This book was phenomenal. It took me a bit to get into but once I read it, I couldn't stop. I loved it so much. I thought the concepts were very personal and even though I couldn't fully relate to the content, the author still made the collection relatable and accessible to me. I really enjoyed reading it.

My only critique was that I wish it was longer!

Staying Right Here is a journey in finding home. The vignettes of joy and hardship pay homage to Hameedi's parents and show how he has navigated finding his place in America. Themes include family, wellness, bushy eyebrows, politics, and American biases.
I felt swept away by the author's words and insights. His perspective and lived experiences are very different from mine, and that stretched my worldview. My heart broke as he talked about 9/11 and soared when he mentioned his parents' sweet, sacrificial and wholehearted devotion to him. And I felt angry sometimes because of how he's been treated and the behaviors and attitudes we as a collective allow.
This book is important to give folks a voice and to share that voice with folks who need to hear it.

FIVE STARS!!!!
The debut collection of poems by Usman Hameedi has presented to the world is so raw, beautiful, and unapologetic. Many topics are seen throughout the story such as family, home life, and feeling like you belong or don't. Hameedi's writing is just so pure his writing truly keeps you engaged.

Usman Hameedi's Staying Right Here is a collection of autobiographical poetry that's centred around the author's ties to family and New York City, and the specifics of being a Pakistani-American New Yorker who's moved to Boston. Some of it is deeply personal - we hear about an uncle's diabetic decline and the father's garden - and some of it is personal experience that's also socially broader - flying while Muslim, among others.

And while I'd call most of the poetry decent enough, there are some brilliant turns of phrase in some of the poems, and there are a couple of fun formatting choices - a mid-credits poem in between the acknowledgements and the publishing notes was particularly delightful in its unexpectedness.

I requested a review copy of this after coming across YouTube videos of Hameedi reciting some of the poetry that's collected here. And as I read, I had the feeling that I would have read this collection with a slightly different rhythm if I hadn't heard him before I'd read him.

Powerful poetry on the young American diasporas experience.
Enjoyed it especially"Ode to Jackson Heights," but unsure about the line "don't Buzzfeed us."

Thanks for the digital review copy.

Usman Hameedi’s debut poetry collection is delightful, raw, sentimental, and unapologetic. He explores themes of home, family, belonging and the lack thereof, and coming to terms with one’s own ancestry. Hameedi’s writing is witty, honest, fresh, and thoroughly engaging. I could hardly put this book down. I will definitely be reading this again, likely multiple times. Highly recommend!

Post-9/11 diaspora poetry will always reign supreme. This was powerful. Emotion. Real. Please read this.

I really enjoyed this book of poetry for a number of reasons….1) I could actually understand what the poet was saying, 2) Usman’s unique and bold perspective regarding significant life events that impacted everyone and 3) seeing his coming of age through his simple yet elegant prose. Usman takes us on a journey from his childhood to adulthood and gives a unique inside look at the events that affected his personal life and career. It is a bold and brave telling of his life, the good, the bad, and the ugly that shaped him into who he is today. I loved that the poetry was simple yet impactful which made it easy to read and Usman’s additional creativity in the format and structure of the poems. Delicately intertwined within his poetry, are lines from other poems by poets who influenced him and his writing – a bonus. I highly recommend Staying Right Here by Usman Hameedi; a big thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

This was a mediocre read. I wouldn't read it again or recommend it, but it had a few bright moments.

This poetry collection is a beautifully written account of navigation post 9/11 America as a Pakistani-American. This debut collection is incredibly impressive and I cannot wait to see what else Usman Hameedi does in the future.

“Church in Charleston.
Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Mosque in New Zealand.
It did not matter who the congregation
Named the center of the universe,
The gunmen all entered with the same
God Complex. Saw Jesus in whiteface,
Then deciphered scriptures from gunpowder and smoke.”

This collection is so full of insight, sorrow, deep familial love, and tons upon tons of perspective. A fantastic read.

Staying Right Here by Usman Hameedi is the exploration of finding a place to call home, while at the same time honouring the deep roots that continue to anchor one to a strong sense of self. I was moved by the author's clear connection to family as he navigates his way through a journey characterized by hardship and loss. His is an unfiltered and unique voice that I suspect we will hear much more of in the future. An impressive debut indeed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Button Poetry for an ARC.