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More than Bread
This book is for
the dreamer and the realist,
the skeptic and the believer,
the seeker and the sought.
the dreamer and the realist,
the skeptic and the believer,
the seeker and the sought.
- GenresPoetry
156 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2017
3 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Marya Layth
4 books50 followersMarya Layth is a poet, visual artist, and recreational fantasy writer (whatever that means). If you really want to know more about Marya, she suggests you read her poetry. Speaking of poetry, sometimes she likes to submit her work to literary journals and see what happens. A few of those literary journals have nominated her poems for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize. She also was chosen as a finalist in the Write Bloody Publishing contest for her poetry collection 'Driftwood'.
When she isn't writing, designing, or being weird on social media, she is keeping it real with her cat somewhere in New Jersey. Actually, she is usually doing all of those things simultaneously.
You can find her everywhere:
Instagram @marya.layth
Twitter @maryalayth
Facebook @laythmarya
When she isn't writing, designing, or being weird on social media, she is keeping it real with her cat somewhere in New Jersey. Actually, she is usually doing all of those things simultaneously.
You can find her everywhere:
Instagram @marya.layth
Twitter @maryalayth
Facebook @laythmarya
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2020
A short poetic novel in verse about a girl who wants to stargaze and finds a star, who they have a deep connection together. Lots of poems about the night sky, dreaming with some minor spiritual undertones as well. Available to read on KU.
September 22, 2017
A girl looks at the stars, searching for the perfect wish – hoping that, since the stars keep all secrets of humanity, the death of one of them will reveal her the one wish that has never been wished. But there’s also a star looking at her and she knows the truth. If she knew those secrets, she would only get even more confused. The key to the peace she’s seeking is something different. A different kind of life.
Both a small illustrated tale and a collection of poems, one of the most impressive aspects in this book is its sense of unity. Tale and poems, story and thoughts, all merge together in a quite delicate balance. A balance that seems to flow into each fragment of the book, since every poem seems to reflect the same harmony of the whole, forming itself a unity of sorts, but also belonging to something wider and equally balanced.
Also quite impressive is the fluidity of the writing. Some of the poems have only a few words. Others are longer. But, in all of them, it all seems to flow in a totally natural way, as if it were an errant thought pinned on the paper. That simplicity, that focus on the essential thoughts and feelings, makes the reading much more fluid. And it also reinforces the positive message, for the idea of a simple life, a life lived for something bigger, is much more evident in the simplicity of the words.
And this also applies to the tale. It is a short, simple story, but beautifully written and with a very clear message. The truth is not in the stars, but in us. And that thought – the same thought that moves within the poems – is strangely comforting.
So, it all sums up to this: a short, simple book with a most powerful message. Enthralling, thought-provoking and beautifully written, a delicately balanced mix of thought and feeling. And a very, very memorable poetry book.
**I received this book through Goodreads giveaways
Both a small illustrated tale and a collection of poems, one of the most impressive aspects in this book is its sense of unity. Tale and poems, story and thoughts, all merge together in a quite delicate balance. A balance that seems to flow into each fragment of the book, since every poem seems to reflect the same harmony of the whole, forming itself a unity of sorts, but also belonging to something wider and equally balanced.
Also quite impressive is the fluidity of the writing. Some of the poems have only a few words. Others are longer. But, in all of them, it all seems to flow in a totally natural way, as if it were an errant thought pinned on the paper. That simplicity, that focus on the essential thoughts and feelings, makes the reading much more fluid. And it also reinforces the positive message, for the idea of a simple life, a life lived for something bigger, is much more evident in the simplicity of the words.
And this also applies to the tale. It is a short, simple story, but beautifully written and with a very clear message. The truth is not in the stars, but in us. And that thought – the same thought that moves within the poems – is strangely comforting.
So, it all sums up to this: a short, simple book with a most powerful message. Enthralling, thought-provoking and beautifully written, a delicately balanced mix of thought and feeling. And a very, very memorable poetry book.
**I received this book through Goodreads giveaways
September 22, 2017
More Than Bread by Marya Layth is a powerful book of poetry that tackles humanity, faith, the ways we treat each other, and the ways we treat ourselves. It is both gentle and brutal, sad and uplifting, and timeless and timely.
If you’ve ever wondered what our world is coming to, or fretted over the ways in which humans constantly flounder while trying to lift themselves up, while seeking something bigger than themselves, this book will speak to you. The topics are wide yet all connected, and there’s an underlying urgency to the words. I loved the prose in between the poems, and the small amount of illustrations throughout. There were several poems I marked as favorites: sound of salt, of the places i can feel, and deaths and breaths, to name a couple.
What I enjoyed most about this book is that it did not feel preachy, but instead nudged me through the words to the meaning below. I think the sensitivity of it took me by surprise, and though I had to read it in bits and pieces (because, life), at the end I actually was quite teary-eyed and overcome by emotion. It’s a lovely exploration of being human in a sometimes cruel world, and how sometimes, the cruelty comes from within, but never fear, for “you yourself are woven with stars.”
Thank you, Marya, for a beautiful book. I can’t wait for more from you!
August 30, 2017
This book is going places, and I'm so happy I got to read it so soon, so I can sit back and watch it happen.
More than Bread is a soulful mixture of poetry and prose, inviting us to listen in on the conversation between a girl and the star that notices her staring at the sky nightly. Marya Layth tells this story with the sort of wise and gentle voice that made me think of a Peter S. Beagle-inspired folktale. And her poetry demonstrates a timeless eloquence and wisdom. Seriously. So many of these poems read like classic literature. I was in love. Buy it.
More than Bread is a soulful mixture of poetry and prose, inviting us to listen in on the conversation between a girl and the star that notices her staring at the sky nightly. Marya Layth tells this story with the sort of wise and gentle voice that made me think of a Peter S. Beagle-inspired folktale. And her poetry demonstrates a timeless eloquence and wisdom. Seriously. So many of these poems read like classic literature. I was in love. Buy it.
January 17, 2018
One of my favourite books at the moment.
This book was an enriching and enlightening read. You can sense the kindness of her heart and the shine of her soul from her captivating narration and exploration of important concepts and ideals. It was completely worthwhile and I definitely recommend.
This book was an enriching and enlightening read. You can sense the kindness of her heart and the shine of her soul from her captivating narration and exploration of important concepts and ideals. It was completely worthwhile and I definitely recommend.
April 5, 2018
I sometimes get too bogged down in the words with poetry and forget to enjoy the flow of the poem. I’m also not a very religious or spiritual person so I thought shortly after I started this that it might lose me but it actually drew me in the more I read. There is definitely a spiritual undertone but nothing preachy and it encompasses all of us. Or at least that’s how I took it. It's also just a small part of it. I described this to a friend of mine as a hug for the soul. It legit gave me warm fuzzy feelings. I've decided to leave this on my bedside table for the foreseeable so I can dip in and out from time to time.
incentives:
Before you cross that bridge,
you should know,
forgiving people does not change them;
it changes you.
incentives:
Before you cross that bridge,
you should know,
forgiving people does not change them;
it changes you.
October 14, 2017
Hi! So I got this book from a goodreads giveaway and…OH. Let me tell you. THIS BOOK IS A GEM. (Thanks Marya for this by the way!)
This is a poetry collection book and it basically explores the complexity of humanity and the human nature…and it so beautiful. SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. It just hits you and touches your heart and will give you all kinds of feelings and emotions and I LOVED THAT! The writing style really worked well for me and I think, Marya’s prose and verse are both beautiful, hence, all the emotions. It is very thought-provoking and it gives a very clear and powerful message.
I loved all aspects of this book and for that, I think it’s now safe to say that this is definitely one of the best collections that I have read so far. So if you are into modern poetry, please do check this one out! Because IT IS WORTH IT and this book deserves all the attention that it could get!
This is a poetry collection book and it basically explores the complexity of humanity and the human nature…and it so beautiful. SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. It just hits you and touches your heart and will give you all kinds of feelings and emotions and I LOVED THAT! The writing style really worked well for me and I think, Marya’s prose and verse are both beautiful, hence, all the emotions. It is very thought-provoking and it gives a very clear and powerful message.
I loved all aspects of this book and for that, I think it’s now safe to say that this is definitely one of the best collections that I have read so far. So if you are into modern poetry, please do check this one out! Because IT IS WORTH IT and this book deserves all the attention that it could get!
March 4, 2018
This book is truly a work of art. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It is really so insightful and wise. Each poem made me think "wow, I never thought of that before. So true!!" I am honestly in love with this book and would recommend it to anyone. There is a little something for everybody to enjoy!
December 8, 2017
First off, let me say a gigantic thank you to Marya Layth for sending me her book, More Than Bread to read and review. I am in such awe of those creatures who can send their heart out into the world and ask for it to be tested. Marya, you are a courageous being and such an inspiration.
Let me preface this by saying I am a poetry snob. When someone says poetry, I think Shakespeare, Yeats, or Dickinson. (I'm also in love with Mary Oliver.) I have high standards for poetry so the anxiety that came with the knowledge I'd need to give a bit of a review was mountainous to say the least. But without further ado...
Layth's poetry and prose is heart-breakingly human. You know she has observed Earth's inhabitants, been privy to their darkness, and shamelessly writes of these faults. She appeals to the heartbroken, the pious, the lost, the broken, and the sinner with the same soft questioning and understanding. While she covers heavy topics such as faith and self-love, you are never preached at or accused, instead you are slowly guided with gorgeous words to the truth of today's world. You find yourself nodding and sometimes even audibly whispering, 'Yes!' in agreement as she quietly points out how the world has forgotten what it is important.
This book truly is for the dreamer and the realist, the skeptic and the believer, the seeker and the sought. I would recommend this book to everything and anyone. I plan to reread this time and time again and it now sits alongside my Dickinson, Yeats, Oliver, and Shakespeare in it's rightful place. I cannot wait to see more from you, Marya, the beautiful voice of the stars.
Let me preface this by saying I am a poetry snob. When someone says poetry, I think Shakespeare, Yeats, or Dickinson. (I'm also in love with Mary Oliver.) I have high standards for poetry so the anxiety that came with the knowledge I'd need to give a bit of a review was mountainous to say the least. But without further ado...
Layth's poetry and prose is heart-breakingly human. You know she has observed Earth's inhabitants, been privy to their darkness, and shamelessly writes of these faults. She appeals to the heartbroken, the pious, the lost, the broken, and the sinner with the same soft questioning and understanding. While she covers heavy topics such as faith and self-love, you are never preached at or accused, instead you are slowly guided with gorgeous words to the truth of today's world. You find yourself nodding and sometimes even audibly whispering, 'Yes!' in agreement as she quietly points out how the world has forgotten what it is important.
This book truly is for the dreamer and the realist, the skeptic and the believer, the seeker and the sought. I would recommend this book to everything and anyone. I plan to reread this time and time again and it now sits alongside my Dickinson, Yeats, Oliver, and Shakespeare in it's rightful place. I cannot wait to see more from you, Marya, the beautiful voice of the stars.
November 7, 2017
I haven't read many poetry books, but this is by far my favorite poetry book now!
I loved how it wasn't just about poetry. It had this story at the beginning of each part in the book that is really thought provoking.
If you like poetry about the universe, stars, or dreams I think you'll really enjoy this book.
My favorite poem from More Than Bread, was Boxless. Boxless was my favorite because it made me reflect on social norms and conformity. It was outside of the box, one might say 😏. More Than Bread isn't a bunch of poems set to tell you one thing. They all are weighted with different meanings and reflections.
I really loved this book, and I might look over it again this week at some of my favorite poems in it. Thank you, Marya Layth, for sending me your book! I really enjoyed it!
Click here to check out more!
I loved how it wasn't just about poetry. It had this story at the beginning of each part in the book that is really thought provoking.
If you like poetry about the universe, stars, or dreams I think you'll really enjoy this book.
My favorite poem from More Than Bread, was Boxless. Boxless was my favorite because it made me reflect on social norms and conformity. It was outside of the box, one might say 😏. More Than Bread isn't a bunch of poems set to tell you one thing. They all are weighted with different meanings and reflections.
I really loved this book, and I might look over it again this week at some of my favorite poems in it. Thank you, Marya Layth, for sending me your book! I really enjoyed it!
Click here to check out more!
dnf
September 12, 2019I had been wanting to read this collection for a while as I enjoy the poet’s posts on Instagram but it seems their style is vastly different in this collection. I didn’t really connect to any of the poetry, there were a couple of good lines, but not as many as I had hoped. So, sadly, I had to DNF.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews