"Words from a Wanderer" is a timeless and beautiful compilation of notes and poetry. This book was created with hopes of uplifting and encouraging readers in many ways. There is a journal in the back of the book for readers and fellow writers to indulge in to keep the "conversation" going. Author, Alexandra Elle, wrote this book to shed light on the fact that indeed not all who wander are lost; some are simply still finding their way.
Alexandra Elle is a writer and creative living in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband and daughter. In her pre-teen years, writing came into her life by way of therapy and the exploration of healing. Many years later, Alex's voice and words are being shared poetically in the form of self-love and self-care. Her passion for storytelling, poetry, and narrative writing are infused with life lessons, self-celebration, and building community through reading, writing, and language.
Words From A Wanderer is a compilation of notes and poetry. This book was created with hopes of uplifting and encouraging readers in many ways.
“I started writing notes to myself because a little self-love can go a long way."
So from the description this sounded like an incredibly timely and beautiful book, but I ended up pretty disappointed. The writing isn't really poetic, rather quite simple. Also, a lot of the "notes to self" felt distant and not as personal as I was hoping.
But I managed to find a few gems with nice little illustrations to feature in this review:
Overall, this compilation was a pretty okay read - nothing bad, nothing spectacular - and it was something to add to my poetry shelf.
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A short little book full of notes for one's self and little poems. The writing was rather flat and simple, not poetic.
I know this book is supposed to be uplifting and empowering, but to me, it only felt like "been there, done that", nothing new that I haven't read before, thought about or even told myself.
It was an okay read nonetheless, nothing out of ordinary.
I am currently in pieces right now, broken, I must say. A recent lover bid goodbye And all was left are tears uncried.
This book uplifted my entire being. It brought me to tears, not the sad tears but an overwhelming gratefulness kind of tears. I found a friend. I found a very good friend in a book. It is a good kind of friendship. And I intend to go back to the pages over and over again.
A peaceful book about different thoughts of Alexandra Elle, a wanderer, just like you and me.
And here goes below the best quotes of the book: "Dear Self, If you keep going backwards with the same people that God has intentionally removed from your life, you will continue to stay stuck. There is no joy in being confused and unhappy. Get rid of old bad habits and leave them where they belong. What is meant for you will be yours, learn to let go. Dysfunction isn’t love. Sincerely, Self"
"Dear Self, Assumptions will ruin your beautiful mind. Be aware of what you’re entertaining, even in thought."
"Hesitant Self, Love your neighbor, even the ones who do not show you the same courtesy. You can’t expect to receive love if you’re selective and not really willing to give it. What you put into the world, you will indeed get back, even if it’s not from the person you’re expecting it to be. Love, Self"
"There is no layaway in love. You cannot beg and plead a person to give you what’s rightfully theirs, especially if they aren’t willing to share. If a man isn’t ready to love you, let him be. Despite how much you think you want or need someone else, you don’t. Prepare yourself so that when the right one comes along , you’re ready and able to love them with your whole heart and not just pieces of it."
"Sometimes it’s not the physical person that I miss but the energy we shared..."
this was ok. not what I expected. Read the entire thing in under an hour. was hoping to get lost in it the way I like to do in my readings however I just kinda felt like I was reading someone's Facebook statues.
this book as a notes app compilation? not bad. this book as poetry? not great. the writing is simple and not very thought provoking. i liked one poem out of the entire book. i felt like i was reading my friend’s diary from middle school.
I love every bit of this book, I reflected on some of the things that has gone on in my life as I read through the notes. There's relatable content on almost every page. This book is very insightful, I will be keeping it close.
This is such a beautiful book. I just read it all at once, not able to wait once I found out it was free here on goodreads. It switches back and forth from poems to 'notes to self' which is really cute. So inspiring and some parts really make you think.
The notes where very repetitive (the essence of the notes and the words that where used i.e. 'worthy' and 'forgiveness'). It also felt like I was reading an old diary from when I was sixteen years old and we all know how cringeworthy that is...But nonetheless 2 stars for the self-love message!
Dear self, Read these notes every time you feel down, confused, unhappy and lost. Remember how beautiful and worthwhile you are then sleep tight. Peace, Self
Me sorprendió y me gustó bastante pero no creo que este formato sea el adecuado, quizá más como el estilo de un poema diario, pero ni siquiera son poemas, son más como frases inspiradoras.
a small book that's worth a read. narration of the author really is awesome. simple writing style wonderfully crafted. have a millions of stuffs for reflection though it's only a 30 minutes read. this book as a whole is some random thoughts, lovely poetries, sweet romantic self reflection , self love and lot more. And everything that's shuffled over the few pages haphazardly with the scattered tiny designs make this book pretty.
I ended up reading this book because of all the quotes I saw on Tumblr from this book as well as the numerous positive reviews I've seen online.
I did like this book. There were multiple memorable quotes that stuck with me and that I related to.
I could relate to the authors journey - a sense of loving yourself and reassuring yourself... but because this book is a compilation of notes I felt that some of the messages were bitsy and incomplete. Perhaps if the author had grouped her notes and poems by category and given a little bit more of a contextual background rather than it being like a few pages out of her diary it could've been much better.
Unfortunately, personally I didn't feel that this book was "life changing" but I can see how it has been for some - broadened their perspectives and touched them in some way. I also write poetry and written peices so much of what was written I relate to and am currently going through, so it was no new truths for me.
While I acknowledge this is a debut collection, I believe it could’ve spent some more time in the thought and editing department before heading off to be published.
Judging by the title, I was expecting many inspirational and uplifting pieces, especially from a person calling themselves a wanderer who sees and experiences a lot. Instead, I found simplistic poetry, unmoving and containing few raw elements. A lot of the notes-to-self pieces lacked a personal feel to them which was disappointing because those are the pieces that would relay directly to the inner core of a person.
“I've been hurt so bad and I still love so hard. I admire my heart for that.”
“Love your neighbor. Even the ones who do not show you the same courtesy. You can’t expect to receive love if you’re selective and not really willing to give it. What you put into the world, you will indeed get back. Even if it’s not from the person you’re expecting it to be.”
There were some memorable quotes indeed, but as I reached the ending I was left with an incomplete feeling. The self-love quotes and poems were surely the most successful aspect of this book. I absolutely adore Alex, but I suppose I expected more. There were many quotes/poems that seemed hurried and underdeveloped. Overall, 3.5 stars. It just needs more substance.