For the last several months, I have been re-reading an English translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. I have thrilled to passages concerning ancient Israel and the experience of divine miracles, devastating tragedies, and spectacular triumphs. There are other passages that move me with their descriptions of betrayal and heartbreak. And, of course, there have been the occasional mind-numbing descriptions of tabernacle and temple construction and furnishings, or endless and repetitive genealogies.

This book delightfully reminded me of the best of that literary experience with occasional allusions to those same characters, places, and events sprinkled throughout the 23 poems contained within. The author's ability to draw on the inspiration of her cultural and religious heritage while creating contemporary verse with beautiful and startling images is what readers of poetry are so often looking for, and was particularly resonant for this reader.
A line that will stick with me for a while: "Cascading failures of warmth."

I enjoyed Fortunately quite a lot, and this was the sort of collection that inspired me to immediately return to the beginning and read these poems through once more. I'm looking forward to more from Nava EtShalom, an impressive new poet.

Thank you to Button Press and Netgalley.com for the electronic advance review copy.

This was my first read of this poet. Some of her pieces really evoked vivid memories for me of my Own experiences in and with Israel. Others reminded me if important biblical motifs and stories.

I do not hesitate when it comes to a collection released by Button Poetry and with this book, Nava EtShalom invites you on a journey, it may be a spiritual awakening, an opportunity to grieve, heal and grow...however one thing is certain, you will feel something, and for me in "God of Suicides" I was reminded of the things I give a part of myself or my whole being for, the things I kill myself for like being appreciated, applauded, the stress.
If you are the kind to relish those opening lines, then how about "Generation" that starts "In the coven that raised me nobody considered silence."
Or if you think you've felt enough and are waiting for a closing line to that poem to be smooth and ease your hurt, but it doesn't like "Recovery," that urges you to "Open your mouth," and suddenly you are talking about the things that have been weighing you down.

This is a short collection of poems and trust me...Ii almost said a few of them triggered some emotions I never wanted to deal with, and now that that's in the open...I find it oddly refreshing.
Thank you Button Poetry and Netgalley for the eARC.

A brutal, haunting and beautiful collection of poems. The emotions from the poems were palpable and deeply moving. There were lots of poems with subjects such as war, death, violence and suicide, which were approached thoughtfully but EtShalom did not shy away from. Obviously some content warnings for the above if you are sensitive to those subjects.
I feel I couldn't appreciate it as much as it deserved since I didn't really understand the religious aspects of them.

Beautiful and moving collection of poems.