I love all of Ari B. Cofer's work, and knew going in that I'd be glad I read Paper Girl, but wow—this book is stunning. She twists and turns through so many emotions, and writes so beautifully you just get lost in it. Ari can write jaw-dropping poems about anything from romantic love and growing older to suicide and racism. There are longer pieces and shorter ones, interspersed with lovely art with lines that will take your breath away.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry, but also anyone struggling with mental health or past trauma. Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her is not all feel-good or optimistic by any means, but you will come out of it being at least a little more sure of who you are, and a little more grateful to be alive.

Thank you to Netgalley, Central Avenue Publishing, and Ari B. Cofer for the chance to review this ARC.

This is an extremely difficult review to write. It wasn't that I was caught off guard for I expected dark prose and gloomy poetry given the book's title and opening blurb.

The books beginning came with content warnings (and also kind advice). Kudo’s to the author for providing those advance warnings. The warnings included the following:
• Mental Health Conditions
• Suicide/Suicidal Ideation
• Self-Harm
• Sexual Assault
• Gun Violence
• Violence against poc
• Brief mentions of body dysmorphia
• Brief mentions of drug/alcohol use*
• + other tough topics

Ok - Holy smokes! That’s a LOT of heavy stuff in a book of 176 pgs (NetGalley ARC copy version...with some pages blank at the end). *I would disagree with the word “brief” when applied to drug use.

What I liked about this book:
• The cover design
• The title of the book
• The drawn illustrations
• What I believe (hope) was the author's intent in writing this creative work.

What I didn't like about this book:
• MORE than half of the book is focused on the deeply dark. It had the feel of a journal one might keep in therapy. However, the opening of the book (in part) mentions “This is a work of FICTION”, the “product of the author's Imagination” - Italics mine). Knowing that up front, gave me less a feeling of heartfelt realism (as often expressed in poetry), even though the author states that some of the pieces are based on true stories.
• The road to recovery receives a lot less time and attention. When the road to recovery begins to be expressed, it is way too simplistic, rushed.
• Peppered with frequent F*Bombs
• Unflattering references to god/religion (the word “god” as written in book).

Summary: I'm extremely familiar, and with certainty no stranger to depression. I have seen the effects of serious mental illness in countless others, and unfortunately have also experienced seeing ones give up on life.

The Content: I get the meaning of the book’s title, the meaning of “paper girl”, meaning of “knives”, but was totally left being disappointed in content here. It didn't uplift me, nor did I appreciate the style of writing. The “dark writing” was understandably angry, intense, hopeless. The “road to recovery-journey to heal” writing felt so shallow, if not close to hollow. I was hoping this read would be inspiring, illuminating, healing, AFTER the darkness, after all what the proverbial knives did.- for some reviewers, it was/is with high praises. For me - no, not even close. The negativity/darkness content FAR outweighed any positivity... and then I remembered this is a work of FICTION, product of the authors imagination.

Perhaps the reading of the author’s creative thoughts and poetry will provide a lesson for some to experience a darkness they never never seen or had. Or perhaps it gives a voice to someone who stayed silent but could never speak or feel understood. My hope is that it will provide some benefit for the reader who chooses to read it (which I believe was the author's intent*.)

1.5 rounded up to 2 Stars

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ALL opinions are my own.

This is a beautiful collections of poetry. The author bared their rawness to us, and I appreciate that. I love how they addressed mental health and the importance of taking care of your mental health. Our society needs to be more comfortable with speaking about mental health. I think this collection of poems is so refreshingly radical that I will def be purchasing a physical copy and recommending it to everyone.

This book was so beautifully written and the emotions that are within it are something that most will never have to feel (which is a blessing for them). My skin color may not be the same as the authors, but I was able to relate to some of her poetry on a deep level. My eyes became teary eyes when she brought up rape (because having experienced that and overcoming it doesn’t make the pain feel less real) and how well she worded that horrible situation. Pros and kudos to her!

A beautiful collection of poems that really just hits you in the center of your emotions. Filled with emotions, art, prose, and everything in between, this is for all the girls out there who have dealt with the struggles of life, from relationships, to mental health, and to loss. This was a fierce and relatable read that spoke to me in a way I didn’t expect it to. It thoroughly was a great read and I would highly recommend it for everyone.

*Thanks Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*