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It’s Fine, It’s Fine, It’s Fine: It’s Not

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A raw, honest and heartfelt poetry collection from Taz Alam – for the tough times, the great times, and everything in between. Depressed, but it’s fine . Anxious, but it’s fine . Heartbroken, but it’s fine . When you’re ready to embrace how you really feel,
I hope this book helps you connect, reflect, and be seen. What matters is that you’re here. Maybe we can be fine, together .

276 pages, Hardcover

Published January 4, 2022

40 people are currently reading
491 people want to read

About the author

Taz Alam

2 books38 followers
Taz Alam is a Welsh poet, YouTube star, and social media influencer. She is better known by her social media moniker, ClickForTaz. She has gained fame for her spoken word poetry and “Taz Talks” YouTube videos. A native of Cardiff, Taz had a turbulent childhood and grew up with a lot of insecurities. She graduated with a law degree but did not initially know what she wanted to do with her life. However, she did not have any alternative plans either. Eventually, she found out about spoken word poetry. After she composed her first poem and published it online, she garnered a loyal group of audience. In time, that group grew exponentially and she, in turn, experienced personal growth as well, learning the art of filming, editing, writing, performing, and speaking at a public event. She created her YouTube channel in October 2012 and started posting videos soon after. Her initial videos, including vlogs and challenge videos, were on a variety of themes. In October 2015, she uploaded her first poetry video. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most prominent poets on YouTube and has accumulated several thousands of subscribers and millions of views. Taz is popular on other social media platforms as well.

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5 stars
172 (44%)
4 stars
133 (34%)
3 stars
58 (14%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Maheen Sughra.
33 reviews6 followers
Want to read
September 14, 2021
So excited for this book! Taz is one of my favorite YouTubers who has saved me and provided me comfort. She deserves this the most <3 PROUD OF YOU TAZ
Profile Image for Karla.
31 reviews22 followers
March 19, 2022
This book me so long to read it beacuse i didnt want it to end. But today i found courage to end it.
No words can describe how good this book is and how incredibly proud and thankfull i am for Taz.
Thank you for everything and yeah❤
Profile Image for Tina .
375 reviews55 followers
August 18, 2022
I want to read this book until the end of my life, over and over again. It's relatable whether you feel good, bad, something in-between or you don't even know how you feel.
Taz really wrote down her true feelings. Getting better isn't a linear path, it's a roller-coaster.

Plus, we have tons of quotes that I love. Some of them are here:

"Real happiness comes from
You being you"

"Confidence isn't feeling great
When life's perfect
Confidence is believing in myself
When I have nothing"

"You shouldn't stop chasing the dream
Just because the roads aren't clear"

"Life doesn't have to be one linear path, it can be a mixture"

"Life's too short to hide who you are"
Profile Image for Penny Quotes.
84 reviews36 followers
September 9, 2022
I absolutely adored this book! A collection of deeply honest poems written by Click for Taz herself. I must confess, I only recently discovered Click for Taz on Youtube. She instantly charmed me with her self-deprecating humour and abundant energy. She keeps it very real on her channel, the same can be said for this book.

The book is divided into various categories, with the first half focusing on darker topics and the second half having a more positive vibe. I found myself relating so hard to this book. And I truly felt seen. Such is the power of poetry. I find that poetry is such an intimate art form, laying bare a poet’s feelings for everyone else to see. Once you read this book, dare I say you will have a good glimpse into the mind of Taz.

Others have commented on the simplistic style of the poems, but that was definitely a plus point for me! While I love me a good Wordsworth or Frost, sometimes they can feel inaccessible for audiences not deeply fond of reading poetry. Contemporary poetry has found it’s place in social media through Rupi Kaur and others, as it provides poetry in a more palatable style for the current generation. I do not think there is anything wrong with this as it encourages more people to read the often-underappreciated art form of poetry. I would gift this book to anyone new to poetry as it is a perfect foray into this world.

Overall, an incredibly well-written and vulnerable collection of poems. I am looking forward to re-reading this in years to come. A perfect pick-me up for anyone going through a tough time.

Most Memorable Quote:
“I find it hard to truly let people in, so I create versions of myself people like to see. I’ve played charades my whole life, so I no longer know what it means to be me.”

Review also on (my blog)

Love,
Penny Quotes

Penny Quotes - A Penny for your Quotes
Profile Image for Paulina ෂ.
701 reviews
January 16, 2024
Qué cosa tan aburrida y simplista.

Claramente no sé de poética como algún experto en literatura podría notar, pero incluso así y con lo poco que he leído del género, me sentí estafada leyendo estos ¿poemas? A ver, que me sentía leyendo la app de notas de una persona cualquiera.

Sí había temas interesantes pero la manera de escribir no distaba mucho de una lista de compras del supermercado. Además que se volvía repetitivo hasta el cansancio y por lo mismo, aburrido y gris.

Siento que bien varios de sus versos pudieron venir en tazas de café conmemorativas, en un tablero de pinterest o en un post it.
17 reviews
December 30, 2022
The first thing about this book that struck me was the realization of how free verse works. I've always felt intimidated by the thought of forcing my thoughts to a jamb. Taz showed me that you actually do not have to.
The second thing that struck me down completely was how accurate the heading was. Never before has a book touched me so deeply, vibrated in accord with the strings of my soul, let me see myself so clearly. Taz pushed me on a path of painful discoveries, unveilings, acceptance and growth.
A great book to start the long road of accepting things I cannot change, finding strength to bring about change where I can and gaining wisdom to tell the two apart.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
13 reviews
December 9, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️.
Honestly it’s decent. A lot of the poems are painfully relatable, and I loved the array of topics covered. Just the way some of the rhymes seemed forced and the lack of creativity in using different poetry techniques left me a little bored. I also understand that the vocabulary was simple so as to appeal to a broader audience so I haven’t judged it for that but I do think it could have been a lot more satisfying at some points.
A great introduction to poetry, this would make a great gift to a younger audience to maybe inspire them to write their own poems. Taz’s style is quite similar to a lot of other contemporary poetry and it’s clear (at least to me) that some of these poems are meant to be read out loud to truly feel the passion and emotion, which I personally loved.
I think Taz has a lot to say and I’m hoping she continues to write and learn about styles of poetry!
Profile Image for &#x1f336; peppersocks &#x1f9e6;.
1,522 reviews24 followers
November 22, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
“Am I scared? Absolutely petrified… but not as scared as living, and never feeling alive”

Yes, life is scary, twisty and weird, and this recognises that we all need a bit of comfort here and there… Lovely stuff - intrigued to see more from the author

“It seems like everyone is seeing connection but no one is willing to be vulnerable…everyone wants to feel close, but no one is willing to do the work to get to a place where they feel comfortable…”
6 reviews
August 15, 2025
Poetry is meant to trigger emotions and feelings. From that aspect, this poetry collection is extremely successful. I definitely felt something, but if I had to label it, I would call it disdain. Disdain towards myself, who thought that the specific collection would “widen my horizons” or “alter my brain chemistry”— epithets people often use, or rather abuse in an attempt to sound profound.

I first started reading this book at 15, when my anger towards everything and everyone was so pent up, I would most probably have had related to physics textbooks and convinced myself my “original experience” of being angry was perfectly illustrated within its pages about Newton’s Laws. Had I finished reading this within two months of starting it, judging from my endless annotations on its margins, I would have loved it. Provided, of course, that I was provoked by a poem like the following: “am I scared?/ absolutely terrified./ but not as scared as living/ and never feeling alone.” So, yes, back then I was the perfect target audience, along with (I imagine) 50-year-old men going through a divorce and a midlife crisis, housewives in the 1950s who couldn’t care less about self-improvement but wanted to seem cultured, and frat-bros/ gym-rats who like to think of themselves as “woke” but are inherently shallow. Having finished this collection at 17 going on 18 years old, I can confidently say that a mathematician could write similar, if not better, poetry about equations.

To be fair, I understand that the YouTuber, who composed the poems at hand, has a large following and is considered one of the first content creators who openly addressed mental health. I am in no way dismissing the importance of mental wellbeing and her work. However, do I think that this is probably one of the first poetry collections that belong in the “Notes App” genre? Most definitely. Do I also think that it should have stayed in the poet’s Notes app? Most fervently. In my opinion, it is repetitive throughout the sections, has little literary substance, and could have been a self-help book in prose form. Apart from a few rhymes, epistrophes, and anaphors, the only detail that distinguishes the poems from paragraphs is the poet’s recurring urge to hit the “enter” key and simulate what could have been otherwise described as enjambment.

All in all, 255 pages of superficial and repetitive poems seem redundant to me. Frankly, this wasn’t as “life-changing” as the publishers probably thought it would be. Their target audience was probably millennials. The ones who peaked in high school and are struggling to find their place in the modern world.
Profile Image for ✨️ Louise  Allen ✨️.
160 reviews
October 16, 2025
A raw, resonant triumph—this poetry collection gave me the courage to reclaim my voice and live unapologetically.

Taz Alam’s - It’s Fine, It’s Fine, It’s Fine, It’s Not is a searing, beautifully constructed collection that speaks directly to the heart of anyone who’s ever been gaslit, dismissed, or told to “just get on with it.” It’s not just poetry—it’s protest, prayer, and personal reckoning. Alam’s voice is unflinching, her rhythm deliberate, and her message clear: survival is sacred, and self-worth is non-negotiable.

The poem “Not My Responsibility” was a revelation. It arrived like a shield, just when I needed it most. After nearly three years of stalking and harassment from my neighbour—being told how I should live, when to sleep, what I should wear, how I should look, how I should behave—I was exhausted. I’d spent too long trying to appease, trying to shrink myself into something palatable. But Alam’s words reminded me that I am not here to be anyone’s ideal. I am not here to be managed, moulded, or monitored. That poem didn’t just resonate—it roared. It gave me permission to stop caring what they think. I’m living for me now. And if they don’t like it? They can take it up with the greatest psychiatrist in the world—God.

Alam’s poetry is both fierce and tender. She writes with the clarity of someone who’s lived through it, and the compassion of someone who wants you to live through it too. Her work doesn’t offer easy answers—it offers truth. And in a world that so often demands silence from those who suffer, that truth is revolutionary.

The structure of the collection is deceptively simple: a repeated refrain of “It’s fine” that slowly unravels, revealing the emotional weight beneath the words. It’s a clever device, mirroring the way so many of us mask our pain with politeness. By the time we reach “It’s Not,” the release is palpable. It’s not just a shift in tone—it’s a declaration of self.

Whether read in quiet solitude or aloud like a manifesto, this book is cathartic. It’s for the ones who’ve been told to smile through the storm. It’s for the ones who’ve been watched, judged, and worn down. It’s for the ones who’ve had enough.

I’m already looking forward to whatever Alam writes next. If this collection is anything to go by, she’s not just writing poetry—she’s writing survival, resistance, and radical self-love. And I’ll be here for every word.
❤️✨️🪷
Profile Image for Annie.
503 reviews
July 19, 2022
I want to see my potential.
I want to live my best days.
I want to feel everything there is to feel.


To be honest, I didn't know Taz Alam before picking up this book. I was in Paris, in Shakespeare & Co (yes, that was on top of my to do list for Paris. I'm a basic bookworm, sue me), looking for a book to buy that just felt right . I had actually already picked up a collection of poems from E.E. Cummings due to the quote that is printed at the beginning of I'll Give you the Sun I've always wanted to read something by E.E. Cummings when this book, especially its' title, catched my eye. It's just very me, to be honest. I always say I am fine until I can no longer pretend I am.
When I opened the book to take a look inside, the very first poem I read (I sadly do not remember which one it was anymore) made me tear up. Because I felt so seen. Because it described everything I've gone through the last couple of months. Honestly, that was my mind made up to also buy this book even though I only wanted to buy one because when a book makes you tear up on the very first page you read, you buy it. It's a no brainer.
Since then I've read a couple more poems and most of them (not all, because that would be unrealistic) feel like I've written them myself (even though I can't write poetry and especially not poetry like Taz Alam).
I will admit, I haven't read all of the poems yet because I want to savour it and open it up when I feel like I need it most. However, I am already 100% sure that I am going to give this five stars so why wait right?

We only get one chance at life,
we owe it to ourselves to at least try,
Yeah we could sink and fail,
but maybe...
just maybe ....
We can fly.
Profile Image for K Raymond.
13 reviews
November 30, 2024
I'm sorry - I really enjoy Taz's content, but I didn't love this collection of poetry. I actually have chosen not to finish the book, which is something I rarely do.

I'm completely of the belief that poetry is such a personal thing, therefore there is no single standardised way to read, enjoy, or write it. So, I hold no resentment to anybody who enjoys this type of poetry, but it definitely is not for me. And that's okay.

I found a lot of the poems to be a little superficial feeling. They felt like they were trying to be deep, without ever actually going there. They felt very reminiscent of tumblr posts, edited collages on instagram/pinterest from 2014, or perhaps an edgy quote written on a mug.

My biggest issue was actually the syntax and use of poetic techniques. I found the pacing to be particularly odd at times, as if it didn't match the overall tone of the message of the poem. For instance, there is a poem about not being mentally well that is written as if Dr Seuss wrote it; almost boppy, and yet this dissonance does not seem intentional. On this same line of thought, I also found the seemingly random rhyming schemes to be distracting. Throughout the poems it was common to see a stanza (or several) rhyme like a children's book, and then completely drop off mid-poem to not rhyming at all. And while I believe that is a technique that can be done very effectively, in almost all of these poems I didn't think it added anything; all it did was make them harder to read.

As I said before, poetry is a personal thing, so its very clear that there is an audience for poetry like this (especially from all the positive reviews). I just couldn't connect with it.

I really hope Taz continues to write more poetry, as I would be curious to check out her future work! Over time a poet's style often changes, so I think there is a good chance I could grow to like her poetry later on :)
Profile Image for Emonmiahh.
122 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2024
It’s fine, It’s Fine, It’s Fine, (It’s Not) by Taz Alam

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I recently became a fan at the end of last year of [tag author] YouTube channel and vlogs. A British Bengali Spoken Word artist who has a multifaceted life and unique style which entranced me so much that I needed her book! And to my surprise (not), I loved it! Especially the ‘Misunderstood’ segment! I felt so seen and heard.

The illustrations were so well drawn. I kept on being jealous of Shamima’s (the illustrator credited in the acknowledgments) that I couldn’t draw as well and it kind of defeated the purpose of the book by comparing myself to it, so I’ll rephrase it by saying that I was inspired!

In my head as I was reading, it helped being such a fan of ClickForTaz as I was reading it with her voice in mind and it elevated the book! That’s the only reason why I gave it the rating I did haha; whilst I’m a fan of hers and I love her poetry and spoken word videos, the only reason why I gave it 3 stars is that I’m not sure if it worked as well as her videos do, as you lose the delivery of the beautiful text. I’m sure it’s just me though as it was a great read nonetheless, but only because I read it in her voice.

I’d hate to read this not knowing who Taz was and what she was about, her way of speaking and mesmerising her viewers with how she delivers the extracts or poems. But I really do think it’s just me as I, nonetheless, loved the way this book made me feel when i finished it; feeling more me, grounded, seen and heard. I definitely recommend reading it and checking her socials out.

Created for bookish instagram: Brownfont x
Profile Image for aqilahreads.
650 reviews62 followers
September 25, 2022
quite a decent poetry collection to read especially when you are having a tough time or generally struggling with mental health. ✨ ⁣

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. as a reader who reads poetry often, these poems felt typical and repetitive at some parts; i was kinda able to expect what kind of poems would come. 😅 but its really comforting to know that we are not alone in the highs and lows of life. and that, its important to take a moment & dont be so hard on ourselves. 💚⁣

generally makes a great book to pick up anytime to read a poem or two; as readers might be feeling a lot of emotions at once if its to be read in one sitting - i felt like that was what i was going through at least :') its also random to see some illustrations here and there lol its not consistent but its beautiful to look at. 😍⁣

glad to read something relatable once in awhile. ⁣
Profile Image for Katie.
14 reviews
January 5, 2022
I don't normally read poem books but I got this one as a present as I am obsessed with watching Taz's videos on YouTube.

The thing I love about this books is that it is very inspiring and relatable. There are points made that make you question yourself and make you wonder if your treating yourself as best as you possibly can. Which sometimes can be healthy and other times it just has you picking out bits and wondering if your doing things right. But overall I love all the drawings and how every poem is worded. You can tell a lot of time and effort has been put into the book and into the poems.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves poems, needs some motivation or either has mental health issues or wants to understand the impact of them on a person.
Profile Image for Tomina.
217 reviews
January 14, 2022
I want to give this book a big old hug.

All the poems are so touching, beautifully written and just what I expected from Taz. ❤️ I love her videos, because I’m always striving to do similar things, facing your fears, positivity and following your dreams. The book covers all of that and more.

I’m just so proud of Taz! Such a great book! 🥺❤️

I read it on 2 sittings, but it can definitely be read in one. It’s super light in the best way possible.

I recommend this to everyone! I’m definitely gonna gift this to friends and family members.

Favourite poems:
• I hate myself (the poem I found Taz through on YouTube all those years ago)
• Balance
• Boundaries
• Keep on grinding
• Night time
• Prove them wrong

Profile Image for Syn :).
221 reviews13 followers
Read
April 11, 2022
I'm going to leave the rating blank on this one because I can't make up my mind as to how I felt. I haven't read a lot of poetry so I'm not sure how it compares, I thought it was a bit strange some of the words that were used. A whole poem would be filled with beautiful words and then others would have like slang conversation? There were a few sentences in there that were just like "man, stuff f*ing sucks", which is not what I was expecting. Ones like that just really weren't my style, but then again, there were a few in there that made me smile from ear to ear. I liked it overall, but, there were quite a few in the middle that just really didn't work for me. Ones things for sure though, I still think Taz is great and I hope she puts out more. :)
Profile Image for Loes Truijens.
81 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2023
It´s Fine, It´s Fine, It´s Fine, It´s Not is the first poetry book of Taz Alam, also known as the youtube ClickForTaz. I´ve been following Taz since she did poetry on youtube so you must understand my excitement when she announced this book was coming out. I didn't get around to reading it until recently.

