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Don't Go Over The Bridge
Growing up as a bookworm in the southernmost borough of New York City, Jaclyn craves the essentials: her favorite paperback series, 19th century novels, and adventure. But what’s a girl to do when adventure lies beyond the boundaries of the bridge? Forbidden apple, will she take a bite?
Not if her mom has anything to do with it. Under the watchful eye of her Italian American family, the heroine-in-training explores life through the lens of patriarchal values. Don’t Go Over the Bridge is a collection of poetry and prose that create a narrative experience of becoming the authentic self. With originality in both structure and style, each chapter is presented with fresh insight and humor of what it means to come of age in a system that pushes tradition before autonomy.
Turn the pages to travel back to a time before social media, in a world with basic cable and dial-up internet. Walk the halls of an all-girls Catholic high school, hang with a couple of English professors, attend a neighborhood party, and much more, as the author navigates the turbulent seas from young adulthood to motherhood and beyond.
Not if her mom has anything to do with it. Under the watchful eye of her Italian American family, the heroine-in-training explores life through the lens of patriarchal values. Don’t Go Over the Bridge is a collection of poetry and prose that create a narrative experience of becoming the authentic self. With originality in both structure and style, each chapter is presented with fresh insight and humor of what it means to come of age in a system that pushes tradition before autonomy.
Turn the pages to travel back to a time before social media, in a world with basic cable and dial-up internet. Walk the halls of an all-girls Catholic high school, hang with a couple of English professors, attend a neighborhood party, and much more, as the author navigates the turbulent seas from young adulthood to motherhood and beyond.
- GenresPoetry
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2023
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 22, 2023
Thank you to the author, Jaclyn Cohen, and as always, KatieandBreyPA, for an advance digital copy of this beautiful poetry & prose collection, DON'T GO OVER THE BRIDGE.
Favorite poem: "Freeze"
Favorite section: Be Their Guest, specifically, the "dear Henry" letters
Favorite lines:
try not to cross out
and if you must,
one line will do
and do not buy erasable pens
[...] the erasable pens are a waste
I am left with blue smudge on my hands
and how undelightful it is
to erase a mistake
I want to feel
the error of my ways
stand witness to a wreckage
of grammatical proportions
Excerpt from "A Poet"
This collection really impressed me. It's a long collection, so I was pretty happy to see it covered a wide range of subjects. But in doing this, Cohen kept the collection comfortably stratified. It didn't feel like 200 pages of chaos, but a unified whole with a beginning and an end. Within this collection, the reader will find poems and microprose pieces about Cohen's coming of age, about her different generations in her family and her spot among them, her time in college and her identity as a writer, her perfectionism (dang, I really related to those ones!), her depression, and others.
I enjoyed Cohen's style in this collection. Contemporary minimalism has been the style de jour among new poets the last few years, so I was delighted to see something different! Cohen writes with a slightly modern flair. Many if not most of these poems appear as a collaboration or conversation between Cohen's own voice and another. Her work is heavily referential and I had loads of fun trying to pick out who she either named or referred to through symbolism. I found Edith Wharton and Henry Miller, I think, among others. There's no doubt, this is lively poetry! I also loved the inclusion of the microprose, which I experienced very much like palate cleansers between the sections of poetry.
This collection would be a great pick for poetry lovers or fellow poets. It's stunning work, and should be accessible for beginning poetry readers.
Rating: 🌁🌁🌁🌁🌁 / 5 wrong bridges
Recommended? Absolutely!
Finished: March 2 2023
Read this if you like:
📻 Modern poetry
🗣 Lyric poetry
🕯 Micro prose
Favorite poem: "Freeze"
Favorite section: Be Their Guest, specifically, the "dear Henry" letters
Favorite lines:
try not to cross out
and if you must,
one line will do
and do not buy erasable pens
[...] the erasable pens are a waste
I am left with blue smudge on my hands
and how undelightful it is
to erase a mistake
I want to feel
the error of my ways
stand witness to a wreckage
of grammatical proportions
Excerpt from "A Poet"
This collection really impressed me. It's a long collection, so I was pretty happy to see it covered a wide range of subjects. But in doing this, Cohen kept the collection comfortably stratified. It didn't feel like 200 pages of chaos, but a unified whole with a beginning and an end. Within this collection, the reader will find poems and microprose pieces about Cohen's coming of age, about her different generations in her family and her spot among them, her time in college and her identity as a writer, her perfectionism (dang, I really related to those ones!), her depression, and others.
I enjoyed Cohen's style in this collection. Contemporary minimalism has been the style de jour among new poets the last few years, so I was delighted to see something different! Cohen writes with a slightly modern flair. Many if not most of these poems appear as a collaboration or conversation between Cohen's own voice and another. Her work is heavily referential and I had loads of fun trying to pick out who she either named or referred to through symbolism. I found Edith Wharton and Henry Miller, I think, among others. There's no doubt, this is lively poetry! I also loved the inclusion of the microprose, which I experienced very much like palate cleansers between the sections of poetry.
This collection would be a great pick for poetry lovers or fellow poets. It's stunning work, and should be accessible for beginning poetry readers.
Rating: 🌁🌁🌁🌁🌁 / 5 wrong bridges
Recommended? Absolutely!
Finished: March 2 2023
Read this if you like:
📻 Modern poetry
🗣 Lyric poetry
🕯 Micro prose
March 6, 2023
A fellow bookworm writing poetry, with pop culture references peppered throughout, and a relatable grapple with coming of age? Say less.
"Don't Go Over The Bridge" is a wonderful and beautifully written coming of age story about the struggles of growing up, particularly as an introvert who is often seen as an outsider to those around you. It also shines a light on dealing with unwanted and unprovoked attention by men, navigating motherhood and the all encompassing grief of those you hold dearest. Jaclyn you are one fierce and strong lady, and I could feel your strength and determination shining through the pages, it really took root in me and refused to let go.
This poetry book is written in a conscious stream of thought, and verse, as we navigate the world through Jaclyn's eyes, from growing up in a time without social media, seeing her come into her own and navigating growing up and accepting herself and her feelings. This was a raw, honest and beguiling book. It's a very relatable and interesting prose, focusing on the thoughts and feelings teenagers face, and trying to process them. At times Jaclyn's wit had me laughing out loud, particularly with the thoughts that flitter around her brain when facing different experiences. It was so captivating, and enthralling, and it'll make you feel seen and understood.
Jaclyn you are a superwoman, and I'm utterly in love with your wit, humour, writing and strength.
"Don't Go Over The Bridge" is a wonderful and beautifully written coming of age story about the struggles of growing up, particularly as an introvert who is often seen as an outsider to those around you. It also shines a light on dealing with unwanted and unprovoked attention by men, navigating motherhood and the all encompassing grief of those you hold dearest. Jaclyn you are one fierce and strong lady, and I could feel your strength and determination shining through the pages, it really took root in me and refused to let go.
This poetry book is written in a conscious stream of thought, and verse, as we navigate the world through Jaclyn's eyes, from growing up in a time without social media, seeing her come into her own and navigating growing up and accepting herself and her feelings. This was a raw, honest and beguiling book. It's a very relatable and interesting prose, focusing on the thoughts and feelings teenagers face, and trying to process them. At times Jaclyn's wit had me laughing out loud, particularly with the thoughts that flitter around her brain when facing different experiences. It was so captivating, and enthralling, and it'll make you feel seen and understood.
Jaclyn you are a superwoman, and I'm utterly in love with your wit, humour, writing and strength.
February 19, 2023
"To this archway, where I may be the Mary Bennet of the room. I hate that Mary gets so much crap for wanting to stay home and read her books. Getting dragged to fancy rich people balls so her more physically appealing sisters can play coy to potential husbands. Sisters. Forever preventing the other from being the shiniest star."
"I’m not sure what is so fascinating about the weather but adults have the need to discuss atmospheric conditions at the start of every call."
"I hate underwire, it’s like a prison for boobs."
Don’t Go Over the Bridge is a coming-of-age poetry and short story collection by Jaclyn Cohen. Growing up as a bookworm in Staten Island, New York, Jaclyn craves two essentials: paperbacks and adventure. But adventure proves difficult for the firstborn daughter of an overprotective Italian American family. One evening in the late 1990s, Jaclyn discovers that she no longer wants to stop at the toll booth. The Verrazzano is calling and so are boys! (And pizza.) Will she be able to overcome her Catholic guilt and her mother’s watchful eye as she enters into adulthood? Travel over the bridge and unlock the magic of this coming-of-age memoir through a humorous and heartfelt collection of both poetry and prose. Caution: Millennial references.
My thoughts: Ok so at first I'm thinking "what am I reading right now?" but then the nonsensical words start to make sense as your journey thru this very different memoir as she grows up the story starts to make sense! New York is one of my favorite places I've ever been, and Staten Island is the best, so this was just so fun with references to life in New York and let's not forget the EXPLOSION of millennial references, I found so many that just made me smile thru out the book, like Austen references, Grease (the movie guys) dirty dancing, and so many others! This was a fun one! Thanks for sharing it with me! @katieandbreypa @jaclyncohenauthor
I give Don't go over the bridge by Jaclyn Cohen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I’m not sure what is so fascinating about the weather but adults have the need to discuss atmospheric conditions at the start of every call."
"I hate underwire, it’s like a prison for boobs."
Don’t Go Over the Bridge is a coming-of-age poetry and short story collection by Jaclyn Cohen. Growing up as a bookworm in Staten Island, New York, Jaclyn craves two essentials: paperbacks and adventure. But adventure proves difficult for the firstborn daughter of an overprotective Italian American family. One evening in the late 1990s, Jaclyn discovers that she no longer wants to stop at the toll booth. The Verrazzano is calling and so are boys! (And pizza.) Will she be able to overcome her Catholic guilt and her mother’s watchful eye as she enters into adulthood? Travel over the bridge and unlock the magic of this coming-of-age memoir through a humorous and heartfelt collection of both poetry and prose. Caution: Millennial references.
My thoughts: Ok so at first I'm thinking "what am I reading right now?" but then the nonsensical words start to make sense as your journey thru this very different memoir as she grows up the story starts to make sense! New York is one of my favorite places I've ever been, and Staten Island is the best, so this was just so fun with references to life in New York and let's not forget the EXPLOSION of millennial references, I found so many that just made me smile thru out the book, like Austen references, Grease (the movie guys) dirty dancing, and so many others! This was a fun one! Thanks for sharing it with me! @katieandbreypa @jaclyncohenauthor
I give Don't go over the bridge by Jaclyn Cohen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 25, 2024
This is a collection of short stories from the author’s life, as well as poetry depicting different events and periods of her life. We start with her childhood and teen years, and her attending an all girls school. Cohen talks about her self image, girl struggles, and how important her grades were to her. We move into her young adult life and the guys she dated. My favorite poems from this period were 𝑨 𝑷𝒐𝒆𝒕 and 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒓 𝑾𝒉𝒐?.
When then see her settling into her adult life with 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆, and motherhood, with 𝑮𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆 making me nostalgic. It took me back to being a first time mom and my now 16 year old’s Winnie the Pooh bassinet.
Overall I enjoyed this memoir and the way it was written. I loved the combination of styles, and seeing the journey of Cohen’s life up to this point.
April is National Poetry Month and I recommend this to add to your reading list.
I won this copy in a giveaway hosted by the author.
When then see her settling into her adult life with 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆, and motherhood, with 𝑮𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆 making me nostalgic. It took me back to being a first time mom and my now 16 year old’s Winnie the Pooh bassinet.
Overall I enjoyed this memoir and the way it was written. I loved the combination of styles, and seeing the journey of Cohen’s life up to this point.
April is National Poetry Month and I recommend this to add to your reading list.
I won this copy in a giveaway hosted by the author.
March 15, 2023
Synopsis: A collection of poetry and prose focused on a young women’s journey through adolescence in New York City.
.
Review: When I’m reading poetry, I am mostly looking for genuine emotion, and Cohen delivers in this aspect. She paints a beautiful picture of the struggle that all adolescents face of guidance v. independence.
While I really hoped to love this one, it didn’t resonate with me in the way I had hoped. I think a big barrier for me was that Cohen’s experiences are deeply rooted in growing up in New York, a state which I have never been to. I was able to extrapolate and compare to my own experiences, but it didn’t feel as authentic.
/Thank you to the author and Katie and Brey Tours for gifting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review./
.
Review: When I’m reading poetry, I am mostly looking for genuine emotion, and Cohen delivers in this aspect. She paints a beautiful picture of the struggle that all adolescents face of guidance v. independence.
While I really hoped to love this one, it didn’t resonate with me in the way I had hoped. I think a big barrier for me was that Cohen’s experiences are deeply rooted in growing up in New York, a state which I have never been to. I was able to extrapolate and compare to my own experiences, but it didn’t feel as authentic.
/Thank you to the author and Katie and Brey Tours for gifting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review./
April 19, 2023
Don’t Go Over The Bridge is a collection of poetry and musings that follow a young woman from girlhood to womanhood. Pivotal moments, trying times, and memories that explain how she became who she is today.
I liked the poem “wall art” and “I am the wind” especially. It’s a breeze to read at just 203 pages, and a great little read. 💙
Likes: Great details, really paints a picture, smooth transitions throughout, women culture, funny, very descriptive in a good way, applicable to everyone, relatable for young women of various ages, lots of fun literary and movie references.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Plot: 9/10
Romance: 4/10
Violence: N/A
I liked the poem “wall art” and “I am the wind” especially. It’s a breeze to read at just 203 pages, and a great little read. 💙
Likes: Great details, really paints a picture, smooth transitions throughout, women culture, funny, very descriptive in a good way, applicable to everyone, relatable for young women of various ages, lots of fun literary and movie references.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Plot: 9/10
Romance: 4/10
Violence: N/A
February 12, 2023
It’s poetry time! I always find reviewing poetry so difficult because of how subjective and up to interpretation it is. However, here we go! This was a quick read as most collections are, coming of age and discussions on the authors childhood in relation to attention of boys, parent connections, and growing into herself. This is a mix of almost short stories with poems and offered an interesting break between the two. Despite my childhood and teenage years being different there was still a connection that I was able to find within the stories.
February 21, 2023
Poetry you ask? Technically, yes, but don’t be intimidated if that’s not your thing. Cohen’s words leap off the page with refreshing honesty. Reading this felt like having lunch with an old friend. So relatable! It references Grease, Jane Austen, big Sunday family dinners, and so much more.
Thank you to the author and to @katieandbreypa for the ARC. These opinions are my own and are being expressed without bias.
Thank you to the author and to @katieandbreypa for the ARC. These opinions are my own and are being expressed without bias.
February 22, 2023
I loved poetry growing up, and enjoyed reading Jaclyn Cohen’s collection of poetry and short stories in Don’t Go Over The Bridge. All of the poetry and stories I could definitely relate to. I also grew up Catholic and went to a private Catholic school K-8. I told my parents there was no way I could go to the all girls high school next door.
This was such a fun book to read. If you enjoy poetry or short stories, I highly recommend reading!
This was such a fun book to read. If you enjoy poetry or short stories, I highly recommend reading!
March 1, 2023
•What a beautiful book filled with a little mix of poetry and short stories that all work together to tell a larger story together.
•I loved how personal the writing was, it was very engaging and relatable.
•I really enjoy poetry, I had never read a book quite like this that morphed the two together (a story and poetry) I loved this concept.
•Overall very well written, I really enjoyed this book!
•I loved how personal the writing was, it was very engaging and relatable.
•I really enjoy poetry, I had never read a book quite like this that morphed the two together (a story and poetry) I loved this concept.
•Overall very well written, I really enjoyed this book!
March 16, 2023
So cleverly done! A mixture of poetry and prose to tel a coming of age story on a little island in NYC that I know oh so well!
I could totally see myself in this book - picture the streets and experiences that were described.
It felt so cool to read a book about my little corner of the world - the place where I grew up, so perfectly captured on paper!
I could totally see myself in this book - picture the streets and experiences that were described.
It felt so cool to read a book about my little corner of the world - the place where I grew up, so perfectly captured on paper!
February 8, 2023
To be quite honest, I’m not fully sure how to review this. I enjoyed the millennial references placed throughout, and that it’s true to the author’s experience growing up. How do you truly review something though that you don’t relate quite as hard to? It’s all very well written.
February 12, 2023
Please read this book. It’s beautiful collection of short stories and poems that feel like a warm summer breeze and captures the essence of growing up.
February 14, 2023
As a poetry author myself, I found the book unique and interesting. However, I would say it was a collection of prose and short stories. It's a touching read.
March 23, 2023
3 stars
I had a hard time getting into the book so it did take me a while to finish but what I did like was some of the cultural references and certain experiences that the author experienced.
I had a hard time getting into the book so it did take me a while to finish but what I did like was some of the cultural references and certain experiences that the author experienced.
July 8, 2023
Perfect read for poetry lovers, meshed into a book! I only rated it 3 stars because I got confused at a few things I had to keep going back to do a reread to understand.
February 14, 2023
Don't Go Over the Bridge written by Jaclyn Cohen is a beautiful collection of poetry and short stories. Growing up on Staten Island in an Italian-American family, her Catholic mother was very protective of her. Whether the reader also grew up on Staten Island, Catholic, or in an Italian family, this book is very relatable. At least once in our lives we have all done something our parents continuously warned us not to. Don't Go Over the Bridge is both witty and funny, and beautifully written. Even if you're not a fan of poetry, this is definitely a good read you'll not want to miss.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews