Before You Know It

by S.K. Williams

Sometimes, beneath the weight of the world, we find ourselves drowning. Let this collection of poetry breathe life back into your lungs and remind you of everything that you’ve already overcome.

SK Williams dives back into their past with Before You Know It , a collection of poetry made up of two stories told in tandem, recalling the ages of 18 to 28, when the world laid waiting at their fingertips and the pressure of figuring everything out was never too far away.
 
Featuring four chapters, divided into two parts each— “In the Beginning,” “Uncharted Water,” “Beneath the Storm,” and “At the End” —this collection compares two peoples’ life experiences to one another and sees how similar we all really are. Through this book, Williams explores themes of youth, uncertainty, ambition, anxiety, depression, powerlessness, isolation, and body image.
 
At moments nostalgic, freeing, and youthful, and other times pushed down beneath the mounting pressure and responsibility of young adulthood, these two perspectives ask us to take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come and to trust where life will take us.

Genres: Poetry, Adult, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

S.K. Williams is the collaborative creation of a couple who reside in Washington State. They met at the bookstore they worked at and began to run an Instagram page together. They have cultivated a healthy relationship together and hope to connect with people and help them find the strength within their own vulnerability. They have dealt with bullying, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health, unhealthy relationships, and experienced some of their family struggle with substance abuse. Through these hardships and their connection to each other, they’ve grown stronger and learned how to better love others as well as themselves.

They got married in 2021 and bought a house in 2022.

Reviews

[Hannah (FreeInFiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/authors for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reading this poetry book just breathed hope into my body. As a 22 year old and a recent college grad, this time in my life has been full of confusion, terrified dreams, shame, and so many other things. Following the authors’ perspectives from ages 18 to 28 was so impactful and honestly, made me feel seen in this time of “I don’t know what I’m doing with my life.” I related to so many of these poems and it was like they plucked my thoughts and slapped them into this book, which fills me with warmth to see that others went through the exact thing I am and they turned out okay. I would definitely recommend those in their early 20s to pick this up!!

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you know it is a poetry collection reflecting on the transformative phase of life between 18 and 28 years old.
It follows the two author’s experiences and aims to make the reader feel less alone in the challenges that arise while growing up. And it does exactly that!

Even from the prologue and dedication this collection holds your hand and shows you that while your feelings and struggles are valid, you will get through them. It is comforting and reflective while also not shying away from the fact that things can get hard.

I love the writing. It is beautiful in its simplicity and you can tell both authors poured so much of themselves into this novel. It was so heartwarming to read about the struggle of wanting to be an author and the fear of never getting published, knowing that I now hold their book in my hands and that they made it.

This felt very special and personal, would definitely recommend if you want to start reading poetry or want something comforting in your 20s.

Thank you so much to SK Williams for sending me this book!

[cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I was going to love this collection of poetry because of the themes of mental health and the struggles of early adulthood but sadly it ended up not really being for me. While a few poems spoke to some part of me, most of them left me feeling nothing and I was honestly just waiting to get to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 🌟

Being able to read another SK Williams work of art early feels like an honor. I had previously read Maybe Today and it hit my heart harder than I thought it would so seeing this on NetGalley, I had to snag it!

With every piece written by the duo, I feel extremely seen and comforted. This book feels like you’re talking to yourself, specifically younger self, or a close friend.

There is always at least one page that rips me to shreds and this time, it was “When Did Commitment Become Tolerance?”

Honorable mentions:
Engagement
Breakdown
Pg. 66
Pg. 77
Pg. 122
Pg. 171
Pg. 201

If you want to go through a journey that was very similar to yours from the ages of 18-25, pick up Before You Know It on April 2nd, 2024.

Thank you SK and NetGalley for this eARC 🥰

[Stacey Markle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely collection of poems and reflections. Reading them really brought me back to that time in my life, between 18 and 28, which was such a trying time attempting to be an adult. The themes of weight, depression, self-doubt and growth really hit home. It was really nice to know it wasn't just me feeling that way at that age.
This book, written by two authors, is done so well. It's even difficult to tell who wrote which piece. I loved that because it ensured the flow wasn't broken by different styles.
Read this!

My rating is 4.5 rounded to 5 for GR

[Jonathan (Jon)]

*not rating*

I really enjoy the cover of this book, it’s absolutely stunning. The book is structured in such an elegant and easy way. There are four different sections with two parts each. I loved the poetry and the writing was fantastic. I thought the book was unique with the two different perspectives. This is definitely a new favorite poetry book because of the way it was beautiful, vulnerable, emotional, relatable, and touching.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

[Dani (ダニ ¦ 다니) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(got this from Netgalley for an honest review)

As an artist and appreciator of art I would really like to point out how much I love the cover of this book. It's really so beautiful. Also all the little illustrations and backgrounds and artsy extras throughout the book are so pretty. I just really wanted to point that out and I would give 5 stars just for that. The little poems were nice too and I even wrote one or two into my journal because some are truly relatable. Really like this lovely little poetry book

[Arianne Laporte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry book is filled various poems touching on different subjects that are easy to relate to. I really enjoyed reading through each poem and will for sure be reading more of S. K. Williams' poetry books!

"Sometimes the path is made of quicksand and you haven't even realized until you're drowning."

[Kathryn (kathsbooknook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

There were a few good passages in here, ones I really resonated with. It’s a good read for the transitional period of life between 18-28.

-1 ⭐️ for the line “I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding”

[Haley T · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way this collection is organized is really unique and there's some great gems in here! Wonderful authors.

[Jaquie Moreau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Before You Know It, and interesting way to write poetry through the eyes of two different people who had to grow up and go through the struggles of life that many people face, but no one really talks about or writes down.

First I'll go over the things that I liked in this book:

The background art in this book was unexpected, but a little treat as I read. Whether it was swirling smoke on the pages or a collage of sea life, the whole page felt like it came together as a dual art piece, and it gave it a little more emotional depth.

There were also deep meanings behind certain phrases in the poems that let you feel like even though this wasn't your exact experience in life, that it was almost still a message for you.

It was also nice to see how the authors were able to rise through their struggles anf finally find a place for them, and that the darkest parts of their lives weren't the end. It was an example to all others who read that there's still a life ahead, and that even though there are many of highs and lows, life keeps going.

Now, things that were not my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean they were bad:

I think modern poetry is not meant for me. Sometimes, what are labeled as poems don't seem to connect to me because it seems to just be the person's thoughts written down. No hidden meanings, hyperbole, or similes. Just like you went to your diary and wrote down what happened in the day. There were many of those in this book and it really pulled me out of the experience.

And while I understand that a struggle can always persist, sometimes there would be an issue written about multiple times with very little change to the author's thoughts on the matter. Just like they were just writing about it again. I don't think it really added anything to the experience. The sucessful attempt to this were the poems about the self-hatred that came from weight issues that turned into self-love, regardless of their weight at the time.

All in all, I liked the meaning of the book, and how it was done through two perspectives. For anyone who likes modern poetry, I would very much reccomend the book.

[Winnie | Her Digital Coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 'Before You Know It' is yet another beautiful collection of poems by SK Williams. I appreciate the vulnerability and authenticity behind each piece. Williams takes you on a journey of what it's like to be human, feeling every emotion under the sun, and coming back to yourself with love. I'd happily recommend this to any poetry lover. Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Robin Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Before You Know It, by S.K Williams, is a poetry collection about finding a compromise between innocent, childlike dreams, and reality. The book is separated into four parts. In the Beginning, details the aspirations someone may have for themselves and the plans they make to reach their goals, despite the doubts that may plague them along the way. Uncharted Waters illustrates the reality of what it means to follow those dreams and the mental and emotional fortitude it takes to continue struggling toward them. Beneath the Storm describes the heartbreaking reality of having to come to terms with the life you wanted, versus the life you received. Finally, At the End denotes that those dreams are still there, whether it be that of being happy or being a writer, and that, despite all the hardships that had fallen, they’re worth fighting for.

It felt like each poem carried a lesson you have to learn in the moment. There’s no thinking, no rhyme or reason; it just is. You learn to grow and take care of yourself, and then you learn how to take care of others, and when you fall, others might laugh or pity you. But then you get back up and you go back at it again. I especially “loved” the financial struggles poets had to go through and the difficulty of letting a marriage that wasn’t working; there’s something so intoxicatingly human about ruminating over what feels like past regrets. Again, it’s nothing you can change; it is what it is. But despite all the chaos involved, you somehow find a way to move forward. It might not be the path you envisioned, but it’s a path nonetheless. This, unfortunately, is horrifically true with mental illness as well; sometimes you’re lost, and sometimes you aren’t. And when you feel like you’re lost, you have to rely on other people to help you move forward. It’s this oddity that makes me feel that having a passion for writing might denote some sort of mental deficiency. (Don’t take this personally. I struggle with this too). 

The collection mirrors my journey. When I was younger, I used to write all the time. While my childhood wasn’t that bad, I would always escape into stories of my own imagining, and steal myself away into the confines of the school library (I’m still proud that my librarian allowed me to check out books until the last day of school). Then college hit, and then medical school, and then me dropping out of medical school, and then I realized that I had to get a job. While I was (somewhat) publishing, it wasn’t nearly enough to support myself or my then-boyfriend at the time. It broke my heart, but I decided to go out and be an adult. I chose to teach math for no other reason than it was in demand at the time. Looking back on it, I probably would’ve gotten away with being an English teacher. And as a counselor, I often find myself using creative writing and art to help clients who are just as engrossed in the written word as I am. So when I read through this collection, I couldn’t help but remember all the little moments when I was worried about finances, how I could possibly survive when my parents were already barreling down on me. It’s a painful thing to have to go through, and I feel that this is, more often than not, a part of a writer’s journey to get where they need to go. It’s a harsh journey (there’s a reason why so many famous writers have committed suicide. Hell, even Edgar Allen Poe died impoverished before he died). But a necessary one nonetheless. Writing is a good way to help people express themselves, and medical schools value someone who can delve into humanity holistically, so make that of what you will.

I absolutely loved this collection, and thus, would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Before You Know It is a poetry collection where the poems seem to get better as the book goes on. The poems subject matter is immensely relatable. There is a deep connection to humanity on the authors part, and how the understand the world. How its communicated to the reader. There are passages in this that will stick with me for a while as I mull over the words. Feel them
In effort to be completely transparent, while I think it was an overwhelmingly positive experience with this collection, I don't think this style of poetry does much for me. It's the sort of poetry that comes in spades these days--sentences broken up stylishly, more stream of thought than anything with real structure. Notes App Poetry, if you will. I don't say this dismissively either. There is a lot of good that comes with this style. It's accessible and easy to understand. There is beauty in that, in being able to communicate what you want and have people understand. But with the absence of the technical mastery it takes for rhyming verses and more traditional poetry structures, it's hard to measure that aspect of the collection. Is it good? Is it bad? I don't know. The subject matter is moving, but is it enough?
For me, no.
For others, definitely. I know there are tons of people who enjoy this style of poetry, and I dearly hope those who do pick up this books.
Additionally, shout out the cover artist because this is just gorgeous.

[CatsBnB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a raw and relatable collection of poetry, composed of two intertwined narratives, which chronicle the transformative years between 18 and 28. These poems capture the essence of a generation grappling with the vast possibilities of the world while navigating the constant pressure to decipher life's complexities. Through themes of youth, uncertainty, ambition, anxiety, depression, powerlessness, isolation, and body image, the author paints a vivid portrait of the human condition. As readers we are invited to reflect on our own journey, appreciate our own progress, and to trust where life will take us. Moreover, the collection is complemented by captivating illustrations, a delightful addition that enhances the reading experience.

I highly recommend this collection to young readers who are just entering adulthood and seeking guidance, comfort, and encouragement in life's uncertainties. As someone who found themselves reflecting on my own past experiences while reading, I was struck by a wave of nostalgia, reminiscing about the challenges and triumphs of my youth. Furthermore, it served as a poignant reminder of the parallel journey my own five children are currently undertaking, offering insights and empathy into their own struggles and aspirations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

”People are incredibly durable things. We get beaten up, torn down, and heartbroken but we still find a way to get back up and put ourselves back together.”

[Leeza Jayde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another poetry collection by Shayla and Kevin (S.K.) that I found both thought-provoking and deeply moving. These two poets, with their combined life experiences, explore a raw, unfiltered approach to their respective lives as they were thrust into adulthood and underwent a myriad of challenges. This relatable, honest and comforting collection reminded me how human it is to feel societal pressure to do more and be more; that powerlessness, heartbreak, poor mental health, low self esteem and working tenaciously to achieve one's hopes and dreams are universal, albeit individualised, journeys. I also appreciated the insightful-and creative-split-perspective approach in this book, and the selected illustrations offered are so aesthetically pleasing. S.K.'s prose always manages to bury its way into my heart and nestle there, leaving me thinking about specific poems for days after I've read them.

On a side note, I also very much enjoy how real S.K. are. There's this mysterious, alluring persona contemporary poets often adopt where they feel like a faraway visionary figure to readers and this identity can become romanticised and feel distant (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with this by any means, but I personally find this sometimes harder to connect with), but Shayla and Kevin feel real, genuine and down to earth. They have been for many years now, and continue to be, two of my favourite poets.

[Nicole Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before You Know It by S. K. Williams is a collection of poetry centering around the first decade of adulthood - from 18 to 28. It is divided into four parts: In the Beginning, Uncharted Waters, Beneath the Storm, and At the End, and they all focus on different times of the poets' journey.

Many different themes will resonate with every reader; finding yourself, pursuing your dreams, feeling lost, struggling with confidence, societal pressures, expectations, and so much more. I think the poems are deeply relatable, and I'm sure many readers will feel seen and understood in the poems.

The writing is mostly simple, and it feels like the poets are writing in a diary to their younger selves, which makes it feel personal and intimate. I think it could have gone even deeper into some of the feelings since the themes are very vast, but I enjoyed reading it. This collection is perfect for younger readers who are just entering adulthood and trying to figure life out.

The collection is also illustrated, which I always love. While the drawings are mostly simple, they add some magic to the words, and make it an even more pleasant read.

So I would recommend this if you'd like to read a poetry collection about growing up and trying to figure life out. It is a very accessible and easy read, and it's great for people who are starting to get into poetry.

[Kelby Free · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review*


Poetry is hard to review, especially when it's not poetry in children's tales and about fantastical stories. You don't want to judge the stories or feelings somebody experienced about their own life.
So I won't. That's not the point here.

The writing in Before You Know It is simple to read. I did not struggle to understand what either author appeared to be portraying. You see the changes in their writing and the type of story we are learning as they each grow up. They're young in the beginning, dealing with things we view as trivial when we get older but also the complications of just being comfortable with ourselves and our own beings.

If you had a "perfect" life maybe step away from this one as you will struggle to find the connection to the words on the page. If you struggled to find yourself worthy of love or not failing or just being comfortable in your own skin I say give this ago. If anything, it will help you remember you aren't alone if feeling that way and that there is hope to getting past that.

[Just Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just added this to my preorders!
I love this collection of poetry so much! I too wrote poetry over the years of growing up and growing into the person I am today as a way to express what was troubling my mind, and understand and heal my heart & soul; my frustrations, fears, loves, hopes & dreams. Poetry can be very personal, yet within these pages the essence of universal experiences, thoughts and feelings resonate off the page and bring to the surface a fond nostalgia, sometimes a quiet pause and at other times a visceral reaction to things endured and overcome. Our stories, our poetry, our written and oral records are the value we share with future generations of our tribulations and triumphs, our memories and our legacy.
This is a must have collection to share with others, and as the authors mentioned to provide comfort, friendship and understanding in the good and the bad times.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher Andrews McNeel Publishing for an arc of Before You Know It.

