This one just wasn’t for me. I tried my best to get invested but I just wasn’t unfortunately and it ended up in not finishing this book. I’m sure it’s for some people but just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Absolutely loved this book. It was so impactful and thought, I felt like I just kept highlighting passages and cannot wait to go back for a second read.

3/5

Written by Chinese Canadian trans-woman activist Kai Cheng Thom comes a collection of letters to a diverse selection of subjects ranging from goddesses to JK Rowling. Kai writes poetic essays that question and linger in the spaces where people like her have not been allowed to linger. Sometimes in anger, sadness, vengeance, acceptance and understanding, Kai tackles subjects and creates room for readers to breathe in and ruminate.

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be more poetry than essay. I think I want mentally prepared to dive deep into a lot of her letters. For the most part I get to really struggle to keep focused. A lot of the writing also felt like train of thought, run-on sentences.

I do appreciate what Kai was speaking about and for though. The letters that resonated with me were excellent, but I will admit that perhaps this collection wasn’t necessarily for me. So I’m not saying that the book was unenjoyable, just that there’s an audience for it and unfortunately that audience is not me.

This is a collection of love letters to a slue of people and groups who have impacted her life. At a time of internal crisis, Kai Cheng could have done many a thing besides share her words; Instead, they chose to write and share their experiences.

I loved the reflection at the end of the letters for the reader, they came as a sense of release, a mini assignment of sorts for the reader to follow through with understanding of what's just been read.

The one to the Deathwalkers, the John's and to the exiled stood out the most to me.

I received an e-galley of Falling Back in Love with Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Written in a series of letters, Falling Back in Love with Being Human is filled with love, hope, forgiveness, humanity, pain, and emotional vulnerability. There is truly so much heart in these letters as each letter addresses different themes and people and experiences. Through the subtext, there seems to be a lot of pain that the author has experienced, and throughout all these letters, there is a sense of forgiveness and generosity of spirit to those who hurt and those who have been hurt. I felt humbled and comforted by the words and sentiments in these letters.

falling back in love with being human: letters to lost souls, is a modern poetry collection of 'letters' addressed to various people, groups, things, etc., written by canadian writer kai cheng thom. the poems were well-written and easy to follow, which is not always the case with poetry. however, overall the poems fell flat for me, i wasn't highlighting much and there were so many pop culture references - although i did really enjoy the poem addressed to jk rowling!

if you're a fan of poetry, definitely check this out next week when it is published, but if you're not, this is a good one to skip. i don't think this will be the most memorable poetry collection, however, i am really looking forward to picking up thom's memoir since i enjoyed the writing style so much!

thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the e-arc of falling back into love with being human: letters to lost souls by kai cheng thom in exchange for an honest review.

Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom is an evocative collection of letters. It is lyrical, poetic and hard to put down. I read it on a weekend. I loved the idea of finding love through despair by writing to the parts of us that hurt. To see what is hurting and accept those parts of ourselves and others is a way of healing ourselves too.

Throughout the book, Kai is working through grief. Sometimes it is more defined like the pain of losing her sister. Other times, it is broader, looking into disillusionment from religions and communities that said they offered unconditional acceptance. Kai’s desire to talk to those who are gone and share all that has learned about living is one I share too.

The letters are short and concise. They offer opportunities for reflection and are followed by a suggestion to take action: whether it is to define a word like ‘monster’ or create a ritual or send someone a book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human is about rediscovering the humanity in us and others through small acts. Kai talks about teenage years as well as adult years. I was reminded of how important my friend circles as a young kid were and how compassion can develop at a very young age. I have gotten older and lost touch with the folks who made my childhood beautiful but those memories remain.

The prose of Falling Back in Love with Being Human is immersive. It is so easy to lose track of time, reading Kai’s thoughts. So many times, she says things I haven’t been able to put words to.

Books give ideas for conversations and opportunities to know others better. Falling Back in Love with Being Human is a good one to discuss with a friend/family with whom you can be candid!

Many thanks to Penguin Canada for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. For a such small volume of poems/letters/essays and prompts this sure packs a punch!! Written by a popular Asian Canadian trans femme author during the pandemic when they were hurting from seeing all the hate and violence in the world. This book is meant to be a source of catharsis, provide healing and be a beacon of trans joy.

Dedicated to different people and topics, each poem/essay is filled with emotion and deeply personal. Both sad and hopeful, this reads as a volume meant to heal during a very painful period of the author's life. Lyrical and extremely moving and I can't recommend it enough. I especially enjoyed the prompts that follow each of the sections that ask the reader to take various actions or reflect on different parts of themselves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This is a book I will be buying to keep on my forever shelf and raving about to everyone I know!

Kai Cheng Thom's latest collection features poems written as letters to help the writer fall back in love with being human, and in doing so it certainly allows plenty of room for the reader to do the same. The poems featured in this collection are all addressed to someone, and whether it be the john's the author slept with during her time as a sex worker, unrequited loves, her trans sisters, TERFs or the transphobic author of the child wizard books, Thom offers them all love and forgiveness. This was a beautiful collection full of grief, rage, and ultimately and most importantly: love, and is in my opinion, one the author's best works to date.

This is a tender and lyrical collection of raw and honest letters to an array of people; from trans femmes, to johns, to terfs (even the abominable jkr!), to anyone who needs to hear what is being meticulously crafted here.

Kai Cheng Thom does an extraordinary job at being kind while still unwavering, at being welcoming while still fiercely protective. This collection was a joy to read, and I need a physical copy in my hands so I can shove it at everyone and anyone until they read it and weep.

Talk about a gorgeous book. Falling Back in Love with Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom is a collection of letters written to numerous people. You need to pick up a copy when this book his shelves on 01 August 2023!

She composes letters to her childhood self, previous clients during her time as a sex worker, and many others, but a commonality they all retain is the love and kindness of the author. While some letters are hard to read, they are beautiful and crucial. Readers need to allow themselves to be uncomfortable, for isn’t that how we learn best?

At the end of each letter is a small action the author asks each reader to take. These are about self-reflection and are thoughtful yet thought-provoking. I love them and think they’re one of my favourite parts of the book. I found this to be a read that was gentle and lovely. It took my breath away with its tenderness, and I admire how Thom portrayed love, rage, kindness and compassion. Thom magically puts words together, and I am so grateful to have read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars

A must read.

Falling Back in Love with Being Human is about trying to love people who are monsters and the situations that turn us into monsters. About choosing to love those that make it hard to love them, even when that includes yourself.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this collection. Some of the letters were hard to read, taking a loving position towards people who've committed atrocities or who hold so much hatred isn't easy, but Kai Cheng Thom's text seeks to understand, rather than forgive.
The letters are sometimes grief, sometimes anger, as the author navigates her own life as well as events that have occurred to others but affected her (such as violence against trans people, sex workers or Asian women).


Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book took my breath away. Tender and heartfelt and stunning and devastating - full of love and rage and kindness and compassion. It defies genres, and defies simple explanation, this was a grand project, and an impactful one. The letters are poems are stories are prose are essays are calls to action are manifesto. Kai Cheng Thom puts words together beautifully. She makes magic, and I am so grateful for the chance to have read her words.

Can’t wait for the world to read this book!!

"What happens when we imagine loving people - and the parts of ourselves - that we do not believe are worthy of love?" - Kai Cheng Thom, Falling Back in Love with Being Human

You'll fall in love with this book of poetry and Kai at the same time - A must read for all LGBTQ2S allies.

Just as falling in love in powerful enough to tear you apart and build you back, Falling Back in Love with Being Human does the same. This series of love letters to unexpected people and places is raw and unflinching. The prose hold up trauma and acceptance with equal grace. Kai reminds us that the secret of resilience is the art of surrender, and this book shows us the truth of that even as it rips us apart.

This book is best read after finding a way to show gratitude to someone in your life who actively cares for you - best if your hands are still stained and your heart is full.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books Canada for providing an advanced reader copy.

Love it. the poems are raw and beautifully written. Keeping my faves in mind. Will definitely read anything by Kai Chen 🤍

I really appreciate Kai Cheng Thom's work on this piece and how honest her storytelling is here. There were so many stunning lines to be read; yet, I wanted to love it much more than I found that I did. I found myself struggling to connect with the all-lower caps, prose-like poetry style, personally. I think - in the future - I'd like to try reading the author's work again in a different style of writing.

There will be countless individuals who find beauty and solace in Thom's words, and I have no doubt about that - just to be very clear!!!

Thank you, Net Galley, for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘Falling Back in Love with Being Human’ by Kai Cheng Thom is a collection of letters in lyrical prose filled with wisdom, honesty, hope and love.

Truthfully, I had been unfamiliar with Kai and her work prior to this collection. I requested it on Net Galley after reading a little blurb about the author. In it, it states that Kai Cheng Thom is a Chinese Canadian transgender girl, and as someone who enjoys lyrical prose and strives to read more Canadian work, it immediately sparked my interest.

And I am so glad I was approved for this title. Kai Cheng Thom’s writing is incredible. I find myself lacking the words that would do this collection justice. The writing is simultaneously sharp and yet soft. It is a collection that rips your heart out of your chest, wrings it out, and then hugs you in a way that feels intimate and familial.

Within this collection and each letter, there are remnants of the adversity Thom has faced throughout her lifetime. Racism, transphobia, and misogyny, to name a few. In letters like:

to the ones who did not cry; to a trans femme of colour from a trans femme of colour ancestor; to the church of social justice; to the martyrs; to the TERFS; and to the exiled etc.

Thom writes of compassion and understanding, with the gentleness that will surely move a generation to be kinder, feel safer, and feel understood. I have read quite a bit of poetry in my time, but I don’t often finish a collection and think this will save someone. And I truly, in my heart, believe that with Thom’s work. I’m incredibly excited to dive into some of her previously published projects. I cannot wait to see her as she continues to cement herself as an incredibly strong literary voice in Canada.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I loved the poetic language of Kau Cheng Thom's language and the way she is able to speak to the political and harmful while still centering gentleness and the beauty we find in meaning. What make's Kai's work stand out is the range of personal and professional observation of humanity she brings to her writing.