I Am Tired of Being a Dandelion

by Zane Frederick

“...and trying to get you to blow me away”

"Both gentle and electrifying. Left me speechless." – Makenzie Campbell, author of 2am Thoughts

Like finding a four-leaf clover, breaking a fortune cookie, wishing on a shooting star, or blowing a dandelion, this collection is written from a place of hope. Life presents a multitude of moments we hope work in our favor. One moment has us building a fortress of daydreams and anticipation, and the next it may come crumbling down.

Yet, no matter how many times our hopes fall, we seem to be able to rebuild them again and again. 

i am tired of being a dandelion  explores the spectrum of hope in romance and self-love, along with the hope to grow to become the best version of oneself.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Queer, Nonfiction, Contemporary

168 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2021

Reviews

[Mikky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this poetry book with no expectations and it was an okay book. There were some poems that hit very close to home and others that seemed like the author was in my head pulling the words right out of my mouth. A lot of the rest were just okay for me. Overall, it was an emotional book of poems that I would recommend. It passed the time rather well.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am tired of being a dandelion by Zane Frederick is a beautiful collection of prose that speaks to the infinite capacity for hope. I was immediately struck by the profundity of the author's sharp observations about our collective longing for love and acceptance, particularly within one's self. Yes, we are all familiar with the feelings that take root from being knocked down, but the opportunity to rise again is never out of reach. This is a collection that I will return to again and again for the reminder that we must never lose hope on the journey to becoming the best version of ourselves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this collection.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am tired of being a dandelion by Zane Frederick is a lovely collection of poems that connected with me so much. I'm blown away and so impressed with this series of poems. It honestly felt like Zane was in my head and reading off my deepest thoughts from my personal heartbreaks and best hopes. It's a mesmerizing set of poems that I really love and highly recommend. I love dipping into poetry for this very reason: the emotions and connections these pieces of artwork can make. It's incredible.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection reminds me of myself when I used to write so many lines of my confused feelings when it comes to stories, the people around me and the things going on during my high school days.

Short and easy to read. Relatable when it comes to young love and school days.

Some lines sound repetitive and too cliché.

Thanks for the advance reader copy.

[Kate Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!!
I could relate to so much in this book, the themes really struck a chord with me. Being single in your 30s and having that feeling 'of the one that got away' really resonated with me.
I really liked how this book was structured too - small chunks. This was really east to read and I just loved it!!!

[Shannon O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. wow. wow. This collection was AMAZING. like I absolutely love Zane's poetry but wow he really knocked this one out of the park. So soft and heartbreaking but uplifting. You take a journey with him throughout this collection that you don't want to miss out on.

"you see I love it when,
I meet you in my dreams
now I always get to be
the first to leave"

This stanza killed me in such a great way. I loved this book and you definitely will too.

[Ebba Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

muscle memory

spoke of you in the past tense,
as if there were a funeral they had missed.


reserved

how could i risk getting too close
to those lips when we both know
they belong to someone else?


through the tunnel

holding my breath
when you walk by,
i'll take my breath away
before you can.


something pretty

i folded the words i dropped on your floor nicely,
hung them back in your closet for days
you decide to wear something pretty.


onomatopoeia

on days when you forget to take
one more look at me for the road

on days when you choose the
seat next to me

only because you are closer to
the door

i am tired of being a dandelion
and trying to get you to blow me away

[Caitlin Conlon]

Zane has one of the most honest voices in poetry that I’ve ever read. I believed, & wanted to believe, in these poems, which is such a gift. I can’t wait to see where he goes next!!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & central avenue publishing for this Earc in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book! I really resonated with a lot of the poems, especially those about past love and moving on. I definitely can see myself re reading these poems in the future because they were that good

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unfamiliar with Zane Frederick and his work before coming across this collection of poetry ‘I Am Tired of Being A Dandelion’; however, I found the description ‘exploring the spectrum of hope’ to be intriguing.

Split into two parts: Hope Less and Hope Full – Zane’s poetry is a journey of love, loss, loneliness, longing, self-growth, self-love and recovery.

I haven’t read anything quite so powerful or meaningful in a long time. Some of the poems really spoke to me (like he’d taken the words from my own heart) and I’m sure would do the same for many others, as the experiences he discusses are so universal.