This is an excellent book if you´re new to poetry, it´s easy but also heavy at times and really puts you think about yourself and your life. I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in a few hours. I´d love it if Taz would come out with a second book. I give this book 5 stars because how could I not?
Profile Image for Fadzli Jambari.
156 reviews13 followers
February 1, 2023
"How is it that you did all the damage
but I have to live with the pain?
And despite my best efforts
I can’t make these feelings
Go away."

This poetry collection was fine, I don’t feel too strongly about it. I feel poetry is either a hit or miss for me and this felt quite average imo. The main reason why I read this book was because I used to watch Taz’s videos on YouTube a lot and I was curious to see more of her introspective side. Quite a lot of relatable topics especially if you are in your 20s but some of the rhyming and formatting felt forced.
Profile Image for Powerispower.
46 reviews22 followers
November 29, 2021
Looking for food for thought? Nourishment for your aching soul? If you relate to Taz's anxiety (both real and performative) then you may find your fill here. This book will make some people cry. The words are put together well, sentences carefully crafted but the simplicity of vocabulary chosen leaves me a bit bored. There's no hot spice or rich sauce here. Just a plain bowl of steamed (Helen Steiner) Rice.
Profile Image for Katie.
365 reviews31 followers
April 21, 2025
This book was an emotional rollercoaster, which is why it took me a while to finish - despite its short length. I had to pace myself and take it in slowly. While I couldn’t relate to everything (and I count myself lucky for that), it was still incredibly easy to immerse myself in the poems. The structure, broken into thoughtful, well-organised chapters, made the emotional journey feel all the more powerful and intentional.
Profile Image for Tayla.
843 reviews11 followers
January 5, 2022
This got me multiple times. It hit on some topics very close to home and felt like my brain was being put onto paper. Please be careful if you read this while struggling mentally, I could see it being very challenging. However I adored it and I can see myself reading this again, hopefully in a better mental space where it doesn’t make me sob.
Profile Image for Laura Q..
19 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2022
I’ve already sent a copy to a friend who needs to understand that they are enough and are worthy of love. This is an inspiring collection that is ideal for anyone struggling with feeling lost or crushed under the weight of society’s expectations. I think a lot of young people would really benefit from reading this and I’m going to donate a few copies to my local community library
Profile Image for Francesca.
57 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2023
Un libro fin troppo profondo, illuminante e di self help.
Ci ho messo “tanto” tempo per leggerlo perché me lo sono letteralmente gustato, ed essendo una sorta di raccolta di poesie, non l’ho letto pagina per pagina “in ordine”, ma ho deciso di leggere la poesia dal titolo che mi ispirava in un determinato momento dell’ultimo anno in base a ciò che mi succedeva intorno e a cosa provavo.
117 reviews8 followers
December 26, 2023
Definetely the one that should be compulsory literature in schools - both for students and their parents. And for everyone else who are struggling with intrusive thoughts, confusion, mental health, choices in life and a lot more - it seems this book is a reflection of thoughts so many people (most of us) have or have had.
137 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2021
At the beginning i thought most of the poetry was banal, but keep reading and you'll see a great personal development of the author, in termes of writing, thinking and living! I loved it! I'm glad she wrote this inspiring book! Thank you Taz
Profile Image for Shannon.
379 reviews
January 1, 2022
1st read of 2022 . I love Taz so much, her videos and her personality so rawly encapture how it is to be in your twenties growing up
This book covers mental health, imposter syndrome, finding yourself as an adult and going forward with self love
Highly recommend
Profile Image for Mars.
2 reviews
January 15, 2022
i haven’t finished this book yet but it is absolutely beautiful, taz doesn’t make everything seem okay all the time. she tells you about how things aren’t always gonna be okay and that it’s okay. this book helps me realise issues i have and teaches me how to deal with it:)
12 reviews
July 21, 2023
This book came at a perfect time. I wanted something that was easy to read, and it was! A lot of the poems felt very relevant and relatable and made me feel things that made me smile during a boring day at work. I love the drawings in it and I wish there was more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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