It's a rare occasion that I read an anthology of poetry and so thoroughly love the written compilation that I find it difficult to close the book for breaks. But this was, surprisingly, the case for [Dis]Connected.

A devourable read from popular poets, this collection is bursting with poems and lines that dare to explore what it means to connect, to unplug, to attempt to fill the empty space between humans. All the works shared themes of love and loss, hurt and healing, but overall, the collection is eclectic and visceral, leaving open the opportunity for it to resonate with just about anyone.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of anthologies in general, I would recommend this collection simply because the messages are so important and the works are deeply touching. Each piece is woven into the next, making this collection a cohesive compilation of everything we all need to hear/know....and more.

This was my first time reading one of these collections of short stories and poetry from different authors that was put together in this way. I completely enjoyed the premise behind this project and will need to go back and find Volume 1. There were some stories that I connected with more than others, but I think, as with any collection of stories, that is part of the point. They are meant to have a general them but not necessarily speak to each person in the same way.
And that new cover is gorgeous!
Thank you for the early copy. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys short story collections.
#Disconnected #NetGalley #CentralAvenuePublishing

This is a collection from a bunch of popular poets filled with self involvling poems and short stories dealing with connection or lack of connections, it was a quick read.

Interesting concept and I enjoyed a large portion of this book. Like with many collections some definitly stood out more than others but I thoroughly enjoyed this book overall and have recommended it to others.

Some absolutely lovely stories taken from the authors' poetry. A lot of themes that interest me and many readers today - the supernatural, dystopia. A very interesting short story read and I loved some of the poetry in particular

The concept behind this collection intrigues me, and I loved reading the connected stories and poems by different writers.

I love the premise behind Michelle Halket creating this collection as well.

I enjoyed reading it, and I recommend to poetry and short story lovers!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.

A collection of short stories and poems from twelve poets/authors. Each writes using a line from the others poem/story. Themes of loss and love crop up more than once but yet the general subject matter is rather eclectic as are the different approaches and style, it is nice to see how just how they can vary. Very emotional at times and certain ones made me stop and reflect.
A nice collection to dip in and out of around my books.

After reading the first volume of [Dis]Connected, I didn't think another collection could top it, particularly as I've struggled with anthology type books before but then [Dis]Connected volume 2 was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. Wow, wow, wow - I'm still thinking about this and finished it over a week ago.

Not only does the collection feature some really exciting writers, but it also takes the heart of the first volume to the next level. My personal favourite was What The Wild Gave Me by Wilder, I really wanted to read more about the characters from this short story, I'll definitely be looking up Wilder and their work.

It has to be noted that this collection really weaves together so well. While there are differences between the varying authors they all compliment each other, which is a testament to the editor.

A 5 star read for me and I really hope there is a volume 3!

I really liked the premise for this collection, which was that one poet wrote something, and then another poet would write something inspired by the first piece, and so on. The poets featured are eclectic, with a god mix of style and subject matter, and I can definitely say that I will be coming back to this collection again and again - there are some real gems that I am already looking forward to rereading.

NOTE: I was provided with a free ARC copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this did not appeal to me at all and I could finish reading it.

I don't want to say why, as everyone has their own opinions. Give a try yourself....don't base your desire to read it solely on my review.

I raced through this book, having loved the first in this series I was excited to read this next installment and it didn't disappoint! I love how one writer creates an idea and then another takes that idea and transforms it, it is so unique and works so well.

I can appreciate the obvious time and effort it took to put this together but unfortunately I was not able to connect with this work thematically.

This is a Volume 2 follow-up of last year's experiment where a group of current poets each summit a poem based on our connectedness or disconnectedness, and another poet writes a short story based on a line or feeling from the poem. It worked then and it works now.

I enjoyed this read for several reasons:
- it again proves that those with a way with words always carry their skill with them and can use it for other forms of written expression.
- I enjoyed seeding how the connection between poem and short story was carried out,
- I enjoyed the good poetry and short stories found in this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed this collection and I thought the concept was very original. I would have preferred more poetry and the bulk of the collection is short stories. The best pieces were by Courtney Peppernell, Wilder, NL Shompole and Alicia Cook. There are some poems and stories I loved and some that didn’t completely work. However, I enjoyed the whole collection. The best story is Strangers Tomorrow and it is heart-breaking. I also loved Ghosted. The only thing that let this down is the way the collection is structured. I had trouble at first following the flow of the work. This is probably intentional because of the theme and concept of the book but it made it an awkward reading experience until I got used to it. It’s not always clear where one piece ends and one piece begins and the name of the writer is not always prominent.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a collection of poems and short stories that are all connected. As expected with all anthologies there were some short stories and poems that I loved and others were just okay. I am really glad that I read it as the short stories that I loved will definitely stay with me.

Review: Disconnected by Courtney Peppernell; Tyler Knott Gregson; Noah Milligan; Caitlyn Siehl; Raquel Franco; Wilder; Alicia Cook; Komal Kapoor; KY Robinson; NL Shompole.

This highly-anticipated second volume of poetry and short stories combines the forces of some of the most popular poets of 2019.

I love this series of books. How one writer can create an idea, and then another to come along read that idea and make something new from it makes for somerthing great and this book is certainly proof, straight from the beginning of the book. ‘Strangers Tomorrow’ by NL Shompole, will break your heart. Inspired by the work of Gregson before her in this book this story takes science fiction into how to deal with grief exquisitely and makes for a marvel in this book. 

In combination with these stories, we have poems that connect the stories, taking lines from the poem to create the story. Poems by Noah Milligan like ‘Ghost Stories’ in this book are harrowing but important and make for perfect stops in between these stories. Jumping from ‘Ghost Stories’ we have ‘Ghosted’ which is the most honest and raw and tragic love story that just ends so well and I love it for it and thougn the two are so very different the way they use words to connect the two is done so well.

A book I asked for due to my love of the work of Tyler Knott Gregson, this book has opened my eyes to a whole new range of talented poets who I need to go and look up as soon as possible. If you love poems and like having your heartbroken in a literary sense, this is the book for you. Even the recommendations at the end of the book - Jade Homa’s ‘Athena’ at the back is a little treasure that ends this book beautifully. 



This collection of short stories and poems made my heart ache, but in the best way possible. All of the pieces were so emotional and many touched on devastating loss in a way that I haven’t found much elsewhere; which is something I’ve looked for in many books I’ve read since losing my best friend. When you’ve experienced something so deep and personal as loss/grief and then find stories that can so beautifully express your own feelings, it really reminds you why reading is so important. No matter what you’re dealing with, you’re never alone.

Though I originally wanted to read this book because I already follow (and love) Alicia Cook, Courtney Peppernell and Tyler Knott Gregson, I honestly loved every story. Now I plan on looking into more of the other contributors’ work!

This collection of short stories was neither here nor there for me. In fairness this is an uncorrected ARC but some of the flow through stories felt choppy and (no pun intended) disconnected. On the positive side, the stories were overwhelmingly interesting to read and some really made me wish that I'd have a whole novel to pore over! For example the story about the character who goes into people's memories and removes the painful ones to bring peace was incredibly visceral and something a lot of people can relate to. I wanted to know more about this character and really connected with the emotions of that story. Overall a book I'd like to introduce to young people but not something I'd go back to personally.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Some of the poems were clever. Some sad. Most were not of my liking, so unfortunately I would not buy this book.

[Dis]Connected is an experiment in writing. Have a poet write a poem then have another poet read it and write a short fiction inspired in some way by that poem. That inspiration can be on a theme or even a single line of the poem. Then that poet starts another cycle for someone else. In the second Volume of [Dis]Connected Michelle Halket chooses ten young poets for the project. The "dis" and the "connected" come into play as poets base their prose on a poem. There can be a strong connection to the poem's theme or a disconnection by going in another direction. Themes of love, loss, and dating run strong through the collection. Tyler Knott Gregson establishes the trend with the opening lines of the first poem:

Sometimes I can see the fibers between things,
The threads that connect us,
Tie us all together. I can see the light
As it passes over them, as it moves,


The fibers link the verse and prose throughout. The prose is excellent and Wilder's "What The Wild Game Me" is superb and inspired by N. L. Shompole's prose poem "Notes on How to Take Flight." There is a wide range of emotions flowing through both the poems and the prose.  The emotions run deep in the collection from overwhelming loss in Alicia Cook's "The Fourth Saturday"  to being found in "Stay With Me" by Courtney Peppernell.  Another excellent collection showing the magic poets can create.