‘I Am Tired of Being A Dandelion’ is a beautiful little book which has rejuvenated my love of poetry. One to return to again and again – I’ve already pre-ordered my copy!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelby Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and can't wait for the new edition!!

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning and powerful poetry, Zane has such a talent and a pure gift with words, I find you feel the emotions he’s trying to show you in each word, touching, heartbreaking but also hopeful. This collection is relatable and to me essential reading . Amazing

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Seher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book by Zane Frederick.

I am sorry to say that I did not like it. It was trite. It was unmemorable and I didn't feel anything while reading this. The author deserves a good Tumblr or insta following, but this was not worth publishing

[Rhiley Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!

[Soraya Capon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an e-arc.

The author takes us through his thoughts and feelings in the aftermath of unrequited love. It’s definitely a journey in which by the end there is certainly hope. This wasn’t my favourite collection of poetry as I didn’t connect much to these words. However, poetry is so personal that it may not be applicable to others.

[Serena S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

These poems explored healing and finding new love amidst the ruins of the past. It emphasized loving yourself before venturing out to love others and faced the difficulties of healing and the need to go on. Even if you aren't heartbroken this piece will help you to love yourself and be content with your reality.

[Georgi_Lvs_Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poetry collection on hope in romance, self love and with hope to grow in becoming the best version of yourself.

I had a few favourites from this collection, a lot I didn’t enjoy personally or connect with.

You don’t have to wait
For New Year’s Day
To start again

August has plenty of room
For you to be brand new

Calendars will change
But you don’t have to

You can grow at your own pace
No matter the date

If you like poetry, this is a collection you might want to read.

[Teodora Cioca · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

[Michelle Alpizar Paez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgally and Central Avenue Publishing for letting me read this in advance.

Feelings, I have a lot of feelings that’s all I can say.
I am tired of being a dandelion by Zane Frederick is a collection of poems about love, loveless, hopeless and being hopeful again. It is about how we are broken and reconstructed again, it is about the pain and the fear of trusting again. It is about accepting yourself and understanding that you are perfect the way you are, and no matter how many bad relationships you have had, there is going to be a person that loves just how you are, with your imperfections and the best of you.

This is a book to return every time you don't feel good with yourself and fall in love with yourself again and again. I definitely will return to this just to be loved the way I deserved to be.
5/5 stars, and a million more, this book deserves so much love.


------------
Sentimientos, tengo muchos sentimientos y lágrimas, es todo lo que puedo decir.
I am tired of being a dandelion por Zane Frederick es una colección de poemas acerca del amor y el desamor, la esperanza y la desesperación. Es acerca de cómo nos rompen y como nos reconstruimos de nuevo; es acerca del dolor y el miedo de confiar de nuevo en alguien más; es acerca de aceptar las cosas como son y aceptarse a uno mismo y entender que eres perfecto de la forma en la que eres, que no importa cuantas malas relaciones hayas tenido, siempre encontrarás a aquella persona que te amará con tus altos y bajos.

Este libro es uno de esos en los que regresas cada que te sientes mal contigo mismo y en el cual te enamoras de ti una vez que terminas. Sin duda regresaré a este mi lugar feliz. 5/5 estrellas y un millón más por que este libro merece más cariño.

[des · Rating 3 out of 5]

5,86 on CAWPILE

The publisher kindly provided me with an arc through netgalley.

While I did enjoy this collection of poems there were also lots that just didn't do much for me. I always find it hard to rate poetry because it's just so personal. There were some beautiful ones though that I will definitely come back and think off sometimes.

[soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

these were poems about longing, love, and heartbreak. some were better than others. sadly i only felt for a very few of them.

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

great poetry book. sometimes cheesy, but great. i highly recommend it. captures the struggles of moving on perfectly.

i hope it's okay if i post one of my favourite poems for reference.

i am afraid to make you laugh and hear

harmonies that lift me high enough to

run my fingers through the milky way

and tell all of jupiter's moons that i migh

get to bring you up here with me

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. Some of the metaphors and similes were incredibly powerful and poignant. I definitely gravitated more towards his longer poems than his vignette style ones.

My favourites in this collection:
- where hope lives
- iridescent
- uncertainty
- rapunzel cuts her hair
- sleeping hungry
- self-discipline
- rooted
- i can't remember if you winked at me
- in the snow
- silver lining
- our forte
- searching for signs
- just getting started
- i've been to the sun once


* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[mar✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

if it is meant to be it will happen but i wish it did not have to take this long for me to wait and see if it would become something that it was never going to be

[Rae's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love loved this poetry collection so much.

Some beautiful quotes and poems that stuck with me till the end.

[Misako Yamazaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection is absolutely stunning. It is definitely a step up from (he)art. and Zane exemplifies so well the story of perpetual heartbreak we single people too often feel. Reading this poetry collection felt like reading a story, which is not something a lot of poetry books do. Often, there are poems that are about many different things and so there is no story or narrative woven into the order of poems in a given book. In i am tired of being a dandelion, however, it really did read like I was following a story of heartbreak, longing, and that seemingly eternal feeling that one may be "forever alone." However, the journey of this book isn't completely melancholy or sad. There's a message of hope that this loneliness won't last forever--even though it seems that way--and we will eventually find someone to spend our time with, someone who will be worth our time. I loved this poetry book so much not only because of the beautiful words (and illustrations!), but also because it proves that writing is a continual work in progress. Zane has improved his writing, and he will continue to do so--as will all writers. Writing is never going to be perfect, but it always strives to be. As far as Zane's writing & poetic talent are concerned, there's nowhere else to go but up.

[Lyzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: I am tired of being a dandelion
Author & Illustrator: Zane Frederick
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 173
Publication Date: 3/23/2021

Zane Frederick’s book of poetry focuses on a young love lost and the mourning that happens after it. It is divided into two parts – Hope Less and Hope Full.

If I had to describe this book with one word it would be angst. This book took me back to my teenage bedroom listening to Alanis Morrissette’s Jagged Little Pill on repeat. It reminded me of what it felt like to endlessly replay events in my head and hope for a different outcome. It made me remember what it felt like to think I would never find love again. And how long the heartache lasted.

I would recommend this book of poetry to anyone who wants to be transported back to their angsty years (maybe you are still in them). This poetry helped me connect with my emotions that raged when I was a teenager and had my heart broken. It is amazing what these short turbulent poems and beautiful illustrations can make you feel. I will definitely check out future poetry collections by this author.

ARC provided to me by Central Avenue Publishing, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

#iamtiredofbeingadandelion #NetGalley

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Zane has blown me away with his second book, “i am tired of being a dandelion”! A huge fan of his first, “(he)art.”, I had high hopes for this one. Zane didn’t disappoint as he took me on a rollar coaster in the breeze of poems about love and heartbreak.


One of the things I loved about “(he)art.” was his style of writing, so I was ecstatic to fall in love with it all over again in this book! But of course, Zane surprised me with his imagery and most of all, DIVERSITY.


Between the different lengths, themes, and messages, all tied together with the strings of his heart, I feel as though “i am tired of being a dandelion” set the bar a bit higher in all the right ways. There’s solid emotions in each poem with their own little stories to tell. And when they overlap just a bit, it brings the whole book together in a beautiful flow that I can only describe as feeling a cool breeze brushing through my hair while I stand in a blooming field of flowers beneath a clear blue sky.


Quite the imagery, huh? I suppose my mind and heart are still floating along the edge of his poems.


Let’s just say this won’t be a book—or a poet—I’m going to forget!

[Kayla Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this poetry collection. Not only is Zane’s book full of beautiful and heart-wrenching poetry, but it also feels like it tells a story in the way it presents the poems. So many lines in this amazing book stuck out to me, and Zane writes about heartbreak and unrequited love in such a memorable way. The book is filled with countless creative metaphors, and I also loved the little illustrations that went along with the poems. Definitely recommend this poetry book, especially to those who are waiting for love.

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a poetry book that blows you away and ironically like a Dandelion that was what this collection did for me.

It ripped me wide open and cradled my heart with soft feathery hands and poems about young love, fairytales, past loves, memories of love, unrequited love, and self-love.

One thing is certain and hard to ignore: this author was destined to be a poet and i can't wait for more.