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drowninggirl's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
dark and sad and vulnerable and so, so healing. I have never felt more understood and seen and validated in my experience with ptsd and depression than while reading these words and for that I am forever grateful. This book has turned into my safe space and has been going through it because I highlighted, dog eared and scribbled the shit out of those pages and I come back to it often.
I will forever instant buy anything Ari puts out into this world.
I will forever instant buy anything Ari puts out into this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
emak572's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Police brutality, and Suicide attempt
ccwingreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
This is a dark, emotional poetry collection. It is a raw exploration of depression and living. Personally, I am no stranger to depression, insomnia, and self-criticism in myself and my close friends. This collection felt like an act of opening up and being vulnerable.
I really liked the variation in the structures of the poems. The overall collection flows well and makes sense together. If you can handle the material's themes (content warnings are provided by the author), I would recommend this book.
I really liked the variation in the structures of the poems. The overall collection flows well and makes sense together. If you can handle the material's themes (content warnings are provided by the author), I would recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Alcohol
sylverbooks's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
This collection of words is a window into the deepest, darkest parts of the soul. I can't thank Ari B Cofer, Central Avenue Publishing, and NetGalley for a peer inside.
The poetry and prose takes you on a journey that is so personal and relatable in the saddest ways. The emotion is palpable and the journey is draining. Through the darkness of the first half come a light shining in recovery, but it is not without reality. Cofer does an amazing job of expressing the smallest parts of recovery - doing it for yourself, because you want to see another morning - and the emotional strain it takes.
I highlighted so many phrases of anxieties and pressure, but without a doubt my favourite piece was "dandelion". It's the moment when you step out of the picture frame that someone else has built for you, and realise who you are on your own.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The poetry and prose takes you on a journey that is so personal and relatable in the saddest ways. The emotion is palpable and the journey is draining. Through the darkness of the first half come a light shining in recovery, but it is not without reality. Cofer does an amazing job of expressing the smallest parts of recovery - doing it for yourself, because you want to see another morning - and the emotional strain it takes.
I highlighted so many phrases of anxieties and pressure, but without a doubt my favourite piece was "dandelion". It's the moment when you step out of the picture frame that someone else has built for you, and realise who you are on your own.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
travelseatsreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A stunning, raw and dark collection of poetry which looks at some serious topics such as racism, sexual assault, mental illness, suicidal ideation and self harm. Ari is very honest and brutal with the reader and it was refreshing and beautiful to see her leave absolutely everything of herself on the pages. An author I will be keeping an eye out for in 2022.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
bookishflaneur's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Paper Girl is an emotional and reflective poetry collection that I flew through, whilst somehow also lingering to allow Cofer's words to leave a mark on me on every page. This was a challenging read but one that I will never forget, and whilst this book won't be for everyone, if you are touched by this book, that will stay with you forever. The poetry is exquisite and the changes in form and structure mean you will never tire of turning the page. When I get a physical copy, I will definitely be annotating.
This collection covers a broad range of difficult themes and topics, so please look up the content warnings or see those I have added below before you read.
This collection covers a broad range of difficult themes and topics, so please look up the content warnings or see those I have added below before you read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use
skudiklier's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I love all of Ari B. Cofer's work, and knew going in that I'd be glad I read Paper Girl, but wow—this book is stunning. She twists and turns through so many emotions, and writes so beautifully you just get lost in it. Ari can write jaw-dropping poems about anything from romantic love and growing older to suicide and racism. There are longer pieces and shorter ones, interspersed with lovely art with lines that will take your breath away.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry, but also anyone struggling with mental health or past trauma. Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her is not all feel-good or optimistic by any means, but you will come out of it being at least a little more sure of who you are, and a little more grateful to be alive.
Thank you to Netgalley, Central Avenue Publishing, and Ari B. Cofer for the chance to review this ARC.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry, but also anyone struggling with mental health or past trauma. Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her is not all feel-good or optimistic by any means, but you will come out of it being at least a little more sure of who you are, and a little more grateful to be alive.
Thank you to Netgalley, Central Avenue Publishing, and Ari B. Cofer for the chance to review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, and Police brutality
Minor: Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
brief mentions of body dysmorphia
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