October Defined: an anthology of verse

by Najaha Nauf

October Defined is an anthology of verse; a shape-shifting vessel for an array of emotions. It explores the complexities of being human and offers a deep dive into grief, loss, love, femininity, and filial duty. The voice of this collection is honest and reminiscent of a wonder we often outgrow in our adult years. Many Octobers have unraveled us, and many more will continue to take their toll on us, but this one is here to remedy the collateral damage of being.

187 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2023

About the author

Najaha Nauf is an author and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's in Psychology. Her debut novella 'Slow Dancing with the Stars' is a fictitious retelling of personal encounters, published in 2020 and awarded the Best Young Adult Literature award at the State Literary Awards 2021, held in her homeland, Sri Lanka.

Her first collection of poetry, titled 'October Defined', has been shortlisted for a Godage National Manuscript Award and will be in print in September 2023.

She is an avid reader and enjoys the works of Virginia Woolf, Leigh Bardugo, and Stephen Chbosky. Her blog is a safe space of confessions and reviews and she is most known for her spoken verse.

Reviews

[Zafra]

I should have picked this up sooner is what I thought I'd be telling myself as I read this book, but oddly, I am glad I read this now.

Najaha, you write like you have lived a couple hundred lives. To glean the wisdom you do itself is commendable but to be able to put it into words beautiful verses is revolutionary. I think I might start believing in miracles again, because of you.

"our lives are often a myriad of side effects
everything we lived through is living in us
most of our greatest feats are the ones hidden
within the layers of our skin.

look at us,
existing despite everything."

[Manodya Liyanage]

October Defined has a special place in my heart (like all of Najaha’s work) and I started reading as soon as it was delivered and could not put the book down until I came to the very last page. It is captivating and so beautifully written, she took me on a journey through an entire year! A true magician with words! It will always be one of my absolute favorite books of all time!!

[Kasun]

"October Defined" is a collection of unfeigned and endearing verses that dwell on what it is to be human; to be happy and grateful for your life one moment and to be desolate wanting to end it all another. I found myself getting goosebumps and sometimes tears while reading some of the poems.

"because it is easier to fall apart
than to keep yourself together"

The poem, "Patchwork" holds a special place in my heart.
Thank you for sharing this anthology with the world and I hope we will be able to read more of your work! Good Luck! :)