I originally sought out this collection of poems because my high school students showed much more interest in contemporary poetry this past semester than I thought they would. I am definitely going to add this one to my classroom library--I think so many of the themes and images and emotions will resonate with so many of my students

I was a little thrown off by the poems that didn't have titles, but only because I wasn't sure if they were continuations of previous poems, which would change my understanding of both. Otherwise, though, absolutely beautiful, heartfelt pieces of art!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

Oaths by F.S. Yousaf


I have only recently started reviewing poetry and this one landed in my pile. Knowing that it is a follow up to the author’s Serenity leaves me wanting to add that to my TBR. This collection of works is deeply personal and hit me at a time in my one life that it was needed, strangely enough. Anyone who has ever felt invisible may find that these pieces resonate with them. As promised, “Yousaf doesn’t offer answers, but a welcoming hand and a warm embrace to remind us all that we are not alone on the journey toward hope, love, and a life of meaning.”

Some the works are without titles which I found strange but poetry doesn’t always have to make sense to the reader.


Favorite poems:
Rinse/Repeat - Look At Me - My Body was Your Canvas
I Blame Myself - Value - Edgeless - Dissociation - Say It

5 / 5
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy/early read opportunity!!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Oaths: Poems is an emotional collection of poems about life, growing up, struggles, heartache, and finding ones purpose in the world of today. Many of these poems touched my heart and soul, and some made me feel like I was receiving a warm hug from the author whilst others made me feel like I needed to give him a hug.
This is a perfect collection for anyone struggling to feel less helpless and alone.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC!
While I didn’t necessarily relate to this book of poems very well, I am a sucker for a good line and interesting organization.
I love the way Yousaf organized this collection with minimalistic illustrations because I love seeing a poem float on the page. I also very much enjoyed his use of space with some of the poems.
The style of writing reminds me a lot of my own and I think that’s why I enjoyed it even though I can’t say the same for the content. Also, there are a few lines I want to point out which really struck me:
“I draw oaths on my skin-“
“I must search for that which will prevent me from overflowing.”
I don’t know, I just love a good line that kind of hits you.

An extremely personal poetry book, I really enjoyed reading this one. Some of these poems are simple in writing, yet complex in nature. The illustrations also add a nice touch to it.

I thought this book was just okay. I would almost consider it a "coming of age" book in the way it handles heartbreak. It's a quick and easy read that most people will probably get through in 1-2 sittings.

Negatives:
1. I wish the author would have experimented more with form. It felt a bit like they were afraid to take chances.
2. Some of the poems were missing titles which felt jarring.

Positives:
1. I love the cover of this book - it's what initially drew me in.
2. I think this book is easily approachable for anyone new to poetry.

Who I Think Should Read This Book:
People who are new to poetry, anyone looking for a quick and easy read, and those experiencing or remembering heartbreak.

2.75/5 Stars

It was a good poetry collection, even if I related and liked more the other collection by this author, Sincerely.
This one jumps into themes like boyhood and childhood trauma. It was portrayed good but I couldn't really relate to it. But I am sure that for someone out there it will be a good piece for reading.

ARC Review
3.5
I did enjoy this poetry collection. You can really feel the emotion and trauma behind his writing. However, I don't feel like anything particularly stood out to me. As far as the rising popularity of "notes app poetry" goes, I would say that this is above those in quality. The writing is undoubtedly genuine, and while still relatable, you can tell that it isn't trying to be generic to the point of pandering to mass audiences.

Transitioning into adulthood is a complicated, daunting and unique experience for everyone; we all wonder if others feel the same so we can understand ourselves. Yet, some may hope they don't so that their life lessons stay as unique as themselves. F.S. Yousaf allows himself to be raw and emotional as he describes his experiences through this poetry collection.

I enjoyed how simple yet emotional many of his poems are; they convey a man who experiences challenges and lessons that tug at your heartstrings, and some feel so relatable they almost seem catered to the reader. Oaths is a poetry collection that I recommend for any poetry lovers. I also think it's a good starting point for anyone wanting to get into poetry.

Thank you, NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I want to thank Netgally for my e-ARC!

I don’t usually review books of poetry because I feel like they are such vulnerable pieces of the author’s soul. However, I will here. My thoughts:

1. The author didn’t play around with form much. This might be a personal thought, but I love when poems explode beyond the bounds of prose. Use weird punctuation, break up words and lines, make it more poetic (ironic, I know). Section “III” played around with this more and I LOVED so many of the pieces in this section.

2. I did not understand d the pieces without titles. Were they continuations of the previous poem? Standalones? Without titles, they lacked clarity.

3. I think the design and use of imagery was well spaced and well used!

4. The poems were cohesive and understandable while still requiring the reader to think and ask questions! Bravo!

I'm not sure if it's because I had a hard time reading poetry on a device or because I haven't experienced a romance related heartbreak in years, but the majority of these poems did not speak to me. There were a few that did though and I enjoyed those immensely.

Well written but I don't think I'm the target audience.

(Thank you net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review)

Publishing date: 04.06.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The book as a meal: I am snacking in the therapists' office before my appointment
The book left me: Calling my therapist

Negatives:
Some poems were missing titles, but this could be intentional or corrected after publishing

Positives:
I related maybe a bit too much to this book
Hopeful but "real"
Deeply personal

Features:
Illustrations, themes of trauma, lyrical, raw emotion, heartfelt experiences, three parts,
Bonus feature:
I cried at least twice

Why did I choose this one?
Lovely cover, more poems for a very "poem hungry" person (me), and the themes in the blurb seemed to hit close to home for me (it did)

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
Devourable. This whole book was eaten up in a single sitting. I could not stop myself from just blasting through it.

What was the vibe and mood?
I felt the whole time like I was processing some deep childhood memories that I had long since buried. Almost as if I was back in a therapist's chair and unloading everything. At the same time, it was nice to be able to feel so deeply while reading.
Overall vibe of: Let me be vulnerable and tell you of my traumatic childhood

Final ranking and star rating?
S tier book, 5 stars. This will be sitting with me for a long time. Touched me deeply, I cried on my poor e-reader. Absolutely I will recommend it to everyone I meet. Hey, want to read a traumatic collection? Read this one!
Stunning, one of the best of 2024.

Favorite poems:
Wilting
Existence
Identity issues
Scabs
Dug up
Flaws
My body was your canvas
Look at me

Thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book.

This was a nice poetry collection, it was emotional and almost lyrical at the same time and the illustrations added a personal touch to the different poems. It didn't hit quite as hard for me as this authors previous works but its still good.

Beautiful, raw, and relatable, this poetry book is a heartfelt journey through emotions and experiences that resonate deeply. Each poem captures the essence of life's complexities with stunning clarity and honesty. A truly moving read that touches the soul.

"The ocean in me is restless and untamable."
This is one of the lines that had my attention in this collection. A journey divided in three parts, reading this was going through the motions of life; despair, anger, bitterness, love, longing, desire for love, fear, forgiveness and a whole lot more experiences brought to life with one or two sentences.
I believe that anyone who has lived would relate to the poems here, and some of my favorites include 'Say It', 'Faith', 'Regrets,' 'Perspectives,' and 'Brimming.' Does this mean that I am going through the motions of life in these poems? Maybe yes, maybe no- but the desire to shout and give a round of applause to 'Say It' got me thinking of the people, places and situations that dim our light for fear of it's brightness.
The other great thing about this book are the illustrations, you may stumble upon a couple, and they'd charm you.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

"I ache for you to read my story. Every raw, unedited phrase trapped between chapters."

This stunning poetry collection from F.S. Yousaf encapsulates the experience of being a young adult these days. I truly connected with every poem to a deeper, intimate level. No other poems I've read had perfectly depicted the modern struggles of hopelessness, dread, and fatigue that haunt us nowadays. Some of the poems have intense imagery that may be too strong for some readers. I believe with some refining and more editing, this will be a stellar collection that I would love to have on my bookshelf once it's published.

oaths is about as therapeutic as it is heart-wrenching. as always a lot of themes are explored, such as sadness, love, depression, self-doubt, self-hate, parental issues and trauma responses. but such difficult subjects are linked to the beautiful imagery of flowers and their different states of existence (blooming, just born, dying) and this juxtaposition was as unexpected yet soft and refreshing

this book is different from his two last previously released work (serenity and sincerely) but resembles his first work (euphoria) it’s raw, unfiltered and sincere in a more polished and developed way. oaths feels like the therapy you can’t afford and is written for every single immigrant kid with some kind of crippling parent issues

I loved it and I highly recommend!

rating: 4.5⭐️

I do really like illustrations with poetry. I'm sure some think it's crass. I don't care. I like it. This poet is pithy, with simple words. I like that, although it can be risky. Can you reach, and shatter hearts, with simple? Sometimes.

The cup curves around my lips
As each day passes,
I've learned to accept your warmth.

I like this. It's simple, sure. But it's got something to it. I particularly liked Taraxacum.

I pretend the white speckles on my ceiling are stars.
Looking up, I am a weed in a bed of grass.

This collection feels like a poet themselves in chrysalis: forming, developing, growing. They are becoming.

I draw oaths on my skin -
I'd like to remember these days when
I don't want to disappear.

Generations, On Divorce, Say It, Broken Concrete and Us, were sparks of brilliance that really show where this poet is going. This is a good collection. The next will be even better.

Just finished reading 'Oaths' by F.S Yousaf, and I am utterly moved. I experienced a whirlwind of emotions unravelling through each poem, feeling every word written deep in the echoes of the heart. This collection is a beautiful tapestry of loss, growth, yearning, and profound questions.

The beauty of these poems lies in their ability to be interpreted in a way that speaks directly to the soul. The weightiness of some pieces prompted me to savour each one slowly, making this the kind of poetry collection I would cocoon myself in on the couch when I seek introspection into my past and pains endured.

Despite the deep introspection these poems evoke, prokoking the reader to reflect on their own past and hopes for the future, they fit neatly onto a single page, making it easy to read. But even on a single page, the words remain heavy. The inclusion of simple black and white drawings interspersed throughout the book beautifully complements the poems' simplicity and sharing a small amount of hope and beauty.

There's one poem on page 34 that continues to linger in my thoughts, and I can't help but wonder how many others it resonates with. I don't think it will be one I forget.

'Oaths' is a collection that captured my heart. Some words within will forever reside there."

I would like to send a massive thank you to Netgallery for allowing me to review this book. All words and opinions are entirely my own. And thank you to F.S Yousaf for this beautiful collection of poetry.

This is a beautiful collection of poetry. The authors writing is unique and inspiring. It made me feel things I haven’t felt in awhile. Made me think of my past and my childhood. It’s an incredible book.