4 stars!
This collection of poetry was really good !! I liked most of the texts. I recommend this receuil to all those who love poetry in general. Thanks to Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange of my honest review.

A collection of short stories and poetry, Disconnected is a book that features an incredible collection of poetic talent from the likes of Amanda Lovelace and Nikita Gill.

The stories are really something in this book, sometimes hard hitting, sometimes beautiful, in particular Cyrus Parker’s and Amanda Lovelace’s stories really strike me in this book, (Spoiler: in fact, give me a whole freakin’ novel of Amanda Lovelace’s short story I’m here for polyamorous selkies).

In between these stories are poems that just space these stories out perfectly. Nikita Gill and R.H.Swaney’s contributions in particular are excellent and really add to the connections of these stories. The variety of contributors in this book is immense but they all work flawlessly together to create something truly great with this book, bringing emotion and flowing poetry to the fore.

A book that blooms as it goes, if you need a short story collection, get this one.

This was a cute and quick read.

I like when collections match an overall theme and aren't divided from each other - here we get a literal alternation, with one author's poem preceding another author's short story and poem, repeating for a total of 10 short stories and 10 poems (though there were bonus poems at the end that were good to read).

There were some short stories and poems that resonated with me more than others, just because they were more interesting to read. I like the selkie story, and the Train short story as well. I didn't pay attention to the author's names specifically though, mostly because I don't focus on those details as much (particularly as with the authors in this collection, I only knew one by name!)

I could see myself rereading the stories and poems I enjoyed, and if i ever had a physical copy, I would probably annotate it with post-it tabs a lot.

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4/5

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This was an ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for granting my wish!

Wooohooooo I got my wish! Thank you so much to Central Avenue Publishing for granting me the opportunity to read an e-arc of this poetry collection in exchange for an honest review! Thank you also to Netgalley, which is a great platform as always!

Sooo...poetry...I think that I’ve read maybe one poetry book until this year, but lately I am growing quite a fondness for it! Poetry really can get you out of a reading slump as well, since it’s mostly shorter in length and easier to absorb but still packs a punch!

First and foremost the idea of getting all of these poets together to create short stories and show their readers that they can do so much more with their talent- great! But, the “premise” of each author coming together and playing off one another’s poetry by writing a short story of their own was pure genius! We need so many more of these bundles —ASAP please! 🙏🏻❤️🤞🏻

So after all of that being said I must admit that I really didn’t “connect”- yes pun intended -with too many of the stories or poems that were written in this collection. I think maybe that could be because it is very hard to grasp what is going on in another writer’s mind when they publish something. Making a
“ connection” to someone else’s work and having to produce something based on your own mind frame or interpretation seems very difficult.

I will tell you this — my favorite duo was by far “Astral Travel “ by Amanda Lovelace & “ A Way to Leave” by R.H. Swaney. My favorite runner up story would definitely be “ The train” by Liam Ryan.

I also found it funny that my top 4 favorite poems were NOT those that were selected to be turned into stories, and they all resided in the back. They were…

-Erratics by Nikita Gill
-A Book and It’s Girl by Amanda Lovelace
-Stained Glass Mirror by Cyrus Parker
- Beauty in the bones by R.H. Swaney

I definitely will be checking out poetry by a few of these authors that I wouldn’t have otherwise as well ❤️

3.5 stars and I hope you do a compilation like this again!

As some of you may know, I've been trying to read more poetry this year. I've mentioned that a couple of times already - it's part of why I read Amanda Lovelace's first two poetry collections. So when I heard that she and other poets would be participating in a sort of anthology of poetry and short stories, all about being [dis]connected? I just knew this was something I had to read.

The book
Humanity exists in a hyper connected world, where our closest friends, loves and enemies lie but a keyboard stroke away. Few know this better than the poets who have risen to the top of their trade by sharing their emotion, opinion and art with millions of fans.

Combining the poetic forces of some of today’s most popular and confessional poets, this book presents poems and short stories about connection wrapped up in a most unique exercise in creative writing. Follow along as your favorite poets connect with each other; offering their poetry to the next poet who tells a story based on the concept presented to them. With poetry, stories and art, [Dis]Connected is a mixed media presentation of connection and collaboration.

The opinion
Now the set up of this collection is described in the introduction as stemming from:

What would happen if this poetry craze was just a fad. What the next "thing" was. How many of these poets knew each other. How supportive they were of each other against those who think their craft is instagrammable garbage."

The editor goes on:

How contemporary poetry is a most wonderful form of art that is bringing together people from all over the world

Both of those, for me at least, are very strong "selling points". It is true that, these days, poetry seems to be going through something of a revival. The idea that you can have something from all these poets in just one book? It's basically like the perfect way to expand your field of poetry to read.

Then, of course, there's the theme of the collection: being [dis]connected. I could ramble on now about how, in this time of ultra-connectivity, so many people feel so terribly alone and disconnected. I don't have to, though, those are the facts of the world, at this point.

What does need to be mentioned, is that this collection highlights just how disconnected people often truly are. From goddesses on earth, to mythical creatures to the #metoo movement... In so many ways, this collections highlights not only that we are often disconnected, but also the many ways in which we can be connected.

I've grown to see this world as a home, the internet as our electricity, and us as appliances connected in different areas, achieving different things.

Now, of course, this isn't *just* a poetry collection. Each poet offered three poems, and one of the other poets than chose of these to write a short story. Now, 100% personal opinion? I think Cyrus Parker's short story was the most "shocking" (or shaking, because I basically was, when I was reading it). Trista Mateer's short story was the most beautiful, while I Nikita Gill's was the most magical. Although, it does have a strong competitor in Amanda Lovelace's for that title. Honestly, that might just be what explains this best: I cannnot choose a favorite. Each of the short stories has such a completely different tone, setting, theme and yet is connected through that notion of disconnection... Any favorite I choose would be replaced 5 minutes later for a completely different reason.



All of them left me putting the collection away, and needing a moment to recover.

The rating: 4/5
It is incredibly hard to "rate" poetry. As I have now discovered - the same can be said for short stories. When you consider that poetry is meant to "make you feel something", however, I can only confirm that this collection absolutely succeeded at that. The short stories were both easy to read and hard to dismiss, so if that feels like something you could enjoy? Definitely give this one a read!

-Saar

This was a unique book of poetry written by several women.
It was quite enjoyable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Dis]connected is a unique collection of contemporary writing, in which poets write poems on the theme of connection and then write a short story about another writer's poem from the collection. The result is an emotional collection that takes similar lines and concepts in different directions. On one hand, it is a great way to discover new writers, and on the other, it is fresh work from all the writers involved too.

Though there are a lot of good poems in the book, it is the short stories that come after each poem, written by a different author, which really make it. They often take the poem in unexpected directions, often changing the kind of connection too. My personal favourite was a short story featuring Artemis that looks at recovery and also retelling myths.

The combination of forms (predominantly alternated until the end, which has the poems that don't have short stories to go with them) makes this a great collection for variation, and it would be a great book to read in short sittings, reading one poem and its corresponding short story at a time.

Loved the idea behind this: writers building off of each other to create interesting new pieces! As with any poetry/short story collection, I didn't love/connect with every piece, but it was an interesting read and exposed me to writers I hadn't encountered before!

Following what seems to be a new trend in poetry, Disconnected calls on the talents of multiple poets to tell one cohesive story. Frankly, this book is impressive simply for that reason. The writing is also gorgeous and the story resonates. My personal favorite section was the one by Trista Mateer.

I liked this book! Even though it's been a looong time since I've willingly read a short story (thanks required school reading), I found myself engaged in the various stories and wishing that they lasted longer.

I didn't entirely see the theme of being disconnected in every piece, but that may have been in the way I read the poems and stories.

If you are interested in 'meeting' several unique and talented artists you should definitely read this book!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ebook proof from Netgalley for an honest review.

This was a really unique book filled with a wide cast of poets, some I love and some were new to me. Anthologies are difficult to review, as each story is different.I reviewed the  short stories individually, obviously my three favorite were Nakita, Amanda and Cyrus. I will read anything by these three authors,and if i had to pick a favorite story it would be Amanda's. It was beautiful, magical and about the ocean,so it holds a special place in my heart.It was fun to discover some new poets,I really liked Liam Ryans writing and will look for more of his work in the future.

Nakita Gill 5 Stars
Cyrus Parker 5 Stars
Sarah Bond 3 Stars
Yena Sharma Purmasir 3 Stars
Iain S Thomas 3.5 Stars
Amanda Lovelace 5 Stars
R H Swaney 3 Stars
Trista Mateer 4 Stars
Liam Ryan 4 Stars
Canisia Lubrin 3 Stars

If you're looking for a fun fast read, by amazingly talent writers then I highly recommend you pick up this book.

A good mixture of poets with different levels of experience. Featuring poems, short stories and illustrations this was an interesting collection that showcases a variety of poetry forms, includes some insight into how the poems were used as short story prompts and offers a variety of subject matters and unique points of view. While I connected more with some pieces more than others, I feel that this is a book I will return to.