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Notes on Love: Poems and Photography
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26Every heart longs to love and be loved. In
Notes on Love
, F.S. Yousaf pairs heartfelt poems with stunning street photography, celebrating the beauty and tenderness of everyday human connection.
In Notes on Love, celebrated and respected poet F.S. Yousaf—author of Serenity and Oaths— effortlessly intertwines two mediums he holds dear for the very first poetry and photography. With an eye for finding beauty in the ordinary, Yousaf’s poems and photographs explore the many shapes of love—romantic, platonic, familial, and self—creating a heartfelt journey through human connection and tenderness. This stunning hardcover collection features over 80 new poems and 100 never-before-seen photographs, offering a fresh, immersive experience for readers who cherish both poetry and visual art.Perfect for fans of F.S. Yousaf’s reflective writing, Notes on Love is a moving celebration of vulnerability, intimacy, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.
In Notes on Love, celebrated and respected poet F.S. Yousaf—author of Serenity and Oaths— effortlessly intertwines two mediums he holds dear for the very first poetry and photography. With an eye for finding beauty in the ordinary, Yousaf’s poems and photographs explore the many shapes of love—romantic, platonic, familial, and self—creating a heartfelt journey through human connection and tenderness. This stunning hardcover collection features over 80 new poems and 100 never-before-seen photographs, offering a fresh, immersive experience for readers who cherish both poetry and visual art.Perfect for fans of F.S. Yousaf’s reflective writing, Notes on Love is a moving celebration of vulnerability, intimacy, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.
- GenresPoetry
192 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
F.S. Yousaf
6 books414 followersF.S. Yousaf is a poet and writer from New Jersey. He is the author of five poetry collections, and finds himself writing about many topics—most notably about love, spirituality, and boyhood. He has a Bachelors in History and Secondary Education and is getting his MFA in Creative Writing from William Paterson University.
His forthcoming poetry collection is titled ‘Euphoria’, and will be published Fall 2025.
Stay connected with F.S. Yousaf for daily updates through Instagram (@fs.yousaf).
His forthcoming poetry collection is titled ‘Euphoria’, and will be published Fall 2025.
Stay connected with F.S. Yousaf for daily updates through Instagram (@fs.yousaf).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 19, 2026
Love poetry AND love photography? Pretty cool if you ask me.
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April 10, 2026Notes on Love - 3,25/5 - lu en anglais.
I am discovering a new passion in books that mix visual arts and poetry. It's poems and paintings. Poems and drawings. And here in Notes on Love it's poems and photography.
I loved the composition of the book. The alternance of some poems then some pictures. Then one - one, three, a picture, a hand written one. It's dynamic. Loved the handwritten excerpts. I think these are the prettier pages of the book. I liked that the poems are short.
"Love and resistance have always gone hand in hand. Without one, the other would cease to exist."
Some poems and words are quite applicable, relatable to everyone, like a universel experience.
But also, in some parts, it feels deeply personal. It reads like a personal journal, written in poetry, about memories of the author himself. So I struggled to connect with part of it. Some are very specific of - what I guess - is his own experience of some moundain reflection and events of his life. And we don't have context for it.
I missed others. Also, some poems get very repetitive in their content.
"Hold me tightly,
So I know this is real.
So I know I am real."
It's about love and self-love too. Self acceptance. The author questions his own worth a lot, there's a lot of inner reflection. And there's that way of seeing himself depending on his partner, in the other. Like his value only exists through that other person. Like a work of introspection and struggling to love himself.
"How can I possibly deserve your love when I struggle to see all the good you've seen in me ?"
A bit raw sometimes. It felt like unfiltered thoughts.
Pictures on the street are like a stolen glance. They capture a moment in time of maybe sometimes strangers that you'll never see again. But what you see is Love. Connection. Care. Proximity. The link between these people.
"I find the meaning of life in the crease of the soft wrinkle on your palm."
We don't see faces. It's always details, like hands, people from behind, shoulders. Blurry silhouettes. Or taken from afar, pairs, close to each other. Laying on a lap, walking together, sharing a book, walking together.
"This world is overflowing with tenderness we simply need to open our eyes and search for it."
Loved the landscapes pictures. The ones with the orange trees in the park, the dark blue sky at the beach, the recognizable buildings of Paris, the barely clear pics, in heavy black and white, very blurry.
A raging waterfall, the morning sky. Humanity is glimpsed in these photographs of nature and architecture.
As a Netgalley reader we only have a limited time to read the book, but I think Notes on Love is a book that you can pick up and open on a random page, and read it through weeks or months, even. Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an enjoyable experience.
I am discovering a new passion in books that mix visual arts and poetry. It's poems and paintings. Poems and drawings. And here in Notes on Love it's poems and photography.
I loved the composition of the book. The alternance of some poems then some pictures. Then one - one, three, a picture, a hand written one. It's dynamic. Loved the handwritten excerpts. I think these are the prettier pages of the book. I liked that the poems are short.
"Love and resistance have always gone hand in hand. Without one, the other would cease to exist."
Some poems and words are quite applicable, relatable to everyone, like a universel experience.
But also, in some parts, it feels deeply personal. It reads like a personal journal, written in poetry, about memories of the author himself. So I struggled to connect with part of it. Some are very specific of - what I guess - is his own experience of some moundain reflection and events of his life. And we don't have context for it.
I missed others. Also, some poems get very repetitive in their content.
"Hold me tightly,
So I know this is real.
So I know I am real."
It's about love and self-love too. Self acceptance. The author questions his own worth a lot, there's a lot of inner reflection. And there's that way of seeing himself depending on his partner, in the other. Like his value only exists through that other person. Like a work of introspection and struggling to love himself.
"How can I possibly deserve your love when I struggle to see all the good you've seen in me ?"
A bit raw sometimes. It felt like unfiltered thoughts.
Pictures on the street are like a stolen glance. They capture a moment in time of maybe sometimes strangers that you'll never see again. But what you see is Love. Connection. Care. Proximity. The link between these people.
"I find the meaning of life in the crease of the soft wrinkle on your palm."
We don't see faces. It's always details, like hands, people from behind, shoulders. Blurry silhouettes. Or taken from afar, pairs, close to each other. Laying on a lap, walking together, sharing a book, walking together.
"This world is overflowing with tenderness we simply need to open our eyes and search for it."
Loved the landscapes pictures. The ones with the orange trees in the park, the dark blue sky at the beach, the recognizable buildings of Paris, the barely clear pics, in heavy black and white, very blurry.
A raging waterfall, the morning sky. Humanity is glimpsed in these photographs of nature and architecture.
As a Netgalley reader we only have a limited time to read the book, but I think Notes on Love is a book that you can pick up and open on a random page, and read it through weeks or months, even. Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an enjoyable experience.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***ARC***
nothing better could have happened to me than a book about love written by fs yousaf mixed with his own personal analogue photos!!!
this was an absolute delightful collection full of inspiring retrospectives, hope, and relatable stories. I feel in love with how this collection explores the idea of sonder, tethers you to life and its beautiful magic through short poems. how most of these poems were backed by photos that shows a moment of time physically captured while we only have access to the essence of them through f.s' words. and how meaningful his wife’s handwritten notes just sealed it all to create a very well rounded book and a powerful reading experience
I can’t wait to reread it physically to be even more immersed and touched by every single elements of this book!
thank you f.s yousaf for sending me an e-arc of this beauty. I’m very grateful for you and your words!
rating: 4.75⭐️
nothing better could have happened to me than a book about love written by fs yousaf mixed with his own personal analogue photos!!!
this was an absolute delightful collection full of inspiring retrospectives, hope, and relatable stories. I feel in love with how this collection explores the idea of sonder, tethers you to life and its beautiful magic through short poems. how most of these poems were backed by photos that shows a moment of time physically captured while we only have access to the essence of them through f.s' words. and how meaningful his wife’s handwritten notes just sealed it all to create a very well rounded book and a powerful reading experience
I can’t wait to reread it physically to be even more immersed and touched by every single elements of this book!
thank you f.s yousaf for sending me an e-arc of this beauty. I’m very grateful for you and your words!
rating: 4.75⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4 stars
Rating explanation: very enjoyable, would recommend
First time reading any of Yousaf’s writing, it was surprising.
It’s pretty incredible how each writing brings you into a world, emotion, headspace, perspective, that isn’t yours. But we’ve all had experiences with love, we’ve all encountered it, or observed it (like in the photographs), we all have an idea of what love is. Yousaf brings you to his definition and really makes you feel how he feels but for your own person or people.
Many times while reading, I found myself saying, “that’s exactly how I think, feel, experience this person.” And when that would happen, I would screenshot the page because that feeling, whether good or bad, happy or sad, lives in that poem and lives in your mind tethered to that person you thought of.
Really quite amazing stuff. I’ll have to read it again some time.
No further comments.
Rating explanation: very enjoyable, would recommend
First time reading any of Yousaf’s writing, it was surprising.
It’s pretty incredible how each writing brings you into a world, emotion, headspace, perspective, that isn’t yours. But we’ve all had experiences with love, we’ve all encountered it, or observed it (like in the photographs), we all have an idea of what love is. Yousaf brings you to his definition and really makes you feel how he feels but for your own person or people.
Many times while reading, I found myself saying, “that’s exactly how I think, feel, experience this person.” And when that would happen, I would screenshot the page because that feeling, whether good or bad, happy or sad, lives in that poem and lives in your mind tethered to that person you thought of.
Really quite amazing stuff. I’ll have to read it again some time.
No further comments.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
I would recommend this title to any poetry lovers who are looking for new and contemporary options. I found the photos paired with the poetry to be incredibly moving and I greatly appreciated the format. While some poems stood out more than others, the majority of them were really beautiful and captured the every day feelings around romantic love in a way that I don't often see. Yousaf captures through both photos and poetry the almost mundane qualities of being in a partnership and loving someone.
My one critique would be that I wish more types of love were included instead of just focusing on romantic love. Definitely pick this one up if you're in a nostalgic or contemplative mood and you need a quick read that will make you reflect and appreciate the beauty of life.
I would recommend this title to any poetry lovers who are looking for new and contemporary options. I found the photos paired with the poetry to be incredibly moving and I greatly appreciated the format. While some poems stood out more than others, the majority of them were really beautiful and captured the every day feelings around romantic love in a way that I don't often see. Yousaf captures through both photos and poetry the almost mundane qualities of being in a partnership and loving someone.
My one critique would be that I wish more types of love were included instead of just focusing on romantic love. Definitely pick this one up if you're in a nostalgic or contemplative mood and you need a quick read that will make you reflect and appreciate the beauty of life.
March 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC of this book for honest review.
To be loved is to be seen - in this case, both metaphorically and through the lens of a camera. This was my first time reading Yousaf’s work, and I absolutely adored this book. The poems (my personal favourites being “I Carry You,” “September Readings,” “Scatter Me,” and “MET”) felt deeply personal to the author in a way that was intimate, yet I could still see reflections of my own love within each of them. The pairing of analogue photographs was perfect, and I especially appreciated the diverse representation of love they captured. Overall, a five-star read - and one I’d happily keep on my bookshelf, and in my heart, long after its release.
To be loved is to be seen - in this case, both metaphorically and through the lens of a camera. This was my first time reading Yousaf’s work, and I absolutely adored this book. The poems (my personal favourites being “I Carry You,” “September Readings,” “Scatter Me,” and “MET”) felt deeply personal to the author in a way that was intimate, yet I could still see reflections of my own love within each of them. The pairing of analogue photographs was perfect, and I especially appreciated the diverse representation of love they captured. Overall, a five-star read - and one I’d happily keep on my bookshelf, and in my heart, long after its release.
March 17, 2026
It's my first time reading something written by Yousaf, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
As someone who has loved poetry for as long as I can remember, I didn't knew what to expect about it at first but it’s good and it’s lovely written, you can feel every word and emotion he wanted to convey to us.
You clearly can see love, joy, regret, gratitude and even the missing innocence of moments that never knew they would end.
I can only recommend it—if you love poetry and photography, this is the perfect combination for you, and it’s a must-read. The photographs are beautiful and truly bring the poems to life.
As someone who has loved poetry for as long as I can remember, I didn't knew what to expect about it at first but it’s good and it’s lovely written, you can feel every word and emotion he wanted to convey to us.
You clearly can see love, joy, regret, gratitude and even the missing innocence of moments that never knew they would end.
I can only recommend it—if you love poetry and photography, this is the perfect combination for you, and it’s a must-read. The photographs are beautiful and truly bring the poems to life.
April 14, 2026
| ARC REVIEW |
It’s remarkable how literature can place you inside a feeling, a mindset, or a point of view that isn’t originally your own. At the same time, love is something universally understood—we’ve all felt it, noticed it, or recognized it even through visuals like photographs. Everyone carries a personal perception of what love represents. Yousaf guides readers through his own perspective, allowing you to experience his emotions while relating them to your own connections.
I would suggest this book to readers who appreciate poetry and are interested in exploring contemporary voices. The combination of imagery and verse is especially powerful, and the structure of the collection feels thoughtful and engaging. While a few pieces were more memorable than others, most of them beautifully reflect the quiet, ordinary moments of romantic relationships—an aspect that is not always highlighted. Yousaf conveys both the depth and the simplicity found in loving someone.
I strongly encourage giving it a read—especially if you enjoy both poetic writing and visual storytelling. It’s a compelling fusion, and the photographs add a meaningful dimension that enhances the overall experience.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for gifting me a copy of the ebook in exchange of an honest review.
It’s remarkable how literature can place you inside a feeling, a mindset, or a point of view that isn’t originally your own. At the same time, love is something universally understood—we’ve all felt it, noticed it, or recognized it even through visuals like photographs. Everyone carries a personal perception of what love represents. Yousaf guides readers through his own perspective, allowing you to experience his emotions while relating them to your own connections.
I would suggest this book to readers who appreciate poetry and are interested in exploring contemporary voices. The combination of imagery and verse is especially powerful, and the structure of the collection feels thoughtful and engaging. While a few pieces were more memorable than others, most of them beautifully reflect the quiet, ordinary moments of romantic relationships—an aspect that is not always highlighted. Yousaf conveys both the depth and the simplicity found in loving someone.
I strongly encourage giving it a read—especially if you enjoy both poetic writing and visual storytelling. It’s a compelling fusion, and the photographs add a meaningful dimension that enhances the overall experience.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for gifting me a copy of the ebook in exchange of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a photographer myself, I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with this beautiful artwork. Notes on Love is a collection of poems and analogue photographs about the essence of love in all its forms: self-love, platonic love, romantic love. F.S. Yousaf renders a pure, ordinary, and deeply human representation of love through both verses and visual storytelling - delivering a fully immersive experience of his own journey and perception of quiet devotion and tenderness. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for this advanced review copy - I genuinely cherished each delicate word and emotional photograph.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book brings together beautiful and intimate moments that are thoughtfully captured. The photographs and poems work together in a way that feels natural and adds another layer of emotion, you can tell it’s intentional and the combination makes reading this very personal and memorable. My favorite work from F.S. Yousaf so far
April 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Let me just say, I struggle with a lot of modern poetry; I simply can’t stand it. But this one was not terrible! First time with Yousaf’s writing and it felt like I just sunk into it. Like a comfortable bed after a long day of travel that you were not expecting to cradle you so. And his photographs were truly lovely and full of so much soul.
Let me just say, I struggle with a lot of modern poetry; I simply can’t stand it. But this one was not terrible! First time with Yousaf’s writing and it felt like I just sunk into it. Like a comfortable bed after a long day of travel that you were not expecting to cradle you so. And his photographs were truly lovely and full of so much soul.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What lovely collection of writing and photography. As a fellow photographer hobbyist myself and lover of poetry and verse, this is my favorite by Yousaf yet. It reminds you to take in everything you love, even the mundane. Thank you to Netgalley and Andrew McNeel publishing for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"all I desire is the irrevocable normalcy of a simple life" WOW! 5 stars, I tend to not rate poetry books but this one well deserves it. The poems were great, the photography was amazing. This book was so cute, I reallyyyy loved.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
{Advanced Reader Copy Review} It's honestly difficult to find the words for this; it almost feels like I've just been completely emerged in another person's (very well put together) scrapbook of their life. Each poem was written so beautifully, and the photos to compliment felt so intentional. I simply adored this and will definitely be purchasing the physical copy when it is published; this is the kind of poetry book that you'll find yourself revisiting over and over again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
[ARC review] A collection of poems about love that capture how the feeling exists directly, indirectly, mindlessly, intentionally, and at every corner. The addition of the author’s own photography was so beautiful. I felt they spoke just as loud as his written word.
April 16, 2026
This was an ARC
I really liked it, it’s very simple but so beautifully written, each poem feels different but still simple, not in a bad way. The whole book is perfectly curated and the pictures feel complementary to the poems are there for a reason, and also very pretty, gorgeous even.
The poetry is realistic, it’s not meant to be complicated but get to the point, and to evoke the feelings.
The poems are so beautiful that I wish someday someone would wrote something this beautiful to me.
I really liked it, it’s very simple but so beautifully written, each poem feels different but still simple, not in a bad way. The whole book is perfectly curated and the pictures feel complementary to the poems are there for a reason, and also very pretty, gorgeous even.
The poetry is realistic, it’s not meant to be complicated but get to the point, and to evoke the feelings.
The poems are so beautiful that I wish someday someone would wrote something this beautiful to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Netgalley, for an EARC!
I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed it, I also found it meh, not for me.
It's most likely that I prefer another genre of poetry writing.
I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed it, I also found it meh, not for me.
It's most likely that I prefer another genre of poetry writing.
April 13, 2026
I absolutely loved this. The poetry & photography are beautiful ☺️
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews