This Time You Save Yourself

by Zara Bas, Pinnochi Jo (Illustrations)

An anthem to those who have been mistreated by the ones who should have held you tightest, This Time You Save Yourself speaks honeyed words to your inner child. Zara Bas's highly awaited second work compiles say-it-as-it-is messages, reassuring reminders and essays to help you reclaim the power you hadn't realised went missing.




Simple, raw and relatable, This Time You Save Yourself touches on themes of healing after trauma, power dynamics, rebuilding a sense of self and finding hope in the bleakest of times.

Genres: Poetry, Self Help

178 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2022

About the author

Zara Bas is a retired poetry author who formerly wrote on topics such as love, loss, grief, self-esteem, self-love and purpose.

Reviews

[Briney (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Miss Bas just picked apart my brain and detangled my feelings into such elegantly articulated affirmations is beyond me. This read like a warm & nurturing hug and it just got promoted to comfort reread status.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are they the best poems ever written? No
Are they particularly sophisticated? No
Did it make them less enjoyable? Not at all
Accessible and warming, this collection of poems feels easy to dip in and out of when needing a pick me up
Full of love, acceptance and healing, I think 15 year old me would have been in tears at more than a few. 25 year old me appreciates them for her ♥️

[Woman_with_a_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5 Sterne

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Regardless of what anyone might tell you two things remain true:
your pain is valid and you deserve to heal"

I needed this book.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic light but heavy read at the same time. Needed it alot and it really hit home. This will be a reread once I'm ready to rebuild.

[Shainakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many powerful poems in this book. Had me in tears. Beautiful.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep and powerful. 🖤

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to be of a certain spot in your mind and perception of yourself for this book to really resonate. Made me think about my own experiences and felt like a warm place.

[Charlotte Osman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inner voice I needed to feel when I couldn’t find it myself.

[Mia Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a few days ago i saw a prompt on my booksta explore page where you picture yourself walking into your younger selfs room and just sitting and talking to her. The only words that would come out of my mind were “i needed you”. after i finished writing, this book came up on my explore page and i took it as a sign. once revived i flipped to a random page and the poem said “you should have been there (i needed you)”. that was it. I highly suggest this book of poems as it made me feel not alone and i want to share it with everyone i can.

[Sasha Prabhakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book last year but didn’t get a chance to read it as I was going through a lot of changes last year. I came in terms with those changes and decided to give myself time by reading the book. Yes I cried and every word in it made sense. I regret not reading the book sooner because all of it makes sense. Honestly this book felt like a pat on the back saying ‘Hey, you got this!’ I’ve read so far two of the books and now I’ll move on to the next written by Zara. Also I would like recommend this book to everyone.

[Jim Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book of poems!
The author writes so beautifully, and
in a fluid like manner
She writes for the reader as if you are
having a cup of coffee.
Love lost, heartbroken, healing and
rising from the ashes are what she
writes about.
I highly recommend this collection to
Any lover of poetry!!!!

[Rachel Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re just as resilient and lovable as ever”

Reading this…it finally felt like someone knows my thoughts and feelings. The pressure I put on myself and the guilt I feel on a daily basis. Someone out there knows what my heart has been through and expressed it so beautifully. I want everyone to read this…..to feel so connected to a book 🥹

[Alexis Courrégé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection of poems! It was everything for someone who is going through their healing journey. I was so incredibly moved by many of the entries. It hits on melancholy emotions, feelings of hope, healing from relationships, and growing in self love. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about giving it a read.

[Lady Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by Sara Bas’s insightful perspective and her skillful articulation. Her words, such as ‘they liked the way you looked in their life but you are more than decor,’ resonated with me. I highly recommend this book, especially for individuals troubled with accepting closure and questioning their self-worth.

[Shelby Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're into self love, trauma healing modern poetry, this book of poems might make you cry. I had a rough childhood and a ton of trauma; even into adulthood. (Don't worry, I no longer trauma dump for free) These poems touched parts of me that I forgot existed. Some made me smile. Some made me cry. I'm glad I took the chance in buying this book.

[Lilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I wouldn’t by any means say I’m an expert on poetry, I have read a bit of a variety and this just didn’t do it for me. There were three poems I liked enough to highlight but I wasn’t particularly moved by any of them. It was very repetitive, in my opinion. Obviously, for those in search of healing, I can see how they’d love this book but it just wasn’t for me.

[Nika Evenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"the beautiful thing is that the birds keep singing even when the seasons change." Some might think that the book's passages are common sense but it feels entirely different having someone have make physical their heartfelt advice

[Natesha Laree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection is both a roller coaster and a journey. It’s about finding the courage to trust and love yourself and others again while finding healing along the way. This is definitely a book I expect to read again and again!

[Corie McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable for someone who has been through a rough time in life. Either divorce, losing yourself, family trauma, or difficult friendship/relationships. Quick read and snapped photos of many entries as reminders down the road.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many earmarked pages to comeback to for reflection and reminders.

[Archita Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely written , helped me a lot in the process of healing .

[Emalee Current · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

The book really hit home for me. Everything I've been feeling my whole life. I cried the whole time I read it. I'll definitely be reading it again.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book healed my heart so much. It made me realize some things I haven’t healed and I started crying while reading this. I loved this book so much.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a soothing, comforting, and encouraging book! I've never read anything like this! I will carry this book with me in my purse for many months to come, and read it over and over again.

[Annalisa Dalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half had me seriously UGLY CRYING!!!! While the second half put me all back together. This has been what I’ve been looking for during this stage of life. Thank you Zara Bas❤️

[Ashley Rand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light but heavy.

[Milena Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should read.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like some poems more than others. I'm sure I will pick this book up time and time again though

[Keri | Books_and_Hookers · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are not too broken to love or be loved.”

I love poetry books and the healing I felt from this book had me in my feelsssss.

It was like my therapist was speaking to me in between sessions and it was everything I needed.

“You shape-shift to please everyone else so often you've forgotten your original form is worth occupying.”

“Their lack of effort does not mean you should take it upon yourself to put in more.”

“You have spent too much time justifying their actions to the jury in your mind that knows you deserve better.”

“There is nothing about you that needs to be changed to deserve to be treated with care, patience, empathy and compassion. There is nothing you could do to nullify this fundamental right.”