascribed the quality of courage, in particular, is one that stuck with me. What a beautifully validating, reassuring, and healing perspective.
Go get yourselves a copy of this heartwrenchingly vulnerable chapbook now!!!
PS. There’s poetry in this book before the actual poetry: I’ve never read such a lyrical description of the a collection’s contents before.

[Shelby Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this poem collection. She wrote down all the gory details of what can be seen as a toxic or abusive relationship and finished the book with hopes of healing and building a better life.

"there are no bruises around my throat that match your fingerprints. no marks on my arms from the vengeful grip you had on my heart and my wrists. the scars in my mind are the only proof of what you did."

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in a reading slump, but this is a book I’ve been looking forward to for a while. The language is so beautiful and evocative. Definitely going on the reread list. It’s probably my favorite so far.