29 Without You: a collection of poems and essays (mostly) chronicling my 28th trip around the sun

by Margo Lane

29 Without You is a collection of poems and essays (mostly) written in a one year period. The collection, which started by accident in the wake of Covid-19, was written during harried moments of inspiration after waking or teary-eyed late nights after watching a sad movie. The pieces consist of 29 long-form poems and a few essays which focus mainly on the fear of not finding love, fighting for independence, searching for balance, and the general uncertainty that life brings.

This is Margo Lane's first published poetry collection.

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2021

About the author

Margo Lane is the (mostly) secret pen name of a 32-year-old poet who has recently self-diagnosed herself with ADHD, still hasn’t gone on a first date, and laments her all-or-nothing mindset on a daily, if not hourly, basis. She teaches high school English when she’s not writing sad poetry, loves to travel, and has recently begun work on a series of novels which may or may not make her actually famous one day. She loves a lot, even when it hurts, but she’s never been in love before.

You can find Margo on Instagram and Facebook at @margolanepoetry.

Reviews

[Natalie Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!! It describes feelings that I never thought could be put into words. I also really appreciate that this collection emphasizes on the fact that, though a romantic partner can be a wonderful part of your life, there are many other things in life that contribute to true happiness and satisfaction. Life is more than romance, but it is also more than fleeting glances, Christmas lights, the embraces of family and loved ones. Life is infinate choices, infinite possibilities, and many wonderful small things all in one.Thank you Margo Lane! Your journey to 29 is truly inspiring💜

[Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, when my DEAR DEAR friend told me she published her first poetry collection I was thrilled! And then I dropped the ball and didn't read it for nearly a year. And I am so mad at myself for it.

Margo is so real, raw, authentic, vulnerable in her writing. She is able to romanticize loneliness in a way that is so heartbreakingly beautiful. Her references to classic literature brings forth her experiences and the classic characters to life.

I'm in love with this book. I'm inspired. I'm in awe. If I could rate this more than 5 starts, I absolutely would!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry collection was a little addictive, a lot relatable, and an overall delight. I highlighted way too many passages and, although I didn't mean to finish it all in one sitting, every time I set it aside to do something else, I was pulled back to it. I'm not typically a poetry person, but this bittersweet, feminist, hopeless romantic of a book is easily one of my favorite collections I've read. Long live Margo Lane

My favorites: 12.30, 9.17, 10.05, 10.31, 12.07

[Sheryl Reaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional book of poetry taking you through the life of a young woman. Raw feelings and emotions pull at your heart strings as you read one page after another because you can’t put the book down. As I turned each page I found myself in the story…. Looking, hoping, dreaming ♥️