Im Rising: Determined. Confident. Powerful. by Michelle G. Stradford

Im Rising: Determined. Confident. Powerful. Reviews

• 
  BookishStitcher

  A powerful collection of self-affirming poetry.
• 
  Elisa Speranza

  Beautiful and life-affirming
  
  Michelle Stradford has done it again. “I’m Rising” is fierce and fresh, with inspiration for everyone. Friendship, love, pain, heartache, achievement, resilience, triumph—all part of the rich tapestry of this collection of poems. She is a She-nado!
• 
  KBeautiful1

  My first time hearing about this author and I am so happy that I stumbled upon her on Amazon.
  
  So I am starting to get more into audiobooks. Now I buy them from Apple Books because I am not interested in doing a monthly subscription for Audible. And with that being said, let's move on to the review.
  
  The narrator Milan Dancy was perfect in reading this book because it is about self-love, healing, rising above, trials and tribulations of life, and transformation. Everything that we have experienced whether you've told someone or you've never told anyone, chances are your story is within the poetic pages of this book. Poetry is so beautiful, it is literally a separate language all unto itself. So the fact that I not only was drawn to it but purchased in audio instead of paperback. It was so delightful and personal to read.
  
  I look forward to finding more books like this in this genre by black and brown authors.
  
  Well Until My Next Review...Ciao!
• 
  Brandy

  Love this
  
  Love this book!
  Empowering females with words. I can’t wait to buy this for my daughter and nieces.
  I will look to this book on the days I need a little extra help lifting my spirit.
• 
  Rick Hardesty

  This is a powerful soul healing book. The book is divided into three chapters. The first one dealing with the pain and the destructive power of hurtful events in our lives. The second chapter deals with changing as a person in spite of our sufferings. The final chapter she pens the joy of victory in the aftermath of these trials. The first chapter was my favorite. Michelle Stradford uses vivid and graphic language to bring the reader to see a clear word pictures to describe the depth of despair in the worst of suffering. I'm proud of her for bravely dealing with the subject of suffering that even those close to us do not want to hear. My favorite poem in the book however, is "Mission Me" found in the last chapter. This poem summarises the whole experience of trials, changing, and overcomming. Well Done!!!
• 
  NoBeatenPath

  This is a book of poetry that packs a punch. A mix of short and longer works, reading it I could easily imagine the author standing on the stage performing these poems, declaiming her words to a cheering audience.
  
  Insightful, uplifting and sometimes sad, many of these works touched me. I particularly liked two short poems 'Second Chances' and 'You-volution'. Even if poetry is not usually your 'thing', I strongly recommend finding a copy of this work and spending some time with the words of Michelle G Stradford.
  
  I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Kate (Kate Reads a Book)

  This collection of poetry would offer a lot for someone who is looking for words of self-affirmation and determination in the face of adversity. I did connect with some of the poems and appreciated the author's confidence and honesty. However, the collection as a whole is overwhelmingly positive and upbeat almost to the point of being annoying. The poems seem redundant after a while.
  
  I also did not like that there were multiple typos in the book. It could have used further editing. The drawings were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the collection.
• 
  Shannah

  Uncomfortable positivity
  
  The author is a beautiful writer. My problem was more with her tone. When the sun jest matter includes racism, domestic violence, emotional abuse, etc. I don’t find it necessarily useful to make each poem an affirmation. It’s ok to be mad as hell that unfair and truly abhorrent events have befallen you. Making the poetry all about positivity left a saccharine aftertaste in my mouth.
• 
  Kristin

  This wasn't quite what I was expecting, however, there were many poems in this volume that I really felt hit home. I felt as though I had accidentally stumbled into the author's journal as she delves into her emotional pain, strength, and power of perseverance to bring you a collection of prose that is just... REAL. They're about human nature and all that that may entail.
  
  Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
• 
  Kimberlie Miller

  Uplifting
  
  I enjoyed the uplifting messages in the different themes of the pieces. I could not personally relate to every idea presented, but the ones that resonates with me really did work. Anything I did not connect with I found myself rooting for those who did share the experience s on the page. I would recommend this work to every one especially now when the whole world could use some light and encouragement.
• 
  Brianna

  3.5…3.7? stars
  
  I did enjoy this book and some poems, particularly the ones about abuse, I loved. I was slightly perturbed by a few spelling errors but I’m a Virgo, so it’s to be expected. Overall, I feel like this book wasn’t necessarily for me but I love the message and know that it will speak to many people.
• 
  Jenny Antoszyk

  I found some of the poems very inspiring and I could resonate with them. I thought her poems were written well for the most part just a large portion of them I didn’t connect with. I think it was a good read for someone who’s looking for some uplifting poems. I wish I was able to give it a 3.5 rating.
• 
  Fatma

  I have loved every minute of reading the poems in this book. even more so, I loved my timing of picking this book up to read.
  
  It's such a boost to begin the new year and the new decade with a light heart and a fresh start. <3
• 
  Jennifer Shepard

  This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. So Many emotions in this story! The first chapter was epic! Amazing job! definitely a must read!
• 
  Jolene

  Beautiful
  Some of the poems here are a bit tumultuous
  hardships and experience are seen driving the author throughout the pages
  Overall, just a thoughtful reminder to love yourself and give everything you have to be who you want
  
• 
  Tracy

  (Won this book on Goodreads). Beautiful and empowering are the two words I can describe the poems with.
• 
  Daniele Mayberry

  I love this book! And I fell in love with the Author! Every poem was relatable and real and deep. I can feel all her writhing pain and joy. I look forward to her next book.
• 
  Diana

  4.5, I rarely read poetry but loved this, I will certainly go back thru it to re-read
• 
  Erica Stewart

  juxtaposed.
• 
  Ami J. Sanghvi

  Well-written and loved the art.
• 
  NovinaLovesBooks

  I enjoyed this collection of poetry. The author inspires readers to be true to themselves and reach their full potential with confidence.
• 
  Josh Diaz

  This self-love poetry book is a kind reminder to always have in mind the fluorescent fire that’s permanently inside us, ready to ignite. “I AM MY SUPERPOWER” was my fave quote.
• 
  Shadiya Lyons

  just not good
• 
  Tierra

  I am so sad because I'm almost done reading it. I received this book as a birthday gift and I'm so glad my cousin thought of me. Truly needed this in my life.
• 
  Elaine

  Powerful poems that rocked me to my core & left me questioning everything I thought I knew
• 
  Melissa Lenore Hamann

  The words "you-volution" physically made me gag. So did "She-nado" and "Sheroes." Most of the titles of the poems were the same kind of inane eye rollers, but man. They would have been better without titles.
  This book is exactly what you get from adding your ex-boyfriend's single mother on Facebook. Both are free, one supports a growing author, so at least there is that.
  The drawings and graphics in this book are astonishingly bad and bland, adding to the very "basic" quality you get from these poems. It's complacent, tip of the iceberg, easy to write and to read poetry that says nothing, while cathartic for the author I'm sure.
  Poems that actually hit on meaning and were well-written are few and far between, like "Special Blended DNA," while the rest of the poems are just kind of.... "okay, and?"
  If there are future books from this author, I'd love to read them, because I think the poetry can only get better from here. It feels very much like a first attempt at poetry which, for just about everyone, never turns out fantastic work, but I think is importantly formative.
  
  I did not read this from an advanced copy and found it on Amazon through GoodReads.