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Ready Aim Fire: a poetry collection
A debut poetry collection by New York based poet Lexi Vranick. This 53-page book of poems centers on themes of hope, resilience, and survival in the face of personal challenges.
54 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 26, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
I was recommended this poetry collection by a friend of mine because I've been enjoying poetry collections as of late, and this one turned out to be a very interesting and well-executed poetry bundle indeed.
I find it hard to rate these kinds of poetry collections since it was quite obvious that all these poems came right from Lexi's heart.
The thing that I wasn't too fond of was the amount of repetition, theme-wise. Almost every poem has some sort of reference back to either the galaxy, monuments, or darkness. I liked all the darkness poems because I can relate to those very much, but I felt like I was reading a handful of poems over and over again. They all felt quite similar, but obviously, I don't know if that was the author's intention or not.
Still! I liked quite a few of the poems inside of this bundle, and I would like to close off my review by citing one of them that I felt most connected to!
I was recommended this poetry collection by a friend of mine because I've been enjoying poetry collections as of late, and this one turned out to be a very interesting and well-executed poetry bundle indeed.
I find it hard to rate these kinds of poetry collections since it was quite obvious that all these poems came right from Lexi's heart.
The thing that I wasn't too fond of was the amount of repetition, theme-wise. Almost every poem has some sort of reference back to either the galaxy, monuments, or darkness. I liked all the darkness poems because I can relate to those very much, but I felt like I was reading a handful of poems over and over again. They all felt quite similar, but obviously, I don't know if that was the author's intention or not.
Still! I liked quite a few of the poems inside of this bundle, and I would like to close off my review by citing one of them that I felt most connected to!
I stood alone in the dark
and made friends with the shadows,
and winked at the stars as they
winked at me; I stood alone
in the dark and let the wind move me,
and shook the moon's silver hand;
I stood alone in the dark,
at ease with the shadows and the
stars and the moon.
If the dark is full of monsters,
they're the friendliest I've known.
November 27, 2018
I started reading this book months ago on my kindle, and after the first poem, I put it down. I was blown away by how beautiful, unique and gutwrenching it was already. I decided it was a book I had to experience in my hands. So I ordered a signed paperback from the author.
Now, months later I finally have gotten back to it. Over the past few months I've reread the first poem so many times, and I'm still in awe.
I love the way Vranick can paint a picture with words alone and fell deep into each and every poem to the point I'm unsure exactly where one ended and another begun sometimes. But not in a bad way, in a way that makes me excited that I have two more of her books on my shelf. I can't wait to sink in to them.
The only bad thing to be said of this collection is the lack of titles, because I would love to list my favourite poems. As mentioned, I loved the first poem, and the poem about Icarus took my breath away. All poems mentioning the stars or cosmos felt like they were written directly to me, in some way or another.
Now, months later I finally have gotten back to it. Over the past few months I've reread the first poem so many times, and I'm still in awe.
I love the way Vranick can paint a picture with words alone and fell deep into each and every poem to the point I'm unsure exactly where one ended and another begun sometimes. But not in a bad way, in a way that makes me excited that I have two more of her books on my shelf. I can't wait to sink in to them.
The only bad thing to be said of this collection is the lack of titles, because I would love to list my favourite poems. As mentioned, I loved the first poem, and the poem about Icarus took my breath away. All poems mentioning the stars or cosmos felt like they were written directly to me, in some way or another.
December 5, 2018
Heck. That was quite a read. Review to come.
March 17, 2018
Ready Aim Fire is fierce and independent, but forgiving and soft simultaneously. It is otherworldly, reminiscent of the birth of a super hero or a Greek God, yet grounded. The lyricism combined with the surety of voice paint a truly uplifting experience. Vranick's tone is calm, precise, and forceful, which made me feel calm and sure. Upon finishing Ready Aim Fire I honestly feel strong and powerful, invincible. She speaks of darkness in a way that I rarely read in poetry- she speaks of befriending it. Rather than banishing it completely (which is unrealistic), she speaks of confronting your darkness, realizing that it is a part of you and your human experience, and building your throne within it. Conquering it over ignoring or shoving it aside.
If you're looking for a quick read that will transport you to other galaxies and connect you to the earth and its wondrous beauty, if you're looking to overcome self doubt, this is the collection for you.
If you're looking for a quick read that will transport you to other galaxies and connect you to the earth and its wondrous beauty, if you're looking to overcome self doubt, this is the collection for you.
December 13, 2017
This collection is about Lexi's personal journey, finding strength in herself to rise above what she has been through. There were some beautiful images throughout which extended Lexi's experience to the galaxy, the universe, the stars and the moon. This created in my mind the idea that there is always something greater than us and always something beautiful to think about even when the situation on earth is awful.
I really enjoyed this book and the way Lexi formats her poetry!
My one complaint would be that sometimes simply imagery of the moon and the stars etc leave me wanting MORE in terms of an in depth understanding of the sentiment behind each poem.
I really enjoyed this book and the way Lexi formats her poetry!
My one complaint would be that sometimes simply imagery of the moon and the stars etc leave me wanting MORE in terms of an in depth understanding of the sentiment behind each poem.
January 6, 2018
lexi takes you on a trip of empowerment, she points out everything you have accomplished, the fact that you're still here, you still have a heart and love and life and everything good- despite the obstacles. after reading this collection, you're sure to feel empowered and feisty! i can't tell you how much i love this book!
December 29, 2018
I do not read a lot of poetry, but what I have read has told me that I quite enjoy modern poetry. Which is what Ready Aim Fire is. I enjoy the format and the way when it's done really well it packs a punch. I think Lexi Vranick's first collection of poetry, Ready Aim Fire, definitely has done it well.
The writing is done well done, I connected heavily to many of the themes written about in the poetry, and it was overall a powerful reading experience. However the star rating has nothing to do with the content itself. I don't feel comfortable rating someone's personal experiences. One con I honestly see with this book collection is that some of the topics and phrases repeated often, and although that is common with the poetry I've read, it's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine. The only other con I can think of is that it's too short. I totally wanted more and I was shocked when I turned my head to read the next poem and it was the Acknowledgments!
In a lot of the themes I related to it had a lot to do with self doubt, anxiety, and learning to believe in yourself. There is a lot of amazing poems that showcase Lexi's determination and resilience and I think it is inspiring. I think her writing is incredibly descriptive and she has an amazing way with words. I know she recently came out with a novel, Exist Ghost, and now I even more excited to read it now that I know how talented she is as a writer.
I found myself using little tabs to mark the poems I liked the most and I have quite a lot for such a short collection. I think if you're someone currently going through rough times with your mental illness and you're not on the other side of recovery or getting help this book of short poems could be really inspirational. It definitely was for me. Lexi has this confidence in herself when it comes to her independence and just generally that I strive to one day see in myself. So I loved seeing her strength in her words.
Overall, if you like modern poetry I highly recommend picking up Ready Aim Fire. I also think that if you're a beginner like me, this is a great place to start dipping your toes into the genre.
The writing is done well done, I connected heavily to many of the themes written about in the poetry, and it was overall a powerful reading experience. However the star rating has nothing to do with the content itself. I don't feel comfortable rating someone's personal experiences. One con I honestly see with this book collection is that some of the topics and phrases repeated often, and although that is common with the poetry I've read, it's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine. The only other con I can think of is that it's too short. I totally wanted more and I was shocked when I turned my head to read the next poem and it was the Acknowledgments!
In a lot of the themes I related to it had a lot to do with self doubt, anxiety, and learning to believe in yourself. There is a lot of amazing poems that showcase Lexi's determination and resilience and I think it is inspiring. I think her writing is incredibly descriptive and she has an amazing way with words. I know she recently came out with a novel, Exist Ghost, and now I even more excited to read it now that I know how talented she is as a writer.
I found myself using little tabs to mark the poems I liked the most and I have quite a lot for such a short collection. I think if you're someone currently going through rough times with your mental illness and you're not on the other side of recovery or getting help this book of short poems could be really inspirational. It definitely was for me. Lexi has this confidence in herself when it comes to her independence and just generally that I strive to one day see in myself. So I loved seeing her strength in her words.
Overall, if you like modern poetry I highly recommend picking up Ready Aim Fire. I also think that if you're a beginner like me, this is a great place to start dipping your toes into the genre.
July 27, 2020
This was more of a chapbook in length, giving the reader a taste of this poet's writing, rather than a full collection. I did like the subject that ran through the whole thing, which was very self focused and more positive than negative.
There were a couple of really stand out, beautiful pieces of poetry in here. That first poem grabs you and the second last one would have been a stunning one to end on.
However. The language of the text overall was very basic. The formatting was even more so. At times, I wondered if the spacing of the lines was meant to be more about a clever image that the words might take the shape of rather than natural pauses in the way that poetry tends to do. But, alas, there was no image.
I couldn't make sense of this collection. The main thing I can say was that it was short enough that it didn't get overly repetitive before the end of it.
There were a couple of really stand out, beautiful pieces of poetry in here. That first poem grabs you and the second last one would have been a stunning one to end on.
However. The language of the text overall was very basic. The formatting was even more so. At times, I wondered if the spacing of the lines was meant to be more about a clever image that the words might take the shape of rather than natural pauses in the way that poetry tends to do. But, alas, there was no image.
I couldn't make sense of this collection. The main thing I can say was that it was short enough that it didn't get overly repetitive before the end of it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews