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God Themselves
Let this book be a celebration of queerness, Blackness, and love. Let these words be a modern church, these poems a holy space.
Rising star and spoken word poet Jae Nichelle debuts her luminous thoughts in God Themselves, a new collection of stirring poetry. Nichelle taps into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body. God Themselves is divided into three equally moving sections: Everything, Everywhere, and Love. Nichelle braids her wisdom––as seen in the poem “What to Do When There’s Nothing You Can Do”––and witty generational humor––seen in "Sanctity: An Exposé"––into every poem. If you’ve ever contemplated who, what, and where God is, find comfort in these words.
Rising star and spoken word poet Jae Nichelle debuts her luminous thoughts in God Themselves, a new collection of stirring poetry. Nichelle taps into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body. God Themselves is divided into three equally moving sections: Everything, Everywhere, and Love. Nichelle braids her wisdom––as seen in the poem “What to Do When There’s Nothing You Can Do”––and witty generational humor––seen in "Sanctity: An Exposé"––into every poem. If you’ve ever contemplated who, what, and where God is, find comfort in these words.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 3, 2023
This is a stunning poetry collection! I don't read a ton of poetry and when I do, it's not often that I find myself moved and re-listening to pieces. Honestly I'm tempted to buy a physical copy of God Themselves because I loved it so much. The writing is beautiful, evocative, and clever. It deals with religion, queer identity, being a woman, being Black in America, and a whole lot more. I really connected with some of the pieces and loved how it played with form in smart ways. Would definitely recommend this and I could see myself revisiting it. I received an audio review copy via Libro.FM, all opinions are my own.
March 6, 2023
listening to this one on audio was the MOVE (why am i not listening to all of my poetry on audio?!?) -- powerfully written AND powerfully spoken, this collection was relevant and moving, striking and fresh. i especially loved the prayers through predictive text poems, as they felt both endearing and really human.
i'll definitely be reading more from Jae nichelle in the future!
i'll definitely be reading more from Jae nichelle in the future!
March 3, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this collection of poetry! The narrator does an amazing job and I love how they have music and different sound effects when the poetry calls for it. This collection shows life and struggles through the eyes of a black woman coming into her own. They’re very raw and real, an easy listen that really makes you think. There’s also a lot of religious aspects to the poetry, which I didn’t mind at all, but some might. If you like listening to poetry, I’d definitely recommend checking out this book!
I really liked this collection of poetry! The narrator does an amazing job and I love how they have music and different sound effects when the poetry calls for it. This collection shows life and struggles through the eyes of a black woman coming into her own. They’re very raw and real, an easy listen that really makes you think. There’s also a lot of religious aspects to the poetry, which I didn’t mind at all, but some might. If you like listening to poetry, I’d definitely recommend checking out this book!
January 6, 2023
This collection was quite stunning. As someone who doesn’t read much poetry, this collection was quite accessible. Her use of form is incredible. Some pages were solid blocks of text, others were staccato ‘d on the page—showing the various ways of thinking: the abstract and the calculated. The intersection of queerness and religion was something quite touching to see in these pages. Nichelle has a way to expand your mind and make you question the ideas that you’ve had in your mind to God—sometimes lovingly referred to as “Gawd”—and religion. Not only is the presence of something holy and overwhelming, but it’s also there in the minutiae of the day. Truly beautiful.
March 6, 2023
listening to this one on audio was the MOVE (why am i not listening to all of my poetry on audio?!?) -- powerfully written AND powerfully spoken, this collection was relevant and moving, striking and fresh. i especially loved the prayers through predictive text poems, as they felt both endearing and really human.
i'll definitely be reading more from Jae nichelle in the future!
i'll definitely be reading more from Jae nichelle in the future!
April 14, 2023
4.5 stars
this is a stunning poetry collection that works extremely well in audio form and is performed beautifully by the author! i loved the sound effects and music in the background and feel quite inspired to read more poetry in audio form. the poems themselves are very accessible yet beautifully crafted and full of feeling. as someone who feels quite disconnected from religion, i didn’t expect this to resonate with me so much but the words truly spoke to me regardless of my own beliefs. highly recommend!
this is a stunning poetry collection that works extremely well in audio form and is performed beautifully by the author! i loved the sound effects and music in the background and feel quite inspired to read more poetry in audio form. the poems themselves are very accessible yet beautifully crafted and full of feeling. as someone who feels quite disconnected from religion, i didn’t expect this to resonate with me so much but the words truly spoke to me regardless of my own beliefs. highly recommend!
January 10, 2023
5/5 stars
'God Themselves' by Jae Nichelle celebrates and explores queerness, blackness, and love.
What I liked:
Jae Nichelle may be my new favorite poet. I greatly admire and appreciate her experimental use of form with many of her poems. Each was refreshing and powerful. Often in poetry books, I’ll have a couple poems here and there I like, but the rest don’t elicit such a strong emotional impact. For Nichelle’s poetry, that wasn’t the case. I fell in love with so many of her poems, a few of my many favorites being ‘Done in the Dark,’ ‘prayer as edited by uncle ruckus,’ ‘Sci-fi with Black Lead,’ ‘I Imagine Joy,’ ‘This Is About Nakedness,’ and ‘A Book Reminds Me I’ve Known Joy.’
What I didn’t like:
I genuinely have nothing negative to say. 'God Themselves' is the first poetry book to fully capture my attention—and keep me captivated throughout—in a while.
Overall:
I will be following Jae Nichelle and continue to be on the lookout for more of her works. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next. For those with a love for poetry and interesting, experimental styles, I recommend checking out 'God Themselves.'
*I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
'God Themselves' by Jae Nichelle celebrates and explores queerness, blackness, and love.
What I liked:
Jae Nichelle may be my new favorite poet. I greatly admire and appreciate her experimental use of form with many of her poems. Each was refreshing and powerful. Often in poetry books, I’ll have a couple poems here and there I like, but the rest don’t elicit such a strong emotional impact. For Nichelle’s poetry, that wasn’t the case. I fell in love with so many of her poems, a few of my many favorites being ‘Done in the Dark,’ ‘prayer as edited by uncle ruckus,’ ‘Sci-fi with Black Lead,’ ‘I Imagine Joy,’ ‘This Is About Nakedness,’ and ‘A Book Reminds Me I’ve Known Joy.’
What I didn’t like:
I genuinely have nothing negative to say. 'God Themselves' is the first poetry book to fully capture my attention—and keep me captivated throughout—in a while.
Overall:
I will be following Jae Nichelle and continue to be on the lookout for more of her works. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next. For those with a love for poetry and interesting, experimental styles, I recommend checking out 'God Themselves.'
*I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
March 12, 2023
This audiobook was lovely, the narrator was fantastic and conveyed the moods and tones of the writings wonderfully. I knocked off 1 star because the content wasn’t something I’m particularly interested in but that is no fault of the writer it’s rather a matter of personal preference.
March 27, 2023
Really powerful collection. Thoroughly enjoyed this and a few made me pretty emotional while reading. Can definitely recommend the audiobook the author narrates and it’s magical.
May 22, 2023
Solid debut collection with some emotional, thought provoking pieces
April 19, 2023
Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC.
This is a reflective work of poetry that challenged me to think deeper and sit with what the author was conveying through these words.
This is a reflective work of poetry that challenged me to think deeper and sit with what the author was conveying through these words.
March 18, 2024
My favorite poems in this collection were the found poems using her phone's auto complete feature or bits from a group chat.
February 23, 2023
2 out of 5 stars
This was another case of a book just not really being for me. I enjoyed quite a few of the poems and really did like this author writing style but what was in the book wasn't necessarily what the synopsis said would be. "If you’ve ever contemplated who, what, and where God is, find comfort in these words." should have been the synopsis alone because this describes the poetry collection more than the full synopsis given to me.
Disclaimer: I received a digital arc copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was another case of a book just not really being for me. I enjoyed quite a few of the poems and really did like this author writing style but what was in the book wasn't necessarily what the synopsis said would be. "If you’ve ever contemplated who, what, and where God is, find comfort in these words." should have been the synopsis alone because this describes the poetry collection more than the full synopsis given to me.
Disclaimer: I received a digital arc copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2023
Jae Nichelle is one of my favorite poets, and if you were to ask me why, I'd respond by handing you this book. I've always found Nichelle to have a strong poetic voice, but you can tell how much she's really honed that voice in God Themselves.
This collection is brimming with evocative poems, clever lines, experimental form, and gut-punch honesty about loving and living as a black queer woman. I thoroughly enjoyed every poem in this collection and read many of them 3-4 times because I loved them so much.
I was particularly taken by the detailed scene setting in "Black Girl Catholic" and "Sanctity: A Consideration;" the representation of grief's ever present ache in "Question;" and the oh so relatable presentation of mental illness in "[some days I warm soup]," "[some days I burn the soup]," and "[some days the soup makes it]." And reading "The Poem in Which We All Go Back to Where We Came From" and "Psalm 161" was like reading gospel.
God Themselves reads like a future classic, and its poems are ones I can imagine poetry students analyzing and learning from in literature classes and writing workshops.
Such a stunning collection, and I can't wait to read what Nichelle writes next!
This collection is brimming with evocative poems, clever lines, experimental form, and gut-punch honesty about loving and living as a black queer woman. I thoroughly enjoyed every poem in this collection and read many of them 3-4 times because I loved them so much.
I was particularly taken by the detailed scene setting in "Black Girl Catholic" and "Sanctity: A Consideration;" the representation of grief's ever present ache in "Question;" and the oh so relatable presentation of mental illness in "[some days I warm soup]," "[some days I burn the soup]," and "[some days the soup makes it]." And reading "The Poem in Which We All Go Back to Where We Came From" and "Psalm 161" was like reading gospel.
God Themselves reads like a future classic, and its poems are ones I can imagine poetry students analyzing and learning from in literature classes and writing workshops.
Such a stunning collection, and I can't wait to read what Nichelle writes next!
March 9, 2023
There is a strength in woman's point of view. There is a power in her words. There is a sensitivity in a way how she portrays everything, yet there is also raw truth to facts that should not be sugarcoated. That's how I felt about this collection of poems about Black experience, that opens eyes even wider to life so different from mine. I loved how the author connected her own intrinsic world with the outside one, there were connections made that showed how one influence the other and how our mind can perceive some simple things on another level and that gave even more meaning to the experience of being a human. I recommend it to anybody who loves poetry!
May 17, 2023
I don’t have the skill for deep poetry dissection, so my method has always been a speed run through the text an author has assembled, marking what they have written that speaks to me on the way. This collection was engaging start to finish, I absolutely adored the variety of poetic structures that were utilized. When I reached Psalm 161 I was floored. Everything came together for the perspective of the piece, many tears were shed. I cannot speak highly enough of this collection, extreme congratulations to the author.
April 12, 2024
This book of poems is one of my favorites. So personal, so profound. I can re-read and be astonished every single time. It's one of those books that shows you the possibility of language. As someone who has shifted away from religion, I heavily relate to, and love, all the pieces relating to this. If you are a lover of poems and language, I cannot recommend this enough. I look forward to Jae Nichelle's future work.
April 1, 2023
Wow. This is a stunning spoken word poetry collection best read out loud. Jae Nichelle shares her experience growing up as a queer Black woman in the South and is a genius with words and effect. I have the physical book and can only imagine that the audiobook is amazing. The poems made me cry, laugh, and stop to take in the powerful message of each and every one. This book is a keeper: I will recommend to friends but will keep this copy.
June 19, 2023
Thanks so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Libro.fm for the gifted advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } My reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on my blog at tacklingtbr.home.blog
August 11, 2023
lovely as an audiobook / thanks libro fm for the alc!
June 27, 2024
very solid, some of these poems are ones i want to write
July 20, 2023
Such an incredible collection of poems!
March 15, 2023
**I received an advanced reader copy via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I do want to state before I go into this review that I cannot fully speak on the experiences of this author, nor can I say that this is the most authentic representation of the experiences of someone who exists in the same communities as this author. while I am queer, I am neither black, nor am I religious. Also, the experiences the author has had as a queer person is likely very different than what I have experienced.
Now onto my review:
A good collection of short stories but unfortunately I was only able to access the audiobook and not the ebook. I tend to get very distracted while I listen to audiobooks, even if i'm not doing anything, so I think I could have genuinely liked this more if I had read the ebook with the audio or on its own. I definetely did enjoy some poems but a lot of them lost me? idk. I thought some of the ideas were cool, like letting the phone text prediction write some of the poems, but I just didn't think it worked unfortunately.
This book describes itself as the author "tapping into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body." and honestly, I didn't entirely get that from the poems. maybe it's just me, and maybe its just the fact that I listened on audio so I missed certain things I would normally notice, but I genuinely do not feel that this synopsis is the best representation of this book. Though as mentioned earlier, please do seek the reviews of readers who share the experience of this author.
I loved how this audiobook was narrated by the author. It made for a better experience and i felt more like I was in conversation with someone and they were telling me stories, rather than just listening to an audiobook. Some of the poems i enjoyed more from this collection include: This is about nakedness; How I know things are bad again; Worthy of praise; and Love MAYBE God.
I do want to state before I go into this review that I cannot fully speak on the experiences of this author, nor can I say that this is the most authentic representation of the experiences of someone who exists in the same communities as this author. while I am queer, I am neither black, nor am I religious. Also, the experiences the author has had as a queer person is likely very different than what I have experienced.
Now onto my review:
A good collection of short stories but unfortunately I was only able to access the audiobook and not the ebook. I tend to get very distracted while I listen to audiobooks, even if i'm not doing anything, so I think I could have genuinely liked this more if I had read the ebook with the audio or on its own. I definetely did enjoy some poems but a lot of them lost me? idk. I thought some of the ideas were cool, like letting the phone text prediction write some of the poems, but I just didn't think it worked unfortunately.
This book describes itself as the author "tapping into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body." and honestly, I didn't entirely get that from the poems. maybe it's just me, and maybe its just the fact that I listened on audio so I missed certain things I would normally notice, but I genuinely do not feel that this synopsis is the best representation of this book. Though as mentioned earlier, please do seek the reviews of readers who share the experience of this author.
I loved how this audiobook was narrated by the author. It made for a better experience and i felt more like I was in conversation with someone and they were telling me stories, rather than just listening to an audiobook. Some of the poems i enjoyed more from this collection include: This is about nakedness; How I know things are bad again; Worthy of praise; and Love MAYBE God.
March 22, 2023
I was provided an audio arc of this book via Netgalley, all options are my own. I kept seeing the cover of this and was immediately drawn to the book. I kept coming back to it and knew I needed to read it. I’m so glad that I did.
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. I really enjoyed that it was narrated by the author. I feel poetry is often more impactful when spoken and who better to speak it than the author. Her voice was a pleasure to listen to. As the author mentions in intro some of the poems are meant to be viewed as they have a visual impact. The audio is supposed to have a pdf for these poems, but I was able to grab a print copy from my library and follow along with the audiobook. There are some really cool visual poems in the print version but I really enjoyed listening to Nichelle speak her words.
This covers a lot of different topics and the length of the poems varies from a few words to a few pages. I found myself reflecting on many of the poems and you can really feel the author’s emotions and experiences in each of the poems. As you can tell my the title that there is a focus on God and religion throughout, so I would stay away from this collection if that is not your cup of tea. I didn’t feel it was preaching anything or disrespectful, only a reflection on the author’s own experience and feelings. This is geared toward a more audience based on some of the content and language.
Overall this was a solid collection and I’m so glad I followed my instincts to grab a copy of the audiobook. I was not disappointed with this beautiful collection of poems.
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. I really enjoyed that it was narrated by the author. I feel poetry is often more impactful when spoken and who better to speak it than the author. Her voice was a pleasure to listen to. As the author mentions in intro some of the poems are meant to be viewed as they have a visual impact. The audio is supposed to have a pdf for these poems, but I was able to grab a print copy from my library and follow along with the audiobook. There are some really cool visual poems in the print version but I really enjoyed listening to Nichelle speak her words.
This covers a lot of different topics and the length of the poems varies from a few words to a few pages. I found myself reflecting on many of the poems and you can really feel the author’s emotions and experiences in each of the poems. As you can tell my the title that there is a focus on God and religion throughout, so I would stay away from this collection if that is not your cup of tea. I didn’t feel it was preaching anything or disrespectful, only a reflection on the author’s own experience and feelings. This is geared toward a more audience based on some of the content and language.
Overall this was a solid collection and I’m so glad I followed my instincts to grab a copy of the audiobook. I was not disappointed with this beautiful collection of poems.
April 24, 2023
‘God Themselves’ is a collection of 72 poems that discuss existing in a Queer, Black, Female body within a religious space. It discusses themes of reverence, contemplation, celebration of spirit and mental illness.
I read this as an audiobook as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me this ARC. I appreciate that the author includes a non-exhaustive list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the recording.
I have been trying my best to get into poetry for a couple of months now and have found audiobook versions so much better for me personally to consume. I love the tone of the author’s voice and the pace that she was speaking in was great too. Due to my own negative experiences with religion as a queer person, I was a bit wary of that aspect of the book but I actually didn’t mind it so much.
Personally, my favourite poems were number 7 “What To Do When There’s Nothing You Can Do”, and number 57 “This Is About Nakedness”. I took note of quite a lot of strong lines that really spoke to me while reading this. This is definitely a book I would have on my shelves and I’d love to check out more of the author’s work.
Overall, I had a good time reading this and I devoured it in one sitting. I highly recommend this if you’re getting into or already into poetry. And I always recommend reading audiobooks that are narrated by the author themselves, I love it when they do that!
Representation - Black; Mental Illness; Sapphic
TWs/CWs - Blood; Cussing; Death; Divorce; Drugs (Weed; mentioned); Eating Disorder; Gun Violence; Mental Illness; Police Brutality; Racism; Self-harm; Sex; Suicide; Suicide Ideation; Violence
I read this as an audiobook as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me this ARC. I appreciate that the author includes a non-exhaustive list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the recording.
I have been trying my best to get into poetry for a couple of months now and have found audiobook versions so much better for me personally to consume. I love the tone of the author’s voice and the pace that she was speaking in was great too. Due to my own negative experiences with religion as a queer person, I was a bit wary of that aspect of the book but I actually didn’t mind it so much.
Personally, my favourite poems were number 7 “What To Do When There’s Nothing You Can Do”, and number 57 “This Is About Nakedness”. I took note of quite a lot of strong lines that really spoke to me while reading this. This is definitely a book I would have on my shelves and I’d love to check out more of the author’s work.
Overall, I had a good time reading this and I devoured it in one sitting. I highly recommend this if you’re getting into or already into poetry. And I always recommend reading audiobooks that are narrated by the author themselves, I love it when they do that!
Representation - Black; Mental Illness; Sapphic
TWs/CWs - Blood; Cussing; Death; Divorce; Drugs (Weed; mentioned); Eating Disorder; Gun Violence; Mental Illness; Police Brutality; Racism; Self-harm; Sex; Suicide; Suicide Ideation; Violence
Read
January 3, 2024I first want to say that I heard of this poetry collection from Jill, “The Book Bully” on YouTube. I knew I wanted it to be the first poetry I read in 2024 and it did not disappoint!
While I am, actively, trying to read from my own shelves, I really needed some poetry for a walk one morning. I wanted something to punctuate the silence, a rhythm for my feet to fall into. And Jae Nichelle did more than that. What an evocative exploration of queerness, self and connection. I loved the layering and weaving of religion through life, insular and external. It’s very human, and some of the lines and poems rang with familiarity, but it is also strong in its look at the unique experience of Black people, and Black women.
There are triggers for self harm and suicidal thoughts, and certainly those themes are difficult and impactful, but there is a hope and beauty too. At times it is no less than triumphant. I listened to this, thanks to my library, on audio and the author narrates it… what a gift.
Let me pull out a couple of lines that are impactful even OUT of context to entice you to pick up this collection;
“The first words I speak to God are someone else’s”
“I’m either un or too seen”
“You say empathy you feel exhaust”
“Parents please season your prodigy”
(Because I didn’t read these in the e-book or physical copy I’ve refrained from my own formatting)
There are even poems that employ the iPhone predictive text… what begins as an interesting idea unfurls into poignancy. The collection feels modern, timely, but also has themes that allow it a bit of transcendence.
I loved it.
While I am, actively, trying to read from my own shelves, I really needed some poetry for a walk one morning. I wanted something to punctuate the silence, a rhythm for my feet to fall into. And Jae Nichelle did more than that. What an evocative exploration of queerness, self and connection. I loved the layering and weaving of religion through life, insular and external. It’s very human, and some of the lines and poems rang with familiarity, but it is also strong in its look at the unique experience of Black people, and Black women.
There are triggers for self harm and suicidal thoughts, and certainly those themes are difficult and impactful, but there is a hope and beauty too. At times it is no less than triumphant. I listened to this, thanks to my library, on audio and the author narrates it… what a gift.
Let me pull out a couple of lines that are impactful even OUT of context to entice you to pick up this collection;
“The first words I speak to God are someone else’s”
“I’m either un or too seen”
“You say empathy you feel exhaust”
“Parents please season your prodigy”
(Because I didn’t read these in the e-book or physical copy I’ve refrained from my own formatting)
There are even poems that employ the iPhone predictive text… what begins as an interesting idea unfurls into poignancy. The collection feels modern, timely, but also has themes that allow it a bit of transcendence.
I loved it.
March 14, 2023
God Themselves is a collection of poems that includes Jae Nichelle's experiences growing up in the south, and religion. Nichelle weaves religious symbolism, imagery, and traditions/rites into her poems - in a way that transcends the traditional views of religion - with everyday imagery (like in "Elevator" or "Jesus Saves"), her Black community, traumas, mental health, and sexuality.
I listened to the audiobook because the e-arc wasn't working on my device (only a few poems actually loaded properly). Listening to this in Nichelle's voice felt like a more intentional way of absorbing the poetry because of the tone, rhythm, and cadence of the author. Some of my favorites: "Black Girl Catholic," "Three Churches Burn in Louisiana," "We Create Our Own Coming of Age" (visually, I loved this), "Tangible Heaven," and "This Was Written." It was hard to choose as there were days when I read/listened where the poem just really hit at that moment and some I had to re-listen to. I feel like it's always a bit challenging in rating collections of poetry because there are so many different styles, many have to be read aloud, and the rhythm is so important in how you receive the works.
I listened to the audiobook because the e-arc wasn't working on my device (only a few poems actually loaded properly). Listening to this in Nichelle's voice felt like a more intentional way of absorbing the poetry because of the tone, rhythm, and cadence of the author. Some of my favorites: "Black Girl Catholic," "Three Churches Burn in Louisiana," "We Create Our Own Coming of Age" (visually, I loved this), "Tangible Heaven," and "This Was Written." It was hard to choose as there were days when I read/listened where the poem just really hit at that moment and some I had to re-listen to. I feel like it's always a bit challenging in rating collections of poetry because there are so many different styles, many have to be read aloud, and the rhythm is so important in how you receive the works.
March 29, 2023
Format: Audiobook courtesy of netgalley, but views are my own.
Plot:
Content warnings are included in the audiobook narration.
Nichelle taps into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body.
Pros:
The narration is beautiful, I think this kind of writing needs the voice of the author. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a poetry collection before either, so it was an interesting experience. I could see myself listening to something like this while doing self care (I didn’t, I listened to it at work which probably wasn’t ideal.)
The writing is beautiful and accessible, it isn’t overwritten/overproduced. It’s the kind of poetry non-poetry readers could find themselves in.
It is also dealing with real, lived experience, and I find this very compelling.
Not-so-pros:
I think the poet could push herself more, really go there with the points she is making. Be daring, be accusatory. But that is really a personal choice.
Final:
Really easy to recommend this, especially if you tend to avoid poetry!
Plot:
Content warnings are included in the audiobook narration.
Nichelle taps into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the affects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body.
Pros:
The narration is beautiful, I think this kind of writing needs the voice of the author. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a poetry collection before either, so it was an interesting experience. I could see myself listening to something like this while doing self care (I didn’t, I listened to it at work which probably wasn’t ideal.)
The writing is beautiful and accessible, it isn’t overwritten/overproduced. It’s the kind of poetry non-poetry readers could find themselves in.
It is also dealing with real, lived experience, and I find this very compelling.
Not-so-pros:
I think the poet could push herself more, really go there with the points she is making. Be daring, be accusatory. But that is really a personal choice.
Final:
Really easy to recommend this, especially if you tend to avoid poetry!
March 22, 2023
I listened to this audiobook thanks to Libro.fm's ALC program. Thank you so much!
“i found god in myself/ & i loved her/ i loved her fiercely”
This was one of the best poetry books I've read and I'd highly recommend reading it & listening to the audiobook narrated by the author. Both formats complement each other because some poems have an experimental format and Jae Nichelle reading her poems at her own pace is divine.
"We eat God. We eat, yet I hunger for softer things"
This collection explores God and anger against God; police brutality; queerness; Blackness; love; family; death.
"I anti-feel the world & just like that I am imagined"
I highlighted so many quotes - a lot of verses deeply touched me. Jae Nichelle is a must-read.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think the first half of the book is stronger than the second half.
"I name myself my own dripping fruit"
Bookstagram.
“i found god in myself/ & i loved her/ i loved her fiercely”
This was one of the best poetry books I've read and I'd highly recommend reading it & listening to the audiobook narrated by the author. Both formats complement each other because some poems have an experimental format and Jae Nichelle reading her poems at her own pace is divine.
"We eat God. We eat, yet I hunger for softer things"
This collection explores God and anger against God; police brutality; queerness; Blackness; love; family; death.
"I anti-feel the world & just like that I am imagined"
I highlighted so many quotes - a lot of verses deeply touched me. Jae Nichelle is a must-read.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think the first half of the book is stronger than the second half.
"I name myself my own dripping fruit"
Bookstagram.
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