Courtney Peppernell

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through edelweiss. Content warning for death of a companion animal.)

-- 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 where necessary --

"The most important things I’ve learned from my dogs are actually rather simple. They have taught me to live in every moment and follow my heart (and my nose) to the things that bring me happiness. I appreciate little things more than I did before having a dog, like sitting on the balcony in the early morning sun, slowly show more drinking a cup of coffee; or the first sign of fall, how the weather turns a little cooler and the leaves change, bright and colorful; or a Sunday-afternoon nap, stretched out, toes facing the fading afternoon light, daydreaming about supper. Now, as I watch them get older, I try not to think about a life without them around, and instead I think about the life that I have with them now, how lucky it makes me to know and to love two beings in this world who unconditionally and wholeheartedly choose to love me."

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So, on the days you need to find me,
close your eyes and open your heart.
It is there we share all our sweet memories,
So, for all of time, we’ll never be apart.

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This is a bittersweet collection of poetry about dogs, aka the best thing to ever grace this dumpster fire of a world. (The multiverse poem "A Dog" is so me.) Some of the poems felt a bit basic and hokey, so I vacillated between three and four stars, but damned if all the tearjerkers didn't sway me. Another reviewer said that they were embarrassed by how much they cried over the collection, and I think that's pretty spot on.

Naturally, there are a fair number of poems about pet loss ... and while these definitely did a number on me, they also serve as a not-so-gentle reminder to live in the moment and never take a thing for granted. "New York" really hit hard, having walked a number of furkids through their last days. Tucker's mom's attitude is one I've tried to embrace, but it's just so hard. Soul crushing, yet still worth it.

ALL DOGS ARE GOOD would make an excellent gift for the dog person in your life, particularly if they are grieving the loss of a furry friend. (If their dog was especially ... challenging ... gift it with a copy of Nicole Georges's FETCH: HOW A BAD DOG BROUGHT ME HOME.) show less

I've been trying to get a head start on my 2022 goal of getting into poetry by slogging through this one, and I sure chose my first stop poorly.

I figured by the cover that this would be a collection of poetry on things one might be thinking while lying in bed and having trouble sleeping. And I guess that's what it is, for the author. Turns out, we just think about very different things in general.

Now, I get the appeal of love poetry, and can enjoy it if it's well done. But as someone who show more doesn't really feel romantic love, I have to say this became very tedious very fast.

Basically, this is a collection of diary like writing on heart-ache and love. There are a couple more traditional poems in the mix, but most of the writing is just juvenile prose about love and heart break formatted to look like poetry.

There was nothing original, nothing particularly skillful, nothing inspiring, and definitely nothing relatable in this (for me). Having said that, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would enjoy this. Especially younger ones, or maybe the type of people who love love, and who are only satisfied if they are in a relationship.

A good first step in my poetry journey, though, as it's always useful to figure out what one dislikes when trying to figure out what one actually enjoys. show less

With carefully laid out emotions and tons of heart, this is a beautiful read about loss and finding footing to continue again.

This read takes very different individuals, searches through each of their perspectives, and forms a lovely read which remains long after the book is placed down. The characters include a librarian, a reporter, an ex-gymnast, a widower, and a friend. The author does a wonderful job at keeping the voices individual and recognizable to give each one a sense of show more authenticity. At the same time, the very different directions offer an emotional weave, which dives deep in various ways to bring everything together in a way which touches the heart.

It's a journey of grief, inner-searching, adjustment, and for all things, hope and inspiration. show less

”That’s all we are, aren’t we, just souls who are sometimes kind and sometimes cruel and almost always complicated.”

FORMAT READ: eBook (Adobe Digital Editions)
SIMILAR VIBES: The Mermaid’s Voice Returns In This One
READ FOR: easy to get through but uplifting poems

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*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
*Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my show more own.*

OVERALL: 4.5



The Pillow Thoughts installment will always have a special place in my heart. It always seems to speak to me personally. I needed this and it reached me at the perfect time.

It always gives me that perfect whimsical, hopeful vibe that is perfect to sleep to. Which is perfect considering the title. The poems are like my literal thoughts when I’m lying down on my bed and nearly about to sleep. Courtney Peppernell is a poet that I adore because of how well she can translate thoughts to something that everyone can read and relate to, no matter what it is really about. I found myself just smiling in certain parts
This particular collection speaks about when you’re translating from a place of hurt to a place of healing and love. I love the way this ‘series’ progressed in terms of themes. It’s nothing too heavy but is enough to uplift you.

”I don’t think about you when I’m lonely; I think about you when I’m doing the things I love.”

ugh, here I am having feelings again

The illustrations in between sections in this book are also my favorite out of the three books!! They’re wonderfully designed and matches the particular section’s theme.

”Who you are is louder than you think."

WRITING STYLE: ★★★★☆
THEMES: ★★★★★ (the musical related ones were my favorite)
ILLUSTRATIONS: ★★★★★

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PRE READ:

I've read and reviewed the ARCs of this whole installment XD I'm so hyped for this one show less