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You. Are. Not. Alone.
'You. Are. Not. Alone.' is the debut, semi-autobiographical anthology by W. R. Watkins, which takes you, the reader, through the personal life journey of the author, from his lonely days at Secondary School, to how his life changed for the better, by the time had graduated University.
Through this anthology, W. R. Watkins not only writes about his own life, but explores the themes of self-harm; world issues; bullying and romance.
W. R. Watkins allows the reader into his most personal, private moments, in the hope that no matter what the reader is going through in their personal lives, he hopes that through this book, he can reach out to them and let them know:
"You. Are. Not. Alone."
Through this anthology, W. R. Watkins not only writes about his own life, but explores the themes of self-harm; world issues; bullying and romance.
W. R. Watkins allows the reader into his most personal, private moments, in the hope that no matter what the reader is going through in their personal lives, he hopes that through this book, he can reach out to them and let them know:
"You. Are. Not. Alone."
- GenresPoetry
98 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2014
38 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Watkins
6 books15 followersW.R. Watkins is a writer who knows how to put emotions into words that everyone can feel. His poems are like a friend sharing stories about life, from the ups and downs to the moments that matter. With a background full of diverse experiences, Watkins writes about love, loss, hope, and growing up in a way that everyone can relate to.
He believes that words have the power to bring people together and heal hearts, and his poetry does just that. It's like a conversation about things that really count, making readers feel like someone gets them. Through his writing, W.R. Watkins sheds light on life's big and small moments, letting readers know that their feelings are valid and shared by others.
W.R. Watkins keeps on creating poems that capture life's essence in a way that makes you think, smile, and feel understood. His words show that poetry isn't just about rhyme and rhythm, but about sharing experiences and connecting with others in a meaningful way.
He believes that words have the power to bring people together and heal hearts, and his poetry does just that. It's like a conversation about things that really count, making readers feel like someone gets them. Through his writing, W.R. Watkins sheds light on life's big and small moments, letting readers know that their feelings are valid and shared by others.
W.R. Watkins keeps on creating poems that capture life's essence in a way that makes you think, smile, and feel understood. His words show that poetry isn't just about rhyme and rhythm, but about sharing experiences and connecting with others in a meaningful way.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
I find it hard to describe exactly how I felt after finishing You. Are. Not. Alone. The reason is, there were too many things I could relate too, and it was overwhelming to see this reflection of myself in someone living on the other side of the globe. I will never stop being surprised by how similar we all are. In this collection of short verses the author shows us bare emotions and very personal feelings, both positive and negative. But it never left me in a depressed mood, on the contrary - in every verse I could see a glimpse of hope, the growth that the author experienced, and it was always thought-provoking. I could feel the vulnerability and courage, all in one, that I've always been fascinated with and tried to convey in my own writing. I could relate to the verses about friendship and love, and all the unrequited feelings the author had to go through. Just like him, I learned from it, and now I don't mind being reminded of it and of how I've changed because of the things that I considered bad in the past. I think the book couldn't have a better name, because from the start to the end of it, I could feel that I was, in truth, not alone :)
I find it hard to describe exactly how I felt after finishing You. Are. Not. Alone. The reason is, there were too many things I could relate too, and it was overwhelming to see this reflection of myself in someone living on the other side of the globe. I will never stop being surprised by how similar we all are. In this collection of short verses the author shows us bare emotions and very personal feelings, both positive and negative. But it never left me in a depressed mood, on the contrary - in every verse I could see a glimpse of hope, the growth that the author experienced, and it was always thought-provoking. I could feel the vulnerability and courage, all in one, that I've always been fascinated with and tried to convey in my own writing. I could relate to the verses about friendship and love, and all the unrequited feelings the author had to go through. Just like him, I learned from it, and now I don't mind being reminded of it and of how I've changed because of the things that I considered bad in the past. I think the book couldn't have a better name, because from the start to the end of it, I could feel that I was, in truth, not alone :)
May 8, 2015
I'm grateful to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review but this isn't my cup of tea - which is probably more telling of me than the author. I give the author an A for effort because it takes a lot of courage to compile a book of poetry but the subject matter isn't too my taste.
