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A Handful of Stars
Hope is found in wishes made upon shooting stars, so a handful of stars gives us faith.
A Handful of Stars is a journey of courage and resilience that readers take from falling to healing, realising along the way that the journey is not going to be easy.
The book branches over various themes from love, heartbreak, loss and womanhood to self-love, revival and healing.
Readers learn about the beauty and innocence of falling and they learn that healing is not a destination but a process, and this process can often last a lifetime. The book teaches that a person’s softness is their biggest strength and that having a big heart is not always a bad thing, and a glimmer of light can be found even in the darkest places.
A Handful of Stars is raw and unapologetic, soft and kind, reflective and inspirational all at the same time. Some of Ruby’s most loved poems are shared within the pages of this book, in hope that they will have the same effect on the readers the second time as they did the first.
A Handful of Stars is a journey of courage and resilience that readers take from falling to healing, realising along the way that the journey is not going to be easy.
The book branches over various themes from love, heartbreak, loss and womanhood to self-love, revival and healing.
Readers learn about the beauty and innocence of falling and they learn that healing is not a destination but a process, and this process can often last a lifetime. The book teaches that a person’s softness is their biggest strength and that having a big heart is not always a bad thing, and a glimmer of light can be found even in the darkest places.
A Handful of Stars is raw and unapologetic, soft and kind, reflective and inspirational all at the same time. Some of Ruby’s most loved poems are shared within the pages of this book, in hope that they will have the same effect on the readers the second time as they did the first.
- GenresPoetry
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2020
18 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Dhal
8 books215 followersRuby Dhal is a British-Afghan Sikh writer, poet, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of six books on self-love, healing, and personal growth. She moved to the UK at the age of three and, within a year, experienced the loss of her mother—an event that shaped her lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery. Ruby shares her wisdom on love, loss, and resilience, helping millions navigate their own paths through her writing and content.
With a social media following of nearly 1 million and millions of weekly impressions, Ruby’s words resonate with readers worldwide. Since starting her platform in 2016, she has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar India’s Writer Hotlist, NY Weekly, Times of India, Yahoo, Verve Magazine, and more. She has contributed to platforms like Thought Catalog, The Tempest, and Indian Women Blog, and has appeared on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio London, and numerous podcasts.
Ruby was one of only seven South Asian women to be featured in the Harper’s Bazaar India Writer Hotlist in 2017, and she was included in Untwine.me’s list of ‘100 Incredible Instapoets of 2018.’ She has written extensively on self-love, heartbreak, relationships, mental health, culture, and feminism, and has appeared at events ranging from open mic nights to charity events, schools, and renowned venues like Trafalgar Square and The British Museum.
Currently, Ruby is working on her debut fiction novel and aspires to write stories that centre on POC characters, bringing diverse narratives to the forefront. She is committed to living a life of purpose and believes that through both fiction and self-help writing, she can make an impactful difference in the world.
With a social media following of nearly 1 million and millions of weekly impressions, Ruby’s words resonate with readers worldwide. Since starting her platform in 2016, she has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar India’s Writer Hotlist, NY Weekly, Times of India, Yahoo, Verve Magazine, and more. She has contributed to platforms like Thought Catalog, The Tempest, and Indian Women Blog, and has appeared on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio London, and numerous podcasts.
Ruby was one of only seven South Asian women to be featured in the Harper’s Bazaar India Writer Hotlist in 2017, and she was included in Untwine.me’s list of ‘100 Incredible Instapoets of 2018.’ She has written extensively on self-love, heartbreak, relationships, mental health, culture, and feminism, and has appeared at events ranging from open mic nights to charity events, schools, and renowned venues like Trafalgar Square and The British Museum.
Currently, Ruby is working on her debut fiction novel and aspires to write stories that centre on POC characters, bringing diverse narratives to the forefront. She is committed to living a life of purpose and believes that through both fiction and self-help writing, she can make an impactful difference in the world.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 23, 2024
relatable and comforting, like having a conversation with a close friend. if you're looking for a book that resonates deeply and makes you feel understood, this is it.
September 19, 2020
Handvol sterren. Door Ruby Dhal.
Dit is de tweede, vertaalde, bundel van Ruby uitgegeven door MUSE. Herinneringen ontward was de eerste maar deze bundel vind ik nog beter.
Eerst even applaus voor de tekeningen van Nicole Frenette en de vormgeving door BBNC. Handvol sterren is een kleine, dikke bundel die zacht in de hand ligt, een boek waar je mee onder een dekentje wil kruipen, met een potlood in de hand om alle moois te onderlijnen (véél werk).
In twee delen ‘het vallen’ en ‘het helen’ neemt Dhal je mee op reis in haar innerlijk, en vanaf het eerste gedicht raakt ze jouw binnenkant met eenvoudige zinnen en woorden, korte maar krachtige boodschappen. Het lijkt eenvoudig en simpel, algemeen en banaal soms maar het is trefzeker, herkenbaar, persoonlijk én universeel. Soms houdt ze je een spiegel voor, dan weer lijkt ze in je hoofd te kunnen kijken. Ze is coach en cheerleader, trooster en genezer.
“In sommige nachten wordt de pijn het helen.”
Poëzie heelt. Dahl lezen heelt je met haar voedsel voor je ziel.
Dit is de tweede, vertaalde, bundel van Ruby uitgegeven door MUSE. Herinneringen ontward was de eerste maar deze bundel vind ik nog beter.
Eerst even applaus voor de tekeningen van Nicole Frenette en de vormgeving door BBNC. Handvol sterren is een kleine, dikke bundel die zacht in de hand ligt, een boek waar je mee onder een dekentje wil kruipen, met een potlood in de hand om alle moois te onderlijnen (véél werk).
In twee delen ‘het vallen’ en ‘het helen’ neemt Dhal je mee op reis in haar innerlijk, en vanaf het eerste gedicht raakt ze jouw binnenkant met eenvoudige zinnen en woorden, korte maar krachtige boodschappen. Het lijkt eenvoudig en simpel, algemeen en banaal soms maar het is trefzeker, herkenbaar, persoonlijk én universeel. Soms houdt ze je een spiegel voor, dan weer lijkt ze in je hoofd te kunnen kijken. Ze is coach en cheerleader, trooster en genezer.
“In sommige nachten wordt de pijn het helen.”
Poëzie heelt. Dahl lezen heelt je met haar voedsel voor je ziel.
July 5, 2019
Me recuerda demasiado a Rupi Kaur...
Supongo que estamos asistiendo a una generación de poetisas que se esfuerzan por llamar la atención sobre la cuestión del amor desde una perspectiva que temo calificar de ciertamente adolescente... Estas autoras tratan de orientar a sus coetáneas para no caer en los mismos errores, lo cual es espléndido, porque siempre habrá adolescentes enamoradas y desenamoradas y desesperando por este proceso que, todavía no han entendido, es más normal de lo que nos gusta admitir.
El mensaje es claro: primero tienes que quererte tú misma y dejar de convertir a tu enamorado en el centro de tu vida.
Hay un par de poemas interesantes sobre la independencia de las mujeres, pero... no me ha aportado una visión nueva... de ahí mi baja calificación.
Supongo que estamos asistiendo a una generación de poetisas que se esfuerzan por llamar la atención sobre la cuestión del amor desde una perspectiva que temo calificar de ciertamente adolescente... Estas autoras tratan de orientar a sus coetáneas para no caer en los mismos errores, lo cual es espléndido, porque siempre habrá adolescentes enamoradas y desenamoradas y desesperando por este proceso que, todavía no han entendido, es más normal de lo que nos gusta admitir.
El mensaje es claro: primero tienes que quererte tú misma y dejar de convertir a tu enamorado en el centro de tu vida.
Hay un par de poemas interesantes sobre la independencia de las mujeres, pero... no me ha aportado una visión nueva... de ahí mi baja calificación.
October 29, 2020
Going through this life is often challenging and hard to understand... Ruby's words and perspective help reground you and bring clarity despite the confusion. This book is truly written with the tears everyone sheds when living a life centered in love. The joys of the deepest connections perfectly stirred into the pained echoes of midnight misery. Not only are the feelings portrayed in an unique awe inspired artistry, but everyone can walk away from this book feeling the common thread of humanity that love and connections invoke. Every word has the depths of ingenuity most poets of today can only hope to attain
October 13, 2018
I was blow away by the details on every single page of Handful of Stars. The way Ruby describes her feelings and emotions is truly magical. She takes you to relatable experiences and expressions in her life that touched me and pulled me into her world. I could feel the emotions behind every piece. I absolutely loved the way she is not afraid to truly say how she feels. After reading her book I gained new perspectives on a lot of different things in my life. I cherish her words. Handful of Stars is a phenomenal read I would suggest to everyone!
July 26, 2021
Similar style to Rupi Kaur, so it will be good for readers that enjoy her writing.
I felt like I was missing something, hence the star I took off. But it was a nice and fast read, and there were a few poems I highly enjoyed.
As always, I believe poetry is a very personal ordeal, so I usually rate them all 4 unless I find them magnificent and really get to me, personally, which is when I rate them 5 stars. I never go any lower than that, because I think it's unfair. There is no such thing as bad poetry.
Anyway, lovely read.
I felt like I was missing something, hence the star I took off. But it was a nice and fast read, and there were a few poems I highly enjoyed.
As always, I believe poetry is a very personal ordeal, so I usually rate them all 4 unless I find them magnificent and really get to me, personally, which is when I rate them 5 stars. I never go any lower than that, because I think it's unfair. There is no such thing as bad poetry.
Anyway, lovely read.
February 17, 2021
Ruby Dhal deserves a lot more recognition. Her writing evokes so many different emotions within my heart. Her poetry is empowering and while it can be heartbreaking, it is real and raw. She portrays mental health and healing in a very real manner. I wish I had this book to read when I was going through + healing from heartache, loss, grief, and trauma in the past. 5/5 and I can't wait to read her next two books.
April 23, 2020
5/5 recommend, I truly loved this book. The message behind its book warmed my heart. it connected to me and so many issues I have with myself and my life in general. I thought the poems were beautifully written it had such a deep point to each one. I also liked the fact that they were short and sweet, the book was a bit short tho. BUTT...5/5 recommend PLEASE READ!!
November 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I can relate to many of the words she says
March 3, 2019
I loved her other book and had high hopes for this one. it was just okay.
April 3, 2021
Beautiful just beautiful 🤩
December 26, 2021
I felt that this book had some nice pieces, but it was really redundant. It was like it was trying to be a Rupi Kaur book, but it just didn’t hit nearly as well.
April 1, 2022
🔆3.5 Stars🔅
I did like this poetry book and some of the poems really resonated with me. However, I feel like my younger self would of enjoyed this much more. 💕
I did like this poetry book and some of the poems really resonated with me. However, I feel like my younger self would of enjoyed this much more. 💕
April 16, 2022
Amazingly beautiful!
August 18, 2025
2.5//5
May 22, 2021
This collection of poetry was easy to get through as it had short and sweet digestible poems. It reminded me a bit of Rupi Kaur’s work and I feel as though I would’ve enjoyed this collection more if I was younger. However, I did like some of the poetry a lot and may consider utilizing them in my journal entries!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews