Oranges Squeezed Dry

by Cassandra Litten

Oranges Squeezed Dry is a celebration of queer love, a dive into the darkest depths of lust and desire, an honest portrait of trauma, and an ode to the cinematic aesthetic of classic horror and film noir, all wrapped into one lush, atmospheric, deeply felt debut collection from Cassandra Litten.

Genres: Poetry

84 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2023

About the author

A small-voiced, big-hearted writer, Cassandra Litten has been penning poems and stories since she was nine years old.

Combining the aesthetic of old-fashioned romanticism with multi-faceted, modern characters she delves into the passions, evils, and kindnesses of human beings and creates narratives that are interesting and fresh while paying homage to the stories she has always held close to her heart.

Her writing, much like her personality, is best summarized by her 2022 Spotify Wrapped: "Angst-Amped Vampire", "Victorian Intense Suspense", and "Sentimental Old Hollywood Fancy".

Reviews

[Brittany Alyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassandra Litten’s debut poetry book is a precious and rare gift in this world. A collection of intimate poems that have the power to make you feel seen and healed. I believe it takes a great deal of courage to put the deepest parts of yourself on a page, let alone an entire book, for the entire world to see. Cassandra has accomplished this with the most extraordinary grace and bravery, and in turn has allowed us to experience all the wondrous and darkest parts of herself, for us to experience and relate to. You instantly feel transported by her hauntingly beautiful passages; they are a genuine mirror and a form of escapism at the same time.

Atmospheric and deeply felt, each poem contains raw intimacy, sensuality, heartache, and most importantly - love. You find your heart in each word, in each page, over and over again. And it is so comforting.

ORANGES SQUEEZED DRY is worth your time and your love. Every single lover of poetry should have this on their shelves.

Cassandra, I am endlessly proud of you, and I love you so much. Congratulations on this incredible feat. It is only the beginning.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This tenderness is unyielding, and I am dangerous behind its power.”

This collection of poems has stunned me completely. It’s lush, raw, gothic, and full of want. I know that I will return to these poems again and again.

I yearn…do you yearn?

[Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poems for a dark, jasmine-scented room. Poems that are somatic and sultry. Themes of fruit, mud, and blood abound. Sticky poetry.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only negative about this book is that I wish it was longer. I just felt so seen in these poems. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this little book and picked it up. There is something about her words that makes me want to hold this book in my teeth and never let go.