Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I picked this book up as someone living with a rare disease and chronic illness the blurb called to me and many of these poems made me feel seen. The section ‘What it Feels Like’ and ‘The Language of Pain’ were especially helpful for me and the first poem (not in a section) ‘How to Behave with the Ill should be shared with everyone with an ill person in their life as it gave voice to things I’d struggled to communicate when first trying to navigate my new life as a sick person. I liked the further reading at the end as this is my first introduction to Poetry and Health but it’s definitely an interesting premise and I’m intrigued to know more Favourite Quote: “You ask me how I'm going to live the rest of my life Well, nothing is predictable with pain”
Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+, Mental Health Thoughts: I can see how well Oseman handles difficult and complex topics and I’m glad she put a disclaimer on the content page. The book handles eating problems and developing anorexia with such a sensitive approach while still emphasising that there is help and support out there. It was nice to see a little about the friend groups families/backgrounds with one struggling with all their family and one not being safe to leave the country to see extended family. I think it was a good idea to leave it for a few books as those figuring it out and reading this are already likely thinking the worst of their families reactions but it should still be addressed as not every family is welcoming or safe. I also really liked that we’re seeing a little more of the other relationships now both within the friendship group and the teachers as it shows a wider range of relationships and is all soo cute. I’m gutted reading the end/acknowl...