Stars: 3/5

Thank you for a free copy in return for an honest review.

I was able to zoom through this in about 20 minutes and it really freaking hit the nail on the head about how I feel/ felt about my body. I've made a lot of improvements and rather than making me return to such a hard time, I found it somewhat reflective. I forgot where I came from. I now realise my progress and for that, and how much it touched me, I thank Parker and give the stars.

That said, occasionally I didn't understand or I was slightly underwhelmed/ indifferent... which happens - y'know, you have to really connect with a poet to understand their poetry.

RECOMMEND: for those interested in a quick poetry read on body image, self confidence and mental health

WARNINGS: discussion of depressive feelings and body dysmorphia

I thoroughly enjoyed these poems. They were relatable and great. I liked it a lot. I liked the exploration of different topics and all I can say is that this is like a fine cup of coffee on a soft sunny morning. It just works and I’m feeling content and happy after reading it.

Cyrus Parker's writing gets better and better with every single book. I am in absolute awe of this collection. Incredibly hard hitting, had me in tears on more than one occasion. Relatable, too, as a trans/non-binary person.

This book was received as an ARC from Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could feel my heart strings pulling right out of me while reading some of the poems in this book. Anyone can relate to the pain and struggle expressed in these poems even if you are not LGBTQ. Everyone has a struggle and sometimes it takes a little coffee and whiskey to settle it down. Also, a lot of our readers will be drawn to this book because of the poetry, short writings and the expressions throughout the books that just may leave you to tears. Even though this book was not what I expected, I really did enjoy it and I know our patrons will too.

We will consider adding this title to our Poetry collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Cyrus Parker floods the page with beautiful words and powerful experience. I loved the cadence of this work, and the portrait that unfolded page by page, reflecting life and the importance of a person’s story. Lovely and literary, a highly recommended read.

I related a lot to this work of poetry, the ups and the downs, and found myself tearing up a few places and running several highlighted phrases throughout the book. The author has captured well that feeling of up and down and the ways they can change quickly throughout the day. I found myself rereading phrases here and there as I highlighted them, and considering them within the context of my own life.

It was a brief read, with depth and I found myself wishing was slightly longer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

I didn’t even know I needed to read this until I finished this book. Reading a book of poetry on an e-reader is not ideal in the slightest, but the words that Parker was able to string together were all a reminder of the simple things in life like coffee and enjoying the feeling of being. It was a reminder that even in the low points of yourself, you can rise and bloom and be you. This wasn’t the most spectacular writing or poetry I’ve ever read. It was simple and a little cliche, but at the end of the day it brought me comfort reading it. It was like talking to your best friends from high school, something you revisit when you need a little pick me up and piece of hope. I really recommend you guys check this out when it comes out in September. It was something special.

I didn't even know I needed to read this until I finished this book. Reading a book of poetry on an e-reader is not ideal in the slightest, but the words that Parker was able to string together were all a reminder of the simple things in life like coffee and enjoying the feeling of being. It was a reminder that even in the low points of yourself, you can rise and bloom and be you. This wasn't the most spectacular writing or poetry I've ever read. It was simple and a little cliche, but at the end of the day it brought me comfort reading it. It was like talking to your best friends from high school, something you revisit when you need a little pick me up and piece of hope. I really recommend you guys check this out when it comes out in September. It was something special.

3.5 stars

"How much better it must feel to be nothing at all than to be everything I can't stand."

I really enjoyed the flow and the cohesiveness of the authors life and message. Dark and light. The struggle for happiness and power.

Arc provided by Netgalley for honest review. I will add that the provided arc copy was a bit hard to read because if the format. Parts of it were very light

3/5 stars. I’ve always enjoyed poetry and this collection was a very insightful one. This year I have been reading more poetry than last and I’m glad I received a copy from NetGalley.

This was my first time reading Cyrus Parker's work and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a quick read and very enlightening. The book is very inspirational and there are quite a few parts that I personally enjoyed a lot. The writing is engaging and gets to the point. One of my favorite parts was: "Some say my generation is too wrapped up in social media to live their lives, but that's not what I see. I see a generation who so desperately wants to cling to every precious moment because we know the good ones are so few and far between. I see a generation who knows that life is a fleeting thing, and there's only so much time to leave behind something that says. 'I was here. I existed.'"

Parts like that really hit home and connected with me. I will definitely be looking out for more of Cyrus Parker's works in the future.

Unfortunately, my favorite parts of this new poetry book are the fantastic cover and the clever, slightly gimmicky format -- more hopeful (sometimes) morning/coffee poems on white pages on one side and sadder night/whiskey poems in white text on black on the other side.

This author and publisher are apparently from the world of Tumblr and Instagram poetry. I realize that's immensely popular right now and many people love it, but it's not my kind of poetry. I keep hoping to find a popular modern poet who actually uses words really poetically (say something in a new way, add some rhythm or alliteration, stack some meaning, throw in a truly new metaphor...) but for the most part this is the standard "I am worthy/I'm so sad" kind of poetry that this genre is known for.

Example coffee/white side poem:

there are things i had expected from you that you
couldn't give me, so now i give them to myself.

Example whiskey/black side poem:

you ask me for more time
like your fingers aren't wrapped
around my throat, crushing
my windpipe, keeping me
from the air i need to live.
i can only give you so much
time before there isn't any left.

I really feel for the author, though, who writes very honestly about issues like gender dysphoria and depression. Folks who enjoy this sort of poetry will find lots to like, and will root for Parker.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This rating reflects that this was simply not to my taste; I respect the themes and emotions that went into this collection, but the style of poetry was just not for me.

I finished reading this collection of poetry in one sitting. It’s very well thought out and pleasing to the eye. The poetry alternates between black-on-white pages representing those coffee days and white-on-black pages representing those whiskey nights.

The poetry and prose were both short, but the content packed a punch. It felt very raw, real, and relatable. Perhaps some of that hit too close to home, but that’s poetry doing its job!

I feel like “coffee days whiskey nights” would make an fun coffee table book for its aesthetics and its contents. This book was uplifting and hopeful. Looking forward to reading more from Parker.

Without a doubt Cyrus Parker’s Coffee Days Whiskey Nights is a significant poetry book to be reviewing during Mental Health Awareness Week. They cover so many topics in such a delicately beautiful way that it’s hard to decide where to even start in discussing it but I must start by saying it’s a realistic piece of art that I can’t help but feel speaks to so many different people. They put into words the exact up and down emotional rollercoaster of anxiety and depression that can inject itself, unwantedly, into everyday life and everyday thoughts. An accurately comforting depiction that I think everyone could appreciate.

As I zoomed through this poetry book at what felt like light speed, I couldn’t help but feel at home in so many of Parker’s words. Their ability to have put the internal conflict and commotion of self-doubt into words astounded me and I felt instantly understood at all my lowest points. The form of the poem allowed you to clearly see the black and white extreme of the charter from self-confidence to self-doubt, and their words personify the teetering see-saw each and every person experiences at some point in their life between okay and not okay.

Parker’s heavy whiskey nights in contrast to their slower, coffee days demonstrates the contrasting binaries throughout; light to dark, day to night, life to death, the silence to poetic expression, opening your heart out to building that stone brick wall up, and so many more. Yet they also make sure that these binaries are broken, questioned and changed. Life isn’t as simple as black and white and there’s so much beauty and pain in the grey areas that cannot go ignored – enough to make a harrowingly beautiful poem with. If I took anything from Parker’s poetry it’s that you can’t box life off into binary pairs just as you can’t box off people’s individuality into them either and the more this is forced upon society the harder life is going to be for everyone.

The imagery in this poetry is starkly vivid as we see the narrator’s journey from crutching onto coffee, crutching onto whiskey, to the realisation that we can break up this incessant internal torture if we give ourselves the chance to just “simply be.” As readers, we are there along with them as they show us just what life can be like if we appreciate the small beauties that surround us daily and allow ourselves to write our own ending, taking it out of the hands of other people’s judgement and owning it.

Parker, the narrator of your poem asks if they’ve, “made a difference to someone anyone,” and I can assure you that this book will make sure the answer to this is an astounding yes. If you need a reminder, in writing, that everyone struggles, that everyone’s different and that everything will be okay then make sure to get your copy in September!

Powerful, raw,and poignant! The author opened up their heart and mind on the pages. Looking forward to purchasing a copy!

I loved this book. I cannot wait to purchase my personal copy (so I can legally write in it.) The verses were poignant and heart-felt and I saw myself on more than one page. Beautifully written.

As with Parker’s previous work, there are several poems that hit straight to the heart. Instagram poetry fans will enjoy their latest and it will resonate with readers that have gone through some tough times.