Scan barcode
adominiquereads's review against another edition
5.0
"Respect is a meal I can make for myself; and if I can't sit at their table; with my lunchbox of love; then I'm perfectly happy eating alone."
I would like to say thank you to Reina for sending out an ARC to me of her newest book baby, and I'm so proud and excited for her to put out something she worked hard on for everyone else to read! #supportfilipinoauthors #supportindieauthors
Please Pick Me is a collection of poems and short stories that explore emotional themes of young love, abandonment, vulnerability, worth, self-love, and self-realization. It showcases human emotions that features oneself and how relationships with other people impact us. It is a really amazingly written self-love and encouragement book that I'm sure anyone would need to have right now. Reading it felt like having a dear friend and a therapist to talk to, and someone who would definitely understand what you are going through.
This is the first poetry book I've read, because I'm more of a prose and fiction reader who likes books thicker than my arms, but I'm more than willing to try out another form of literature. This book is definitely beginner friendly for poetry, as the poems and short verses were structured in a simple yet stylised way that didn't overwhelm me. I definitely enjoyed the longer poems and prose, as I felt like it was telling me an even more meaningful story, and I could imagine characters in my head as I would do with any novel. The poems themselves were a mix of different types of poems, and all of them really packed a punch. I really enjoyed how she used metaphors such as common household items, astrology, and science to give the book a more relatable feel.
While I loved all things she had written, my personal favorite entries were: "it is written", "date a boy who draws", "even the queen of the home does not get her due", "sepsis", "care instructions", and "love letters from the Major Arcana". I have them all tabbed in my kindle because I enjoyed them so much. I would definitely reread this book again, especially on times when I'm feeling down and need encouragement. I highly recommend this to everyone, even for usual non-poetry readers like me, because this book is definitely more than just a bind up of pages.
I would like to say thank you to Reina for sending out an ARC to me of her newest book baby, and I'm so proud and excited for her to put out something she worked hard on for everyone else to read! #supportfilipinoauthors #supportindieauthors
Please Pick Me is a collection of poems and short stories that explore emotional themes of young love, abandonment, vulnerability, worth, self-love, and self-realization. It showcases human emotions that features oneself and how relationships with other people impact us. It is a really amazingly written self-love and encouragement book that I'm sure anyone would need to have right now. Reading it felt like having a dear friend and a therapist to talk to, and someone who would definitely understand what you are going through.
This is the first poetry book I've read, because I'm more of a prose and fiction reader who likes books thicker than my arms, but I'm more than willing to try out another form of literature. This book is definitely beginner friendly for poetry, as the poems and short verses were structured in a simple yet stylised way that didn't overwhelm me. I definitely enjoyed the longer poems and prose, as I felt like it was telling me an even more meaningful story, and I could imagine characters in my head as I would do with any novel. The poems themselves were a mix of different types of poems, and all of them really packed a punch. I really enjoyed how she used metaphors such as common household items, astrology, and science to give the book a more relatable feel.
While I loved all things she had written, my personal favorite entries were: "it is written", "date a boy who draws", "even the queen of the home does not get her due", "sepsis", "care instructions", and "love letters from the Major Arcana". I have them all tabbed in my kindle because I enjoyed them so much. I would definitely reread this book again, especially on times when I'm feeling down and need encouragement. I highly recommend this to everyone, even for usual non-poetry readers like me, because this book is definitely more than just a bind up of pages.
rhi's review against another edition
4.0
Just from the dedication I knew this was going to be the book for me. In the foreword, Reina talks about that feeling of being wanted, and how it’s in all of us. Even this reads like poetry, and it captured my feelings in such a gorgeously heartbreaking way. Please Pick Me is a collection for anyone who has ever felt like they wanted someone so badly, for anyone who has loved and loved and loved, for anyone who has given so much only for it to be snatched away – and this is something we can all relate to.
These are poems about love in a roundabout way, but overwhelmingly love in all it’s forms. Fresh romance, acceptance, abandonment, intimacy, vulnerability, and self love are all explored, and Please Pick Me shows how they are so closely intertwined together.
Reina has somehow mastering the line between loss and the birth of something new all in one. I didn’t know it was possible to feel hope and grief at the same time, but it’s too late now. At times I forgot I had other things to do in the day, because I was so immersed in these stories.
The illustrations throughout add so much to the poems as well. Sections divide the book into different parts – Flowers, Thorns, Roots, Seeds, and the Epilogue – and these are prefaced with illustrations. The girl in these images is such an accurate representation of the feeling from each poem ‘chapter’, and the way they’ve been grouped matches perfectly. You can see the effort that went into formatting, editing, and all these other small decisions that don’t seem like much, but make it the book it is.
There are so many metaphors with usually mundane household items – like clothes, in one poem, science, tarot cards, astrology, and these added to the simple feel of the poems. Along with the formatting, you don’t need to have read lots of poems to enjoy this. You just need to have loved, and this book will transform how you look at any “boring” item. I know I’ve gotten dressed multiple times and thought of the poem {care instructions}, and it’s that feeling that makes me realise ‘oh. this book was powerful.’
This is the kind of impact it will have on your life. Subtly creeping up on you until it’s too late, and you realise you can let go. You don’t realise what it’s doing until after. The world feels lighter, somehow.
Some of my favourites were {two writers}, {six times we were fated and one time we weren’t}, {mercy living}, {the science of your existence}, {love letters from the Major Arcana}, and finally, the epilogue. Every poem is gorgeous, but these are the ones that I felt so deeply, I went back to reread later.
I really enjoyed this book, and I hope you do as well. It’s raw and honest and open, and that’s what makes it so good – it’s real. Thank you to Reina for writing this, and for reaching out for this review ❤
Thank you to the author for reaching out and providing me with a copy of this book! This did not affect my opinion in any way. All quotes may differ in final publication.
“and the only way you know to get love back is to give as much of it away as you possibly can”
These are poems about love in a roundabout way, but overwhelmingly love in all it’s forms. Fresh romance, acceptance, abandonment, intimacy, vulnerability, and self love are all explored, and Please Pick Me shows how they are so closely intertwined together.
Reina has somehow mastering the line between loss and the birth of something new all in one. I didn’t know it was possible to feel hope and grief at the same time, but it’s too late now. At times I forgot I had other things to do in the day, because I was so immersed in these stories.
The illustrations throughout add so much to the poems as well. Sections divide the book into different parts – Flowers, Thorns, Roots, Seeds, and the Epilogue – and these are prefaced with illustrations. The girl in these images is such an accurate representation of the feeling from each poem ‘chapter’, and the way they’ve been grouped matches perfectly. You can see the effort that went into formatting, editing, and all these other small decisions that don’t seem like much, but make it the book it is.
“the game was most certainly on, and for me, it was all over.”
There are so many metaphors with usually mundane household items – like clothes, in one poem, science, tarot cards, astrology, and these added to the simple feel of the poems. Along with the formatting, you don’t need to have read lots of poems to enjoy this. You just need to have loved, and this book will transform how you look at any “boring” item. I know I’ve gotten dressed multiple times and thought of the poem {care instructions}, and it’s that feeling that makes me realise ‘oh. this book was powerful.’
This is the kind of impact it will have on your life. Subtly creeping up on you until it’s too late, and you realise you can let go. You don’t realise what it’s doing until after. The world feels lighter, somehow.
Some of my favourites were {two writers}, {six times we were fated and one time we weren’t}, {mercy living}, {the science of your existence}, {love letters from the Major Arcana}, and finally, the epilogue. Every poem is gorgeous, but these are the ones that I felt so deeply, I went back to reread later.
