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nell_of_frell's review
5.0
I felt myself in this collection of poetry. Truly a beautiful masterpiece.
jachinheckman's review
5.0
"The worst type of sinner is the sinner who knows better."
This is one is for the ten year old, church kid, who could never stay saved. Every week with eyes squeezed shut and fists clenched together they would ask God into their life. They would beg him to stop their evil sinning and to silence their doubts, but they couldn't seem to forget Job. "How could an all loving God let someone suffer just to brag? How could he send people he supposedly loves to hell? That doesn't seem like eternal love to me. Aunt Marry doesn't believe, but she is SO kind. Surly God wants her in heaven. I want her there... I don't think I believe." And once they got there, they did the only thing they could: Prayed.
"If God listened to sinners I would've prayed my mind right a long time ago."
This is one is for the ten year old, church kid, who could never stay saved. Every week with eyes squeezed shut and fists clenched together they would ask God into their life. They would beg him to stop their evil sinning and to silence their doubts, but they couldn't seem to forget Job. "How could an all loving God let someone suffer just to brag? How could he send people he supposedly loves to hell? That doesn't seem like eternal love to me. Aunt Marry doesn't believe, but she is SO kind. Surly God wants her in heaven. I want her there... I don't think I believe." And once they got there, they did the only thing they could: Prayed.
"If God listened to sinners I would've prayed my mind right a long time ago."
jonesyp414's review
5.0
This book made my church girl heart so happy with its realness. I felt the questioning and the guilt but also the relief and the praise. This is a brilliant work. Highly recommend.
sodrewrites's review
4.0
"Time is rumored to heal all wounds. No one claims it erases them."
Even the Saints Audition pulled me in closely, held me tighter than a distant relative quickly becoming familiar, and sat right next until I devoured the very last poem. I could not put this book down. And while this book was not on my radar, I was instantly lured in with one look of the cover. Even if you weren't sure of the subject matter, the title and beautifully haunting cover illustration alone would make the most unbothered person curious. So, I went into this poetry collection with a completely open mind and was pleasantly surprised.
Even the Saints Audition reads like a series of letters to the Church Girls who've experienced shame and fear of looming punishment for committing sin. And because I was raised in the church, I could relate so much to the experiences Jackson highlights in her poems. She confesses "impure" thoughts, mourns the loss of her "fun" aunt, and shares moments of overwhelming depression in such a raw and lyrical way, I somehow felt connected to her-- as if I was eavesdropping in on her life's story.
Jackson made me feel things, made me question things, and made me hopeful that she'd found a peace in sharing her truth with such brilliant metaphors and rhythm. Though Jackson and I may not share the same feelings about growing up in the church, I appreciate the honesty and heart she poured into each of these poems. It's def worth the read.
Major thanks to Netgalley and Button Poetry for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Even the Saints Audition pulled me in closely, held me tighter than a distant relative quickly becoming familiar, and sat right next until I devoured the very last poem. I could not put this book down. And while this book was not on my radar, I was instantly lured in with one look of the cover. Even if you weren't sure of the subject matter, the title and beautifully haunting cover illustration alone would make the most unbothered person curious. So, I went into this poetry collection with a completely open mind and was pleasantly surprised.
Even the Saints Audition reads like a series of letters to the Church Girls who've experienced shame and fear of looming punishment for committing sin. And because I was raised in the church, I could relate so much to the experiences Jackson highlights in her poems. She confesses "impure" thoughts, mourns the loss of her "fun" aunt, and shares moments of overwhelming depression in such a raw and lyrical way, I somehow felt connected to her-- as if I was eavesdropping in on her life's story.
Jackson made me feel things, made me question things, and made me hopeful that she'd found a peace in sharing her truth with such brilliant metaphors and rhythm. Though Jackson and I may not share the same feelings about growing up in the church, I appreciate the honesty and heart she poured into each of these poems. It's def worth the read.
Major thanks to Netgalley and Button Poetry for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
kristy_k's review
2.0
I’ve come to love most poetry released by Button Poetry, but this on was just okay. I particularly liked the poems on Job (from the Bible), but felt others were too similar to the Instagram poets I tend to stay away from (only longer).
babiefats's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this collection. It was a narrative that felt entirely human. From childhood to adulthood the reader is let into the private thoughts of the author in a way that builds a scene around the inner workings themselves. This was relatable in a way that was perfected by the lack of clean cut storylines and tied up loose ends. Well done and beautiful use of form in poetry. So much rested at the end of a line and phrase, and the intentionality in punctuation could be seen.
Would reread.
Would reread.
micahlee17's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0