Book Review – Rooted: A Poetry Collection

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I discovered the collection Rooted by Cassandra Chaput in a truly odd way.  I was in search of a sensitive reader for one of my up-coming-releases and posted on Twitter.  Cassandra messaged me and I sent her the file of my book over for her to read through when she was free.  Through chatting a bit through messages we ended up mutually following each other.

Then recently, I saw her tweet out about her poetry collection.  I saw in her bio that she was a writer, but (and I admit this sheepishly) I failed to look into her published output.  When I saw the collection I checked out the synopsis and knew it was something I’d need to read.  I ended up buying it for International Women’s Day.

The synopsis lets us know what we’re in store for.  I can’t do it justice or paraphrase it.

So I’ll quote it here, taken from Goodreads;

“Rooted is a collection of poetry with focus on mental health, love and heartbreak, self-improvement, and self-love. Trees are resilient, with roots buried deep beneath the soil, feeding them nutrients and helping them grow. You are rooted. Stand strong against the winds that try to tear you down.”

This was a collection I could’ve easily flown through and read in one sitting.  But these poems and in many instances affirmations are designed to be read and to be digested.  You will find that you’ll read a simple two-line affirmation, read three or four poems and then flip back to the two-liner to reread it again.

Throughout, the collection also features some really nice illustrations which worked well to highlight key aspects of the attached poem.

I hate to use the term simplistic, but Cassandra uses such carefully selected words to convey such massive emotions, I was awestruck at how she packed so much into so little, time and time again.

I think this collection is a necessary addition to everyone’s book shelf if you’ve ever suffered from depression, loss or lack of confidence or struggle with anxiety.

I also really think all women should read this.  Cassandra speaks so eloquently and many of the poems, at least I think, are poems that women should print off and repeat every day.

An emotional roller coaster of a collection, this one’s gonna stay with me for some time and I’ll probably be doing another read through this year.

5/5