[Aurelia Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adolescence and early adulthood are developmental periods characterized by themes of feeling judged, trying to fit in, struggling to achieve success, achieving autonomy, navigating shaping one's identity, and other similar themes, These poems address many of the ideas and challenges of those stages. Someone 18-29 might identify with the experiences and struggles, but those older can be reminded of what it was like. I actually think this would be a great read for a parent of an adolescent or young adult to remind us what it was like.

'Youth can not know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.' (Dumbledore, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling). As strong as these emotions were for us at one point, when we move on and are dealing with different challenges, it becomes easy to forget what it was like to be experiencing those challenges but these poems are a way to feel those feelings again.

The cover is beautiful and the art throughout is not overbearing.

[Kara Krulick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on the shelf randomly from Barnes and Noble today because of the gorgeous cover and the concept of growing up. As an 18 year old girl, looking out on all life has in store I found that this book of poems written from two perspectives told a powerful story. I saw the struggle of being a young adult and leaving up to expectations and having dreams shattered with new dreams rising from the dust. I breezed right through it. It was a poignant and touching read, and my favorite part was that it was told from two different prespective one girl, one boy. It ending up balanced really well and the styles ran together smoothly. I want to read it more carefully through and let each poem sink in more the next time through to grasp more how I feel about the emoutional weight was there. The intention was there, but I felt..apathetic? I don’t know, but that also was the voice of the poems and the hopelessness in them so that could be a good theme. Overall, a lovely beautiful read I recommend. I would read more of their work.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry book, written by two authors, was a beautiful book from start to end. Starting at age 18 and going until 28, the two author's capture both the hopeful and hopeless parts of growing into adulthood. Not shying away from the stark realities of early-adult life, these poems cover topics such as mental health, finances, loneliness and so much more.

While some of the poems are personal to either author, every single one of them in this collection can be felt and related to by anyone in their 20s. Sometimes the authors speak to themselves, or speak "out loud", but sometimes they speak directly to the reader. They've been through this, they've felt these things, too, and are now offering a kind word. It feels comforting to read and I finished the book feeling both emotional and hopeful.

I highly recommend this book if you're in that 18-30 age range. The book itself is absolutely gorgeous, with background illustrations giving a calming feeling as you read along.

[ArcAngelThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before You Know It can be summed up within her line of, “Time took me here, and I made these things happen.”

A beautiful, caring, and vulnerable read ready to make you cry, embrace, and experiance the endurance of young adulthood. Written with a female and male perspective, the reader is engulfed between two timelines of grace, self-love, passion, and remembrance. With each part, we grow with the authors as they use their lives as an adaptation of understanding ours. Honest and symbolic in word and pictures, you’ll love re-reading this through the years of being 18-28 and find many relatable quotations.


One of my personal favorite quotes:
“Whenever I can, I stow pieces of myself away.”

Thank you for this Arc copy of Before You know It to read. I can’t wait to annotate a physical copy with the quotes I currently love!

This review is not sponsored and my thoughts are my own.

[Martina Weiß · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: Domestic Abuse, Depression, Alcohol, Fatphobia

4.5 / 5 Stars


The very first poem of this collection let me hope that this book would punch me right in the gut. And - it did.
It tackles self-worth and self-doubt, domestic (& sexual) abuse, depression, anxiety, and existencial dread besides other things. At times I also felt like there were hints of asexuality hidden in some poems as well. Can't say it was there for cerain, but I couldnt help but read some lines like that, since they reminded me of my own experiences.
Overall, this was a very personal, very touching and very well written book.
The only thing that left me with a bit of a bad feeling in my mouth is the weight stuff. A lot of internalizedd fatphobia in this one. And not just once. Not even twice or trice... I get that society tells us that we're worth less if we weigh more. But the words that were used and the multible poems tackling the authors weight were a choice. Just saying.

