@MichMae99 11 October 2020 more from that month

Poetry collection It is difficult to find the words to describe how much I loved poetry collection. I discovered Courtney Peppernell’s work a couple of years ago when I reviewed the first book in the Pillow Thoughts series and she quickly became one of my favorite authors. Her writing is absolutely beautiful and speaks to me on so many levels, and this collection was no different. Her poetry addresses topics that are highly relatable and always timely, which makes them very easy to connect with.

Photo source:https://www.google.com/search?q=poetry+collection&client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&prmd=ivsn&sxsrf=ALeKk00bFsE5x3X6mEy5cX8VDubI4JKt9w:1602456967496&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUysKy0a3sAhVnF6YKHbZkDOcQ_AUoAXoECBMQAQ&biw=424&bih=779#imgrc=ctHd3pVpA5M49M You can feel all the raw emotion in every word Peppernell writes and the pure passion she puts into creating her poems. This collection is split into five parts, each one dealing with a particular theme. And as a whole, each section ties seamlessly into the next, coming together in a perfect blend that warms the heart and soul. Her poems are a series of meticulously crafted vignettes that comfort, heal, and encourage readers. With vivid imagery, Peppernell takes us on a journey that allows us to better understand, accept, and care for ourselves. One of the best parts of this collection—as well as Peppernell’s other works—is that it is written in a truly unique voice. It stands out among a sea of modern poetry dealing with similar topics and makes for a very captivating and refreshing read. The heartfelt and genuine nature of these poems is easily recognizable. They are seemingly simple but truthfully so profound and intricate. Peppernell’s words consistently empower the reader and contain a level of sincerity that turns this work into a brilliant gem of a book.

Photo source:https://www.google.com/search?q=poetry+collection&client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&bih=779&biw=424&hl=fil&prmd=ivsn&sxsrf=ALeKk00N9qn5FIWvVt35RXNRPKpSV5tnow:1602457207732&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCuYml0q3sAhU0K6YKHfieBaYQ_AUIFSgB#imgrc=KPi0qk_4zN8edM&imgdii=v8YGwatsLMU_rM On a more personal note, this collection is something that entered my life at a particularly fitting time. I have experienced a great deal of loss over the past year that has left me feeling very emotionally drained. My mind desperately needed the mending that these words do. I was touched very deeply while reading this book—it helped me to confront many thoughts I was struggling to face. This was a very cathartic and uplifting journey that filled me with the positivity that I have been lacking for a while. These poems are moving, expressive, inspiring, and utterly beautiful. I know that Peppernell’s words will stick with me for the rest of my life and I will regularly return to her collections. Works like this one are what greatly motivate me in my own writing and remind me why I am so passionate about the written word. I would love to touch one person’s life through my writing in the way she has touched mine with hers—provide someone with that bit of comfort and encouragement at a time where it is so vital. I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. I didn't know that Peppernell was coming out with another Pillow Thoughts book, but when I saw that the title was "mending the mind" I knew I had to read it. I love a good book of poetry and prose that I can connect with and I've done that with Pillow Thoughts I & II, although I connected most with Pillow Thoughts I. I still enjoyed this read though. Peppernell's poetry/prose is simple yet effective in reaching into the hearts and minds of her readers to either give a gentle nudge or hug. There is an undercurrent of hope that runs through the words and ties them together in this book. That said, I do wish that I felt more connected to the work in this book, but there was a lot here that I felt was a little 'recycled' and nothing that I hadn't heard of before. As always though, when Peppernell speaks a thought that resonates with me, it gets me hard, and right in the heart! I teared up reading the chapter on "if your mind needs repairing" and I felt hopeful reading "if your mind needs inspiration". I've been struggling a lot with my mental health over the last few months and reading some of these passages really got to me. They were a small reminder to keep going and to believe and trust that I'm much stronger than I think I am; especially for making it this far in life when every single day is a struggle. "Maybe after all this time you were looking to the wrong person to save you. The right person have been there in front of you. You have just forgotten to look in the mirror." Another book to add to my favorite poem book collection! It was so good and I loved almost all of the poems. The first part was mostly about love and the rest is mostly focused on mental health and encouragement to be better and get through tough times and depression and that its okay to be sad and in pain but not let them control our thoughts and lives. A few of my favorites: "There were all these pieces split and broken on the floor, and she spent days on end trying to put the pieces back together again. But if only she realized that life is meant not to restore what was but rather to create something new and move forward." "They say if you practice something again and again you will become good at it. So why, if you tell yourself everyday that you are capable, do you not believe it?" "Mental illness is not a weakness. It doesn't define you. It will try to dictate your days and make you feel cursed. But just like anyone else, you are equally a child of the universe."