Biting Thorns Off Roses
by Megan E. Hoffman
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Pub Date 14 Oct 2023 | Archive Date 20 Oct 2023
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Description
Biting Thorns Off Roses is a transmutation of deep pain.
Through poetry, Hoffman strives to not only remove, but to also intimately examine the masks we all wear to hide from the world—and perhaps most importantly, the ones we wear to hide from ourselves.
Hoffman brings into question the ways in which we, as individuals and as a society, approach trauma. She shakes the very foundations of our judgements around mental health, challenging us all to walk through our own suffering with open minds and empathetic hearts.
A collection of work designed to thoughtfully carry readers on a journey, from hopelessness to hope. Biting Thorns Off Roses lyrically illustrates what pain has to teach those of us with the courage to sit still in the dark,
and listen.
Advance Praise
SANDESA DYER: 5/5
In her powerful poetry collection, author Hoffman fearlessly explores the complex range of human emotions and exposes the masks we wear to protect ourselves. Through beautiful language, she takes readers on a deep exploration of self, questioning traditional views on trauma and mental well-being.
In this collection of poems, the author provides profound observations about what it means to be human. Through her skillful use of language, she guides readers from feelings of despair to feelings of hope, offering comfort to those who feel overwhelmed by their emotions. Every verse by Hoffman touches our souls, encouraging us to embrace our true selves and step out of the shadows with new strength.
In summary, Hoffman's poetry demonstrates the power of embracing pain and finding hope. "Biting Thorns Off Roses" is a compelling book that delves into the human mind and offers a path towards healing and self-discovery. It is highly recommended for those interested in a deep exploration of the human experience.
KATELYN WELTOK: 5/5
This collection of poetry was exceptionally powerful and meaningful. The author seamlessly is able to show the range of emotions each person deals with, she also shows how we as individuals also will mask ourselves to portray ourselves as we wish to be seen. Through vivid imagery are we brought through our own journey of self reflection. She also gives us insight that make us question traditional methods of healing trauma and mental well being.
These poems were phenomenal and helped to hone in on what it means to be human. The author was able to use her words to paint a picture in the readers mind, as well as to have them experience the different emotions through each poem. She really was able to signify the importance of embracing one’s true self.
This collection is perfect for someone wanting to reflect and delve into whom they are as a person, and who the human race is as a whole. Embracing one’s mental health is key throughout these poems.
CATHERINE PRATT: 5/5
This is a beautifully written book!! I can wholly.relate to the author of this book. An up and coming poet in this time is hard and I am quite certain if she continues he's to.write.poetry like this, she would be a very popular poet. When I read.this book the fourth time,.I cannot help but wonder of she is talking about everyone in the world. I came to the conclusion.that that was what she was doing even though it's based on het experience. As of right now she is in the top five of my most favorite poet. I hope to.read more of her poems so . it's a must read!
I.received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review!
CAROL VICKORS: 4/5
Thank you NetGalley and Megan E. Hoffman, the author for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
What an exquisite collection of poetry and prose that is so raw and honest. Biting Thorns Off Roses is about the facade we put on to to protect ourselves from the world, how we process and deal with trauma and mental health in our life, embracing ones true self and turning our hopelessness into hope. What a powerful and heartfelt book that evokes emotions that everyone can relate to on some level. 💓💓💓💓
"Maybe hope, is our human superpower"
"I know I've been away a long while;
I tend to live in my head; people are lovelier there"
"It's easier to miss you, Than to be near you
And if that isn't the saddest statement I've made
I don't know what is"
"Space to b r e a t h e; to feel; to understand.
Perhaps you'll find that at the end of the day,
seeing yourself is all you really need"
CHANGLEY CAVINS: 5/5
This! This is exactly what I look for when I'm in a poetry mood: a collection of words that provoke thought and evoke emotion.
I felt the pain, loss, anger, longing, questioning, contentment, and hope all throughout this read. There were poems that made me think, pause, and say, "yes, you're right." I finished this read with a motivation for a different outlook on life, a desire to know more about the author, and a drive to examine my own writing. I aspire to write in a way that resonates with my readers as Megan achieved with this book.
I will be looking to get my hands on a physical copy of this one! I need to highlight, reread, and put it on my bookshelf!
Pub date Oct 14
A big thank you to @netgalley and @victoryeditingngc for providing me with an opportunity to read this work of art. All opinions are my own.
COURTNEY: 5/5
“And maybe I wish they would have told me before I got here;
Who’d have thought there’d be such a heavy price to pay for your own life-
Carrying the weight of a heart.”
These poems open up your mind to realizations that are necessary in the world we live in today. They make you stop and think about your existence and purpose and the little things we take for granted.
Powerful messages are portrayed through the words of the author in a simple way of understanding yet there’s so much depth and beauty in the poems on the pages. Many topics are discussed and dissected in a raw and honest voice that I’m looking forward to hearing more of.
The simplicity of the sketches within the book are delicate and pair very well with the intentions of the poetry.
I received this ARC via NetGalley and Victory Editing in exchange for an honest review.
TAURA WILDES: 5/5
“𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒘𝒆’𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔.”
“Biting Thorns Off Roses” by Megan E. Hoffman is a captivating and raw collection of poems. Hoffman mainly explores humanities flaw in masquerading as perfect beings rather than embracing who we really are and freeing ourselves from this burden.
Through beautiful imagery, Hoffman depicts the peaceful aspects of nature and how it does not discriminate or strive for refinement, it is simply here to be. She questions why we carry so much suffering around with us while failing to truly understand it and use it to grow. She also portrays how the life humanity has constructed for itself seems to take away from us what really matters and ponders on how different our lives as a species could have been.
A lot of themes are present in this collection but the one that stood out for me was the power and freeing-quality of introspection. Hoffman depicts her own experiences in this and I feel a lot of readers could relate to looking deep within yourself to face the more challenging feelings our souls tend to hold.
This book was such a lovey read and I highly recommend it.
Publication date: 14th October 2023
SQUID REVIEWS: 4/5
Powerful and emotional and touching and personal. This is not a book you can just sit down and read, you need time to digest it, think about it, feel it. Wonderful imagery and stirring combinations of words.
Truly poignant.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
JUNE COOK: 4/5
This book is full of honest, raw emotion and soul searching. The author's journey through experiencing grief and trauma, and healing.
Some of the words really resonated with me and I could relate to the author as I was reading.
I love the illustrations throughout the pages. I am a visual person meaning something means more to me and sticks with me more if I can visualize it. So illustrations are perfect for me.
I do wish the book had a table of contents or some form of reference page so I can click to go to a specific page. I received the book in PDF form and was unable to find a bookmark.
Marketing Plan
Readers who remember to write an Amazon Review within the First 3 days of launch (October 14th, PST) will receive a Free Autographed Copy!
*Must fill out form on MeganEHoffman.com, and include full name in Amazon review
LINK: https://www.meganehoffman.com/receive-my-copy
Featured Reviews
Nour A, Reviewer
Thank you Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Megan E. Hoffman for letting me receive this arc in exchange for an honest review. Let me just say that this was a beautiful read. The poems in this book is written so beautifully in a way it weighs and carries so many meaningful and emotional themes like attachment and relationship issues, trauma, depression, grief, finding yourself, etc. let’s just say empathy and empowerment was coursing through my body as i read this book
Shelby M, Reviewer
I enjoyed reading this collection of poems. I love the way Megan Hoffman writes about real raw stuff that most people can't. These poems make you feel the pain and hurt most people are afraid to write about. I love the simple illustrations and watching the flowers bloom after a while.
Although some may find these poems to be too dark and personal, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you Netgalley and Megan Hoffman for the opportunity to receive an ARC.
Meg K, Educator
This was a solid poetry collection. I enjoyed the author's voice and loved the floral illustrations. I found myself highlighting a few lines that stuck out to me. The most significant to me was: Someone once told me that I am an, 'out of sight, out of mind' kind of person.
I overall enjoyed this collection. It was easy to read and understand but still had deeper meaning and purpose. If you enjoy Amanda Lovelace or Rupi Kaur, then I think you would enjoy this collection as well.
Elin C, Reviewer
〝yesterday is not today though i carry it with me; an expired bottle of hard pills to swallow.〞
★★★★.5
this collection is a transmutation of deep pain. through poetry, hoffman strives to not only remove, but to also intimately examine the masks we all wear to hide from the world—and perhaps most importantly, the ones we wear to hide from ourselves. it brings into question the ways in which we, as individuals and as a society, approach trauma. she shakes the very foundations of our judgements around mental health, challenging us all to walk through our own suffering with open minds and empathetic hearts. this collection is designed to thoughtfully carry readers on a journey, from hopelessness to hope.
this is exactly what I want in a poetry collection. give me dark themes and a beautiful rhythm and I'm sold. it tackles a lot of themes surrounding trauma so It's important that you check the trigger warnings beforehand but she takes each and everyone of them on beautifully. one problem I often have with poetry collections is that a lot of the poems end up blending together since they cover the same themes but this luckily didn't happen here. since trauma can stem from so many different experiences every poem has a different story which I think is absolutely genius. not only does it help distinguish each poem as it's own but it also includes a lot more readers experience which is always something I personally look for in poetry. I want it to hit me where it hurts and I want it to dig deep and that's exactly what I got.
the whole collection was stunning including the illustrations, I might've even gotten some new tattoo inspo. if you liked bless the daughter raised by a voice in her head, american melancholy or anything by orion carloto; I recommend checking this out.
Pernille K, Reviewer
”Biting Thorns Off Roses” by Megan E. Hoffman is a beautiful and heartfelt collection of poetry by a young poet with a lot on her heart and mind. It is about – emotional – trauma and healing, love and hope. An emotional journey, it is both individual and universal. Her pain may not be your pain, but pain is pain and part of the human experience. Read with your heart rather than your mind – the way all poetry should be read – and learn what walking in her shoes is like, if just for a mile.
Here are some of my favorite passages:
“We are only soul”.
“They say time heals, but in my experience
Time does nothing unless you make use of it”.
“Each improperly healed bone must break again,
To be reset.”
To me, these passages combine to describe a roadmap laid out for us should we wish to follow in Hoffman’s footsteps on our own journeys through life.
Colleen S, Reviewer
Biting Thorns Off Roses by Megan E. Hoffman is a deep philosophical journey of prose though the lows and the whys of life. "If there is only one thing you hold close to your heart, let it be softness" The book is a bit dark, but I think a lot of people will relate to it.
Mary M, Reviewer
I typically don’t read a lot of poetry, but the description of this book appealed to me. I’m so glad I decided to read it. The poems were beautiful, powerful, thought provoking, and even at times inspiring. I got an advanced readers copy from netgalley but my review is unbiased.
Autumn B, Reviewer
Biting Thorns Off Roses was a surprisingly deep and powerful collection of poetry. I found myself feeling much more emotional than I expected as I read through these poems. At times it was like the author was speaking right to me through the prose and I nearly cried. These poems were about so many different things but some themes that stuck out the most were grief, love, attachment, and vulnerability. If you're a fan of lyrically haunting prose or even just poetry in general I definitely recommend giving Biting Thorns Off Roses a try.
Thank you to Megan E. Hoffman and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
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