Recurrent is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a while. Darla Mottram's autobiographical works open up a host of emotion by bringing us along the timeline of the writer's life.

This collection is enhanced through the use of photos, letters and real-life documents, we are brought into this deeply raw, carefully shared story detailing childhood, assault, addiction and adoption. Honestly, once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Despite the collection being slated for publication, it felt like I was being trusted with and shared with by a friend. The narrative style was enchanting, contemporary but with a classical twist. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and evokes strong imagery, bolstered by the supplementary materials to the poems that have been carefully constructed- each with unique twists, rhythms, and style. Darla's voice shines, which feels doubly important when you embark on the journey of her life. There are several lines that took my breath away, and will stay with me forever.

My favourite poems were 'The Poem Fails' and 'An Extraterrestrial Sleeps in My Closet'.

Thank you Net Galley and Querencia Press for early access to this collection; it is one of those books that felt life saving.

This is a very good collection of poetry all tied together by a powerful message and I left it actually feeling something unlike with most other poetry books I find myself stumbling into. Worth a look.

Recurrent by Darla Mottram is a heavy collection of poems about Darla’s own life and trauma. She gives insights into her history and a brief timeline of her time in and out of foster care, then into processing everything that was very much out of her control.

She is raw and real in these poems and once I started reading them I couldn’t stop. A few of my favorites are “Apple Falls From Tree”, “The Goose”, and “The Poem Fails”. She paints a beautiful and heartbreaking picture of the reality so many children face and will pull at every ounce of empathy you have. Well done, would love to add this to my bookshelf!