“growing apart is still growth; and perhaps letting go means embracing this truth”
I really enjoyed this book, and I hope you do as well. It’s raw and honest and open, and that’s what makes it so good – it’s real. Thank you to Reina for writing this, and for reaching out for this review ❤
Thank you to the author for reaching out and providing me with a copy of this book! This did not affect my opinion in any way. All quotes may differ in final publication.
obscurepages's review against another edition
4.0
This was so beautiful and endearing! This book showed the different kinds of vulnerability that comes with loving someone and/or baring your heart for them. These poems, haikus, and stories, were beautifully-written and captivating all in all.
As someone who has loved so greatly before, I related to a lot of the pieces in this book. I was also a former literary writer, so reading these pieces comforted my heart and inspired me in one or another.
There were haikus and pieces that, despite their shortness, were able to give such a lasting impact to me as a reader and a person. I absolutely loved that. Some pieces felt awkward to me, particularly the longer ones. Still, I have to give kudos to the author for such an authentic and expressive storytelling.
In conclusion, this book was simply wonderful.
As someone who has loved so greatly before, I related to a lot of the pieces in this book. I was also a former literary writer, so reading these pieces comforted my heart and inspired me in one or another.
There were haikus and pieces that, despite their shortness, were able to give such a lasting impact to me as a reader and a person. I absolutely loved that. Some pieces felt awkward to me, particularly the longer ones. Still, I have to give kudos to the author for such an authentic and expressive storytelling.
In conclusion, this book was simply wonderful.
bookbed's review against another edition
3.0
"Welcome to All Reading Aloud, in which we read excerpts out loud.
Please Pick Me is Reina Regina’s debut book, filled with beautiful poetry—words strung together that gives us a glimpse of the author’s life. It’s cut into multiple parts, diving deep into her story as a lover, a tarot reader, a daughter, a writer."
Continue reading here.
Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
Please Pick Me is Reina Regina’s debut book, filled with beautiful poetry—words strung together that gives us a glimpse of the author’s life. It’s cut into multiple parts, diving deep into her story as a lover, a tarot reader, a daughter, a writer."
Continue reading here.
Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
theengineerisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Please Pick Me is the first book I finished this month and I can say that there's no better way to start this holiday season with a reminder of how brave we can be and how worthy we are as a person.
This poetry is a surprise December pick because I am not expecting to be chosen as one of @CaffeineTours hosts for this book tour.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. If you're interested in learning more about this tour, you can visit this link:
https://caffeinebooktours.wordpress.com/2020/12/07 /please-pick-me-tour/
REVIEW
Please Pick Me is a one-of-a-kind book that not only explores the fragility of being human but also reminds us that it's okay - it's okay to be true to yourself and go for what you want.
I dived into this book without any information aside from the fact that it has been featured in some of my booksta mutuals' feed. After reading the book, I can say that the Please Pick Me hype is justified and this book deserves to be picked up from bookshelves.
An equally engaging and insightful read, Reina Regina bravely dissected the human aspect that deals with what we want, and successfully concluded that the thin line that separates us accepting someone's love and us actually fighting for the love we think we deserve is courage.
I actually enjoyed each part that deals with the stages of life if we compare it to parts of a plant and my favorites are Roots and Seeds as these sections captured the reality of us living in the present and what great power we have with our future at stake.
Overall, this book taught me about acceptance, bravery, and self-love. It may be a cliche to say this, but I guess it's fitting to remind ourselves that sometimes, it's okay to go with what our heart wants.
RATING: 4stars
BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Please Pick Me
Author: Reina Regina
Publisher: Moonchild Press Publishing
Publication date: 11 November 2020
Genres: Poetry, Contemporary
#CaffeineBookTours
#PleasePickMeTour
This poetry is a surprise December pick because I am not expecting to be chosen as one of @CaffeineTours hosts for this book tour.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. If you're interested in learning more about this tour, you can visit this link:
https://caffeinebooktours.wordpress.com/2020/12/07 /please-pick-me-tour/
REVIEW
Please Pick Me is a one-of-a-kind book that not only explores the fragility of being human but also reminds us that it's okay - it's okay to be true to yourself and go for what you want.
I dived into this book without any information aside from the fact that it has been featured in some of my booksta mutuals' feed. After reading the book, I can say that the Please Pick Me hype is justified and this book deserves to be picked up from bookshelves.
An equally engaging and insightful read, Reina Regina bravely dissected the human aspect that deals with what we want, and successfully concluded that the thin line that separates us accepting someone's love and us actually fighting for the love we think we deserve is courage.
I actually enjoyed each part that deals with the stages of life if we compare it to parts of a plant and my favorites are Roots and Seeds as these sections captured the reality of us living in the present and what great power we have with our future at stake.
Overall, this book taught me about acceptance, bravery, and self-love. It may be a cliche to say this, but I guess it's fitting to remind ourselves that sometimes, it's okay to go with what our heart wants.
RATING: 4stars
BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Please Pick Me
Author: Reina Regina
Publisher: Moonchild Press Publishing
Publication date: 11 November 2020
Genres: Poetry, Contemporary
#CaffeineBookTours
#PleasePickMeTour
ccl1029's review against another edition
5.0
I received an e-copy as participation of the book tour but of course I had to buy my own copy. The book is beautiful from its cover, to the illustrations and the content.
Poetry Book Review: 5
Poetry Book Review: 5
spinesinaline's review
4.0
Thanks to Caffeine Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review as part of the book tour! Find my tour stop at https://spinesinaline.wordpress.com
My main takeaway after reading this poetry collection is that I want to read more by Reina Regina. She has such a beautiful way of writing, taking us through crushes and the early excitement of romances, through heartbreak and pain, family troubles, all the vulnerabilities of life and figuring yourself and your needs out along the way.
There’s a mix of formats in the collection, some haikus, some multi-verse poems, some more prose-like. While I enjoy the variety, I prefer the longer length poems because I feel I can get more immersed in them. My favourites were six times we were fated and one time we weren’t (on initial stages of a crush and finding connection) and sepsis (on healing and finding closure, or lack thereof).
There was a lot that resonated with me, so much I could relate to from the author’s own personal experiences. And that I think is part of the real power of this collection, that as specific as some of these poems were in detailing Regina’s experiences and relationships, at times it felt like the author could just as easily be writing about my own life. To feel seen and know that others have been through the same things you’re struggling with is an incredible feeling and I loved finding that connection in the author’s writing.
Thanks again to Caffeine Book Tours for introducing me to this collection and I can’t wait to read Regina’s next book! Highly recommend picking this one up yourself for a quick but powerful read.
My main takeaway after reading this poetry collection is that I want to read more by Reina Regina. She has such a beautiful way of writing, taking us through crushes and the early excitement of romances, through heartbreak and pain, family troubles, all the vulnerabilities of life and figuring yourself and your needs out along the way.
There’s a mix of formats in the collection, some haikus, some multi-verse poems, some more prose-like. While I enjoy the variety, I prefer the longer length poems because I feel I can get more immersed in them. My favourites were six times we were fated and one time we weren’t (on initial stages of a crush and finding connection) and sepsis (on healing and finding closure, or lack thereof).
There was a lot that resonated with me, so much I could relate to from the author’s own personal experiences. And that I think is part of the real power of this collection, that as specific as some of these poems were in detailing Regina’s experiences and relationships, at times it felt like the author could just as easily be writing about my own life. To feel seen and know that others have been through the same things you’re struggling with is an incredible feeling and I loved finding that connection in the author’s writing.
Thanks again to Caffeine Book Tours for introducing me to this collection and I can’t wait to read Regina’s next book! Highly recommend picking this one up yourself for a quick but powerful read.
wordsandnocturnes's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Please Pick Me is a book by Reina Regina filled with free verse poetry and a collection of words, with elegant illustrations serving as dividers between different sections. I think this was the first ever actual book of poetry that I’ve read, and it didn’t disappoint. As the introduction tells us, the title “Please Pick Me” is about having the strength within ourselves but not being given the chance to demonstrate this strength. This is a view that I haven’t seen much in poetry before, especially since there is a lot of poetry out there focusing on finding the strength within ourselves. Given my experience with poetry, I could be wrong, and there could be a lot of this type of poetry out there, so forgive me if I made a mistake, my friends.
Normally, I find free verse poetry difficult to get into. There isn’t a certain rhythm or any proper rules when it comes to free verse, and while that gives ample freedom for poets, it just seems easy to get disconnected and put off by. However, the poetry in Please Pick Me were easy to read because they were not formatted in the manner of one spamming line breaks.Some of the free verse I’ve read here and there have been in the line break spam format, which naturally detracted my attention from the overall poem. Well, you won’t find that problem in this book. The poems had their own rhythm in a way, and it was a steady, comforting rhythm that didn’t aim to throw you off reading the entire book.
Please Pick Me is divided into four sections: flowers, thorns, seeds, and roses. Each section explores different themes, including family and love. It maintains the general style a lot of poetry has to relate to its readers while also being oddly specific in some ways. This was particularly evident to me in the family section. I find it that section a powerful reminder that relationships among family members are equally important as romance and friendships, which is something that can be easily forgotten in recent media that is over-saturated with romantic sexual relationships.
A few of my favourites from the book include real or not real, benediction, malediction, and most of all, love letters from the Major Arcana, which is exactly what it sounds like (its a glorious poem which features short poems that revolve around each of the Major Arcana). What makes it more exciting is that poet Reina Regina is also a professional tarot reader, according to the small section introducing her at the end of the book.
To sum it up, I would say I enjoyed this little volume of poetry, and it does have a knack of prompting the reader to reflect on their own lives. It quietly prompts you to look into yourself. What is stopping you, what strengths do you have, how you have been hurt, and how you can heal. I can say for sure that in recent times when everything is a mess and is unsure, it is nice to be able to take control of our own minds and wrangling them into some sense of wonderful, kind sanity.
Many thanks to Reina Regina from whom I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
From Words & Nocturnes
Normally, I find free verse poetry difficult to get into. There isn’t a certain rhythm or any proper rules when it comes to free verse, and while that gives ample freedom for poets, it just seems easy to get disconnected and put off by. However, the poetry in Please Pick Me were easy to read because they were not formatted in the manner of one spamming line breaks.Some of the free verse I’ve read here and there have been in the line break spam format, which naturally detracted my attention from the overall poem. Well, you won’t find that problem in this book. The poems had their own rhythm in a way, and it was a steady, comforting rhythm that didn’t aim to throw you off reading the entire book.
Please Pick Me is divided into four sections: flowers, thorns, seeds, and roses. Each section explores different themes, including family and love. It maintains the general style a lot of poetry has to relate to its readers while also being oddly specific in some ways. This was particularly evident to me in the family section. I find it that section a powerful reminder that relationships among family members are equally important as romance and friendships, which is something that can be easily forgotten in recent media that is over-saturated with romantic sexual relationships.
A few of my favourites from the book include real or not real, benediction, malediction, and most of all, love letters from the Major Arcana, which is exactly what it sounds like (its a glorious poem which features short poems that revolve around each of the Major Arcana). What makes it more exciting is that poet Reina Regina is also a professional tarot reader, according to the small section introducing her at the end of the book.
To sum it up, I would say I enjoyed this little volume of poetry, and it does have a knack of prompting the reader to reflect on their own lives. It quietly prompts you to look into yourself. What is stopping you, what strengths do you have, how you have been hurt, and how you can heal. I can say for sure that in recent times when everything is a mess and is unsure, it is nice to be able to take control of our own minds and wrangling them into some sense of wonderful, kind sanity.
Many thanks to Reina Regina from whom I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
From Words & Nocturnes
More...