Things You Don't Talk About

by December Ellis, Ell� Om (Illustrations), Florence Charles (Editor)

Things You Don't Talk About is a collection of poetry and prose that weaves fictional and non-fictional elements to describe a ten-year depression. It explores loss, family trauma, abuse, mental health, love, and forgiveness.

This collection takes you on a journey of self-healing through eight The Heart, The Mind, The Tongue, The Spine, The Lips, The Soul, The Skin, The Bones.

344 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2022

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I loved reading this collection of poetry. Many deep emotions are shared as the stories progress though phases of pain and healing. For the poems that share the harder emotions... I liked that the darker themes are embraced without sugarcoating. In addition to the excellent poetry, the illustrations are incredible throughout the book. Would recommend!

[Freya O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely breathtaking! Every single line is so tender and beautifully crafted. Her words are heart aching, raw, vulnerable and deeply relatable. D. Ellis shares very real, personal situations and heavy topics in lines that will break and mend your heart all at once. I felt like I was reading her diary, or even my own with how familiar her words and story felt. Reading “Things You Don’t Talk About” feels like talking with a dear friend late at night about each other’s darkest secrets. I felt both comforted and seen by this book, as my heart ached and healed as I was absorbed by the pages. And the uplifting, incredible ending were the perfect poems to end this book with. D. Ellis, you are right, you should be “proud of [yourself] for taking [your] broken moments and creating something rather extraordinary out of them”. This is such an endearing, tender, heavy, thought provoking book, and I cannot recommend it enough. It is one of the best poetry books I have ever read.

[B. Zelkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

look. I don't know shit about poetry. but, I know I stayed up until 1am to finish this collection. I know it's one of the few books I've actually managed to finish reading so far this year. I know I liked it.

do with that what you will.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visceral poetry. Intimate and raw.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars - TW: Suicide, depression, SA, drugs, alcohol. While I only related to a few poems, this book was beautifully written.

[Melissa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up “Things We Don’t Talk About” after some time to reread it, from a different vantage point in my life, and enjoyed once again how beautifully crafted it is. It is a vulnerable look at life and all of its intricacies. D. Ellis covers topics often not touched on in poetry, but commonly experienced, and tenderly addresses the emotions of living through and with trauma and depression, as well as the often lonesome work of healing. This is a beautiful look at the complex work of living and healing.

[Tee J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really conflicted but I NEED to be honest with my feelings so I’m going to do this in the most respectful way possible.

Am I afraid to give this a lower rating because of the Piper CJ incident? Yes. Did I recognize the author pour her heart and soul into this work? Absolutely. Did I meet this author face to face while purchasing the book? Yeah… Did she noticed that I was hesitant at $20 pricetag? Embarrassingly yes, but I wanted to support indie authors. I was a people pleaser then. Did I relate to some of the poems but not a lot? Yes, but that’s not the authors fault. Did the last few poems make me cry? Oh yeah 🥺

Main Issue: the flow on a lot of the poems hurt my brain and the structure felt too similar to Rupi Kaur’s poetry. Yes, you can say the same thing about Rupi Kaur but, what I’m saying is I’ve seen something similar like this so I was left unimpressed.

What I admire is the author for being brave enough to share her story in the most creative way imaginable. I related to the poems about the therapists because I too had condescending experiences undergoing counseling/therapy and I hardly ever see that being talked about. I’m so glad she got a better therapist in the end. I wouldn’t want my review to discourage her to stop writing.

Yet I will never pay $20 for a collection of poetry ever again.

Pls don’t be mean to me 🥺

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry book is absolutely fantastic! The writer brings to light serious trauma and illustrates raw emotions throughout the story. I had to take several breaks throughout reading the story because of how overwhelmingly passionate the poems made me feel, but also wanted to read it so quickly to see what evolved out of everything! I loved it so much and can't wait to see what else this writer puts out next!