What do you think?
Rate this book
Letting Go Is an Acquired Taste
The companion chapbook to the bestselling Empty Hotel Rooms Meant for Us. Rather than holding on to lovers, past and present, this collection of poetry focuses on the art of letting go.
- GenresPoetry
47 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2016
222 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 31, 2020
A short and sweet poetry collection that is a companion work to another book written by the same author (I haven't read it yet) A quick read that I did enjoy in places, would have liked the content to be a little longer so I could feel more of a stronger connection to the writing style.
January 3, 2023
3.5/5
Filled with the pain of brokenness and wanting, this quick read is deep and meaningful. It gives you the desire to check yourself and identify with the words.
Filled with the pain of brokenness and wanting, this quick read is deep and meaningful. It gives you the desire to check yourself and identify with the words.
October 22, 2017
Healing & Heartbreaking
Raw, real ,rare emotion is spread and scattered throughout every piece in this book. I appreciate the honesty and genuineness that exudes from every page. Its refreshing. I can't wait to read more of your works, Christina :)
Xo,
Rach
Raw, real ,rare emotion is spread and scattered throughout every piece in this book. I appreciate the honesty and genuineness that exudes from every page. Its refreshing. I can't wait to read more of your works, Christina :)
Xo,
Rach
September 21, 2020
Resonated more with me now than it did the first times I read it. It was beautiful and I actually highlighted a few passages this time
April 2, 2017
It was fine. It reminded me a lot of reading poetry in high school or early college workshops. The cover is great and I like the title quite a bit, but those are probably my favorite things about it. Not a lot of interesting language or imagery in these verses. I also can't quite believe that the writer doesn't acknowledge the irony of writing a book devoted to "letting go" of lovers . . . while, presumably, digging into the past to write about them and how/why that letting go was so important. If she'd dug into that irony even a little, I would have been more impressed. But once again, I am left with that all-too familiar frustration: LINE BREAKS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE THINGS POEMS.
August 9, 2018
One day i will shatter hearts with all the stones they threw at me..
September 21, 2017
4.5 stars. Poetry is so subjective, but the best poems capture what is is to feel human. Christina Hart absolutely does this, and most specifically, what is feels like to love and to be shattered by love.
December 18, 2016
Quick read for feelings!! My fave:
SOMETIMES IT IS JUST THAT SIMPLE
To sum it all up,
he taught me two things:
I am still not good enough,
and I am too good for him.
SOMETIMES IT IS JUST THAT SIMPLE
To sum it all up,
he taught me two things:
I am still not good enough,
and I am too good for him.
January 4, 2018
Not bad, just not great.
Read
March 15, 2018Meh
Wasn't really what I expected but I guess that's life for you right. My heartbreak is a completely different story than yours. It was okay though
Wasn't really what I expected but I guess that's life for you right. My heartbreak is a completely different story than yours. It was okay though
October 26, 2018
"Promises always tasted sweeter coming from the lips of someone who would never keep them"
November 27, 2019
I adored this collection. The way Christina writes just captures me, I can relate to her work in so many ways. It's always an experience, reading her poetry. Such talent!
December 16, 2020
4.5
It’s so much easier being alone. I know the ways I can hurt me.
It’s so much easier being alone. I know the ways I can hurt me.
November 7, 2017
This was a very honest book. Not too lofty or attempting that weird vibe-y thing a lot of today's poetry tends to have. I appreciate that.
Read
December 2, 2024Letting Go Is An Acuired Taste
Where to even start? I saw this one on Amazon and it’s been sitting on my wish list. I’m not sure why I choose it. Probably I thought it would be about letting go of the hurt caused others (as in how to). If you look at the description of this book it’ll say a collection of *poems* but really, it’s more of a bunch of stanzas from women who’ve had their hearts broken and the emotions range from sorrowful and remorseful to just bitter. It wasn’t really my cup of tea because some of it was just sooo sappy. It took me back to a time when I was the one on the receiving end of heartaches. Time after time after time. Then after each one ended, I’d do the thing where we ask ourselves “What did I do wrong?” and “What’s wrong with me?” and “I thought they loved me.” Then go back and start thinking of all the things they said and did and cry and cry and cry. Until, I realized it wasn’t me. It was THEM! I just had the right touch for choosing the wrong guys. So, I just stopped choosing them period and instead I choose ME-which was a MUCH BETTER choice in the end! And I saw this is a companion book. I will not be reading it’s companion. Still, oddly even though this was forgettable, it was better than a book I read before this one with a ton of love poems in it. At least some of these I coud relate to.
Rating: 5
Where to even start? I saw this one on Amazon and it’s been sitting on my wish list. I’m not sure why I choose it. Probably I thought it would be about letting go of the hurt caused others (as in how to). If you look at the description of this book it’ll say a collection of *poems* but really, it’s more of a bunch of stanzas from women who’ve had their hearts broken and the emotions range from sorrowful and remorseful to just bitter. It wasn’t really my cup of tea because some of it was just sooo sappy. It took me back to a time when I was the one on the receiving end of heartaches. Time after time after time. Then after each one ended, I’d do the thing where we ask ourselves “What did I do wrong?” and “What’s wrong with me?” and “I thought they loved me.” Then go back and start thinking of all the things they said and did and cry and cry and cry. Until, I realized it wasn’t me. It was THEM! I just had the right touch for choosing the wrong guys. So, I just stopped choosing them period and instead I choose ME-which was a MUCH BETTER choice in the end! And I saw this is a companion book. I will not be reading it’s companion. Still, oddly even though this was forgettable, it was better than a book I read before this one with a ton of love poems in it. At least some of these I coud relate to.
Rating: 5
January 22, 2020
I’m not often one for chapbooks, but I received Letting Go Is An Acquired Taste with an order from J.R. Rogue; and since I’ve been following Christina Hart for a while now, I was pretty happy to finally own some of her work. Having gone through a few recent losses and a break from my own poetry, this book not only pulled me out of my reading slump but my writing slump as well.
I found Christina’s poetry to be very relatable and it helped me with a few of the emotions I didn’t realize I had been holding on to. I think it was well written and I have to give the author props for her longer poems as that is something I’ve always struggle to write. In regards to the cover, I personally love everything from Savage Hart Book Services. All in all, I highly recommend this chapbook, especially if you’re going through heartbreak. I only wish it was longer!
I found Christina’s poetry to be very relatable and it helped me with a few of the emotions I didn’t realize I had been holding on to. I think it was well written and I have to give the author props for her longer poems as that is something I’ve always struggle to write. In regards to the cover, I personally love everything from Savage Hart Book Services. All in all, I highly recommend this chapbook, especially if you’re going through heartbreak. I only wish it was longer!
July 13, 2017
This is a very quick read, and for those who would like to read something while waiting for an appointment or meeting, it's not bad. This chapbook is reminiscent of an unpolished Rupi Kaur collection, without its breadth of emotional exploration and feeling. This isn't to say it's a bad book--but it's simple and contemporary. It focuses primarily on romantic love, and uses a lot of similar poetry techniques (like repetition) throughout all its poems. Although I would've liked a little more variety and complexity, I can see this book being a good book to read after a breakup, especially if you're young and just learning about the throws of heartache.
January 9, 2018
I want my dollar back.
I’m mad at myself for taking the time to read this through. The poet is more so ranting than she is sharing poetry. I didn’t feel like I was on a journey of loss, love, and growth. Rather, I was reading the open diary of someone who is pretending to let go when really deep down they are still holding on. Poetry is meant to move, change, and resonate deeply with the reader. My time would have been better spent on something else. As a fellow poet, I was fairly disappointed. I was hoping to feel the grief and be immersed in the journey. I was cheated. This book gets 0 stars if it were possible, and frankly it is childish masochism — at best.
I’m mad at myself for taking the time to read this through. The poet is more so ranting than she is sharing poetry. I didn’t feel like I was on a journey of loss, love, and growth. Rather, I was reading the open diary of someone who is pretending to let go when really deep down they are still holding on. Poetry is meant to move, change, and resonate deeply with the reader. My time would have been better spent on something else. As a fellow poet, I was fairly disappointed. I was hoping to feel the grief and be immersed in the journey. I was cheated. This book gets 0 stars if it were possible, and frankly it is childish masochism — at best.
March 4, 2019
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. I've been a little hit and miss with Christina Hart's other work but this was so incredible. It made me feel so many things that I didn't even know I was holding onto. I love when poems are relevant to things that you keep way deep down in your heart. This is one of those that brings them to the surface and gets you to feel them without completely breaking you. I definitely recommend this collection.
"Let it be in knowing what we had and what we could have had again had one or both of us not been so god damn stubborn."
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. I've been a little hit and miss with Christina Hart's other work but this was so incredible. It made me feel so many things that I didn't even know I was holding onto. I love when poems are relevant to things that you keep way deep down in your heart. This is one of those that brings them to the surface and gets you to feel them without completely breaking you. I definitely recommend this collection.
April 26, 2019
It was okay. At least it helped me get out of my reading slump.
Quotes:
It’s so much easier being alone. I know the ways I can hurt me.
I was holding on to you. I was holding on to us. And it was killing me.
And all our songs are now just songs that remind me of you.
Somewhere there’s an empty hall where all our songs are playing. We’re supposed to be dancing, but I don’t even hear the music anymore.
Your hands are probably holding on to someone else’s right now and I am trying not to think of that because that will kill me.
I am still learning that some things are too hot to touch. I am tired of feeling the burn.
Quotes:
It’s so much easier being alone. I know the ways I can hurt me.
I was holding on to you. I was holding on to us. And it was killing me.
And all our songs are now just songs that remind me of you.
Somewhere there’s an empty hall where all our songs are playing. We’re supposed to be dancing, but I don’t even hear the music anymore.
Your hands are probably holding on to someone else’s right now and I am trying not to think of that because that will kill me.
I am still learning that some things are too hot to touch. I am tired of feeling the burn.
December 16, 2017
Short and sweet! I love how the lines in this book are powerful and nostalgic and simple but are perfect. Most of the lines focus on letting go but they don’t feel sad at all. Most are relatable even if you didn’t experience them at all. I guess, pain is just a language everyone speaks about and everyone understands. I am looking forward to the author’s other book. It’s in my queue already, I can hardly wait! 5 stars!
Read
August 6, 2019Easily essential
Exceptional poetic discourse, with a unique emotional perspective without being pathetic. Hart is an exciting discovery, and I'm looking forward to her next book. Almost bordering on the principles of haiku occasionally, it's an excercise in sustained passion reduced to a minimalist, essential form. To paraphrase the title, Christina Hart's work is an easily acquired taste.
Exceptional poetic discourse, with a unique emotional perspective without being pathetic. Hart is an exciting discovery, and I'm looking forward to her next book. Almost bordering on the principles of haiku occasionally, it's an excercise in sustained passion reduced to a minimalist, essential form. To paraphrase the title, Christina Hart's work is an easily acquired taste.
May 25, 2017
It hurt to read, but I'm glad I wasn't alone in my pain
It was very easy to relate to. I'm currently contemplating a divorce after heartbreak and just recently discovering I'm also pregnant. So my emotions are a rollercoaster from anger to happiness to pain. It helped me honestly grieve.
It was very easy to relate to. I'm currently contemplating a divorce after heartbreak and just recently discovering I'm also pregnant. So my emotions are a rollercoaster from anger to happiness to pain. It helped me honestly grieve.
June 10, 2019
Beautiful - had to stop reading everything else to finish it (including her other book that I was reading first, "There Is Beauty In the Bleeding").
Love her voice- authentic, shows so much of her own vulnerability and weakness, giving us such an intimacy with our own reflections of those feelings or the memories of them.
Love her voice- authentic, shows so much of her own vulnerability and weakness, giving us such an intimacy with our own reflections of those feelings or the memories of them.
February 20, 2020
3.5
Merp. Christina’s words are beautiful but this book of poetry didn’t really connect with me. I loved the beginning but the poem about the dancers was a huge turn off, especially the reference to them being empty. It’s just a job? The poems were incredibly personal though and I get that, they just didn’t connect with me this time.
Merp. Christina’s words are beautiful but this book of poetry didn’t really connect with me. I loved the beginning but the poem about the dancers was a huge turn off, especially the reference to them being empty. It’s just a job? The poems were incredibly personal though and I get that, they just didn’t connect with me this time.
May 14, 2020
All The Feels
You will feel everything. Christina gives all emotions to us, all the raw and honest emotions. You don't have to walk in these moments exactly to feel they are that true, the moment I read the first poem I took a a breath and held it until the last word of the final poem was read because every one left me breathless.
You will feel everything. Christina gives all emotions to us, all the raw and honest emotions. You don't have to walk in these moments exactly to feel they are that true, the moment I read the first poem I took a a breath and held it until the last word of the final poem was read because every one left me breathless.
July 26, 2017
Letting Go Is An Acquired Taste
Overall, I enjoyed this -- my favorite poems were Passing Notes, Remembering To Forget and Dear Stranger. I thought the last one (Dear Stranger) was a really great note to end on
Overall, I enjoyed this -- my favorite poems were Passing Notes, Remembering To Forget and Dear Stranger. I thought the last one (Dear Stranger) was a really great note to end on
November 25, 2017
Gorgeous. Beautiful. Just what I needed
Beautiful collection of getting your heart broke and what it feels like to think you are moving on. And then actually moving on. Will read more from this author.
Beautiful collection of getting your heart broke and what it feels like to think you are moving on. And then actually moving on. Will read more from this author.
January 18, 2018
This is such a great read. Honestly it did make me cry a little bit, so do be prepared.
What made this a good book was the relatable aspect it carried on each page. Save a Spot for Me, was a poem in the book that especially stood out to me, and pulled on my heart strings.
What made this a good book was the relatable aspect it carried on each page. Save a Spot for Me, was a poem in the book that especially stood out to me, and pulled on my heart strings.
August 6, 2017
Worth it
It is a beautiful read and so very worth the time it takes to read it, let it sink in and feel it. You won't regret it
It is a beautiful read and so very worth the time it takes to read it, let it sink in and feel it. You won't regret it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews