When S. K. Nicholas announced the X and I snippets on his blog were to become a novel, I stopped reading them. I knew at that moment I wanted to read the novel as a whole; I wanted as much as possible to be a surprise. I knew it would be beautiful. What I did not realise, … Continue reading Review of X and I – S. K. Nicholas by Kristiana Reed
The Writing Life
Review of Conversations with Women – Cebo Campbell by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. I expected Conversations with Women to be about women through a male gaze. I expected to grimace at Campbell’s attempt to capture the female experience. Both expectations were to be proven false within the first few pages. Campbell provides an outlook which is original and unique; an outlook which challenges … Continue reading Review of Conversations with Women – Cebo Campbell by Kristiana Reed
Review of Rain and Embers – Ali Nuri by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Rain and Embers by Ali Nuri is one of the best poetry collections I have read in a while. His talent lifts each page and the words situated on it to tell a vivid story about identity, belonging and displacement as well as exploring love and what it’s like to live … Continue reading Review of Rain and Embers – Ali Nuri by Kristiana Reed
Review of Sassafras – Trish Heald by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Sassafras by Trish Heald is a stunning debut. I laughed and cried as Heald expertly told a story about healing and family (whether tied by blood or friendship). When Champ’s wife, Pat, dies, both he and his family lose their peacekeeper and grief, as it so often does, slips its fingers … Continue reading Review of Sassafras – Trish Heald by Kristiana Reed
Review of A Codex for Gnostics – Obsidian Eagle by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. On reading the synopsis of A Codex for Gnostics, the novel Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman came to mind. Gnostics promised to be a humourous and pithy account of universal and heavenly struggles. However, despite Eagle being an incredibly talented writer who showcases their knowledge of a plethora of ancient subjects … Continue reading Review of A Codex for Gnostics – Obsidian Eagle by Kristiana Reed
Why Poems? By Donna Matthews
why poems? a bread crumb trail back to me what did I see? what caught my fancy? the cerulean hue of the spring sky a babe’s cheeks in the cool shade the bright red cardinal from the corner of my eye a boy lost in his imagination people watching behind sunglasses what stories will I … Continue reading Why Poems? By Donna Matthews
Review of It’s Not Just About Running: Reflections on Life and Change in Egypt, A.I. Shoukry by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Shoukry’s writing is candid and pleasant to read and follow. There is no attempt to complicate his thoughts and feelings or frame them in more academic language; he simply tells his story as it happened. I enjoyed how his account was interspersed with thought provoking chapters on Pain, Death and … Continue reading Review of It’s Not Just About Running: Reflections on Life and Change in Egypt, A.I. Shoukry by Kristiana Reed
Review of Sophistries of Summer Days – Jenny Lofters by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Sophistries of Summer Days follows the life of young Cherrimina into adulthood. Set in the West Indies from the 1930s onward, Lofters captures life on a small, sunny isle; how sheltered the islanders’ lives are and how they change. Cherrimina’s life is altered first by Dove’s arrival and then again … Continue reading Review of Sophistries of Summer Days – Jenny Lofters by Kristiana Reed
Review of Signs of Life: Poems for Remembering – Meg Bloom by Kristiana Reed
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Bloom’s debut collection is immediately reminiscent of Kaur and Lovelace as she combines pithy thoughts with extended pieces which demonstrate Bloom’s talent for creating raw and honest imagery. At times, this similarity let the collection down. My issue with the work of Kaur and Lovelace is how often the words … Continue reading Review of Signs of Life: Poems for Remembering – Meg Bloom by Kristiana Reed
A Poem Today, by Donna Matthews
A Poem Today a poem written years from nowabout a time of social distancewhen touching frowned uponwhen 6ft above the groundkept you from 6ft belowa time of fear and uncertaintynot unlike the time of nowthe years between that poem and todaycall for brave hearts and wordsto tell the storiesto share the timesa poem today written … Continue reading A Poem Today, by Donna Matthews
