Full & Round

by Toya Rochelle

Full & Round is the debut collection from Toya Rochelle. The collection consists of 40 poems that highlight the "lived experience." The best that one can hope for is a life that is full of love, joy, and passion. And even with some ups and downs, the collective support from family and friends shapes and sustains us.

54 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2018

About the author

Toya Rochelle, is an author, a dreamer, blue sky thinker, activist, philanthropist, entrepreneur and globe-trotting technocrat. Her work is both biting critique and contemplative observations on a range of topics such as politics, poverty, race, depression, class, gender, love, and everything in between. She aims to foster balanced social discourse and support transformative understanding through her work.

She frequently leads workshops, moderates panels, and keynotes and more.

Born and raised in the Virgin Islands, she currently lives in Florida with her family.

Full & Round is her debut collection of contemporary poems.

Reviews

[Bree Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved.

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow for a debut collection of poems Toya Rochelle came out of the gate swinging! If you are new to poetry, this collection might be a good start. The poems are short and easy to consume. Some of the poems even read like nursery rhymes. I thought it was brilliant having such a rhythmic pace to some of the pieces which could be a nod to the author's Caribbean heritage. The collection covered the typical topics of life experiences, love, disappointment, and pain; however, it didn't just focus on suffering and pain. You know the suffering artist trope, nope not here. There was an undertone of resistance, hope, and finding your voice. She never explicitly states racism, but the reader can infer contextually from a few of the poems i.e. Pale Man Pale Man and Daughters of the Confederacy. For some people, it might be a delicate balance of bringing a difficult topic to the forefront without hitting you over the head. The other undertone I noticed was feminism or women finding their voice whether in relationships, beauty standards, or in the world. Again, it was never explicitly stated, but reading for the cues can be found in pieces Goddess and Tall and Strong. The beauty of interpretation is the ability to create an experience for the consumer and it was a beautiful one. Bravo!

The one piece of feedback that I could give, is the collection was broken up into three parts, but the sections didn't feel cohesive. Part 3 felt like a relationship section but there were poems not related to love or relationships. Other than that, the collection was near perfect and I'm looking forward to the follow up to Full and Round.

A copy of Full & Round was sent to me for an honest book review.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every poem takes you through a poignant experience that you may or may not relate to, which is the beauty of this collection. In one poem, you may feel connected, reaffirmed, and encouraged, while in the next, you may feel uncomfortable, uneasy, and even upset. Behind the heart and soul of each poem, is a deeper intellectual component that shines through. These poems not only make you feel strong emotions, but they also cause you to think about difficult topics. There are several poems that exude a sense of love, hope, and strength that is very powerful. You will appreciate the simplicity of the poems, especially if you are new to poetry. The relationship between the poems within each of the three parts of the book seemed unclear or even unnecessary, but it does not take away from the enjoyment of each and every poem. This is a collection that you will go back to again and again, and each time, it will evoke passion and insight.

[Angela Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to consume more poetry, and reading this collection has reminded me the beauty and necessity of its art form. The author allowed us into her life, sharing the most vulnerable moments, those of joy and pain, the lived human experience.
I appreciate the influences of romance, feminism, race, and history so eloquently mused upon. What a wonderful debut collection. I can’t wait to see what is next!

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several of the poems landed with me. Crop Over. Hey love. In Plain Sight. And others. The poems had a written with the book broken up into several parts. Definitely something to enjoy when you need to catch your breath or sit with it.