Sunlight Stripping Shadows Bare

by Amy B.Garratt

An honest collection of modern poetry, dealing with themes of mental health. This collection shows the light and the dark with modern life, and overcoming the struggles that can come with it.This book is the culmination of 20 years of experiences with heartache, loss and grief... alongside love, beauty and determination. For anyone who ever felt alone, and wanted to reach out.

Genres: Poetry

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Hayley Anderton · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's some really beautiful poetry in this book! I started reading it on KU a while back, but I got too busy to sit down and read it. I'm glad that I made time to read it today! The rhyming is lovely and unforced and it tackles so many poignant topics. A few of the poems definitely made me sit back for a minute to think about them. Gorgeous stuff!

[Lacrima Mundi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this I had quite a hard time getting used to it, as it didn't work for me as poetry at all.

Then I shifted my perspective and started reading it as poetic musings and had a great time reading it.

This is a thoughtful and poetic book that I can recommend to all those who love to read poetic writing, not necessarily to those who love reading poetry - although it might work for some of you too.

---

Transparency info: Read via Kindle Unlimited.

[Gemma Owen-Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly beautiful, meaningful and inspiring poems and phrases. I've not been myself lately so reading this has helped me to get back on my feet. Thank you so much to the author for sending me and ARC to read and review

[Marie Sinadjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collection is divided into 5 parts: breaking, healing, imagining, loving and growing. I've never been much for poetry so I've not read a lot of poems and poetry books, but I didn't need to be "into it" to appreciate the emotions and honesty that have been poured into the words. The topics are very relatable too, and there's something for everyone. I also like the cover a lot; I find that it captures the simplicity and raw heart of the pieces that make up this soulful little book.

It's truly a heartfelt collection of modern poetry, showing the light through the darkness. Thank you, Amy, for baring your heart to us and for being so brave to share with the world the stories of your soul.

Recommended Listening: River Flows in You by Yiruma

[Hannah Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have followed me for a while you all know how much I love a poetry anthology. Especially one that looks into our psyche, our emotions, mental health, and our day-to-day lives. I love how raw and emotive this anthology is - definitely one to pick up and read for that bit of wisdom you need.

Alongside the perils and anxieties of the modern world, Garratt also touches upon the fantastical and the magical - the poem The Faerie Door just highlights the important of staying true to our childlike selves.

I was bookmarking all the way through, and I’m so happy to be involved in this book tour. Thank you so much for having me @hyggebooktours 🎉🎉
I have rated Sunlight Stripping Shadows Bare a total of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of poetry, phrases and random passages, this book covers a lot of the emotions that we all feel. I found it to be a very interesting book, and the writing made me think about things in my own life as I read this one.

I don't read that much poetry but I found this quite emotionally charged due to some of the poems and subject matter.
For the right reader this is a really good book.

[Courtney Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful poetry told from the heart, right into your soul. Well recommended for those wanting to dip their toe into poetry, after this one you’ll want to dive straight in to more.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely collection of poems and thoughts

[Georgina Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second poetry book this year, and whilst I found it really well written and some of the poems incredibly moving, I’ve realised that poetry isn’t for me. I struggled to understand the flow of some of the poems, I think this is purely me and the fact that I’ve not read much poetry.

I think those who are suffering with grief, heartache, MH issues and loss will find this collection very helpful and uplifting. Maybe I’ll try again in the future and see if I can find some that help me.

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I have had to re-evaluate my thinking....I have never called myself a lover of poetry, yet there are so many poems I hold dear. Put off by too many pretentious poems, it has been a while since I have picked up any poetry. Recently, I downloaded this debut book of poems by Amy B Garratt and fell instantly in love. I literally binge read the book in one sitting. All the poems are short and instantly relatable. They are accessible, without pretention, they are real and convey the pure beauty of words and feeling. Covering universal themes of love, loss, pleasure, pain, grief...there is a little something for every one and every occasion. This is a book I will keep coming back to, and I can see it as a perfect gift for some friends and family at key times in their lives. My current favourite has to be grief, which succinctly sums up the experience of raw grief and loss for me in its final lines- "the only time I think of you, is when my eyes open or close...and when my heart beats."

[Lisa Lordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone who has never really read poetry before I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of Amy's debut poetry book and all I can say is WOW!  Amy has written about life experiences in such a beautiful, touching way I couldn't put it down until I had finished the book. I was so engrossed by page 100 I had tears in my eyes. The poems really touched me and I know for sure there will be a lot of people who can relate to the thoughts and feelings in this book and I am one of them. I am so thankful that you asked me to read it and I am literally blown away. Thank you Amy, it is a wonderful book and I would definitely recommend.

[Steph Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book of poems, apart from for GCSE's so I wasn't sure what I'd make of this.

However, I loved it. It's such an emotional collection of beautifully written poems. There's poems that will make you laugh, poems that will make you sad, poems that will make you hopeful, and some which will make you wonder if Amy has been able to see right into your soul.

Thank you Amy ❤️

[Jemma Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly beautiful book of poems for all occasions. I don’t think that there is one poem within this book that will not resonate with someone somewhere. ‘Drink the Stars’ made my heart smile 💙✨ Buy this book, pick it up and turn to any page and you will find some wisdom by which to live the day 💙

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, heartfelt and relatable. I'm not usually one for poetry books but I loved this. My particular favourites were 'Autumn Girl' and 'Truth to Power'. Thank you Amy.

[M.J. Mallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunlight Stripping Shadows Bare is a beautiful poetry collection by fellow poet Amy B Garrett who I had the pleasure to meet at the Blackpool Book Party. 

Each section begins with a heading the first of which is: Breaking.

With poems and pieces on a variety of personal topics with titles such as Love, Ladies Room Confessions,  I had a Childish Fantasy, Lessons, House of Cards, these being some of my favourites.

Further headings with contemplations and poems about: Healing, Imagining,  Loving, and Growing.

Here are two of my favourite poems:

Happy Place

Where sea meets sky, the sand curves into a smile. Rock rises from the water, small islands and small worlds filled with sea life. A path leads down to the softest of sand, covered in shells and family memories. The air is fresh and salty and alive.

This spoke to me as I love the sea.

And...

Grandad

“The weight of lost memories, as I held you paper thin.”


So few words in the last but packed with heartfelt emotion about love and loss and the human condition.

[Jade Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry book is split into five parts - breaking, healing, imagining, loving and growing. I liked that I felt I was on a mental health journey - experiencing the feeling of falling apart, and slowly healing as the book progressed. It was interesting that I was most drawn to the first two sections - breaking and healing, as I do feel that this is where I’m currently at in my life.

The good thing about poetry is that you can go back and reread a poem and gain something completely new from it. I think I’ll reread this when I’m in a stronger place and see if I’m more drawn to the later sections.

As the poems are personal to the author, some I felt that I couldn’t personally relate to, but to me, the point of poetry is exploring different emotions and sensations and I enjoyed it nevertheless.

I’m not sure of correct terminology but there was both rhyming poetry and “story” poetry - different styles so something for everyone.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of poems. They're arranged in different topics through the book (breaking, healing, imagining, loving, growing) and each collection has equally beautiful poetry within.
I especially loved how the thoughts and feelings in the poetry describes so much from every day life, from motherhood, friendships and relationships. It really spoke to me and I will be rereading this over and over.

[Rachel Bowdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often feel warm and fuzzy inside after reading poetry but this book had the perfect mix of raw, emotional, sometimes difficult reality and the lovelier, happier things in life, like cold winter nights and festivity. A really refreshing read that made me feel seen and loved in all the kindest of ways, with the poet’s experience shining through each.

[Lucy Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some pretty beautiful poems but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the prose-like structure.

[Bavya · Rating 4 out of 5]

 𝑰'𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆.

Sunlight Stripping Shadows Bare by Amy Garratt is a collection of poems divided into five themes: breaking, healing, imagining, loving, and growing.
 
This collection has it all: harsh realities, bitter truths, dark humour, nostalgic memories, raw emotions, and wild imaginations. I liked how the flow of words touched us on a deep level, and we nodded in accord. Because we've been there and felt the same!
 
These poems were skillfully woven by the author such that they cover a variety of topics while still being relevant. She discusses heartbreaks, companionship, childhood memories, motherhood, mental health, and oneself, among other things.
 
I particularly appreciated reading the verses from Breaking and Imagining among the various themes. The three sisters, Pain, To me from me, and Lily, are a few of my favourites.
 
I enjoyed reading this so much that I had to bookmark every other page. Overall, Sunlight Stripping Shadows Bare is a fantastic book to read, especially if you're new to poetry, because this one is sure to please.

Thanks to Amy and Hyggebooktours for providing me with the e-ARC.