From Sand to Stars

by Shelby Leigh

Discover the fourth collection by Shelby Leigh, the bestselling poet of Changing With the Tides and Girl Made of Glass, where she invites you to embrace the present, nurture self-growth, and discover hope in every moment of your journey through the sands of time.Ever feel like you’re running out of time? Feel lost thinking about the future? From Sand to Stars provides a reminder that every day is a new day to find joy and self-acceptance, no matter where you are in life’s journey. Exploring the concept of time and how it affects our mental health, From Sand to Stars will make you feel heard and seen, while inspiring you to embrace all life has to offer. Sand, section one, represents the hourglass—how time gets away from us and causes overthinking and anxiety. Soil, the second section, represents self-care, growth, and the joy that surrounds us when we look for it. Finally, Stars provides an uplifting final section on finding hope and healing around us.

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Shelby Leigh is a mental health poet writing about self-love, insecurities, anxiety, relationships and more. Her third poetry book, girl made of glass, released a #1 bestseller in women's poetry in 2023. Her longest collection yet, the book uncovers how our past - past relationships, memories, and ourselves - can haunt us.

Her second poetry book, changing with the tides, is a #1 amazon bestseller, originally released in 2019. The new edition was released by Gallery Books in July 2022.

In addition to writing, Shelby runs an online poetry community with workshops and edits poetry books.

Connect with her on Instagram and TikTok @shelbyleighpoetry, Twitter @shelbyleighpoet, and on her website www.shelbyleigh.co.

Reviews

[Courtney 💚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this all in one sitting which is not how I typically read poetry. But every page made me want to read another than another. This book is perfectly collated, and tells a beautiful overall narrative. I love how so many of the poems reference the same concepts and metaphors but through a different lens as the authors perspective shifts.

There is beauty in this collections simplicity as it is so relatable. Simple concepts, perfectly articulated.

4.5 ⭐️

[Shelby Leigh]

So excited to announce my newest book, From Sand to Stars! I cannot WAIT for you to read it! <3

[ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy poetry even if I don't fully relate to a specific poem, I just love the realness about it. This book focuses on different themes and topics. Some were: low self esteem, self hate, grief, joy, growth, healing, self recognition, etc.

Here are a few quotes I liked:
-"there are ups and downs.
there are small steps forward and giant steps back.
but everyday, no matter how disappointed you feel,
remember--there is no right way to heal." (Pg 48).

-"she doesn't need anyone but herself,
but it's not wrong that she wants someone."
(This one was relatable. Pg 61)

-"even when we try to heal, the cracks are not far below. even when we pretend we're okay, the cracks still show." (Pg 95)

[Bea (beansbookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.

"We try so hard to forget the ugly parts of life, but without them, how would we know what is beautiful?"

A book about learning how to live in the present moment, nurturing yourself, feeling lost, but also trying to find yourself and have confidence (on yourself and regarding the future). This is yet another pretty honest and personal poem collection that spoke volumes to me. Will definitely read more from the author. :)

[Katie ᥫ᭡. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "From Sand to Stars" by Shelby Leigh was like receiving the warmest hug! Her poetry beautifully captures the ups and downs of life, making me feel completely seen and understood. Each poem is a gentle reminder that even our broken and insecure parts can find light and hope. Shelby's words are encouraging, uplifting, truthful, and sometimes challenging, urging us to embrace every part of ourselves.

This collection resonated deeply with my own experiences, and I found solace in her reflections on love and growth. It's a heartfelt journey that reminds us we're all worthy of love and capable of blooming even in our darkest moments.

If you're in need of a big hug and a boost of self-love, "From Sand to Stars" is a must-read. Shelby Leigh's poetic brilliance will leave you feeling inspired and cherished. 💖✨

Thank you NetGalley, Central Avenue, & the author for my ARC!

[Eliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Sand to Stars
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5)

I don't have a good system for poetry books, but this was average to me, so it gets 3 stars. Some insightful ideas, but mostly pretty plain. It seems like it was a helpful outlet for the author, but it didn't have as much impact for me as a reader. :/

[Sarah Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written! The emotions of all of the different sides of mental health were captured in such a brilliant light and so much truth behind each poem. The artwork that appear in this book was absolutely stunning and fit the vibe so well! So thankful for Netgalley and publishers who gifted this ARC.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetry collection finally makes it to my all time favorites list. This was not on my 2025 bingo card.

But I loved this collection and felt very seen by it. I underlined, annotated, and starred so much and know that I will reread those poems many times in the future. Incredible.

[Summer Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this collection! I couldn’t tell if it was just the format of the arc or if this collection will be physically published this way, but all of the poems were crammed together and it read more like a run on sentence rather than individual poems. I’m more of a fan of individual poems on a page, so the layout definitely negatively affected my reading experience. It also felt pretty repetitive, being told the same message over and over in a slightly different way. I really enjoyed the authors note though and the imagery that this collection evoked. It has a lot themes about self love, which is always nice to read. I think this would be a great collection for someone new to the genre!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you central avenue publishing and Netgalley for and earc of this book in exchange for my honest review

I absolutely loved this poetry book. Majority of the poems were about every day life and very relatable, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this and honestly it was needed. There is so much beauty in these poems, even the sad ones, I highly recommend reading

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

she writes something bad and then tries to cover it up with but its ok, im fine now, im over it. like bitch no you aren't. if you were then you wouldn't write it at the end of every single poem.
dislike it strongly, definitely not my type of book, fast read though due to the 1 sentence shit she wrote and wasted papers on this

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

from sand to stars put tears in my eyes. The poems comforted me in the most beautiful and painful way. A self-reflection that every heartbreak is part of your journey for you to be resilient. Most of the poems are relatable to what I’m currently going through.

Overall, poetry collection felt like your “shoulder to cry on”. It’s exactly how my soul sister talks to me. I love it so much because everyone is worthy of love in every aspect. 🥰🥹

[Eva Kovacs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Garbage!





(She tries to sound deep but you can clearly tell especially in the beginning poems that whoever hurt her, left a mark that still stings.)

[bookishlycaffenaited · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know poetry is subjective, and many seem to love this collection - which is great!- however, this was extremely underwhelming for me.

I found Leigh's writing and prose extremely trite, relying on cliches rather than delving deep into the themes they explored. I did not find inspiration or poignancy throughout, so it was overall disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Poetry for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looks like this might be the only book I'll be finishing in september...

I thought I was going to love this because of the theme (I do feel lost thinking about the future and sometimes I do feel like I'm running out of time). Unfortunately, the poems didn't resonnate with me.

A little disappointing, but it is what it is.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.

[CatsBnB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Shelby Leigh, and Central Avenue Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautifully written collection of poetry by Shelby Leigh!! This book is her fourth installment that invites you to pause, reflect, and find hope in every fleeting moment. I have thoroughly enjoyed these honest and relatable poems. This resonated with me on a profound level and I wholeheartedly recommend this lovely book of poetry! 💫💫💫💫

The collection is divided into three parts: Sand, representing the pressure and anxiety that time imposes on us; Soil, symbolizing growth, self-care, and the hidden joys around us; and Stars, offering a guiding light of hope and healing in even the darkest times.

"I can't escape the irony of my thoughts-wasting time worrying about not having enough time."

"I have never known silence, my mind is always loud. a tornado of words swirling around my head. I cannot escape the noise."

"we try so hard to forget the ugly parts of life, but without them, how would we know what is beautiful?"

"I am not running out of time-I am running toward something great. I am not wasting time-I am chasing what I know will bring me joy."

"you wanted me to be what I'm not, someone completely new. but if I ever change myself, it will be for me-not you."

"I thought I hated the idea of losing you. but it turns out I really love the idea of loving me."

"harder than it sounds-to abandon something you have known your whole life. it was a gradual process, like sand delicately falling in an hourglass, piece by piece."

"a reminder to slow down. a reminder to breathe. a reminder that you are exactly where you need to be. the minutes will continue to pass you by. you'll live and breathe and smile and sigh and stress and some moments will pass you by while others will be memories etched in time."

"I don't know what tomorrow holds but I do know today is already here. right in front of you. what will you do with it? please hold on to your hope, don't let it slip away."

"I hope for you sunlight that stays, that everyone you meet smiles in your rays without trying to take your warmth."

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Self love is a commitment. Like every commitment, there will be mistakes, fights, repetition, simplicity, complications, moments where you wonder if it’s worth it. Leigh touches on all these moments when bringing her poetry to light. There are plenty of beautiful little nuggets here that I want to write out to think on. I’ll be sharing some of these lovely lines with my sister in times when her anxiety rises. The first half of the beginning poem felt like a reading from my own journal. I found so many similarities with “repeat after me” as well. Really needed to hear “there is no right age to finalize your life.” How sad— and yet how comforting to know that there is another human feeling the same way. My journey with weight loss and pcos held hands with the segment of Soil: growth & guidance. It was probably written with completely different motivations behind the words–but that is the beauty of poetry. It can apply to several aspects of life. My mother relates to “anti-aging” as she is always fond of telling me that she’s proud to show off her earned silver hairs. I felt a bond with the women in my life through Leigh’s poems. There were some moments when the writing felt young, you can tell the author hasn't lived to a ripe old age yet, but that doesn't slack her truth. To be honest, I haven’t read poetry in awhile, so this was a nice warm welcome back into the style.

Thank you Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for my arc, it was lovely

[Jenny Radloff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bei dieser Gedichtsammlung handelt es sich um eine Zusammenstellung von Gedichten zum Thema Selbstwert und mentale Gesundheit. Es werden in verschiedenen Abschnitten negative Gefühle und Ängste beschrieben, der Kampf mit den eigenen Dämonen, der uns durch das ganze Leben begleitet. Dabei werden Selbstzweifel in verschiedenen Kontexten aufgegriffen, bspw. innerhalb einer Beziehung, bzgl. dem Älterwerden, dem eigenen Aussehen o.ä.

Ich mochte die Metaphern, welche in den Gedichten gezeichnet wurden, und einige Gedichte haben mich sehr berührt. Auch die hoffnungsgebenden Nuancen, die zum Ende des Buches hin immer stärker einflossen, empfand ich als sehr gelungen. Ohne zu beschönigen wurde hier Hoffnung gesät. Mir hat diese Kollektion gut gefallen und ich empfehle sie gerne weiter.

In English:

This collection of poems is a compilation of poems on the subject of self-esteem and mental health. Different sections describe negative feelings and fears, the battle with our own demons that accompanies us throughout our lives. Self-doubt is addressed in different contexts, for example within a relationship, regarding aging, our own appearance, etc.

I liked the metaphors that were used in the poems, and some of them touched me deeply. I also found the hopeful nuances that became more and more prominent towards the end of the book to be very successful. Hope was sown here without sugarcoating it. I liked this collection and recommend it happily to others.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Sand to Stars by Shelby Leigh is a collection of poems that are very relatable to everyday life. The book is divided into three sections: Sand, Soil, and Stars.

Sand, time and tension, slips through your fingers. Time tends to cause worry and overthinking. "I don't know how to be alone without feeling alone. I used to know how to be happy, or at least content, on my own. but lately when I'm by myself, all I do is overthink, spend hours staring at the ceiling while my mind replays moments I thought I left behind."

Soil, growth and guidance, is representative of the happiness in our lives when we choose to look for it. "if you are feeling empty, bare your roots to the sky and let the rain plant you like a seed, reborn into a new flower. you may not be perfect, but then again, who wouldn't want a beautiful flower just because it had a missing petal, a bent stem?"

Last, Stars, hope and healing, provides the perfect ending. "we are growing, blooming, healing, wishing, hoping, breathing, being," "a reminder to slow down. a reminder to breathe. a reminder that you are exactly where you need to be."

[Nicole Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

and when time disappears
I want to believe in slowness again.
I want to believe that my heart does
not have to race to feel alive.

From Sand to Stars by Shelby Leigh is a poetry collection about the passing of time, healing, life, the world, and much more. I hadn't read any of Shelby Leigh's previous collections, but I was drawn to the title and cover, and I'm so happy I got to read it, because I enjoyed it a lot. I'll definitely go back to read the poet's previous works.

The book is divided into 3 sections - sand, soil, and stars. I really like when poetry collections do this because it makes it feel cohesive, and takes you on a gradual emotional journey. The poems mainly focus on self-love and healing, which are my favorite themes to read about, and they were inspiring, meaningful, and relatable.

I highly recommend this collection if you'd like to read poems that can help you feel less lonely, and accept your flaws and struggles.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Beatrice Tibaldini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core of these poems is attention and love for oneself. A path to follow is not always the easiest because, like in all important relationships, there will be moments of discouragement, arguments, highs and lows, times when everything flows smoothly and seems simple and easy, and others when the situation becomes more complicated.

These are themes deeply explored in these poems, helping the reader not to feel alone on this journey. I found depth and care in expressing one's position moving, as if the author were a dear friend, always present and able to embrace the reader, making them feel understood and safe.

A less appreciated point, from my perspective, is that some poems are more explanatory. Let me explain. Some poems don't rely as much on emotions but rather explain what they want to convey, and for me, this creates a bit of a barrier in reading. Nonetheless, I still recommend reading this collection, which I find absolutely profound and capable of portraying our typical challenges in relating to ourselves.

