We Have Everything We Need To Start Again

by Koleka Putuma, Adriana Bellet (Illustrator)

Press both feet to the ground.
Place your hand on your heart.
You are brave and capable.
It will always be your time.

An empowering and uplifting collection of poems from groundbreaking and award-winning poet Koleka Putuma, about figuring out who you are and embracing it. With words to affirm, this is the ideal companion to hold your hand while you navigate all the big questions, discoveries and transitions of young adulthood.

The perfect gift for fans of Rupi Kaur, Nikita Gill and Elizabeth Acevedo.

Genres: Poetry

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2024

Reviews

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you, like me, approach poetry with intimidation, this collection of poems will make you fall in love with poetry hard and fast. I LOVED this book, Koleka's words are just beautiful and her peoms succeed in communicating so much in very few words. As with poetry, a lot falls in between the lines for us to fill in with our own lived experiences, thoughts and feelings and there is a welcome open-endedness which I hope will encourage educators to pick this book for book clubs/readers clubs.

I found it extremely thought provoking and would have loved to sit down with young people and break these poems down from their point of view. The themes Putuma touches upon are very real, raw and relatable I think and I would try and convince any young person to have a read through these poems (the beautiful illustrations will also take a lot of pressure off reluctant readers I think).

Overall, brilliant, I massively enjoyed it and devoured it in one sitting (but revisited lods afterwards). We need more voices like these to showcase the brilliance of poetry for young readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

[Patty Aryee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't actually use my GR anymore, I'm over on my Story Graph (Pattyspages) but I really wanted to rate this one on here.

COMPELLING . RAW . HEARTFELT . EMOTIONAL
HOPEFUL . GRIPPING . INSPIRING. GENTLE

Erm... @kolekaputuma YOU SEE ME!!!!

ALL THE STARS for what is now my favourite collection to date!

This one took me by complete surprise and felt as though I were holding a mirror up and reading everything I saw and knew and felt and experienced in its reflection!

Whether you are a seasoned lover of poetry or just getting into it, this is a collection for everyone because of the storytelling nature of it, coupled with the gentle delivery of such strong points.

Making my way through this one was fun, emotional and enlightening and as strange as it may seem, I would actually recommend this as a great holiday read.

I kind of wish I'd waited to read this while sat by a pool with a drink in one hand and a highlighter in the other.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Bonnier/Hot Key Books for my review copy.

Was this the book to try and discover poetry with? Probably not, there are quite a few poems that stuck with me such as Coming Out, Home, Raw, Sea Legs & Boundaries but overall, I don’t think this was for me.

I know poetry can be very personal, in a way fiction books necessarily aren’t so I am sure there will be many that these poems have a much bigger impact on.

[Frankie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Koleka's poems and her affinity with words.

This collection is an inspiring reminder of our humanity with a hopeful message, but avoids sugar-coating the fact that life isn't always the way we want it to be.

Cried a few times but the book is now a permanent feature on my night stand!

[Madalina Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and it has touched my heart so dearly. The poems were vulnerable and sweet and they made me think more in regards to coming out, new beginnings and trying to change something in your life. Definitely worth reading if you want to open your heart! 💖

[Bianca Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Koleka Putuma’s We Have Everything We Need to Start Over Again is a raw and powerful poetry collection. Each poem feels like a conversation - intimate, unflinching and transformative. It’s a collection I come back to often, finding something new each time.

[Leonah Miniyothabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars!

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tavallaan ihan kivoja runoja, mutta en sitten kuitenkaan jotenkin saanut ihan kiinni tästä🤷🏽‍♀️