[Sully Wittrock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not an expert so the only things I really look for in poetry is if it makes me think differently or feel. This delivered on both!

It’s a collection of poetry from the two authors recalling experiences and life from ages 18-28. I’m turning 28 this year and found it very relatable.

It was a little preachy at times and had me recalling the exact feelings of some of the worst experiences I’ve lived through…

But it was also uplifting and a reminder that you’re not alone. That at almost any point in your life someone else sees you and what you are going through even if you can’t connect with them in that moment (something I love that poetry does).

I felt seen now, in moments of my past where I felt alone. A very lovely collection of work.

“How do I swim out when I’m nauseous from going in the same circles”

Thank you NetGalley and S.K. Williams for the eARC.

[Rachael A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of poems by two different authors, separated into different sections of their lives. Through their poetry, you can see their growth. The style of poetry varies throughout the book and the authors' experiences are identified by the "Part" within each section of poems (In The Beginning, Beneath the Storm, etc.). It's pretty easy to figure out whose voice is whose, but I doubt they intend for it to be a secret. The poems are hit or miss - some really resonated with me, while others did not. I particularly liked the multi-part poem "Am I Brave Enough" and the trajectory the author took throughout these parts. The overall message of this collection is hopeful, although you start out in the depths of despair for both authors. If you're looking for a nostalgic (albeit sometimes painful) reminder of your 20s through verse, check this collection out.

[Yamini · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book presents you with a picture of various steps we all go through in our journey of life, no matter how different we are, these clouds have shadowed us all. The poetries are divided into a few parts, though I do have a few favourites, a few that felt hard to get by and others I could not relate to.

The coming-of-age contents feel like a brisk walk through the memory lane. I found the poetries have a distinct impression on readers that varies not just from different age groups but also because of what you have experienced in your life. The contents are of peculiar style and so I find it difficult to narrow down, who exactly will enjoy it all. This leaves me to keep an open-ended review, read and find out if this is the one for you.

Thank you @andrewsmcmeel and @skwilliamspoetry for the e-ARC.
Genre: #poetry
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

[Lyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before You Know It by S. K. Williams

Pages: 206
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

I knew going into this that it was a little sad and was a little surprised at just how dark this was. Especially part 2, where the author was in the deepest of their depression. There were some really great quotes in here and I’m glad I read it, but this made me realize maybe poetry is just not for me. I like how fast I fly through it but I tend to focus on the rhyme and the rhythm of the poem rather than what the poem was saying so I was rereading a lot. The illustrations throughout were really pretty and sometimes it added to the poem. Overall a 3.5 star rating!

I did get this as an ARC on NetGalley, this comes out April 2nd, 2024.

[DeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and modern poetry aren't always friends, so I always like to find new collections that I enjoy. This collection delves into a number of issues one might face when growing up and becoming an adult, navigating adult spaces. I enjoyed the writing styles of both perspectives, but I do wish that the different perspectives were better identified throughout the collection as I often found myself losing track of which perspective it was I was reading from. I did really enjoy the imagery and atmosphere created through the dual voices and found the talk of depression, anxiety, growth and learning who you are - plus talk about some of the struggles facing younger generations in the current day to be very raw and real, as well as relatable.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before You Know It is a collection of poems about early adulthood and the unique experience of that time in life. Many of the poems touch on feelings of uncertainty, what comes next and feeling like you are behind everyone else. These are common feelings and for that reason many of these poems resonated with me. However, I also feel like this wasn’t exactly saying anything new or profound that will stick with me.

I don’t enjoy the stream of consciousness style of poetry very much and that is the main style used in this collection. The stronger poems that stood out to me were either more abstract or had more details than the poems that asked simple questions about life. Overall though, I think this is a collection that many will enjoy.