The book starts out melancholic, a little heavy on the angst. Each subsequent part of the book grows stronger, slightly more positive, as if watching the author grow from teen to young adult. I was hoping to hit more positive poetry at the end of the book, to help balance the feeling of despair, but it didn't happen and that desire is just that - my personal preference.
The other poems that I remember a week after reading are Mirror, Relapse (Part 1), and Cause of Pain - all which struck chords with my own battles with chronic illness and depression. It's difficult to be reminded of it.
The book starts out melancholic, a little heavy on the angst. Each subsequent part of the book grows stronger, slightly more positive, as if watching the author grow from teen to young adult. I was hoping to hit more positive poetry at the end of the book, to help balance the feeling of despair, but it didn't happen and that desire is just that - my personal preference.
The other poems that I remember a week after reading are Mirror, Relapse (Part 1), and Cause of Pain - all which struck chords with my own battles with chronic illness and depression. It's difficult to be reminded of it.
June 12, 2015
V I O L A T E D
Curled on the floor, waiting in fear,
awaiting to see your nightmarish leer.
This shouldn’t happen, it ain’t right,
got no one to save me in the middle of the night.
You shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing to me,
I fear you as if you were a deity...
W.R. Watkins writes like modernists, they don’t dress up their feelings in pretty words, they just give you bare emotions coming straight from their fingers’ womb. I felt every emotion within each poem and some made me feel dolorous.That's what a praise-worthy writer would make you feel.
Overall, it was a delightful read.
P.S. Thank you Mr. Watkins for the free copy <3
April 2, 2015
Not many of us have read any poetry lately, let alone good poetry. Maybe it’s time to give it another try! This is NOT like the poems of high school. W.R. Watkins’ You. Are. Not. Alone. is a collection of short, but truly beautiful verses about one’s search for love, feelings of love and convey exactly what a poem should; emotion. The job of the poet is to draw our response to their words, often these responses are deep, personal and very emotional as we recognize feelings we have or have had and are privileged to see them in a form that brings them beauty.
W.R. Watkins has poured his own emotions into each word while showcasing various themes from love to various forms of social abuse. An incredibly magnetic read that flows from verse to verse, while allowing the reader to stop at any time to re-read or explore the meaning they discover on their own.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 9, 2014
Publisher: W. R. Watkins
Genre: Poetry - Romantic
Print Length: 103 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
W.R. Watkins has poured his own emotions into each word while showcasing various themes from love to various forms of social abuse. An incredibly magnetic read that flows from verse to verse, while allowing the reader to stop at any time to re-read or explore the meaning they discover on their own.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 9, 2014
Publisher: W. R. Watkins
Genre: Poetry - Romantic
Print Length: 103 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 16, 2015
Five out of Five Stars.
You know why?
Because Mr. Watkins is an amazing poet who knows how to bend words along the sentences and creating new ways of thinking.
This is the second book I've read that is written by him and I am glad I did because frankly you don't see good poetry these days everything is the same. When I read this book, I knew that I wasn't in fact alone and that god poetry does exist here in the world.
Well done.
Happy Reading!
You know why?
Because Mr. Watkins is an amazing poet who knows how to bend words along the sentences and creating new ways of thinking.
This is the second book I've read that is written by him and I am glad I did because frankly you don't see good poetry these days everything is the same. When I read this book, I knew that I wasn't in fact alone and that god poetry does exist here in the world.
Well done.
Happy Reading!
June 30, 2019
I'd never read this book again. But that doesn't mean it was so bad. It just wasn't my taste.
March 17, 2015
The author kindly sent me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write.
I know very little about poetry. I don't know what "regular poetry readers" expect. I don't know what I should be looking for, what I should mention. But worse than that: how do I write a review on something so personal, without baring my own soul for everyone to see? I can only try.
I started reading "You. Are. Not. Alone." very late at night. I didn't put the book down - didn't even move - until I'd finished. That should tell you something.
A few poems in, I thought I'd found my favourite - only to have another poem take its place, and then another, then another. I'm just going to have to say that this is my favourite book of poetry (in my limited experience) because I can't choose only one, or two, or even half a dozen examples from this book.
At various points, I wanted to say "I'm sorry", to shout "Thank you", to whisper "I understand".
If the aim of poetry is to provoke an emotional response from the reader, then W.R. Watkins has succeeded. If the aim is to make you feel like you've grown as a human being during the reading experience, W.R. Watkins has also succeeded. If the aim is to haunt the reader, to implant something (a thought, a feeling) that remains, W.R. Watkins is a master.
Read this book of poems. You have nothing to lose, and might just gain something.
This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write.
I know very little about poetry. I don't know what "regular poetry readers" expect. I don't know what I should be looking for, what I should mention. But worse than that: how do I write a review on something so personal, without baring my own soul for everyone to see? I can only try.
I started reading "You. Are. Not. Alone." very late at night. I didn't put the book down - didn't even move - until I'd finished. That should tell you something.
A few poems in, I thought I'd found my favourite - only to have another poem take its place, and then another, then another. I'm just going to have to say that this is my favourite book of poetry (in my limited experience) because I can't choose only one, or two, or even half a dozen examples from this book.
At various points, I wanted to say "I'm sorry", to shout "Thank you", to whisper "I understand".
If the aim of poetry is to provoke an emotional response from the reader, then W.R. Watkins has succeeded. If the aim is to make you feel like you've grown as a human being during the reading experience, W.R. Watkins has also succeeded. If the aim is to haunt the reader, to implant something (a thought, a feeling) that remains, W.R. Watkins is a master.
Read this book of poems. You have nothing to lose, and might just gain something.
March 18, 2015
The author kindly sent me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write.
I know very little about poetry. I don't know what "regular poetry readers" expect. I don't know what I should be looking for, what I should mention. But worse than that: how do I write a review on something so personal, without baring my own soul for everyone to see? I can only try.
I started reading "You. Are. Not. Alone." very late at night. I didn't put the book down - didn't even move - until I'd finished. That should tell you something.
A few poems in, I thought I'd found my favourite - only to have another poem take its place, and then another, then another. I'm just going to have to say that this is my favourite book of poetry (in my limited experience) because I can't choose only one, or two, or even half a dozen examples from this book.
At various points, I wanted to say "I'm sorry", to shout "Thank you", to whisper "I understand".
If the aim of poetry is to provoke an emotional response from the reader, then W.R. Watkins has succeeded. If the aim is to make you feel like you've grown as a human being during the reading experience, W.R. Watkins has also succeeded. If the aim is to haunt the reader, to implant something (a thought, a feeling) that remains, W.R. Watkins is a master.
Read this book of poems. You have nothing to lose, and might just gain something.
This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write.
I know very little about poetry. I don't know what "regular poetry readers" expect. I don't know what I should be looking for, what I should mention. But worse than that: how do I write a review on something so personal, without baring my own soul for everyone to see? I can only try.
I started reading "You. Are. Not. Alone." very late at night. I didn't put the book down - didn't even move - until I'd finished. That should tell you something.
A few poems in, I thought I'd found my favourite - only to have another poem take its place, and then another, then another. I'm just going to have to say that this is my favourite book of poetry (in my limited experience) because I can't choose only one, or two, or even half a dozen examples from this book.
At various points, I wanted to say "I'm sorry", to shout "Thank you", to whisper "I understand".
If the aim of poetry is to provoke an emotional response from the reader, then W.R. Watkins has succeeded. If the aim is to make you feel like you've grown as a human being during the reading experience, W.R. Watkins has also succeeded. If the aim is to haunt the reader, to implant something (a thought, a feeling) that remains, W.R. Watkins is a master.
Read this book of poems. You have nothing to lose, and might just gain something.
April 28, 2015
This is the second collection of poems by this author that I've read and 'You. Are. Not. Alone.' is just as good as 'An Obsessive Infatuation'. Where the latter collection was built like one story, this has the feel of reading a diary. I think the author's use of timestamps on each poem lets the reader into the author's life on a close and personal level.
While you follow Watkins' life's ups and downs - some minor and some major - the larger picture is that of loneliness and self-blame. It's not necessary to have read 'An Obsessive Infatuation' before reading this, but I would recommend it. I personally found it intriguing to know bits and parts of the reason for much of this loneliness and self-blame.
'Violated' was for me an extremely strong reading experience, but also 'Fly Away', 'Let you go', and 'You. Are. Not. Alone' was outstanding poems.
Different from many other darker poetry collections, Watkins is able to convey a happy sense of hope. He's using the poems to reach out for help in a way.
When you get to the end, you'll want it to continue. You want to remain in the life of the narrator and know what happens next. A word maybe not often used about poetry, but let's hope for a sequel.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
While you follow Watkins' life's ups and downs - some minor and some major - the larger picture is that of loneliness and self-blame. It's not necessary to have read 'An Obsessive Infatuation' before reading this, but I would recommend it. I personally found it intriguing to know bits and parts of the reason for much of this loneliness and self-blame.
'Violated' was for me an extremely strong reading experience, but also 'Fly Away', 'Let you go', and 'You. Are. Not. Alone' was outstanding poems.
Different from many other darker poetry collections, Watkins is able to convey a happy sense of hope. He's using the poems to reach out for help in a way.
When you get to the end, you'll want it to continue. You want to remain in the life of the narrator and know what happens next. A word maybe not often used about poetry, but let's hope for a sequel.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2015
I was sent this wonderful anthology as a First Reads winner.
I must first thank the author for taking his time to thank the reader. It sounds silly, and is a small, often overlooked detail, but I feel he deserves credit for acknowledging something that other authors fail to recognise: readers are just as much a part of a book's success as its contents.
Speaking of contents, there is a beautiful sense of "us" that forms, as the title suggests, the foundation of the anthology; that carries you from one page to the next. Although the work is semi-autobiographical, there is not one poem I failed to relate to - whether or not I've been through a similar situation. Watkins's work is personal but non-exclusive.
I find poetry a difficult thing to share, particularly if it's autobiographical. Expressing your inner self, thoughts and feelings - telling the world I am vulnerable. I am human - takes great courage and is something I probably would never be able to do. You. Are. Not. Alone. has touched my heart and helped me feel less, well, alone.
I must first thank the author for taking his time to thank the reader. It sounds silly, and is a small, often overlooked detail, but I feel he deserves credit for acknowledging something that other authors fail to recognise: readers are just as much a part of a book's success as its contents.
Speaking of contents, there is a beautiful sense of "us" that forms, as the title suggests, the foundation of the anthology; that carries you from one page to the next. Although the work is semi-autobiographical, there is not one poem I failed to relate to - whether or not I've been through a similar situation. Watkins's work is personal but non-exclusive.
I find poetry a difficult thing to share, particularly if it's autobiographical. Expressing your inner self, thoughts and feelings - telling the world I am vulnerable. I am human - takes great courage and is something I probably would never be able to do. You. Are. Not. Alone. has touched my heart and helped me feel less, well, alone.
April 2, 2015
W. R. Watkins has achieved in this book, what years of education could not, I found myself wanting to read poetry!
Whilst it is easy to see just how personal each and every line of this book is, it is still so incredibly easy to relate to. A number of these poems were nearer to the knuckle than I was expecting, or indeed prepared for. Who hasn't felt the lows of jealousy, vulnerability and unrequited feelings that are strewn across these pages?
This anthology does more than focus on the negative though; it reminds you of the value of true friendship and the importance of hope. This book is a roller coaster of emotions and that is precisely what makes it so wonderful, thank you Mr Watkins
Whilst it is easy to see just how personal each and every line of this book is, it is still so incredibly easy to relate to. A number of these poems were nearer to the knuckle than I was expecting, or indeed prepared for. Who hasn't felt the lows of jealousy, vulnerability and unrequited feelings that are strewn across these pages?
This anthology does more than focus on the negative though; it reminds you of the value of true friendship and the importance of hope. This book is a roller coaster of emotions and that is precisely what makes it so wonderful, thank you Mr Watkins
March 18, 2015
I was asked by the author the to read and review the book. As a fan of poetry, I love it when I find a collection of writings that speak to the heart. I related to the all the poems and emotions reflected in this collections. Several really stood out for me personally. The writer did a wonderful job not only telling a story, but painting a picture with words and emotion. Beautiful job.
March 18, 2015
I was asked by the author the to read and review the book. As a fan of poetry, I love it when I find a collection of writings that speak to the heart. I related to the all the poems and emotions reflected in this collections. Several really stood out for me personally. The writer did a wonderful job not only telling a story, but painting a picture with words and emotion. Beautiful job.
December 17, 2020
Beautiful poems :)
January 10, 2015
Some great poems that really speak to you. If you've gone through any of the emotions described, the poems speak to you.
July 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this author's writing style. I appreciate at the end of the book, he said "I hope at least one poem inspired you- even if it was one line. Even if you only connected with one line, then the book served it's purpose. There were multiple poems that I personally connected with. It brought back so many past memories and feelings that I thought I have suppressed. When I read poems, I want to be inspired. That is what I look for. These poems actually gave me motivation to write because a poem brought back a feeling or memory. My only complaint was the ending. I feel like the ending was unorganized and rushed. Like the end of the book was all of the forgotten or "weak poems" all smushed together. I had a harder time connecting with everything at the end. But other than that, it was a great read with beautiful poems.
August 11, 2018
This small book of poetry packed a huge emotional punch from the first page right up to the last one.
October 2, 2018
This book has every emotions in life written down. Just feel it and enjoy life, for you are not alone.
August 11, 2019
Poetry
If you like poetry you will love this book some make you think of your own situations others are just a good read.
If you like poetry you will love this book some make you think of your own situations others are just a good read.
January 4, 2020
It's rather hard to explain my thought on this as I feel very emotional, but I think for now three words will summit up quite perfectly, which are: I loved it!
June 9, 2021
I love poetry. This one is very personal. The context is the best part of this collection. While I could easily relate I wasn't blown away.
January 29, 2021
After thinking about it for a while, I decided that this collection was worth 5 stars. There are some poems in there, that aren't bad, but don't quiet hit the mark completly, so I wanted to settle for 4 stars, but than those few are followed by some other poems that punch me right into my face and soul.
There are so many poems that spoke directly to me. They vary from dark and sad to hopefull, truly understanding the motto of the book. You are not alone is not just a book about hope, it also showcases that there are other people who know your pain. Who can understand. Besides that emotional aspect, I just felt like the poems in themself where just really good. Everyone can throw some words onto a page and call it a poem. That isn't hard. What is hard, is giving those words a form that can touch and a message that can break.
And this collection definitifly hit me right into my feels.
Oh, I also saw some people complain about the tone and I don't really get why? This book is obviously tackling mental illness and it does that in a great way. You don't just have one thing happen to you and start loving your life like nothing happend. It takes time to heal, you might fall back. A lot. You might take one step forward and fall seven back right after. And this book shows that. The way to happyness isn't easy. But the struggle is worth it. You can walk through the pain. You are not alone.
Like I said, a really a great book!
There are so many poems that spoke directly to me. They vary from dark and sad to hopefull, truly understanding the motto of the book. You are not alone is not just a book about hope, it also showcases that there are other people who know your pain. Who can understand. Besides that emotional aspect, I just felt like the poems in themself where just really good. Everyone can throw some words onto a page and call it a poem. That isn't hard. What is hard, is giving those words a form that can touch and a message that can break.
And this collection definitifly hit me right into my feels.
Oh, I also saw some people complain about the tone and I don't really get why? This book is obviously tackling mental illness and it does that in a great way. You don't just have one thing happen to you and start loving your life like nothing happend. It takes time to heal, you might fall back. A lot. You might take one step forward and fall seven back right after. And this book shows that. The way to happyness isn't easy. But the struggle is worth it. You can walk through the pain. You are not alone.
Like I said, a really a great book!
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October 30, 2023dnf @ 60%
while there definitely where plenty of poems that I felt matched the synopsis, the rest (which was not actually a small amount) were all romance poems? it's just not what I wanted from this book
while there definitely where plenty of poems that I felt matched the synopsis, the rest (which was not actually a small amount) were all romance poems? it's just not what I wanted from this book
January 30, 2019
No. Just no. This read like your typical word deluge of an average depressed Tumblr user. If at least the form was palatable but I felt like I came across someone's semi-public net journal, not a book of poetry. Definitely not my cuppa.
September 8, 2017
i just feel so close to it
June 20, 2015
Full of emotions that are both honest and raw, the author sets out on a journey of discovery. This is a journey taken through the dark places of his life, into a much brighter future. I could relate to so many of the emotions and the rawness. He encourages us to accept who we are and to learn to be okay with ourselves, because changes on the outside won't change who we are on the inside. His poem "Cry" made me feel like he had sat by my bedside as I went through my depression knowing my husband had found another. "I Need Somebody" is how I felt, almost desperate. I needed to feel loved because at that moment my confidence was shaken in love. He tied it up nicely in his poem, "You. Are. Not. Alone." The periods after each word state for a fact that we are not alone. There are others out there going through the same things we go through. Sometimes we need therapy to understand that statement. This poetry is a little on the melancholy side, but still you leave with feelings of hope.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
August 5, 2015
Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy by the poet for an honest review.
It is 3.25 stars
To be perfectly honest, the poems started improving with the passage of time and the development of the poet can be seen in his words and the way the poetry flows.
A couple of them I liked very much but the best of the lot was I'm Proud Of You. This poem spoke to me in a way that none other did because this one had more of a feel of experience to it.
As a new poet, Watkins has a done a pretty good job.
It is 3.25 stars
To be perfectly honest, the poems started improving with the passage of time and the development of the poet can be seen in his words and the way the poetry flows.
A couple of them I liked very much but the best of the lot was I'm Proud Of You. This poem spoke to me in a way that none other did because this one had more of a feel of experience to it.
As a new poet, Watkins has a done a pretty good job.
July 9, 2019
Not. For. Me. I was searching on Amazon Kindle store for free poetry books when I stumbled in this one. I just couldn't get beyond 30% of the book. There is no depth, there is only rhyme and those two are not synonyms. Many rhymes were repetitive throughout the work and I got exhausted of reading long lines that could be worded differently, shortly, more effectively. It really felt like I was reading an adolescent diary. And by looking at the reviews, I think I actually am alone *cough cough*.
October 8, 2018
I probably shouldn't have read this all in one go as I suspect that it would be far more poignant and more 'enjoyable' to dip in and out of as necessary/desired rather than reading all at once, especially as the poems here deal with some heavy and emotive subjects including the loss of a loved one, both to the arms of another and to the Reaper. These poems are well written, as far as my untrained and poetically unfamiliar mind can tell, and are clearly very personal to the writer. I'm also certain that everyone will take something different from this, be it comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone or from the knowledge that there are those that understand what they are feeling.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews