This was a poetry collection that I didn't know I needed in my life. These poems will live with me long after i have closed the pages.

I hadn’t read a poetry collection in quite some time and, boy, am I glad I did. Benaim’s debut poetry collection showcases her talent and her authenticity, making her an author to watch out for. She has a very unique, distinguishable voice, one she’s not afraid to use.

Her poetry is all about mental health, family, and love. At least that’s what the summary of the book promises; if I’m being honest I saw a book that was a bit more focused on romance, unrequited love, heartbreak, and loneliness. The collection is not as powerful as it promises to be, but still it has lots of potential; Benaim’s talent and honesty are undeniably there and I expect to see a lot more in the future.

As far as the poems themselves go, I have to say I was not overly impressed. Sure, there were some of them that I really enjoyed or related to, even some particular quotes that I expect will stay with me for a long time, but overall their themes and structure weren’t groundbreaking. It’s good poetry but not excellent poetry is all I’m trying to say. Still, it’s a book I am glad to have read and one I strongly recommend.

**An ARC was provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review**

While I loved her on button poetry with her poem "Explaining depression to my mother" I have to say that this book didn't work for me. I was very excited when I saw that she was publishing a book, and was expecting it to arrive. Then I learned it was, obviously, a poem book rather than a book explaining or talking about depression as such. But I enjoyed so much seeing her reading/feeling the beforementioned poem that I thought "Why not? I know I don't usually go for this kind of books, but her interpretation was so emotive, so raw, that I can like her book". Wrong of me to think that.

See, the book itself is great for people who like her work, it has her style and talks about depression and family and things that you feel or felt and have made you this way you are now. But what I really liked was her interpretation of the depression poem. So reading her did nothing for me, most of her poems were jumbled up words. I even went to see more of her readings to see if they could help me feel more the book, but no luck. She has some good ones here and there on the book, but the majority of them seemed like jumbled up words to me, some without making much sense and being a mere chain of words that tail together so she can began anew verse (the first poem, "Hello" is proof of this).

So, sadly it wasn't a lecture I enjoyed, even thought I wanted.

Sometimes I need beautiful, empathizing words to help me process my mood when life goes a bit haywire. Poetry collection: Depression & Other Magic Tricks was glowing on my computer screen looking for reviewers so I took it as a sign that it was meant to be. As is typical with any art form, I found myself connecting with some of Sabrina Benaim's poems more than others but they were all very good. My favorites include Explaining My Depression To My Mother, Girl Beside You, A Plain Truth, How to Fold a Memory, The Other Side of a Memory, On Releasing Light, Poem From Last August California Trip//Yearly Maintenance, Girl Behind You, and Seven Small Ways in Which I Loved Myself This Week. This collection discusses themes related to mood, mental health, family, relationships, and self-care. The about the author section indicates Ms. Benaim is seasoned in the art of poetry slam, a type of performance poetry, and I could visualize voice and movement for many of these poems. I personally have never heard of Sabrina Benaim before but I now have a new writer of beautiful words to keep an eye out for! 

Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of Depression & Other Magic Tricks. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing.
Source: NetGalley
Author: Sabrina Benaim
Publisher: Button Poetry, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Pub Date: 22 Aug 2017
Genre: Health, Mind & Body, Poetry

Depression & Other Magic Tricks is an absolutely beautiful book of poems. I first stubbled upon Sabrina Benaim on a facebook video (it was the video after the video you just watched, ya know?) and the poem she read was Explaining My Depression to My Mother. After reading the book the poem still remains my favourite. Benaim does such a beautiful job of emotionally defining depression and anxiety in a way anyone regardless of whether they've had experience with it can relate and feel. Throughout the whole book Benaim manages to do this will all of her poems. I was constantly trying to remember my favourite lines only to stumble upon another favourite line a moment later and then again another moment later. Let's just say that the whole book is one giant favourite line. I'm recommending this book to everybody (friends, family, strangers). I believe everyone has something to take away from the book and can relate to at least one poem. Wow. Just wow.

I always love very personal poetry collections because even in the moments I myself don't find the story of sorts being told relatable, it's still an interesting look into someone's life. There were a few places where the metaphors seemed a little weird, but overall I found this beautiful and well-written and really enjoyed it

This collection of poetry will appeal to anyone struggling with mental illness(es). For others, it will provide a peek at the myriad thoughts coagulating in one's brain as a result of their illness. 

That said! I related to *many* of the heartfelt and raw poems in this collection. I was moved beyond belief by many, in particular "the slow now" and "the loneliest sweet potato". Some poems offer wry insights into the often illogical thought patterns we experience during particularly difficult depressive funks, perfectly giving voice to often inexplicable feelings. The compassion the poet infuses each poem with radiates off the page and is felt extremely keenly.

Impressive! This collection of poems is raw and filled with depth, covering mental health from a uniquely personal perspective. These offer insight into daily life coping with depression.

Waking up to the news that Sabrina Benaim had released a poetry collection genuinely put a smile on my face this morning.

Depression & Other Magic Tricks-- bookspoils

Depression & Other Magic Tricks is the debut book by Sabrina Benaim, one of the most-viewed performance poets of all time, whose poem “Explaining My Depression to My Mother” has become a cultural phenomenon with over 50 million views. Depression & Other Magic Tricks explores themes of mental health, love, and family. It is a documentation of struggle and triumph, a celebration of daily life and of living. Benaim’s wit, empathy, and gift for language produce a work of endless wonder.

Full review with excerpts: https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/08/27/review-depression-other-magic-tricks-by-sabrina-benaim/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2104213931

Beautiful poetry. Wonderfully illustrated life with depression. Very talented poet.

I loved Benaim's spoken poem Explaining My Depression to My Mother, so when I saw she had a book of poetry coming out, I knew I had to read it. It's real, raw, relatable, and at times humorous. 

Whereas most of today's young poets are chopping up a sentence and calling it poetry, Benaim fleshes out her thoughts, dreams, and ideas creating meaningful, heartfelt poems. I can only hope she plans on releases another book in the future.

I didn't get anything out of this book. The poetry didn't appeal to me, there was anything that felt resonant to my own experience, and a lot of the time it didn't make any sense.

Depression & Other Magic Tricks is my first encounter with Sabrina Benaim and I really enjoyed the way she has with words. For the most part, I found her poems to be incredibly visual and beautifully written. Reading the poems that were primarily about the feelings and events of depression were wonderfully written, hardhitting and captured the way your mind works at those times. The reason I didn't rate this higher is because a good chunk of the poems related to relationships and while I enjoyed them, I was not as able to connect as the other poems. If you have depression or want to know how some people feel when they suffer from depression, I would definitely recommend this poetry collection: There is a stunning poem called "Explaining My Depression To My Mother" which I connected to and felt understood.

poetry and i usually don't mix / we repel like opposing ions / my synapses don't fire / when sparked by verse / however / a flame was lit at the start / kindled by depression and anxiety / yet heartbreak's oxygen did not fan the flames / satisfied yet / desiring more like / 'explaining my depression to my mother' / a conversation'

i don't know sabrina benaim / never heard her voice / yet depression and i are old buddies / we dance around each other / and make somber music / in the dark recesses of my mind / we love yet hate / one another but / we continue our duet 

at times i am sure my getaway car / has obscured my shadow in dust / then i turn the corner / and the sunlight causes me / to glance behind with horror / my shadow has grown large / absorbing the light / and creeps closer / as it follows / sabrina you exhale with eloquence / shine light upon the dark / adjust focus so we can see / the hope depression conceals 

anxiety can pick me / out of a line up / loneliness of knowing / in a crowded room / i'm the only one / from my tribe / despair at lack / of understanding / treated like a curiosity / different / not enough 

heartbreak / a foreign land / i am an alien there / yet made clear / by hearing sabrina 

dark / depression / loneliness / heartbreak / anxiety / despair / swirl into one / flood of emotion / aching / desert of nothingness / numbness / muddy clay that distorts / yet resilience / hope / light

gratitude / netgalley / gratitude / button poetry / gratitude / independent book publishers association / my thoughts for free / lasting impression / set aside other words / drink in this offering / to be returned to again / and again / to sip / to guzzle / to absorb / no regrets