Lost

by Sakshi Narula

A poem is a ray of hope, a friend who is as messed up as you but knows you better than the rest of the world. From the author of the celebrated poetry collection, Loveish comes this two book poetry series, The Art Of Staying Lost. Lost, the second in the series features poetry on processing grief and healing. Loneliness is an alchemist, grief changes you in ways that you may have never imagined before. We may feel that we may never know happiness like before when our heart is irreparably broken but this beautiful collection of poetry urges you to keep the faith.

There is light, there is light.

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2021

About the author

Sakshi Narula is the author of the celebrated poetry collection, Loveish. Born in New Delhi, India she has since lived in over eight cities and three countries. Passionate about art and culture she finds happiness in writing and sketching. With her raw and relatable words she has managed to gain over 30k followers across Instagram and Twitter. Music, sketching and cooking are some of her other passions besides poetry. She calls the beach and the museum her happy place. Sakshi currently resides in Muscat, Oman with her family.

Reviews

[Andrea Pole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost by Sakshi Narula is the second book of the series The Art of Staying Lost. As with Ms Narula's previous work, the reader is taken on a sensual journey of discovery and truth. This is prose that deserves to be savoured at leisure, and to be reflected upon long after the final words have been consumed. Here we are reminded that while grief and pain are both part and parcel of the human condition, there is always a light on the other side of the darkness.

This, like all of Ms Narula's work, is a stunningly beautiful offering that I will return to again and again, as a gentle affirmation that 'my broken pieces are beautiful too.'

Many thanks to Sakshi Narula for providing me with an ARC of this work to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Fatima Anwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

//~I feel like a galaxy when you look at me, no one has ever looked at my darkness with so much love.///

Name: Lost
Author: Sakshi Narula
Genre: Poetry, Love,Pain,Loss, Healing
Rating: 5/5

Review:
 Lost is the sequel to Lover, and second to the series, The Art of Staying Lost.
Lost is a series of poetry and prose about loss, healing and acceptance. Each poetry is unique, caressing, and heart breaking. The illustrations, use of Urdu and Punjabi words, amazing verses are the reasons why I am so in love with this book. 
If you're interested in reading this book, I would recommend you to read it's prequel Lover before reading this book.
I enjoyed reading Lover, so I was really excited to read this book. I was love in this book at first sight. I liked the illustrations and enjoyed reading Preface and Introduction. Use of Urdu words intrigued me as it is my mother tongue. Some of my favorite poems from this book are Uns and Kamli. If you like reading Rupa Kaur, Amanda Lovelace, Noor Unnahar, you will definitely enjoy reading this book.

[Asha Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost, book 2, in The Art of Staying Lost series, pretty much follows the delightful candour of its successor, Lover, and one can tell it isn’t too far behind off perfection. The emotions are just as raw, as rustic, as paysan, and yet as alluring, as engaging, and as heartwarming as the first book in the series. These are more letters than poems, sent to one who looks to heal with a hope that the words and sentiments contained within its pages shall be the salve to a seeker. Her diction oozes of fragile passion and yet brimming of courage that reminds one of how storms leave one stronger than before. Love tides similarly. Purposefully evocative and powerfully reflective, these are verses and poems that will find home in very heart for their sheer relativeness. Her words nudge you to accept that all is whole and broken within you, and wear them as badges of pride. The language is simple but sublime and you will be taking down notes of your favorite pieces, and that’s a promise.

Quite simply, both these books are pure treasures in poetry and if you are a lover of the art, you must try them. Well, either that, or if you’ve ever been in love, you’ll relate much.

[Derek King · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry in this volume lay out the poet, Sakshi Narula's, feelings of heartache, loss and grief and one cannot help but by touched by the depth of feeling conveyed in the poetry and prose contained within these pages. While the poems are raw in the emotive sense, they are beautifully expressed and accentuated by some truly wonderful references. It is quite difficult to convey emotions such as these in a way that draws the reader in and maintains interest for the duration of the book, Sakshi has certainly achieved both of these in abundance.

The illustrations in the book are complementary to the written words and add to the overall feel of the work, I have a feeling they were all very carefully selected.

Personal favourites include, Wandering, Never Been Worse and Cha Cha.

[Steven Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full review can be found here:
https://www.weekendnotes.com/lost-the...

[Janninehanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Feelings of bleak euphoria, building on a high with so much emotion conveyed in every word. Then falling down to earth with a realistic thud." - My words.

Lost The Art of Staying Lost Book Two transcends all the words and expressions you have ever read in other poetry. Conveyed with so much depth and feeling there's a real sense of loss, futile love that burned with golden embers. Then fizzled out with a break up. Parting, suddenly, going away. Not so much as losing someone to death, or bereavement. Although it could well be, but more betrayal. Betrayed by love, a lover. Building up hope,of fulfillment and promise. A risky beginning, lasting for eternity only to have it shattered into a thousand shards.

Uns demonstrates being love sick, the body behaving and mimicking the symptoms of bodily ailments which feel akin to having all your emotions and heart ripped. Replaced with emptiness. Watching the world from the inside out whilst others are oblivious. Seen also in Chenab "Nerves, skin, heart tongue and bones that ached for more so bad that I had forgotten I exist. My jaws have been in pain..."

Love comes in all shapes, love of parents, love of children, loss too. As well as a soul mate. That one true, pure love who will have the same feelings and love for you. Then suddenly it's gone. Was it ever real.

Healing poem made me think of loss, the loss of losing a father, mine. Perhaps that wasn't the intention, being about a lover; but to me it spoke of heartfelt grief when life is cheated by unexpected death. In many ways akin to the passing of love and all the enrichment it brings to our lives. Providing a semblance, a brief segment of closure.

Octopus asks if those we have lost feel the same pain, or are we just a distant memory, a passing phase of the moon. Do lovers just move on, carefree? Questions not asked by me. Since most of us don't want to waste our time on someone we can't have.

Sakshi Narula writes from the heart, that much is true and has the marvellous and creative ability to paint pictures with her words. You feel you are there in the moment of each impossible heartbeat and you can't do anything to rescue yourself the inevitable.

Interspersed with excellent artwork by that spatters the page akin to the ink from an octopus; with the vividness of a bleeding heart and mind. A talented poet with a natural artistry to convey anguish with every sentence. Personal experiences and growing up in India give a sense of belonging. As shown by To Bury A Love Story.

Take a breath for more roller coaster rides. Interspersed with written notes providing a break from the deepness of each poem and a reprieve of being a solid, continuous chunk, with drawings, mirroring hope and darkness. In ink, ink blobs maybe to decipher our own darkness and limits to overcome.

I was mesmerized and absorbed in such beautiful and eloquent sentiments that I read in one sitting. I'm sure everytime I re-read it will spark and invoke more reactions. I enjoyed how the poems interweave into one another with vivid pictures of being so lost, heartbroken and having everything ripped, affecting the mind, body and soul equally. The personification of love's misfortune is immensely lifelike.

[Bea (beansbookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy by the author of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

Lost written by Sakshi Narula is the second book of the series "The Art of Staying Lost". Throughout the book, you are able to find some lovely illustrations, some of which were actually hand drawn by the author herself. I fell in love with Sakshi's poetry as soon as I read her first book and I'm glad to be given this opportunity once again. Saksi writes about unrequited love like anyone else. This is another magnificent poetry collection. Some of my favourite poems are "Saudade" (which is a word in my mother tongue (Portuguese), it warmed my heart to see the author using it; "After Lana" and "Cha Cha".

Rating: 4/5 stars.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how different styles and formats have been mixed together. A hodgepodge of thoughts, images, musings, happenings all of which come together like sand in your fist- something you experience but don't hold onto.

[Amy Littleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I have to thank Sakshi for trusting me with the proof copy of her book and letting me read an ARC for review.

'my body is made of bricks from all the cities I have ever lived in'

From the very first page of this collection, I was completely invested. I can't explain how much I related to the words on each and every page and how Sakshi explores the feelings that come with unrequited love. This is another beautifully presented collection that uses the art to really compliment the words. I felt that this collection incorporated Sakshi's culture a lot more and it gave the book its own uniqueness that really helps it to stand out.

'the first shot of passion in my blood left me longing for more'

Sakshi really expresses her emotions in this collection and I could feel that with every word. I really recommend it to those that read poetry and who can relate to the topics mentioned above. It only just released at the start of this week! You can find it on kindle/Kindle Unlimited and as a paperback on Amazon.

Amy x

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book are an author review copy, firstly I need to apologies the author that I happened to pick this book late, than I wanted to read it. However I have read the first book and so this was in my to read list all the time.
As for the book, I am very glad that this book is on par with the first one and no disappointments at all, I read it slowly and deeply. The poems in the book are very deep and need to be understood carefully. I really am impressed with this book too.
There are some written in handwriting, in the book, they are really heart touching. The only downside I see in this book is that one needs to have a serious liking and understanding on the poetry to realize the good work of the book.
The content and the contexts of the book are set very well too.
To the author: Sakshi both your books have made a mark for me. I really am glad and very happy to have received the books as review copies and I will be looking forward for your next work. Please do let me know when the next is being published.

[Robert Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are times where words and pictures combine to make something more. Call it what you will: a vibe, a sentiment, an expression of sorts.

This is one of those times. This book is simply beautiful. The wonderfully worded expressions of what it feels like to lose a love. The illustrations and formatting throughout the pages.

This is something unique and quite special, both in the wording, the feelings expressed, and the look of the project as a whole. I highly, highly recommend, and the author has certainly gained a new fan in yours truly.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Emotive

This is poetry that hits hard, while helping the reader find a voice for their own struggles and dreams. There are a number of memorable moments in these words.