Bess Cooley, Bethany MacLachlan, Chandra Grace Johner
Florence by Bess Cooley
Sundress Publications
This is not a travel collection as I thought it might be when I picked it up. This is a deep collection about blood, grief, memory, and illness all infused with a backdrop of music. Bess is a poet who experiences pain through a veil of musicality. The focal point of the book is her grandfather. This was unexpected, and I really liked this as I also write about my grandfather, a family member who can be overlooked, especially in poetics. My favorite piece “Off Season” (which I believe to be a commentary on Alzheimer's) looks at time through seasons and clothing and ends with this powerful and thought provoking line, “...sew my name into the back of my neck.”
*
Ruin and Reclamation by Bethany MacLachlan
Crying Heart Press
Favorite Poem: Recognition
Three things I love:
Bethany combines words in a way that makes you slow down and think while you read.
This is a sad collection that highlights some of our darkest fears about ourselves.
The short, quick use of language reminded me of Rupi Kaur. This is my highest compliment. That’s right, I love Rupi Kaur (particularly what she has done for the voice of immigrants) and if you don’t you are welcome to debate me but you best come prepared.
(This review style I posted for Bethany is how I run my usual review series THUMPS - see tab on my website. I will be resuming that style of review in August.)
*
Naked in Turkey by Chandra Grace Johner
AOS Publishing
Chandra’s debut book merges fiction with reimagined Turkish folklore. A wonderful book to keep in your bag as you travel or as a graduation gift for the young woman setting off on her adult adventure. I am a fan of what I like to call “soft feminism” when there is a not too loud message of reclaiming the narrative, the female gaze, and giving women voice. Chandra has done that really well in this collection. Instead of a review I would like to present six writing prompts I pulled from the collection! It won’t surprise you to find that while this is a book of fiction, Chandra is also a fantastic poet. You can also read about her and her work in the interview posted in my TURNEY TALKS TO section on Turneytalks.com.
Six Writing Prompts From Naked in Turkey by Chandra Grace Johner compiled by Rachel Turney
the tide of people behind me
insane with grief
a plastic jar full of colourful clothespins
as the moon again grew full, so too did her love
He has seen you to your core.
scooped fallen apples from the trees
*Please credit Chandra Grace Johner if you write with these prompts.
