Love Letters and Pocket Knives
by J.J. Celli
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Pub Date May 13 2025 | Archive Date May 12 2025
Central Avenue Publishing | Central Avenue Poetry
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Description
In Love Letters and Pocket Knives, J.J. Celli opens the window to her soul, inviting us to take a close and intimate look at the raw and unfiltered moments. Through evocative imagery and heartfelt storytelling, these poems explore the myriad shades of love from the euphoria of new beginnings to the bittersweet ache of farewell.
In this autobiographical collection, each poem reads like a mini-memoir, weaving together the threads of trauma, intimacy, love, and resiliency. These poems stand strong with brave vulnerability confidently confronting those experiences in life that haunt us so we can quit ghosting ourselves.
As the title suggests, Love Letters and Pocket Knives explores the delicate dance between tenderness and toughness. From the gentle caress of a love letter to the sharp cut of a pocket knife, we are reminded it is this beautiful complexity and balance that continues to encourage these human hearts to love.
A Note From the Publisher
Content warning for assault, IPV, and other scenes/lines that may be disturbing to some readers. Please take care.
Advance Praise
“J.J. Celli’s debut poetry collection takes one on a hard-hitting, razor’s edge, yet cathartic journey down sensual backroads and city streets dimly lit by “suede, rawhide moons” all ending in the wisdom and peace achieved through struggle, endurance, and the courage to be oneself. This is truly a memorable, unapologetic, and poignant collection of poetry, allowing us a glimpse, as only an artist can, into the complexities and truths of the human condition.” — Loren Broaddus, author of Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781771684019 |
| PRICE | CA$22.00 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 128 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jennifer B, Reviewer
I received an advance copy of this book through netgalley and I was more than honored to leave a review for this beautiful collection.
This is the author's first poetry collection and I was completely blown away. This collection is raw and intimate. With the poems in this book you are reading lines of trauma, intimacy, love, resilience, and self-discovery while balancing between delicateness and toughness. J.J. Celi has let us into her soul while being vulnerable and staying unfiltered (which is the best part of this collection). The openness and reflection within the writing is painfully beautiful. A lot like love, gentle embraces but sharp sometimes. I appreciate the honesty that is found within this collection. Even though this collection is told from a queer perspective, I feel many readers can take something from this book and find their own voice if they have found themselves in similar experiences, and be brave to speak their own truth, when they are ready. This is one of the few books that I have read recently and find myself able to feel the emotions.
A few of my favorites from this collection are: Gone Mad, Angel, Closed Fist, Have Been, and Through My Walls, Whisper.
For readers: Love Letters and Pocket Knives contains content warning for assault, IPV (intimate partner violence), alcohol and drug abuse.
Jessica F, Reviewer
A beautiful queer book of poetry that gave me chills! I can see why this poet is so popular in the spoken word circles. I'll be looking for more of this author's poetry and rereading this book.
Jax D, Reviewer
I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in May. A lot of stunning poetry of which most dive deep into domestic abuse, which isn't talked about a lot as it comes to same sex partnerships. I loved a lot, the emotions heavy. A few of the other themed poems were less to my liking and felt less fitting and a bit judgmental. But it's a good first poetry book.
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