Negative Keepsakes

by Samiya Akram

‘negative keepsakes’ is a collection of poetry and prose about the difficult space between holding on and letting go. It explores what it means to release someone you once loved deeply, and the way memories continue to linger long after they are gone. These pieces capture the confusion, the silence, and the weight of absence that never fully leaves. This book is not about healing or moving forward—it is about the in-between, where the past still feels alive, and where letting go is not an end, but an endless process of remembering and learning to live with what remains.

150 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2025

About the author

Samiya Akram is an English major student and a simple yet ambitious girl whose life revolves around reading, writing, dreaming about her future endeavours, and fantasizing about having more cats than she can handle. She writes poetry/prose as an escapism just as she reads novels almost half the time of her day.
‘negative keepsakes’ is her third book which revolves around the theme of letting go. She believes that in the tapestry of her verses, readers will discover a world where emotions are raw and experiences are vivid.
Her other two books— ‘the sunflower’ and ‘Heart and Soul’ are also collections of poetry, each exploring its own distinct themes.

Reviews

[bookish eni-olak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC copy of ‘negative keepsakes’ by Samiya Akram. As always, Samiya’s poetry evokes deep feelings. The only thing I could think of when I finished this poetry was ‘Woah’. Her new poetry work details the rollercoaster of emotions we call relationships in the modern world. She takes us on a journey with her; we meet the man together, go through the honeymoon phase together, the giggles, the feet swinging phase and all the warm feelings. On the same journey, we wonder why it took her this long to meet someone so perfect for her and yes, we are right there with her when he changes. We see the red flags at the same time she did, we also wonder if we were always so blind or if we chose what we wanted to believe. This work of creativity has all the feels of an Adele song, you know the one where she takes you through the entire relationship in a 3 minute song? Exactly!! I love everything about the ‘negative keepsakes’ but my favorite thing about it is that it’s so relatable and it feels like something we have all experienced. I highly recommend you check it out!!!

[Ana Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohh myy god!
I never knew i would be mesmerized by a book but here i am. Reading this book stirred something in me, all my emotions wore down and i felt that I could finally relate to a book. Negative Keepsakes is all about letting go of something you thought you had in control but you never did. It tells you how not everything is destined, sometimes you have to leave because it's not the same anymore and you know this in your heart. It's just that you are not ready to accept it. BELIEVE ME if i could i would love to read this book for the first time again and cry my heart out.
I love how the author has penned down every bit of her emotions i assume and THANK YOU to her for writing something we all can connect to so easily.

[Taniya Saifi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Negative Keepsakes” is a touching and honest book about memories, pain, and healing. It’s written with real emotion and care, making you feel every word. The author captures the beauty in sadness and shows how even our hardest moments can shape who we are. Each page feels personal and real, like a quiet conversation with someone who understands. It’s the kind of book that makes you stop, think, and appreciate the little things we often overlook. A truly heartfelt and powerful read that stays with you long after you finish it.

[Kavita Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey cuties, I recently read an arc copy of this book and instantly felt like it was speaking directly to me. The way it captures how we think, feel, and react when someone new enters our life - our joys, sorrows, everything - it's like I was reading about my own self. For me, this book is a must-read. You guys should definitely check it out.

[nanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for the arc! i absolutely loved this collection. it had such a raw feeling of love and heart break- especially when it comes to someone you will never make amends with. i felt like this was a glimpse into my diary and it only made me fall in love with it more. i highly recommend this for those who love a little angst but still want a splash of self empowerment

[Azram Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully shows how hard it is to let go when memories still follow you around. The writer has expressed her pain and healing in such a real and simple way that anyone who has been through heartbreak can feel it. It’s not just about being broken — it’s about slowly finding yourself again. The emotions feel honest, and some parts really stay with you even after you finish reading!!🥀

[Poorvi Mishra]

It just feels as if someone has penned down my emotions...the things I always fought to express, to accept.... reading it feels like someone understood me without me saying!
I feel so personally attached to this masterpiece...
The illustrations are so pretty!
The words , the lines , the emotions .....it feels much more than just pages and words!
Favorite author!!

[Sakeena Nawaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for people who tend to hide their feelings and find it hard to be vulnerable. Give it a read, it’s worth it. The poetry is raw, vivid and touches close to the heart. It felt like a reflection of my own thought, my own mind. I would recommend to anyone who likes poetry.