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Serenity: Poems
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Poetry (2022)Soft spoken yet powerful, Serenity perfectly captures the constant battle of fear and courage that lives within us.
The seeds of Serenity were planted in F.S. Yousaf’s last collection of poetry, Sincerely. Struck by inspiration and overwhelmed by the response of dedicated fans, Yousaf wanted to continue this journey in a new collection. While tales of longing, uncertainty, and loss flow through each poem, Yousaf artfully captures the eternal question of how to face pain with courage and quiet resilience.
Featuring 140 poems and accompanying illustrations, Serenity is the perfect escape from daily life, helping readers refocus energy and kindness toward themselves and their cherished relationships.
The seeds of Serenity were planted in F.S. Yousaf’s last collection of poetry, Sincerely. Struck by inspiration and overwhelmed by the response of dedicated fans, Yousaf wanted to continue this journey in a new collection. While tales of longing, uncertainty, and loss flow through each poem, Yousaf artfully captures the eternal question of how to face pain with courage and quiet resilience.
Featuring 140 poems and accompanying illustrations, Serenity is the perfect escape from daily life, helping readers refocus energy and kindness toward themselves and their cherished relationships.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
112 people are currently reading
11463 people want to read
About the author
F.S. Yousaf
6 books412 followersF.S. Yousaf is a poet and writer from New Jersey. He is the author of five poetry collections, and finds himself writing about many topics—most notably about love, spirituality, and boyhood. He has a Bachelors in History and Secondary Education and is getting his MFA in Creative Writing from William Paterson University.
His forthcoming poetry collection is titled ‘Euphoria’, and will be published Fall 2025.
Stay connected with F.S. Yousaf for daily updates through Instagram (@fs.yousaf).
His forthcoming poetry collection is titled ‘Euphoria’, and will be published Fall 2025.
Stay connected with F.S. Yousaf for daily updates through Instagram (@fs.yousaf).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
September 26, 2023
Many sleepless nights and Red Bulls went into this book so I (personally, unbiased opinion obv) think its great.
January 22, 2022
Thank you, Andrews McMeel and the author, for providing me with an advance reading copy of the poetry collection.
I am a huge fan of Rupi Kaur and Amanda Lovelace. I find this collection in similar veins with their writing and content.
I really needed more of such poetry collections and suddenly I get to read this collection for which I am so grateful!
The book is divided into three main sections (acceptance, hope and tranquility) which I feel we can choose which section to choose on a particular day we pick up the book to read. Which I did today.
Love the expressions used. Love the simple yet personal lines. They are quite relatable.
Another highlight would be the sketches which I find quite refreshing and related to the emotions described in each part.
I will be looking forward to read all the books by the author. A new favourite!
I am a huge fan of Rupi Kaur and Amanda Lovelace. I find this collection in similar veins with their writing and content.
I really needed more of such poetry collections and suddenly I get to read this collection for which I am so grateful!
The book is divided into three main sections (acceptance, hope and tranquility) which I feel we can choose which section to choose on a particular day we pick up the book to read. Which I did today.
Love the expressions used. Love the simple yet personal lines. They are quite relatable.
Another highlight would be the sketches which I find quite refreshing and related to the emotions described in each part.
I will be looking forward to read all the books by the author. A new favourite!
January 5, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Serenity is a book of poems which are emotional and moving and of which I found vert relatable. This I'd the first book of poetry by F S Yousaf that I have read and I will be looking to read more.
The book itself is sectioned in to three parts - Acceptance, hope and Tranquility. I read this book cover to cover and enjoyed every page. The scattering of illustrations through the book were simple yet detailed and matched well to the poems they accompanied.
If your looking for simplistic, moving and heartfelt poetry, definitely check this book out.
Serenity is a book of poems which are emotional and moving and of which I found vert relatable. This I'd the first book of poetry by F S Yousaf that I have read and I will be looking to read more.
The book itself is sectioned in to three parts - Acceptance, hope and Tranquility. I read this book cover to cover and enjoyed every page. The scattering of illustrations through the book were simple yet detailed and matched well to the poems they accompanied.
If your looking for simplistic, moving and heartfelt poetry, definitely check this book out.
November 29, 2022
You know those inspirational or poignant plaques you can get at Target and hang on your wall if you haven't got any other art to use? Think "Live, laugh, love" but a bit longer than that?
This is an entire book of poetry that would make great plaques. Take that as you will.
This is an entire book of poetry that would make great plaques. Take that as you will.
December 9, 2022
Another reviewer compared this to Rupi Kaur as a positive - I would completely agree with the comparison, but unfortunately for me that's not the type of poetry that grabs me. Some of the longer ones here were better, but ultimately not a collection that I connected with.
January 27, 2022
“Perhaps you were once told that your voice does not matter- you learned to strap a collar on it holding it back even when you did not have to” I could feel every emotion in this book so deeply, even the ones I have yet to experience. My favorite thing about the authors writing is how impactful his words are even when his words are soft and tender. It’s like a breathe of fresh air reading this book and it is so relatable!!!
October 4, 2023
full of sweet longing.
January 29, 2022
Rating: 4.25 🌟
First and foremost, I'd like to express my gratitude to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this poetry book.
The major reason that take me quite long to finish this ebook was only that I sought to linger over each as well as every poetry in it since it's so brilliant. The author had written about something we all go through at some point in our lives, and it impacts us differently.
February 14, 2022
Wow, just wow.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an Arc to this poetry collection!
It was really good I must say. Some of the poems hit way to close to home and many made me cry a little bit. With others I couldn't really connect since I haven't live through anything like that or neither been in love, but F.S. Yousaf has an impactful writing style so almost all of them made me feel something. The stanzas we're also great and I enjoy how the author doesn't use complex words but still manages to make it unique and beautiful to read. I didn't give this a full 5 star because I thought that some poems felt a little bit repetitive in my opinion.
Overall this is a great poetry collection but beware that you may need some tissues while reading it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an Arc to this poetry collection!
It was really good I must say. Some of the poems hit way to close to home and many made me cry a little bit. With others I couldn't really connect since I haven't live through anything like that or neither been in love, but F.S. Yousaf has an impactful writing style so almost all of them made me feel something. The stanzas we're also great and I enjoy how the author doesn't use complex words but still manages to make it unique and beautiful to read. I didn't give this a full 5 star because I thought that some poems felt a little bit repetitive in my opinion.
Overall this is a great poetry collection but beware that you may need some tissues while reading it.
December 8, 2021
This is definitely one of my favorite poetry books about love. This is on par with Rupi Kaur in my opinion. Simple yet moving and emotional poems that remind you of first love, feeling secure, hope, and much more. The book is split into three sections. You don't have to read it in order, maybe choose the one that calls to you the most first: acceptance, hope, and tranquility. I want to buy this book to keep it in my collection. Every word just felt so /right/ and the perfect capture of love. I can't get enough of this book!
March 24, 2022
***ARC***
this is the best and most beautiful contemporary poetry book I’ve read in my life!
serenity will be held close to my heart because I’ve never felt this represented through a poetry book.
the first chapter is about love and the way it is described is utterly beautiful, it warms you heart just like these good old romcoms books I love to read so much.
the second chapter was about acceptance, how do you do when you feel like you are not holding anymore and melancholy, depression and anxiety become a grey cloud over your sun. i related to that chapter the most!
the third chapter was about coming to term with yourself, you’ve aknowledge now it’s time to grow and become the best version you can be.
This book is about so many things, important things we all mostly go through. you can feel the heart of the author speaking and it’s aching but beautiful
ive preordered a copy bc I need this book in time of need to comfort myself
thank you for netgalley for allowing me to read this book and give an honest opinion
5♾
this is the best and most beautiful contemporary poetry book I’ve read in my life!
serenity will be held close to my heart because I’ve never felt this represented through a poetry book.
the first chapter is about love and the way it is described is utterly beautiful, it warms you heart just like these good old romcoms books I love to read so much.
the second chapter was about acceptance, how do you do when you feel like you are not holding anymore and melancholy, depression and anxiety become a grey cloud over your sun. i related to that chapter the most!
the third chapter was about coming to term with yourself, you’ve aknowledge now it’s time to grow and become the best version you can be.
This book is about so many things, important things we all mostly go through. you can feel the heart of the author speaking and it’s aching but beautiful
ive preordered a copy bc I need this book in time of need to comfort myself
thank you for netgalley for allowing me to read this book and give an honest opinion
5♾
December 10, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This poetry collection is brilliant. I didn't enjoy that much the first part ''acceptance'', but the last two were great. I loved the poems of the second part ''hope'' where you can read about how it is sometimes important to wait in order to find yourself again. You should be patient, but also learn how to put yourself first and start loving yourself more.
My favourite poems are ''Dear: Me'', ''You will find yourself'' and ''Glory of spare moments''.
It's really a good collection, I would recommend it!
This poetry collection is brilliant. I didn't enjoy that much the first part ''acceptance'', but the last two were great. I loved the poems of the second part ''hope'' where you can read about how it is sometimes important to wait in order to find yourself again. You should be patient, but also learn how to put yourself first and start loving yourself more.
My favourite poems are ''Dear: Me'', ''You will find yourself'' and ''Glory of spare moments''.
It's really a good collection, I would recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2021
A proper eview to come soon. I need to compose myself first. I feel like I'm finally understood after reading this.. I need a moment to process. Absolutely beautiful. Incredible. Impeccable. Stunning. Brilliant. Heart warming. Gentle. Kind. Loving. Endearing. I genuinely feel like F.S. Yousaf read my life and then wrote a book of poems on it and I am utterly in love with what I just read. Wow. This warmed my heart in ways I didn't know I needed. Iv desperately needed this book. I feel validated.
February 7, 2022
This was an absolutely gorgeous collection of poems.
I cannot praise these high enough. There is a strong focus in relationships, both with oneself and with cherished ones.
Each poem was unique but they all tied together into one beautiful collection. All of the poems are short, but powerful.
I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of this book to read it again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I cannot praise these high enough. There is a strong focus in relationships, both with oneself and with cherished ones.
Each poem was unique but they all tied together into one beautiful collection. All of the poems are short, but powerful.
I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of this book to read it again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 24, 2022
This collection of poems made me feel things. That’s what I think poetry should be. It elicits feelings from the reader. These poems did that so when I’d read a line I’d think, wow, that applies to my life. The poems were aptly titled and the way the poems embodied their titles reminded me of when a teacher would say to define a word without using the word in the definition. It all just made sense as the poem progressed. Definitely worth the read and it is so beautiful.
January 15, 2022
Another great collection by F.S. Yousaf about love and life! Yousaf's style is so eloquent yet simple, which I love about his work. The poems about self-doubt resonated most with me, although many topics are covered in this beautiful book. Also, the cover is stunning.
January 29, 2023
Čia ta poezija, skirta keverzoti ant popierinių kavos puodelių ir viešų tualetų sienų. Dar ji man priminė beveik be klaidų rašyti mokančių vyrų, apsimetančių didžiais poetais, Instagram'o įrašus, po kuriais dūsauja sekėjos, nes "labai gražu ir gilu" 🥰.
March 1, 2022
3.5/★★★★★
January 16, 2024
Know that the sunrise looks different every day
February 19, 2022
These poems really spoke to me! I loved how it felt like the poet actually laid themselves bare. I highly recommend! OUT MARCH 1st!!!
February 13, 2024
This was such a beautiful and deep feeling collection of poetry! The expression of feeling and experience through word, is a stunning example of art!
May 18, 2023
4.5⭐️
Healing, captivating, & beautiful <3 Read that very fast while quite literally tearing up at certain points. I wish it was longer, because it felt too short & I wanted to read a bit more. Loved the first section very much, it was my favorite of the three.
“You saw me broken, weak, and in a place I had never been. Yet, you stayed through it all.”
“How remarkable is it that beautiful, vibrant days, always follow gloomy ones. We are constantly reminded that the good parts in life will always outshine the bad.”
Healing, captivating, & beautiful <3 Read that very fast while quite literally tearing up at certain points. I wish it was longer, because it felt too short & I wanted to read a bit more. Loved the first section very much, it was my favorite of the three.
“You saw me broken, weak, and in a place I had never been. Yet, you stayed through it all.”
“How remarkable is it that beautiful, vibrant days, always follow gloomy ones. We are constantly reminded that the good parts in life will always outshine the bad.”
February 23, 2022
Honestly, while this was beautiful, this was definitely not my favorite poetry book. It truly felt like it lacked something, there were emotions running through the words, however I felt no emotion from the author. It felt like Yousaf was pouring their heart and emotions out onto the page, but I felt none of that while reading.
The author obviously went through love and loss, it just did not seem that genuine to me that they seemed particularly upset over that loss. Like me, they seemed pretty “meh” about it. That’s pretty much how I felt while reading it. It was very well written, and I’ve seen a lot of praise for it, I don’t know, it just wasn’t my cup of tea, perhaps.
The author obviously went through love and loss, it just did not seem that genuine to me that they seemed particularly upset over that loss. Like me, they seemed pretty “meh” about it. That’s pretty much how I felt while reading it. It was very well written, and I’ve seen a lot of praise for it, I don’t know, it just wasn’t my cup of tea, perhaps.
March 3, 2023
With all respect to the author.
This work feels a bit blend. Personally, the words didn't hit and the content of the poems was plain.
When I'm reading poetry, I want it to stand out. I want it to be bold, trigger me, enchant me. I want it to slap me in the face with an opinion or I want to be able to resonate with the words, slide into a trance. I want poetry to take me on a journey. Sadly, Serenity does no such things. It stays on the surface of the topics it touches without profiling itself. No nice play with words. All sentences seem to blend together into a goop with no distinct flavor.
I did not find a connection with this book. Hence the rating.
This work feels a bit blend. Personally, the words didn't hit and the content of the poems was plain.
When I'm reading poetry, I want it to stand out. I want it to be bold, trigger me, enchant me. I want it to slap me in the face with an opinion or I want to be able to resonate with the words, slide into a trance. I want poetry to take me on a journey. Sadly, Serenity does no such things. It stays on the surface of the topics it touches without profiling itself. No nice play with words. All sentences seem to blend together into a goop with no distinct flavor.
I did not find a connection with this book. Hence the rating.
March 3, 2024
Ok, it's very sweet and spice and everything nice. But, unfortunately, I was here (in the poetry part of the world I mean) for YEARNING. It's just not what I wanted. And what I wanted was to feel bad about my loneliness, not to feel sated because someone is happy to be in love, argh (no offence to happy people)
Read
July 28, 2023there were a couple of nice poems but i felt like i was reading the same thing all over and over again.
January 7, 2024
My second best read this year ❤️
December 9, 2021
I am jealous of the speaker and their undying love for whoever “you” is! *cries in singleness*
I like how there’s a contrast between the honeyed words of being in love and the bitterness of an inability to accept or love one’s own self. I like how both elements balance each other out in the first part aptly titled Acceptance. The first section has a “me and you holding onto a rope, I keep trying to let go but you keep me tethered” sort of vibe.
I really like the second part of Hope too, I think there’s something in everyone that longs for some kind of hope. So it’s cool to see this personified through poetry. I love that there was a longer prose poem (glory of spare moments) and I like how this poetry book does not undermine the importance of talking about both the lovey-dovey parts of life and the equally disastrous despairing side.
(in tow) I love that one. I love how the writer manages to capture emotion in poems that are quite short.
(reasons) is beautiful and inspiring too. Sometimes it is in those who experience what we have before that we can reach out to and show love and care to. I like how this book is representative of what serenity looks like to the poet/author. It’s a really beautiful collection overall. I also love the explanations in italics before each section starts.
The illustrations really suit the poems, and I wish there were more!
I love how expressive these poems were, but also thinking to a wider audience how would they also be able to relate to this book too? Not saying that poetry should be written just to share it with many people, but on the other hand, I do think the appeal of poems, in general, can lessen at times because:
a) boredom
b) lack of comprehension
c) unrelatable content
So it would be great to see how the poet continues to explore and address these concerns. As not everyone relates to having someone to be intimately acquainted with, whether romantically or not, just thinking out loud that maybe instead of one whole section filled with the same tone and theme there could be more variation.
I understand the creative direction of Serenity and want more people to love this book too so I still would give this a 5-star rating! Keep it up and well done to the production team and everyone involved in the making of Serenity.
I like how there’s a contrast between the honeyed words of being in love and the bitterness of an inability to accept or love one’s own self. I like how both elements balance each other out in the first part aptly titled Acceptance. The first section has a “me and you holding onto a rope, I keep trying to let go but you keep me tethered” sort of vibe.
I really like the second part of Hope too, I think there’s something in everyone that longs for some kind of hope. So it’s cool to see this personified through poetry. I love that there was a longer prose poem (glory of spare moments) and I like how this poetry book does not undermine the importance of talking about both the lovey-dovey parts of life and the equally disastrous despairing side.
(in tow) I love that one. I love how the writer manages to capture emotion in poems that are quite short.
(reasons) is beautiful and inspiring too. Sometimes it is in those who experience what we have before that we can reach out to and show love and care to. I like how this book is representative of what serenity looks like to the poet/author. It’s a really beautiful collection overall. I also love the explanations in italics before each section starts.
The illustrations really suit the poems, and I wish there were more!
I love how expressive these poems were, but also thinking to a wider audience how would they also be able to relate to this book too? Not saying that poetry should be written just to share it with many people, but on the other hand, I do think the appeal of poems, in general, can lessen at times because:
a) boredom
b) lack of comprehension
c) unrelatable content
So it would be great to see how the poet continues to explore and address these concerns. As not everyone relates to having someone to be intimately acquainted with, whether romantically or not, just thinking out loud that maybe instead of one whole section filled with the same tone and theme there could be more variation.
I understand the creative direction of Serenity and want more people to love this book too so I still would give this a 5-star rating! Keep it up and well done to the production team and everyone involved in the making of Serenity.
February 26, 2022
Five stars - absolutely zero complaints.
Do you ever read something and think "okay, so we know our phones stalk us, but how did this book know exactly what I've been going through lately?" Because I just did reading this book. It didn't take long either. I was hooked from "All my life I've been searching for this - Acceptance & Love". Like, seriously? I feel attacked.
This collection is completely and totally relatable. I found myself having to pause, and reread some of the passages more than once on a number of occasions because of how completely relevant they are to my life right here and now. I'd recommend this for anyone, because I think feeling that longing of love (regardless of the type of love it is) is applicable to anyone. But for myself and anyone else in a complicated or long distance romantic relationship, I think this will shout to you from the pages.
I would compare this to the lovechild or middle sibling of Courtney Peppernell and R.H. Sin with maybe a splash of Yung Pueblo. If you liked any of their collections I would absolutely tell you to rush out and get a copy of this one.
How I missed Yousaf as an author despite my almost fangirl adoration for all things published by Andrews McMeel is astonishing. I'm definitely on way way to collect ever poetry book the man's ever written. Thank you so much for the advanced copy, and thank you to the author for these amazing poems.
(ps, the cover art is stunning. S T U N N I N G)
Do you ever read something and think "okay, so we know our phones stalk us, but how did this book know exactly what I've been going through lately?" Because I just did reading this book. It didn't take long either. I was hooked from "All my life I've been searching for this - Acceptance & Love". Like, seriously? I feel attacked.
This collection is completely and totally relatable. I found myself having to pause, and reread some of the passages more than once on a number of occasions because of how completely relevant they are to my life right here and now. I'd recommend this for anyone, because I think feeling that longing of love (regardless of the type of love it is) is applicable to anyone. But for myself and anyone else in a complicated or long distance romantic relationship, I think this will shout to you from the pages.
I would compare this to the lovechild or middle sibling of Courtney Peppernell and R.H. Sin with maybe a splash of Yung Pueblo. If you liked any of their collections I would absolutely tell you to rush out and get a copy of this one.
How I missed Yousaf as an author despite my almost fangirl adoration for all things published by Andrews McMeel is astonishing. I'm definitely on way way to collect ever poetry book the man's ever written. Thank you so much for the advanced copy, and thank you to the author for these amazing poems.
(ps, the cover art is stunning. S T U N N I N G)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews