Shade is a place

by MaKshya Tolbert

From National Poetry Series winner MaKshya Tolbert, comes a lyrical debut that explores the social and ecological relief trees can provide within the entanglements of place, property, urban planning, and racial terror in Charlottesville, Virginia

Shade is a place meanders east–west along Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, seeking “a Black sense of place” at the pace of stressed shade and street trees, the mall’s architectural history, and the speaker’s inner life and ongoing questions. The collection of poems is a moving invitation to open one’s attention by looking up, down, and always within. Through lyric walking poems (“tree walks” and “shade walks”) and Bashō-style travelogue, Shade is a place unfolds as much through arboreal life as through one’s inner life—sometimes alone, sometimes with others, and always among turning trees.

Genres: Poetry, Nature

96 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sealey Challenge 2025: 15/31

This collection is a meditation on trees and the natural world, with deeper themes exploring deforestation, climate change, and humanity’s evolving relationship with nature. What stood out most to me was the poet’s use of language and form which felt both fresh and intentional, contributing meaningfully to the thematic cohesion of the collection.

However, I did struggle with some of the references, particularly those involving the mall, which seems to play a central symbolic and physical role in the work. As someone unfamiliar with this specific place, I found it difficult to grasp its full significance both as an architectural space and as a representation of the ways people have become disconnected from the natural environment. At times, the abstract-ness in these sections made it hard to situate the poems within a clear broader context.

Still, the collection offers a compelling reflection on ecological loss and the ways in which human spaces intersect with or replace natural ones. Despite some moments of ambiguity, the innovative structure and vivid imagery of the natural world still made this one an enjoyable read!

Thank you to the publisher, Viking Penguin & Penguin Books, for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared in this review are my own!

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry collection reaches to the top of the trees. The form plays with shape and changes shape with nature. This is a commentary on the experience of a climate and how humans interact with the environment. Everything is changing. Many of these poems are free form to give the space to set the scene and use diction that grabs inspiration from nature. What I wanted to see was a longer collection – but this curation stays committed to the theme and Tolberts message. Enjoy this shade up high in the trees as you read over each line and form to understand why our environment should matter to us. Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Joshua Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a big poetry reader, but this collection really spoke to me. As a Cville dweller, I loved the connection with our downtown mall and its beautiful trees. There were so many poems that spoke to me, in particular, Ways To Measure Trees: Level II, Basic Assessment.

As someone who doesn’t imbibe in poetry often, I would love to know how the author would feel to hear the poetry being read by someone it speaks to, but in a different voice.

“Do Forrests miss us?”

“Suppose that place between the trees is less mastery than method.”

Ive grown to live (no, thrive!) in the shade and while my earlier self would think it a compromise, I think of it as courageous. Shade is a place, and I hope to look more up, and less down.

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Viking Penguin, and MaKshya Tolbert for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a lovely book of poetry!

Sometimes trees, aren't just trees. They are community roots, branches touching, and shade providing a safe place to rest. There were so many emotions in this book. There were times it almost made me cry, and also when it felt full of warmth and love.

[Andrea (Hammock and Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make you look at shade and your daily walks in a different light. This was such a fun collection of poems about trees in Charlottesville with place, property, urban planning, walks, people along the way and more trees. Shares questions along the walks - what the trees are teach her and us. The author reads this and is perfect!


thanks to PRH audio for this ALC

[ash ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very short collection of poems centered around trees. i don't read poetry often so i think some of the references and stylistic choices went over my head. i really like the cover, which is why i ended up requesting it!

[Tanner Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is almost time / to have lived already

[Cay-lamity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and rather shallow

[Nelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Had some interesting parts and I enjoyed overall.