A luminous poetry collection, with a gorgeous audio version. the poems in the first 3/4 of the collection kept me mesmerized, in both word and voice the last quarter dragged a little for me. Afro-Latina, Dominican. New Yorker. Black. Bilingual. Woman. Child of immigrants and survivors. Descendant of enslaved people. Unapologetically weaving all these identities and experiences together into bold, luminous poetry.

thank you to #Netgalley for an ARC of #PlantainsandourBecoming ...even though I ended up listening to it instead.

Approaching this poetry collection with curiosity rather than deep familiarity, I found Melania Luisa Marte's "Plantains and Our Becoming" to be a deeply personal exploration.

The collection begins strongly with poignant poems that explore Marte's family and her Afro-Latina identity, touching on themes of diaspora, home, and cultural belonging. These early pieces captivated me, offering insights into experiences that felt both familiar and uniquely Marte's.

However, as I continued through the collection, I encountered poems that, while addressing important societal issues, occasionally felt more like political statements lacking in depth. This juxtaposition between heartfelt personal narratives and broader commentary somewhat diluted the overall impact for me.

Nevertheless, Marte's exploration of identity, culture, and the challenges faced by Afro-Latinas is commendable. The poems focusing on her family, cultural heritage, and the longing for home resonated deeply, inviting readers to reflect on their own cultural intersections and experiences.

In conclusion, "Plantains and Our Becoming" is a commendable effort that shines brightest when delving into personal narratives and cultural introspection. Despite some poems feeling repetitive, the collection offers moments of beauty, honesty, and introspection that are worthwhile, particularly for readers interested in themes of identity and cultural heritage.

I absolutely loved this!! It was beautifully written. It's a collection that will certainly stick with people and one that I hope to get in a physical copy!

This is a lovely collection of poetry rooted in Afro-Latinidad. Rooted in tradition, the poems call out certain hypocrisies and judgments rooted in racism and classism.

Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte was a beautiful book of poetry! I was truly thankful to have gotten to read this before most people! I would like to purchase this one for my physical library!

This poetry collection was so beautifully written! I loved that it flowed between English to Spanish back to English again so fluidly, it really felt like I was experiencing Melania Luisa Marte's experiences. I really can't put much more thought about this collection into words, I read it so quickly.

Excellent! The author was able to capture the beauty, complexity, and hardships of being Afro-Caribbean. As I read through these wonderfully crafted texts and I found myself captivated and emotional. 5 out of 5. Please read if you get the chance.

Beautiful and stunningly written. A fresh new voice in the poetry genre that deserves all the praise!

This book is a powerful journey through a range of emotions—soulful, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at once. It's the kind of read that resonates deeply and deserves a place on the bookshelf for its emotional depth and impact.

Thank you Netgalley for readers copy. This collection was beautiful, honest, and moving. I first heard of Melania Luisa Marte when she narrated Elizabeth Acevedo's book, Clap When You Land and her debut did not disappoint.
Although I'm not Afro-Latina myself, as someone from the African diaspora and the child of immigrants I related to so many themes.
Part story, part history, part memory this collection deals with colorism, discrimination, depression, and struggling with assimilation.

Powerful, soulful, beautiful, heartbreaking. There are so many different emotions that I went through while reading this. Definitely something to put on the bookshelf.

Like many, I previously knew Marte only from her work performing the words of others, like in her narration of Elizabeth Acevedo's novel-in-verse Clap When You Land.. This was a pleasure.

Wow. This collection is beautiful!
Plantains and Our Becoming is something that should be on the shelves of a lot of high schools. the way it deals with issues of identity and belonging is something I believe a lot of young women would be able to see themselves in her story.

A really stunning and evocative collection expertly written by Melania Luisa Marte, exploring identity and all the ways it intertwines with our understanding of the self.

I loved this poetry collection it will be one I look back on constantly. I can’t choose a favorite poem just can’t wait to reread it. I want more Afro Latinx poetry

Wonderful collection of poems from an Afro Latina about racism, colonialism, colorism, and celebrating who you are. Part memoir, autobiography, and musings of coming of age. Melania Luisa's words will put that fire on your tongue and the sway in your hips for anyone who dares ask What are you mixed with? I thoroughly enjoyed this one and wish I could get it in the hands of all my mixed race babies on this planet.

Not being apart of this minority group it was very enlightening experience. I enjoyed learning more about this topic because I lacked information before. I loved this and I can’t wait to read more

This collection of poems is so powerful. As being Afro-Latina myself, I related and found myself getting emotional multiple times while reading. I felt seen. I loved the flow of the 3 sections and how it all connected. Highly recommend reading and look forward to more by this author.

This was a pretty decent collection of poems some are like mini short stories and memories, and personal experiences from the authors life. But overall the collection focuses on themes of identity, culture, home, and belonging. A few of the poems were very relatable and I loved the emotional depth and honesty shown throughout. Special thanks to the author, netgalley, & @tinybookreps for my advanced copy!!!

Favorite poems:
* Who Am I
* On Colorism
* Hecha Complete
* Future is a Space
* Dance With Me

Rating: 4/5⭐️

A perfect mix of personal storytelling and insight into the Afro-Latina diaspora. I think these poems can be very healing and empathetic for anyone who has the same identity as the author and enlightening for those who do not. This is the longest book of poetry I've read that isn't a collection or completed work of an author and it was daunting. I usually can read a poetry book in one day but this one took me several weeks.

I learned a lot while reading this in a way I did not expect! I also felt the rage and frustration behind the author's words. That being said there is still a lot of joy, humor, and love of her culture in these poems. I also liked how many of them have pop culture references. With a mix of prose and varying poetry structures, Melania Luisa Marte is a poet to keep up with! I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!