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Nineteen
By the author of the wildly successful 2am Thoughts, comes Nineteen — titled after the poet's age when she wrote this new book. Nineteen is a collection of poetry that broaches heartbreak, love, loss, war,
peace, and healing.
For every place we go, there is a feeling or memory that’s been painted on the walls. You can paint over it, but it will always be there. Even if you can’t
see it, you know.
You can feel the heartbreak inside the bedroom where you lost a love.
You can feel the hope at the coffee shop where a beginning happened.
You can feel the healing as you sit in the driver’s seat, in charge of your own life.
peace, and healing.
For every place we go, there is a feeling or memory that’s been painted on the walls. You can paint over it, but it will always be there. Even if you can’t
see it, you know.
You can feel the heartbreak inside the bedroom where you lost a love.
You can feel the hope at the coffee shop where a beginning happened.
You can feel the healing as you sit in the driver’s seat, in charge of your own life.
192 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2020
148 people are currently reading
2005 people want to read
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February 7, 2020
Nineteen is a collection of poetry and prose written by Mackenzie Campbell, titled after the age at which she wrote it.
Overall, the writing was done well, especially for such a young author. My main problem was just that it didn’t evoke the emotion in me that is so critical for my enjoyment of poetry.
Modern poetry gets a bad rep, and I don’t want to be that person who reads it for the sake of hating and bashing it- condensing a whole genre into a single one star review. I want to preface this by saying that poetry is subjective and personal, which is part of the reason why I love it so much! Unfortunately, that makes it harder to find works I love- but when I do, it is like finding a diamond in the rough and very satisfying. My favourite of which so far being ‘Aphrodite Made Me Do It’ by Trista Mateer. (ironically heavily featuring some of things I say later in this review I don't like, primarily being narrated by the goddess of love herself.)
I am beginning to discover what works for me and what doesn't in modern poetry.
I have found that for me to enjoy poetry, it needs to have grit and depth. As a general rule that I don’t find poems centred around love, heartache or betrayal to hit the hardest. Instead, those focused on families, nostalgia, regrets, change and life lessons seem to be my favourite.
For example, the beginning of a poem from this collection that I loved with nostalgia as a main theme:
“Soon enough you’ll be thirty and wondering how the hell you got from here to there. You’ll look back at old pictures and swear that was just yesterday and then realise that yesterday was ten years ago."
But one I didn’t, focused on heartbreak was:
“You fool me each and every time into thinking you care
That maybe this time we could be the perfect pair
But then you open my message and don’t reply and leave me just wondering why…
I’m undeserving of love."
To me, this poem feels melodramatic, but lacking emotion. A strange combination I know, but that sums up my feelings for most of 'Nineteen'
Additionally, I tend to like longer poems as opposed to shorter.
Here are some examples of short ones that didn't connect with me.
“Your smile is a
delicacy”
or
“I am enamoured
by the complexity
of your personality.”
Just because you click the enter button a couple of times does not turn a sentence into poetry. Again, I want to reiterate that poetry is a subjective thing, and if you find some hidden meaning in those words or it resonates with you- Im happy for you! To me though, they seem quite surface level and lazy.
I find it difficult to rate poetry, so I tend to go by how many poems I highlighted, that stood out to me. I think it is quite telling that I only highlighted 5. For context, this book is almost 200 pages with the majority of poems being on one page each.
I would still recommend this if you don't have some of the same problems I do- as it was objectively well done.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing for this ARC
Release Date: 3 March 2020
Overall, the writing was done well, especially for such a young author. My main problem was just that it didn’t evoke the emotion in me that is so critical for my enjoyment of poetry.
Modern poetry gets a bad rep, and I don’t want to be that person who reads it for the sake of hating and bashing it- condensing a whole genre into a single one star review. I want to preface this by saying that poetry is subjective and personal, which is part of the reason why I love it so much! Unfortunately, that makes it harder to find works I love- but when I do, it is like finding a diamond in the rough and very satisfying. My favourite of which so far being ‘Aphrodite Made Me Do It’ by Trista Mateer. (ironically heavily featuring some of things I say later in this review I don't like, primarily being narrated by the goddess of love herself.)
I am beginning to discover what works for me and what doesn't in modern poetry.
I have found that for me to enjoy poetry, it needs to have grit and depth. As a general rule that I don’t find poems centred around love, heartache or betrayal to hit the hardest. Instead, those focused on families, nostalgia, regrets, change and life lessons seem to be my favourite.
For example, the beginning of a poem from this collection that I loved with nostalgia as a main theme:
“Soon enough you’ll be thirty and wondering how the hell you got from here to there. You’ll look back at old pictures and swear that was just yesterday and then realise that yesterday was ten years ago."
But one I didn’t, focused on heartbreak was:
“You fool me each and every time into thinking you care
That maybe this time we could be the perfect pair
But then you open my message and don’t reply and leave me just wondering why…
I’m undeserving of love."
To me, this poem feels melodramatic, but lacking emotion. A strange combination I know, but that sums up my feelings for most of 'Nineteen'
Additionally, I tend to like longer poems as opposed to shorter.
Here are some examples of short ones that didn't connect with me.
“Your smile is a
delicacy”
or
“I am enamoured
by the complexity
of your personality.”
Just because you click the enter button a couple of times does not turn a sentence into poetry. Again, I want to reiterate that poetry is a subjective thing, and if you find some hidden meaning in those words or it resonates with you- Im happy for you! To me though, they seem quite surface level and lazy.
I find it difficult to rate poetry, so I tend to go by how many poems I highlighted, that stood out to me. I think it is quite telling that I only highlighted 5. For context, this book is almost 200 pages with the majority of poems being on one page each.
I would still recommend this if you don't have some of the same problems I do- as it was objectively well done.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing for this ARC
Release Date: 3 March 2020
January 25, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now I don't read much poetry but after diving into Nineteen I'm thinking that I should. This entire book was filled with inspirational and thought-provoking poems. Each part was utterly breathtaking and eye-opening. Not going to lie, I took my sweet time devouring each word (even if I read it within a couple of hours). I am still thinking about what I read during this very moment.
It was beautiful to read about healing, growth, and hopefulness. I haven't gone through all things that were this personal.. but my heart definitely felt like I did. In the end, I was oddly satisfied by everything within this book.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, I will definitely look into reading more poetry throughout my life - starting now.
Now I don't read much poetry but after diving into Nineteen I'm thinking that I should. This entire book was filled with inspirational and thought-provoking poems. Each part was utterly breathtaking and eye-opening. Not going to lie, I took my sweet time devouring each word (even if I read it within a couple of hours). I am still thinking about what I read during this very moment.
It was beautiful to read about healing, growth, and hopefulness. I haven't gone through all things that were this personal.. but my heart definitely felt like I did. In the end, I was oddly satisfied by everything within this book.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, I will definitely look into reading more poetry throughout my life - starting now.
February 1, 2020
Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Expected Release date: March 3rd 2020
Nineteen is a collection of poetry which deals with love, heartbreak and personal contemporary issues. This is the first collection of Campbell’s I’ve read, and I’m still fresh to reading poetry since I only started seeking it out mid last year. But I have always found it hard to rate poetry; it has so many different parts and is so personal. It’s so different from a novel. But I’ll try my hardest to highlight parts I think need discussing.
Firstly, the title. This collection is named after the age Makenzie Campbell was when writing the book. As someone who finds naming books difficult, I think this is so cool and just inventive, it fits well and is easy to remember. Additionally, the way Campbell categorises the poems in the collection is something I really like. These are placed into the following separations: ‘THE BEDROOM’, ‘THE CAR (THE PASSENGER’S SEAT)’, ‘THE SHOWER’, ‘THE PARK’, ‘THE COFFEE SHOP’, ‘THE CAR (THE DRIVER’S SEAT’)’. I’m always a fan of this in any collection, but in Nineteen I’m impressed by the way they all connect and how the two car ones show development and the change of power. At the end of each poem is also an illustration which fits the poem. This is an addition I also enjoy in poetry since it just adds an extra layer and just makes it more unique. Something I enjoyed in the collection was Campbell’s use of images. Within her poems she uses something such as ‘birds’ or ‘eviction notice’ and then will use a lexical field to link this image over her poem. I just found these clever and enjoyable. As well as this there were certain lines that really stood out and I loved, like ‘I have wasted too many years picking daisies, plucking the “He loves me” and “He loves me not” from them.’, which shows she has a future in poetry that I would like to follow.
However, there are some things about this collection that I didn’t like as much. I noticed that Campbell seems to improve throughout the book, which shows development and poems that stand out. But it also creates a sense of inconsistency and that maybe the first few poems weren’t edited as much. There were also parts I found worded weirdly, but this might have just been my preference (since poetry is very subjective). Another thing I noticed was that even though the poems were separated into sections, each poem didn’t have a title. Titles are very important for poems and without them it created confusion. Another thing Campbell didn’t utilise was structure and this created confusion again, making me have to reread parts. Structure could have added another layer and impact to the poem, instead it was an opportunity missed. But I’m unsure if these issues were just part of my arc process. Finally I found that within poems Campbell would seem to jump across ideas. The poem would start with one thing then change halfway through to something different. Yet both parts were interesting and enjoyable, I just feel they should have been separated since it was confusing and jarring.
I’m very grateful for receiving this arc and having the opportunity to widen my poetry knowledge, since it’s a genre I’m interested in. Campbell has a lot of promise and dedication that can already be seen, which is even more impressive at her age. Overall, I enjoyed this collection and I look forward to see her growth and development in the future.
Expected Release date: March 3rd 2020
Nineteen is a collection of poetry which deals with love, heartbreak and personal contemporary issues. This is the first collection of Campbell’s I’ve read, and I’m still fresh to reading poetry since I only started seeking it out mid last year. But I have always found it hard to rate poetry; it has so many different parts and is so personal. It’s so different from a novel. But I’ll try my hardest to highlight parts I think need discussing.
Firstly, the title. This collection is named after the age Makenzie Campbell was when writing the book. As someone who finds naming books difficult, I think this is so cool and just inventive, it fits well and is easy to remember. Additionally, the way Campbell categorises the poems in the collection is something I really like. These are placed into the following separations: ‘THE BEDROOM’, ‘THE CAR (THE PASSENGER’S SEAT)’, ‘THE SHOWER’, ‘THE PARK’, ‘THE COFFEE SHOP’, ‘THE CAR (THE DRIVER’S SEAT’)’. I’m always a fan of this in any collection, but in Nineteen I’m impressed by the way they all connect and how the two car ones show development and the change of power. At the end of each poem is also an illustration which fits the poem. This is an addition I also enjoy in poetry since it just adds an extra layer and just makes it more unique. Something I enjoyed in the collection was Campbell’s use of images. Within her poems she uses something such as ‘birds’ or ‘eviction notice’ and then will use a lexical field to link this image over her poem. I just found these clever and enjoyable. As well as this there were certain lines that really stood out and I loved, like ‘I have wasted too many years picking daisies, plucking the “He loves me” and “He loves me not” from them.’, which shows she has a future in poetry that I would like to follow.
However, there are some things about this collection that I didn’t like as much. I noticed that Campbell seems to improve throughout the book, which shows development and poems that stand out. But it also creates a sense of inconsistency and that maybe the first few poems weren’t edited as much. There were also parts I found worded weirdly, but this might have just been my preference (since poetry is very subjective). Another thing I noticed was that even though the poems were separated into sections, each poem didn’t have a title. Titles are very important for poems and without them it created confusion. Another thing Campbell didn’t utilise was structure and this created confusion again, making me have to reread parts. Structure could have added another layer and impact to the poem, instead it was an opportunity missed. But I’m unsure if these issues were just part of my arc process. Finally I found that within poems Campbell would seem to jump across ideas. The poem would start with one thing then change halfway through to something different. Yet both parts were interesting and enjoyable, I just feel they should have been separated since it was confusing and jarring.
I’m very grateful for receiving this arc and having the opportunity to widen my poetry knowledge, since it’s a genre I’m interested in. Campbell has a lot of promise and dedication that can already be seen, which is even more impressive at her age. Overall, I enjoyed this collection and I look forward to see her growth and development in the future.
August 13, 2022
Ci tenevo a leggerla in questo ultimo mese, prima di compiere vent'anni.
June 5, 2022
- “(time and nostalgia both have a way of coloring a memory into something grander than it was)”
- “Be careful. He is magic. And as you should know, all magic is deception.”
- “He is a constellation, unfinished, that I have miles left to discover.”
- started off as a 3 and then ended as a 2, so 2.5
- “Be careful. He is magic. And as you should know, all magic is deception.”
- “He is a constellation, unfinished, that I have miles left to discover.”
- started off as a 3 and then ended as a 2, so 2.5
January 27, 2021
➳ Rate: 5/ 5 stars
Another incredible poetry collection. I found the section divisions so interesting and I definitely had some favorites! I think the one I highlighted most of was the coffee shop.
The poems touch upon all sort of themes, from relationships to self-reflection to self-love to motivational poems. And they were breathtaking and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this collection and I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s work.
➳ E-copy kindly provided by the Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
Another incredible poetry collection. I found the section divisions so interesting and I definitely had some favorites! I think the one I highlighted most of was the coffee shop.
The poems touch upon all sort of themes, from relationships to self-reflection to self-love to motivational poems. And they were breathtaking and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this collection and I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s work.
➳ E-copy kindly provided by the Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
December 9, 2019
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell is a charmingly relevant and contemporary take on the experience of transitioning into adulthood. This collection of prose really resonated with me, and just flowed through my consciousness in such a lovely and profound way. I am intrigued enough to seek out more of this exciting young poet's work.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 12, 2020
I am the worlds canvas and each new location colors me.
I always find it difficult and unfair to rate poetry because I feel that it is so deeply personal.
Nineteen is about love and heartbreak. It’s about the ups and downs of transitioning through adulthood.
Love is pure and also cruel. It puts us in our most vulnerable position and maybe we heal from it but it scars us. The scars last for a lifetime. Reminders of past people, lovers.
This was a nice read, gentle, but heartbreaking. I’ve been getting into poetry more and more and I’m glad I had a chance to delve into this book.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher.
I always find it difficult and unfair to rate poetry because I feel that it is so deeply personal.
Nineteen is about love and heartbreak. It’s about the ups and downs of transitioning through adulthood.
Love is pure and also cruel. It puts us in our most vulnerable position and maybe we heal from it but it scars us. The scars last for a lifetime. Reminders of past people, lovers.
This was a nice read, gentle, but heartbreaking. I’ve been getting into poetry more and more and I’m glad I had a chance to delve into this book.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher.
July 3, 2021
“There are days
when the sun hides away
and the sky is just a little grey
but I'm not sad
or happy.
I'm just there
feeling empty,
paralyzed in the center of the spectrum.”
I loved reading this book. Poetry is so personal that I also along with many others, find it hard to rate.
This book is emotional and uplifting. Very inspirational and I found so much meaning behind every word, sentence, and page. I will definitely read this again it helped me understand more things and how to not and how to look at many things.
Definitely worth anyone's time to read ! I know I shouldn't put a book it my "favorite books" shelf unless I have read it more than once, but this one is definitely being added.
when the sun hides away
and the sky is just a little grey
but I'm not sad
or happy.
I'm just there
feeling empty,
paralyzed in the center of the spectrum.”
I loved reading this book. Poetry is so personal that I also along with many others, find it hard to rate.
This book is emotional and uplifting. Very inspirational and I found so much meaning behind every word, sentence, and page. I will definitely read this again it helped me understand more things and how to not and how to look at many things.
Definitely worth anyone's time to read ! I know I shouldn't put a book it my "favorite books" shelf unless I have read it more than once, but this one is definitely being added.
February 1, 2020
I've been reading quite a bit of poetry lately and even though I did enjoy Nineteen, it didn't provoke much emotion from me. I thought the poems were really good for the most part but they seemed more like slam poetry and it didn't translate to the page and to me like they probably would have it they were read aloud, slam poetry style.
Overall, I appreciate the personal story told within Nineteen and enjoyed most of the poems, however, I think they would translate verbally much better than on paper.
Overall, I appreciate the personal story told within Nineteen and enjoyed most of the poems, however, I think they would translate verbally much better than on paper.
February 7, 2021
Thank you Central Avenue for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nineteen
By: Makenzie Campbell
REVIEW ☆☆☆
Aptly named for author Makenzie Campbell's age at the time, Nineteen is a poetry collection well suited to that age. It is a time of heartache, falling and out of love, transitioning and drama. While interesting and accessible, I found the collection more like the inner ramblings of a young woman with not enough life lived to speak from a place of experience. Essentially, the essence of maturity was absent. Given time, Nineteen could become something more solid, such as thirty, perhaps?
Nineteen
By: Makenzie Campbell
REVIEW ☆☆☆
Aptly named for author Makenzie Campbell's age at the time, Nineteen is a poetry collection well suited to that age. It is a time of heartache, falling and out of love, transitioning and drama. While interesting and accessible, I found the collection more like the inner ramblings of a young woman with not enough life lived to speak from a place of experience. Essentially, the essence of maturity was absent. Given time, Nineteen could become something more solid, such as thirty, perhaps?
April 17, 2020
True rating: 2.5.
The first two-thirds didn’t connect with me, but I can see it working better if you’re in your teens - quite rightly. I enjoyed the latter third, it was more hopeful and made me feel a little squishy inside.
The first two-thirds didn’t connect with me, but I can see it working better if you’re in your teens - quite rightly. I enjoyed the latter third, it was more hopeful and made me feel a little squishy inside.
May 10, 2024
i really enjoyed reading through these poems. the author had a way of speaking straight to my soul and capturing so many moments in ones lives perfectly.
December 25, 2019
1.5 stars
May 15, 2020
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell
3.25 stars
“I’ve been damaged and I use men as a bandage. But they always fall away the next morning leaving my wound exposed.”
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Plotastic Scale: 3.25
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. Total sucker for it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 stars
“I’ve been damaged and I use men as a bandage. But they always fall away the next morning leaving my wound exposed.”
This is a poetry collection that is reminiscent of a lot of the big poets the Andrews McMeel publishes. If you like amanda lovelace, Courtney Peppernell, or any 2020 poetry collection this year, then this will be right up your alley. I’ve read a lot of poetry this year. A lot of it was hit or miss, but I actually liked this collection. This collection is based off the poems that Campbell wrote when she was nineteen. This is a weird number for most people, especially Americans. You are an adult, allowed to vote and die for a country, but you can’t drink or buy cigarettes. Most people feel very stuck and confined by the age of nineteen. It is an uncomfortable number. I didn’t hate that year of my life, but it wasn’t a great or fantastic one. It was a year for me that brought a lot of change, so it’s nice to read a poetry collection that is dedicated to a year in someone’s life (even if that was a couple years ago). I liked this collection. It’s not a favorite, but it has some sweet poems and nice moments. I think it will appeal to a wide demographic- both young adults nearing this age and older young adults who are not yet thirty. Or poetry fans. Really this collection has mass market appeal for a lot of people. It’s not the best collection I’ve ever read, but I’ll recommend it.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Plotastic Scale: 3.25
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. Total sucker for it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2019
I've been getting back into poetry after many years of busying myself with practical things, and it's been so disappointing to find so many Instagram style poetry books of just generic words put to paper about how the poets feel with nothing to them. These all feel like angsty but dull diary entries in free verse form, with no playing with words and using poetic tricks to turn words into something more. I have luckily found a few poetry books lately that are not like this (I'm reading Swallowtail right now, just a few poems at a time, precisely because that poet actually makes the poems really say something and makes me feel something), but I was discouraged to see that this is just more of that stuff. I was half expecting it since the title reflects the fact that the author is only 19, but was really hoping that since this was her second book (at least) that it meant she was really good at it.
I'm sure that others who are her age or who don't have high expectations about poetry will like these poems quite a lot. As someone who was a poet several lifetimes ago, this didn't speak to me.
Sample poem:
There are days
when the sun hides away
and the sky is just a little grey
but I'm not sad
or happy.
I'm just there
feeling empty,
paralyzed in the center of the spectrum.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
I'm sure that others who are her age or who don't have high expectations about poetry will like these poems quite a lot. As someone who was a poet several lifetimes ago, this didn't speak to me.
Sample poem:
There are days
when the sun hides away
and the sky is just a little grey
but I'm not sad
or happy.
I'm just there
feeling empty,
paralyzed in the center of the spectrum.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
January 31, 2020
3/5 stars. Thank you Central Avenue Publishing for approving this eARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Definitely not what I was expecting but in a good way. Most poetry books I've read are like long and short poems, the short ones being the most meaningful to me but I surprisingly found that Nineteen was more like a collection of short stories written in prose and poems. A very emotional journey in every one of them, with some being very relatable to my life and hitting the same notes I wanted and I hope others would want to read - for contemplation and reflection.
The pictures felt a little unnecessary to me but it was an added touch that will probably enhance the reading experience with a physical copy. Some things I didn't enjoy was that some of the stories seemed a little stereotypical to tropes and other poems I have previously read but as well, it's a personal journey for the author as well. It also didn't seem to have great structure; not sure whether it was how it was formatted as an ebook that it looked weird on my kindle but it definitely felt more like short stories and was sometimes visually confusing. I'm sure the physical copy will have a much better layout, as a designer I can't help but notice these things.
Overall, pretty enjoyable but not something I'd pick up traditionally when it comes to poetry.
Definitely not what I was expecting but in a good way. Most poetry books I've read are like long and short poems, the short ones being the most meaningful to me but I surprisingly found that Nineteen was more like a collection of short stories written in prose and poems. A very emotional journey in every one of them, with some being very relatable to my life and hitting the same notes I wanted and I hope others would want to read - for contemplation and reflection.
The pictures felt a little unnecessary to me but it was an added touch that will probably enhance the reading experience with a physical copy. Some things I didn't enjoy was that some of the stories seemed a little stereotypical to tropes and other poems I have previously read but as well, it's a personal journey for the author as well. It also didn't seem to have great structure; not sure whether it was how it was formatted as an ebook that it looked weird on my kindle but it definitely felt more like short stories and was sometimes visually confusing. I'm sure the physical copy will have a much better layout, as a designer I can't help but notice these things.
Overall, pretty enjoyable but not something I'd pick up traditionally when it comes to poetry.
January 11, 2020
[ I received an arc on Netgalley in return for an honest review. ]
'Nineteen' is a poetry collection that talks about loss, growth and mental health during difficult periods of our life.
----------
A lot of the poems in this collection were honestly a spot on depiction for situation- like, how it can feel when you're lost on what to do, or simply following the path that has been "pre-decided" for you.
There were also many inspiring poems about healing and growth, and I loved how they gave a sense of hopefulness for the future--despite all the troubles that are sure to still come our way.
I really enjoyed Makenzie Campbell's voice and writing style, and I loved how personal this collection was.
Will be looking out for more of the author's other works :)
Rating: 4/5
'Nineteen' is a poetry collection that talks about loss, growth and mental health during difficult periods of our life.
----------
A lot of the poems in this collection were honestly a spot on depiction for situation- like, how it can feel when you're lost on what to do, or simply following the path that has been "pre-decided" for you.
There were also many inspiring poems about healing and growth, and I loved how they gave a sense of hopefulness for the future--despite all the troubles that are sure to still come our way.
I really enjoyed Makenzie Campbell's voice and writing style, and I loved how personal this collection was.
Will be looking out for more of the author's other works :)
Rating: 4/5
March 10, 2021
Nineteen was a short sweet book of poetry and prose touching on the emotions of coming of age through the pain of fizzling love.
While I did not experience this situation and therefore these emotions till around 27, the feelings in this book still rang true. I enjoyed how each thought had feeling and emotion behind it, the book did not feel forced as some of these current poetry books do.
Nineteen is fairly vague. The book is named aftet the age the author was upon writing it, though it isn't a general review of being Nineteen, but more of her coming to terms with how relationships bloom and die. This would be a great book to read for anyone dealing with a loss of youthful love.
I know 5 stars is extremely generous, but I really didn't find anything problematic.
While I did not experience this situation and therefore these emotions till around 27, the feelings in this book still rang true. I enjoyed how each thought had feeling and emotion behind it, the book did not feel forced as some of these current poetry books do.
Nineteen is fairly vague. The book is named aftet the age the author was upon writing it, though it isn't a general review of being Nineteen, but more of her coming to terms with how relationships bloom and die. This would be a great book to read for anyone dealing with a loss of youthful love.
I know 5 stars is extremely generous, but I really didn't find anything problematic.
March 17, 2020
I should have never made a home of you.
People are not homes.
Not when they can stand up and walk away whenever they decide it is time to go.
I think perhaps this wasn't for me.
I love poetry, it has made me feel so seen and understood thanks to the personal words of so many.
But this didn't make me feel any of that and I think it really just comes down the the fact that I was not the right audience for this particular collection.
But I do think this would be great for the right person. For someone who has given too much of themselves in romantic and sexual relationships. For someone healing from a break up that left you especially heartbroken.
I am not someone who is or really ever has experienced any of those things.
My lips are in a pretty package on your doorstep.
I cut them off and sent them to you.
They were stained with your taste.
and I felt it was only right to give that back
along with the jeans and movies you left behind.
—
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
___
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December 3, 2019
There were things I distinctly disliked about this collection which warranted a lower rating. Like the structure, which is a mess, or the fact that it just feels like disconnected thoughts all shoved together instead of a fully formed idea. A lot of the sentences are powerful, but each sentence felt entirely separate from the next. It was just strange. But I want to give it a higher rating because it provoked a hugely visceral sadness in me, a feeling of absolute isolation and uncomfortable realisation that the world is bloody hard, and some of the things Makenzie Campbell says in her unusual one line disconnect hit home even harder.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this wasn't the most artfully done or terrifically written book, but it might be the first one to provoke that kind of reaction from me, someone who isn't often emotional or affected by stories like this. The ability to do that surely suggests something special happened in Nineteen, something horrendous and unexpected, but special and perhaps really clever nonetheless.
ARC provided free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this wasn't the most artfully done or terrifically written book, but it might be the first one to provoke that kind of reaction from me, someone who isn't often emotional or affected by stories like this. The ability to do that surely suggests something special happened in Nineteen, something horrendous and unexpected, but special and perhaps really clever nonetheless.
ARC provided free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2020
Okay I really enjoyed this one.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read the poetry book from this author before this one but I am very tempted to do so after reading this one.
I loved the writing style of the poetry if that even makes any sense. The stanzas and such were nicely divided as well so you weren't confused (I had many other book where I got confused because of no spacing)
The images of the book were very nice as well. It gave a bit of extra character to the book and made is feel a bit more cozy somehow.
I didn't expect to relate to the things written in the book at first, since I never had a horrible long lasting relationship breakup howveer somehow I could relate to it because I have had my losses in my life sadly. Especially the beginning of the poerty book I felt that way where I could relate to it.
I loved the way everything was written and how the story was developing somehow. How you can basically get over things and see the bright future again. I loved the way she ended it.
I would definitely recommend this one to people and might even pre order it, who knows after all :D
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read the poetry book from this author before this one but I am very tempted to do so after reading this one.
I loved the writing style of the poetry if that even makes any sense. The stanzas and such were nicely divided as well so you weren't confused (I had many other book where I got confused because of no spacing)
The images of the book were very nice as well. It gave a bit of extra character to the book and made is feel a bit more cozy somehow.
I didn't expect to relate to the things written in the book at first, since I never had a horrible long lasting relationship breakup howveer somehow I could relate to it because I have had my losses in my life sadly. Especially the beginning of the poerty book I felt that way where I could relate to it.
I loved the way everything was written and how the story was developing somehow. How you can basically get over things and see the bright future again. I loved the way she ended it.
I would definitely recommend this one to people and might even pre order it, who knows after all :D
April 2, 2024
marvelous
June 1, 2022
This was a cute poetry book, I loved some of the poems! I gave it a 3 out of a 5
April 8, 2020
Nineteen
I received an advance readers copy of Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell from Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
By the author of the wildly successful 2am Thoughts, comes Nineteen - titled after the poets age when she wrote this new book.
Nineteen is a collection of poetry that broaches heartache, love, loss, war, peace and healing. For every place we go, there is a feeling or a memory that’s been painted on the walls. You can paint over it, but it will always be there. Even if you can’t see it, you know. You can feel the heartbreak inside the bedroom where you lost a love. You can feel the hope at the coffee shop where a beginning happened. You can feel the healing as you sit in the drivers seat, in charge of your own life.
‘Suddenly, the world picked up and ran away without me. I was not ready.
Time has left me broken.’
‘I know you are insecure and you have this wavering confidence that takes hours to build and only seconds to destroy.’
‘Let’s run through the woods with the wind on our face and the soil on our skin as we escape this sad place.’
‘I see things.
Then I feel things. And then I write them.’
‘Then October passed us quietly and he left me on his doorstep to rot.’
‘You do not have the authority to hurt me anymore.’
Read that again.
You do NOT have the AUTHORITY to hurt me again. That line is so powerful, you have no idea.
‘Hiding everything you ever feel behind a smile is protecting everyone else but weighing your own soul down.’
‘Letting your scars show is not a weakness. Talking about the things that have caused you to ache is not a shortcoming.
It is strength.
It is courage.
Is it self care.’
‘Don’t blame the scars of those who left on the ones trying to stay and heal.’
A lot of the time we try to blame the wrong doings of someone who hurt you before, to the ones who are here for you now and are trying to help you heal. We have to stop and take the time to learn that they are not the ones before them.
‘There is this double standard where a boy’s loss of virginity calls a celebration but a girl’s calls for derision and exclusion. The same act leads to congratulations and disappointment.’
I received an advance readers copy of Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell from Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
By the author of the wildly successful 2am Thoughts, comes Nineteen - titled after the poets age when she wrote this new book.
Nineteen is a collection of poetry that broaches heartache, love, loss, war, peace and healing. For every place we go, there is a feeling or a memory that’s been painted on the walls. You can paint over it, but it will always be there. Even if you can’t see it, you know. You can feel the heartbreak inside the bedroom where you lost a love. You can feel the hope at the coffee shop where a beginning happened. You can feel the healing as you sit in the drivers seat, in charge of your own life.
‘Suddenly, the world picked up and ran away without me. I was not ready.
Time has left me broken.’
‘I know you are insecure and you have this wavering confidence that takes hours to build and only seconds to destroy.’
‘Let’s run through the woods with the wind on our face and the soil on our skin as we escape this sad place.’
‘I see things.
Then I feel things. And then I write them.’
‘Then October passed us quietly and he left me on his doorstep to rot.’
‘You do not have the authority to hurt me anymore.’
Read that again.
You do NOT have the AUTHORITY to hurt me again. That line is so powerful, you have no idea.
‘Hiding everything you ever feel behind a smile is protecting everyone else but weighing your own soul down.’
‘Letting your scars show is not a weakness. Talking about the things that have caused you to ache is not a shortcoming.
It is strength.
It is courage.
Is it self care.’
‘Don’t blame the scars of those who left on the ones trying to stay and heal.’
A lot of the time we try to blame the wrong doings of someone who hurt you before, to the ones who are here for you now and are trying to help you heal. We have to stop and take the time to learn that they are not the ones before them.
‘There is this double standard where a boy’s loss of virginity calls a celebration but a girl’s calls for derision and exclusion. The same act leads to congratulations and disappointment.’
June 8, 2020
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell is a poetry collection that focuses around heartbreak and healing. There are six chapters within the collection that all focus on different themes, but all together tell the story of how she overcame this breakup and her journey of self-care and self-love.
The first chapter is called 'Bedroom'. Campbell really captures the heartbreak and loss after a break up. She touches on the memories and photographs she had with the other person really grasping at the pain and loss of all aspects of her life. The parts no one thinks about of a broken relationship until some time passes. There's a battle of losing who she is because she's unsure of who she is anymore outside of the relationship. There's a poem that is about her losing herself piece by piece and these two lines are really striking to me:
There's nothing worse than watching youself
unravel in s l o w m o t i o n .'
There is also this idea, that starts in this chapter but is heavily focused on throughout all of the chapters and the rest of the book, that you feel worthless after a breakup. She describes it at one point where she feels empty and broken and can't find reason or a path to move on. I think it's a really interesting take and an authentic one too.
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell is a full cycle poetry collection where we experience a failure of a relationship and the aftermath affects on mental health through growing and changing to be better for the next relationship to keep it healthy. Overall, I did enjoy this collection. I did feel like it was written well and the topics were impactful. However, I felt like there was nothing that I hadn't seen before. I would recommend this poetry collection. 4/5 stars
Full review on blog: https://kjeanette.home.blog/2020/06/0...
The first chapter is called 'Bedroom'. Campbell really captures the heartbreak and loss after a break up. She touches on the memories and photographs she had with the other person really grasping at the pain and loss of all aspects of her life. The parts no one thinks about of a broken relationship until some time passes. There's a battle of losing who she is because she's unsure of who she is anymore outside of the relationship. There's a poem that is about her losing herself piece by piece and these two lines are really striking to me:
There's nothing worse than watching youself
unravel in s l o w m o t i o n .'
There is also this idea, that starts in this chapter but is heavily focused on throughout all of the chapters and the rest of the book, that you feel worthless after a breakup. She describes it at one point where she feels empty and broken and can't find reason or a path to move on. I think it's a really interesting take and an authentic one too.
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell is a full cycle poetry collection where we experience a failure of a relationship and the aftermath affects on mental health through growing and changing to be better for the next relationship to keep it healthy. Overall, I did enjoy this collection. I did feel like it was written well and the topics were impactful. However, I felt like there was nothing that I hadn't seen before. I would recommend this poetry collection. 4/5 stars
Full review on blog: https://kjeanette.home.blog/2020/06/0...
April 8, 2020
I received this ARC thanks to Net Galley in exchange for an honest review :)
Firstly, full kudos to the author for publishing her SECOND collection at such a young age! If you love Rupi Kaur's poetry, I think you'll enjoy this take on modern poetry. In this collection Campbell talks about heart break and getting stronger because of it, as well as finding true love after hardships.
Set out in the current fashion, each poem is on its own page with lots of white space between. Some poems change things up and s t a g g e r the words across the page in a semblance of originality and some have little minimalist sketches. Which is unfortunately where my interest starts to wane. It's not that I'm against modern poetry (some of my fave is done my insta poet Yung Pueblo and his collection Inward) but it's hard for me to feel anything when the same metaphors, symbolism, and imagery is used on repeat. The blank page to me is not beautiful, I would rather see more words than a short 'poem' of "you can feel whole and empty at the same time". Or even better, the words that are on the page evoke enough emotion and oomph that my eyes don't drift around the page looking for more.
HOWEVER, I do recognise that part of why I disliked this collection is the content themes i.e. heartbreak. As someone who has not experienced heart break (yes I recognise how great that is and I am grateful) I could not connect to this collection. Perhaps someone who is going through a bad break up would find more comfort in the words written in 'Nineteen'. I hope someone is able to find solace within these blank pages and empty words.
Firstly, full kudos to the author for publishing her SECOND collection at such a young age! If you love Rupi Kaur's poetry, I think you'll enjoy this take on modern poetry. In this collection Campbell talks about heart break and getting stronger because of it, as well as finding true love after hardships.
Set out in the current fashion, each poem is on its own page with lots of white space between. Some poems change things up and s t a g g e r the words across the page in a semblance of originality and some have little minimalist sketches. Which is unfortunately where my interest starts to wane. It's not that I'm against modern poetry (some of my fave is done my insta poet Yung Pueblo and his collection Inward) but it's hard for me to feel anything when the same metaphors, symbolism, and imagery is used on repeat. The blank page to me is not beautiful, I would rather see more words than a short 'poem' of "you can feel whole and empty at the same time". Or even better, the words that are on the page evoke enough emotion and oomph that my eyes don't drift around the page looking for more.
HOWEVER, I do recognise that part of why I disliked this collection is the content themes i.e. heartbreak. As someone who has not experienced heart break (yes I recognise how great that is and I am grateful) I could not connect to this collection. Perhaps someone who is going through a bad break up would find more comfort in the words written in 'Nineteen'. I hope someone is able to find solace within these blank pages and empty words.
January 20, 2020
4/5 stars!
"I should have never made a home of you.
People are not homes.
Not when they can stand up and walk away whenever they decide it is time to go."
***A big thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review***
I’m surprised! Nineteen is a mature and beautiful collection of poems about love and getting hurt. Not only that, but it also talks about healing your heart and moving forward with your life. It was written by Makenzie Campbell when she was only nineteen years old, hence the title.
I don’t usually read a lot of poetry but comparing to what I’ve read before, I would say this is probably my favorite collection of poems. I just love how mature the book is, despite it’s young feel. I identified with a lot of the things she talked about and went through herself. I would describe her writing style as a sweet, beautiful punch in the guts - well, if that’s even a thing. The author is clearly very talented with words if she wrote these poems at such a young age.
Other things I enjoyed: I liked how the chapters are divided into different places - because sometimes we associate memories and feelings to places; there were also a few beautiful, simple illustrations to go with the poems, but nothing overwhelming; and I love how personal the book felt!
I’m surprised, I really liked this one.
More reviews and book related content on my blog: Sprayed Edges Blog.
"I should have never made a home of you.
People are not homes.
Not when they can stand up and walk away whenever they decide it is time to go."
***A big thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review***
I’m surprised! Nineteen is a mature and beautiful collection of poems about love and getting hurt. Not only that, but it also talks about healing your heart and moving forward with your life. It was written by Makenzie Campbell when she was only nineteen years old, hence the title.
I don’t usually read a lot of poetry but comparing to what I’ve read before, I would say this is probably my favorite collection of poems. I just love how mature the book is, despite it’s young feel. I identified with a lot of the things she talked about and went through herself. I would describe her writing style as a sweet, beautiful punch in the guts - well, if that’s even a thing. The author is clearly very talented with words if she wrote these poems at such a young age.
Other things I enjoyed: I liked how the chapters are divided into different places - because sometimes we associate memories and feelings to places; there were also a few beautiful, simple illustrations to go with the poems, but nothing overwhelming; and I love how personal the book felt!
I’m surprised, I really liked this one.
More reviews and book related content on my blog: Sprayed Edges Blog.
April 25, 2020
I’m somebody who reads a lot of poetry and so I have quite a particular expectation when I read new books of poetry/prose. I enjoyed reading through the prose in this book, but unfortunately, I couldn’t completely connect with the words and phrasing. Personally I would have liked to see more formatting to the works to set each piece apart and draw all the focus into the subject of each, instead they all melt into one and I’m not always sure where one begins and another ends. This could just be down to the formatting of the digital download I was sent by NetGalley...
I think the poetry in itself does incorporate a lot of the sensations and feelings that come with heartbreak and may be a balm to a heartbroken soul seeking validation and understanding. The prose is of a long hand format with each piece usually being several paragraphs long and each tells a slightly different story. With a new poem comes a depiction of simplified etchings which I found to be quite nice and a good starting point for what follows.
All in all I didn’t find the authors writing style to be of what I prefer and led to the 3 star review. That’s not to say that others may not enjoy it more or find more solace in it than I could.
I think the poetry in itself does incorporate a lot of the sensations and feelings that come with heartbreak and may be a balm to a heartbroken soul seeking validation and understanding. The prose is of a long hand format with each piece usually being several paragraphs long and each tells a slightly different story. With a new poem comes a depiction of simplified etchings which I found to be quite nice and a good starting point for what follows.
All in all I didn’t find the authors writing style to be of what I prefer and led to the 3 star review. That’s not to say that others may not enjoy it more or find more solace in it than I could.
January 17, 2020
I am never sure how to review a poetry collection. But I will say all of the poetry I have picked up has been modern and most I am not fond of and this one was very different.
I think this one covers alot. Just reading it I think you would feel it's mostly about love and loving someone else but I think it is alot more than that. I definitely felt there was self love, self discovery, growth, pain, hurt, heart break, friendship as well as love and much more within this book. Which I think most could relate to atleast something in this book.
Although I didnt necessarily enjoy all of this and I found some of the flow to be a bit confusing (may or may not be the poet's intent), I look back at the book and see all I had highlighted because I had felt some kind of emotion or connection and there is alot highlighted!
I found alot of it to be relatable and quite beautiful in some parts. So! my star rating is based off would I buy this book? Yes I would. I'd love to have a physical copy to re read and highlight the bits I loved.
TW: Self harm and suicidal thoughts
*Thank you to netgalley for sending me the arc or this in exchange for a honest review
I think this one covers alot. Just reading it I think you would feel it's mostly about love and loving someone else but I think it is alot more than that. I definitely felt there was self love, self discovery, growth, pain, hurt, heart break, friendship as well as love and much more within this book. Which I think most could relate to atleast something in this book.
Although I didnt necessarily enjoy all of this and I found some of the flow to be a bit confusing (may or may not be the poet's intent), I look back at the book and see all I had highlighted because I had felt some kind of emotion or connection and there is alot highlighted!
I found alot of it to be relatable and quite beautiful in some parts. So! my star rating is based off would I buy this book? Yes I would. I'd love to have a physical copy to re read and highlight the bits I loved.
TW: Self harm and suicidal thoughts
*Thank you to netgalley for sending me the arc or this in exchange for a honest review
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