Browne writes powerful poetry, and hearing it as an audiobook was amazing. I loved every bit of it. Look forward to reading more of Browne's work.

this is a no from me. I couldn't even get halfway through before I put it down. I don't even think I will try to go back to this one and that is saying alot considering I always want to know how a book ends.

There was a lot of pain throughout these lines. #DomesticViolence #PoliceBrutality #HomeGrownTerrorism. Poetry is not my goto genre but I really related to her artistic expression. I definitely recommend it for a slow and thoughful processing reflecting read.
#ChromeValley #NetGalley

i wasn’t sure whether i would enjoy an audiobook version of a poetry collection because i like being able to go over poems again and again as i read them, but this definitely proved me wrong! the poems felt so powerful being read out, full of life and emotion. these are incredibly moving, often heartbreaking pieces of writing that felt even more real because i was able to listen to them. i loved their simple structure and the directness of the language - it’s very easily accessible poetry that gets to the point without losing its poetic nature. i also think that the poetic form works incredibly well for trauma narratives and representation of otherness because of its potential to break with traditional forms of writing and use fragmented language that is able to articulate experiences that are difficult to voice otherwise.

Chrome Valley

Inspiring the Black Community that being black is Gloss, if the black color could be so loved and affectionate to others then why not black humans appreciated for their roots? Many went well and many will arise cause the impact would be astonishing then because black Is generosity.

The title itself holds Chrome which means metallic, shiny. The teachings of this poetry are phenomenal and perspective. Different chapters have different pain. In Every disparate pain, there is a distinct ‘Me’. Brought several swings of emotion that echoes and question, Is that what the black community means to others? Fearful Pretty journey, yet still there was something inside it which is lost and found you had it enough through driving and interpreting things naturally. Remembering your parents and grandparents where relations were crystal clear and twisted.

Red Bone (a light-skinned African-American person who has light skin with red undertones, a reference to an attractive black woman who might be mixed-race) best time, being young, reminisced with distant memories alluding and frowned to lose to find within itself. The illustration of this poetry is quite remarkable while being visionary where the scope is vast and the voice is longing.

The trivia of the poetry is unheard of and becoming widespread to others especially among and against supremacists who are outrageous. The timelines are well-defined and structured. References of different writers along with the Mausoleum, the colors, antiques, and tools are immense. It lays outstretched hands in this poetry. Black folks have been arched mainly. The echo reverberates and resonates with something inside. There’s fire in the eyes because of conflicts of colors being scaffolded. Mother Earth or nature has created all the natural forms of creatures or life which happen to be free and should be nurtured by the recipients but what we do so far it’s a big question mark.

The use of Metaphors and Elaborative study of figures of speech goes well with the text. Being a pawn in the world is easy and what could haunt possibly more than the somber memories? Mentioning love and happiness on vinyl doesn’t satisfy or describe life. It’s a dead valley for the redbone because it’s attractive. Sledgehammer and pitchfork flaunt eve of graduation. Everything in silence where women are loved the best when silent like a monsoon taking a boat that can’t go and set ablaze splitting into varieties. A black has always been the prey where red lives, red laughs, red heights, red breaks, red shines, and red flies.

This literary work ‘Chrome Valley’ is worth tomorrow in the sense of upcoming, uplifting, and innovative. The Poem has shown as a visual soundscape. And ‘Yes You Rock’ in the future generation to look forward to the betterment of, not limited to, The black community but all over the world where it resides subtly.

Thank you netgalley. You are a goddess Mahogany. Thank you.

Chills! I divided this into two days and savored every poem many times. Audio was spectacular. Lyricist, poet, strong woman.
So moving, so raw, so rich with truth- her truth, the black American truth.

I will be buying the Audio version of this and maybe the print too.

I felt heavy heart and lump in my throat through much of this because of its truth.

It’s also her story of family, friends relationships and generational trauma.

I hope everyone reads this and particularly listens to this.

This poetry collection often reads like a memoir in verse, but without the cohesion of such an endeavor. I was often acutely aware that the poem was about memories and/or events in the poet's life. This constantly kept me at bay (held as a voyeur to that memory) but more often it would alienate me (since I kept wondering what elements could only be accessed by those in the memory and no one else) The recurring cast of characters in the poems didn't help make the experience more cohesive for me, it only made it a bit repetitive. There were a few poems that I did really enjoy, but they were few and far between, of these "Working Title" was the best, which had a raw message that was punchy, in your face, and not so personal as to be alienating. I might be in the minority with this, btw. If you enjoy memoir-style poetry this might be your jam, it just wasn't mine.

The poet reads her own poems in the audiobook and I would recommend that as your method of consuming these poems as she has great rhythm and tone.

"This was a beautiful, emotional, riveting experience. I am obsessed with Mahogany's voice and vision. It's incredible that she narrated her own audiobook, and the result is an absolute masterpiece. This is an unflinching look at being a black woman in the US, and I highly recommend the audiobook version. I will 100% be checking out this poet's other work.

Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC."

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Liveright, and Mahogany L. Browne for the opportunity to read and review “Chrome Valley.”

This poetry collection is a time capsule of the author’s experience as a Black woman in America. From stories of being a young girl with the complexities of family, relationships, and growing up, to the pressures of womanhood and the shared fears and traumas of being a Black mother. The author introduces elements of color and details of the body to illustrate this poetic memoir, as well as recounting raw experiences and calling people by name as an homage.

This collection is nothing short of powerful. It’s painful and beautiful, and I could physically feel my heart aching through so many of the works. “Working Title” was a personal favorite of mine. Hearing the author speak their own words through the audiobook brought a new level of emotion to this collection. I’m excited to pick up a copy to reread and study it. I would highly recommend this to others and will be exploring more of Browne’s works.

Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for the audiobook version of this book. Everything I write is of my own personal thoughts feelings and opinions. I am in no way affiliated or compensated for my review.

This book speaks volumes. I love that the author reads the book so you can hear how she wants the poetry to come through to the reader/listener.

I loved this poetry collection, I loved how the author narrated the audiobook it was beautiful! These poems were beautiful, heartbreaking and moving. Highly recommend reading this poetry book, especially listening the audiobook!

This audiobook by Mahogany L. Browne is a collection of poems that has that bit of something. Something that's more than just spoken words. Represents racism and personal life stories.

Thanks to the publishers OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for a review.

This was my first poetry audiobook and it was beautiful to listen to the author. Browne captured so much with every line.

Chrome Valley is incredible and unflinching. If you have the option, I'd highly recommend the audiobook.

I really like MLB. I loved both Vinyl Moon and Chlorine Sky. I love poetry written by women of color. This was so moving. Totally on my recommend list.

OKAY! I was lucky enough to get an advanced audiobook and electronic access to this book before it's set to hit shelves on February 7th, and yall need to know that I am so thankful and overwhelmed with happiness. Thank you so much to WW Norton, NetGalley, and Mahogany L. Browne for letting me read this wonderfully empowering and heartbreaking collection of poems.

They say actions speak louder than words, but I'd have to disagree with that statement based on the power that Mahogany L. Browne conveys in her writing. Chrome Valley is a work brought to you by the systemic hate that has plagued this world, especially the states, for hundreds of years. Browne talks of the struggles she and her family have had to overcome, informing those who come after on how to fall into the basin of another statistic, how to stay alive when all the odds are against them and how to stand up for what they believe in, themselves especially.

Mahogany L. Browne is the mother of poetry -- specifically prose that inflicts remembrance, and a semblance of understanding of the hurt thousands of generations have endured over decades of discrimination and sorrow. I am moved and feel more love for her wisdom now than ever.