[Imena Ginac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From Sand to Stars" by Shelby Leigh felt like like a warm embrace and about taking up space for yourself. Living in the moment and fully enjoying the present. Even if you feel lost, "the marathon against my mind", and you go through ups and downs, your life is never finalized and there is no right time or place. It is a personal poetry collection that is pretty honest about the seasons we go through in life.
The collection reasonated deeply with me, especially when it comes to loving yourself and growth.
"What a privilege it is to grow old". A sentence that should be ingrained in each of us. Because it is a privilege to grow old and move from one season of life to the other. Of course, it is not necessarily easy, but beauty can be found in all of it. I will definitely recommend this book and read more from this author.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journey to finding oneself is often long and full of missteps. This collection of poetry honors that journey and offers praise for the times we move forward and grace for the times we regret. Some of the poems are gentle, lyrical things that just make you want to stop and be. Others are quick to give soft advice and quotable couplets. I personally prefer poetry that gives me a chance to feel rather than telling me what the poem is supposed to mean, so a lot of the more advisory pieces didn't make much impact on me. But still, nearly half of these poems gave me a chance to pause and experience living in the world, and I'm grateful for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Poetry for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[kbreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelby Leigh’s From Sand to Stars, her fourth poetry collection, is a gentle yet powerful exploration of time, mental health, and self-discovery. Known for her bestselling works Changing With the Tides and Girl Made of Glass, Leigh invites readers to embrace the present, nurture self-growth, and find hope in the journey. Divided into three sections—Sand, Soil, and Stars—the book cleverly reflects on the passage of time and the cycles of healing. Sand speaks to the overthinking and anxiety we often experience as time slips away, while Soil celebrates self-care and the joy we can cultivate within. Finally, Stars offers a message of hope and resilience, guiding readers to find light in darkness.

While the collection’s themes are deeply relatable and inspiring, especially for those grappling with mental health challenges or feeling disconnected, I did find the layout a bit confusing. A clearer separation between individual poems would enhance the impact, making each piece stand out more distinctly. Nonetheless, From Sand to Stars is a comforting companion for anyone seeking solace in the reminder that each new day brings the opportunity for joy and self-acceptance. If you’ve ever felt alone in your struggles, this collection will make you feel seen and understood.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & Shelby Leigh for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Strawberry Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5

Shelby Leigh remains an icon in the contemporary poetry scene. Her poems are easy to follow (increasing inclusivity), and relatable. This poetry collection focuses on growth, and turning to the future. The collection is developed in a timeline way that allows you to grow with her. There were a fair amount of poems that felt added on or incomplete, which is something I haven't noticed in her other collections. But overall, if you are looking for poems on mental health, personal development, or want a soothing read, this will not disappoint.

[Yen Nhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I’ve read something written by Shelby, and I have to say - the way she has with words makes you feel like she’s writing to just you. There were parts, while reading this, that I found myself really resonating with what I was reading. It felt like reading something a close friend would have written or the thoughts that I’ve had while alone, but never was able to put it down in words. I found myself healing while reading this too.

Thanks for #netgalley, Central Avenue Publishing, and Shelby for the arc to this phenomenal book.

[The Book Times · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is a total masterpiece because it talks about the reality - how people feel insecure, mostly about their appearances. This book is divided into three segments, beginning with WHAT the insecurities are, and ending with acceptance and HOW to deal with such insecurities. I liked how the relationship drawn from sand, soil and stars. The poet was like a guardian to me in this book, telling me how it's okay to feel low, but at the same time, motivating me. The language of the poems and verse were easy to understand, and hence any poetry beginning reader and pick this up.

[Christina Vourcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth Reading

I savored this poetry book by literally taking my time to read it. In the process, I put bookmarks on the poems that spoke to me. Once I finish, I realized that most of the poems focus in the sections of soil and stars and not as much with sand. I believe that shows that I’ve been focusing more on self-care, growth, and finding hope and healing around us. I think that’s amazing. I knew that I was, but I’m glad to see the confirmation through reading Shelby’s latest poetry book. I’ve read all of her poetry books and this is my top favorite now.

[Cwellere · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I loved you far before I ever loved me. And that’s okay. I wasn’t ready.”

This was such a beautiful collection. I felt like Leigh’s words captured the rawness of the emotions we feel going through life, whether it brings us lows or highs, in a very powerful way.
The different topics ranged from grief and healing to low self-esteem and self-love and so many of these poems resonated with me. It was the first time I encountered the work of this author and I’m so glad I found it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

[Imogene Dacanay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetry collection that tackles different themes and subjects. Not used to such a mix-up, but wow, this is refreshing. My emotions weren't heightened when I was reading the collection, but yes, it felt real and there's a truth to each and every word.

Shelby Leigh is one of my favorite poets, and she made another beautifully written masterpiece.

As someone who experienced too much in life, someone who devoured what life has to offer (be it good and bad), her collection spoke to me.

Need I say more? With all the realizations, it is like reality just hit me in the face.