This is a gorgeous poetry collection, which explores the struggles of immigrantion and discrimination in a really beautiful and touching way. The poems, manage to both give an insight into the situation of an arab-muslim living in the US in the current political climate, while also being very emotionally touching and invoking a lot of feelings in the reader.

Thanks to netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for an ARC of this collection!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of The Pomegranate is a Grenade and I had to slow myself down reading it so that I could savour it and fully appreciate it when I just wanted to consume it as quickly as possible.

The title is well chosen as the poem The Pomegranate was one of the poems that spoke to me the most. It was clever and beautiful but heartbreaking as well. The poems on Palestine and Lebanon were particularly powerful within the collection but they also worked incredibly well with the other poems about life more generally. Hashwi's experience of being Muslim, Lebanese, and America are not things I can personally relate to but her poems beautifully highlight the good and the bad but they tie into much wider themes of identity and belonging which are universal human experiences.

I enjoyed the book a great deal and thought the order and pacing of the poems was well done. On an individual level, I particularly loved The Mango Pit and Dancing with Ancestors and was incredibly moved by Body Bags and Faux Patriotism.

I'd recommend this book to any poetry lover, interested in Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider region, and to anyone who's ever struggled with home not feeling like home.

I'd definitely give it a strong 4.5/5⭐

What an important piece of literature to read, especially in today's times.

I love how the author plays around with the form of the poetry. It makes for a very interesting read. The writing is eloquent but easy to digest and accessible to both new and old readers of poetry. Quite a few of these poems I read over-and-over and each time felt or thought something different.

I can understand why this collection is called 'The Pomegranate is a Grenade' as this was a standout poem for me. The contrast between the 'confetti' and 'celebration' against the 'grenade' sent shivers down my spine. It's a gut-wrenching read but necessary read.

I think, given the divisive political climate, everyone should read it. I really appreciate this opportunity to hear from the perspective of a Muslim author. It gives authentic insight on family, ongoing conflicts, immigration and being a Muslim in America.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC.

What a powerful collection of poetry, varying in form, theme, and emotion. My favorite poems are “My Therapist Says” for its symbolism and analysis points (I can’t wait to buy a copy once it’s published to use it in my classroom!) and The Pomegranate gives haunting imagery that contrasts such a symbolic fruit with the traumas of war. Definitely a must-read collection for anyone who wants to hear an authentic poetic voice on faith, love, war, immigrants in the United States, and metaphors that carry through the collection.

The Pomegranate is a Grenade is a breathtaking debut that captures the "white-hot" beauty and tension of the Arab Muslim experience in America. Through intimate, accessible verse, Maha Hashwi explores the textures of an immigrant household from the fragrance of shared meals to the heavy silence of displacement. It is a stunning examination of what it means to carry a home in your bones when you belong to more than one world.

What I Loved:
• The Imagery: Maha’s use of sensory details—food, rituals, and the "rooms" of her upbringing is exquisite. The title itself perfectly captures the explosive nature of identity: something sweet, segmented, and full of life, yet shaped by conflict and resistance.
• The Emotional Arc: The collection moves beautifully between the tenderness of family love and the sharp reality of cultural contradictions. It doesn't just ask where we belong; it asks what we are willing to carry in order to survive.

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of poems. It is absolutely mesmerizing. The poet is an Arab Muslim and she guides us through small snippets of the heartbreak and joy of being her as she moves through this world. She lets us into her culture and her family and talks to us of all the ways she has been shut out and occasionally included. She talks to us of the worry and fear she has and encounters.

Every poem is a rendering of the authors heart. I feel very honored that she chose to share these pieces of herself with me and with you, because you should definitely read this collection.

This collection was truly incredible and exceeded my expectations in every way. Each piece felt thoughtfully curated, showcasing a remarkable level of creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. I found myself completely immersed in the experience from beginning to end, appreciating the unique qualities and perspectives that each work brought to the collection. It was both inspiring and memorable, leaving a lasting impression long after I had finished exploring it. I genuinely enjoyed every moment and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something exceptional and engaging.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC! In exchange for an unbiased review.


The Pomegranate is a Grenade was beautifully written and heart-wrenching. Written with such importance and deep emotional connection. It speaks of the things going on in the world, and how it effects those we know and those we don't every day. It is so relevant and I urge everyone to read this collection, I will be thinking and going back to this often, I believe.

Pomegranate is a Grenade is a tender book of poetry. The shifts between time, family, and cultural landscape were a sweet and fulfilling experience. As a Black woman, I found that the cultural differences were bridged by the sameness in women's life experiences. Poetry is a cultural connector, and this collection is no different.

This is a beautiful collection of poetry exploring the struggles of immigration and discrimination. Hashwi writes so eloquently, and the poems about Lebanon and Palestine specifically really moved me. This is such an important piece of literature with the current political climate. As a white person with no connection to my European roots, the importance placed on home in this collection really hit me - it's something I'm missing in my own life. While I cannot relate to Hashwi's experiences myself, she translates her feelings and experiences so well onto paper.

I particularly enjoyed Wearing Winter, Gardening with Love, and My Therapist Says.

I am new to poetry myself, but I'd absolutely recommend this. It's a title I plan to revisit in the future and I'll absolutely be picking up a physical copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the review copy!