Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the chance to read and review ‘The Music Was Just Getting Good’ by Alicia Cook.

The style of the series is interesting; the book is divided into two sides. Side A has 91 poems, none of which have a title but are called Track 1, Track 2 and so on, and each is accompanied with a song. Side B, the second half of the book, is a series of blackout poems based on the original 91 tracks, with different songs.

To be clear, I absolutely love Track 27 and I think Alicia has some real gems in this collection.

However, this collection needed to be edited significantly.

91 poems and then 91 blackout poems don’t seem to be a lot and then you open the book and they become a lot, especially when the same couple of themes are repeated again and again. Had the author halved the number of poems, the remaining ones would have been given the ability to shine individually instead of being lost in this sea of tracks.

Alicia Cook's "The Music Was Just Getting Good" is more than poetry; it's a soulful mixtape, weaving words and melodies into a tapestry of life's bittersweet symphony. 92 poems paired with songs create a unique experience, each poem a track echoing its suggested melody. Like "Maybe It's Time to Write a Breakup Song to Depression" paired with Billie Eilish's vulnerability, Cook tackles raw emotions without flinching. Yet, hope shines through darkness, from "Sunrise After a Night of Panic Attacks" to "Finding Joy in the Cracks."

This really moved me. From the very first poem I was IN. I didn't want to put it down but I also needed time to breathe and let it marinate. I will be recommending to collection/development, because if it's something that can help me through something, it can help others, too. My thanks to NetGalley for a digital review copy.

This wonderful collection of poems had me sobbing, laughing out loud, and reveling with each turning page, and I'm so thankful to Andrews McMeel Publishing, Netgalley, and Alicia Cook for the digital access before this baby hits shelves on January 9, 2024.

Great book! I love the use of songs, really helps express the meaning of each poem. Furthermore, the poems on grief really spoke to me. Will definitely be reading more of her writing!!

Track Thirty Eight hit me quite harder than I was expecting, and then I got to the song paired with it. Then happened again, and then again, and I cannot wait to buy this in physical format when it comes out. The idea of pairing poetry with music is so so so good.

Although I liked the first few poems a lot, it started getting redundant too soon. I liked the blackout concept and it worked. I just wish the overarching mix tape idea followed the reality of mix tapes and maybe edited the book down to like 10-20 poems per side rather than twice that. I think that would have filtered out some of the lesser quality poems and I would have felt less bored by 20% in.

The beauty of poetry is that you could say the simplest phrases and it will either break or make your heart. I like the style of Alicia but sometimes it could get too wordy and because of that it either loses its appeal or confuse me.

I needed this book!

“I realize that every time I'm even remotely tired of living, there's always something to remind me why I'm alive.
Maybe that's my fifth reason. There's always Something”

This book felt like breathing to me. Like someone was in my head reading my thoughts. I got this copy on NetGalley, but I’m definitely buying the rest of the series.

I loved that the poems were paired with songs.

This book touched on so much: loss, mental health, love, lust, moving forward, feeling stuck, the list goes on.

If you’re just a person in this world trying to wade through you should definitely check this book out you won’t be disappointed.

I want to thank net gallery for giving me the opportunity to read this book. The collection of poetry was beautiful, yet repetitive at times. I did enjoy the black out poems, and enjoyed how the author was able to create two poems out of one

Alicia Cook's latest poetry collection, "The Music Was Just Getting Good," is the final installment in her highly anticipated mixtape trilogy. Following the success of her previous works, "Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately" (2016) and "Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back" (2020), Cook once again captivates readers with her profound insights into the ups and downs of life. Through her evocative verses, she reminds us that even in our darkest moments, a glimmer of hope can appear just around the corner. Comprised of 184 tracks, consisting of 92 poems and 92 blackout poems, Cook tackles timeless themes such as mental health, hope, and recovery. However, what sets this collection apart is her exploration of grief beyond the realm of death. Cook delves into the multifaceted nature of grieving, illustrating that we mourn not only the loss of loved ones but also the loss of our former selves, missed opportunities, physical places, and relationships we've had to let go. The juxtaposition of each poem with an accompanying song elevates the reading experience to a new level. The melodies and lyrics resonate with the emotions embedded in Cook's words, creating a harmonious blend of literary and musical artistry. This unique approach allows readers to immerse themselves fully in the profound depths of every composition. "The Music Was Just Getting Good" stands as a stunning final act in Cook's trilogy, addressing the core aspects of the human experience with raw authenticity. Her words serve as a healing balm, offering solace to weary souls in need of comfort and understanding. Through her masterful storytelling, Cook reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is always hope for brighter days ahead. In a world where vulnerability and self-reflection are often overlooked, Cook fearlessly exposes the complexities of human emotions, leaving readers with a sense of connection and reassurance. Her poetic finesse and ability to articulate the universal truths of life make "The Music Was Just Getting Good" a necessary and timely addition to any bookshelf. In conclusion, Alicia Cook's "The Music Was Just Getting Good" is an exceptional book that seamlessly weaves together poetry, music, and the human experience. It serves as a powerful reminder that even amidst life's trials, hope is never far away. This collection is a testament to Cook's immense talent as a writer and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on anyone who embarks on this lyrical journey.

I really enjoyed this collection. It was written beautifully and I loved the layout. I really felt connected to some of these poems. I want to go back and read the other collections in this set of poetry collections. I’m adding this one to my shelves.

This collection had some gems but was otherwise weighed down in too many pages. There are almost THREE HUNDRED pages! The poetry and prose became repetitive but I was able to find respite in between pages with a few poems that felt like a breath of fresh air.

The idea of music pairings with poetry is a personal favorite of mine but it felt as if the music choices were a bit disconnected. I found the pairings in the "Side B: Remixes" side were much more coherent.

My favorite poems are: "Track Two", "Track Thirty-Nine", and "Track Fifty-One."

Overall a pleasant read but the collection needed some heavy editing.

All around this was not bad and I really like the idea behind each poem had a song with it, but about halfway through, I realized some of them just did not... stick with me. When I read poetry, I like to feel. Same with music. And them together? Perfection. But some of these, just... no..

This is an enjoyable collection. It is quite extense and not all the work has the same quality. The main achievement is the capacity to always bring up the subject of human beings as imperfect, broken and made in fragments and sometimes unable to understand and been understood.
Sometimes we are islands and that is ok, We should respect and embrace our capacity for solitude.
I love the way the poems reflect on how we see the world and how we think the world sees us.

This is my first discovery of Cook's poetry and I was impressed with her for many reasons. First, what an incredibly clever idea--each poem in this book is inspired by a song Cook was listening to while writing it. For many of the poems, I listened to the song while reading and could absolutely parse out the nuance each song provided as inspiration for the writing. So fun, so unique. In addition, her use of imagery, internal rhyme, line breaks, etc. was amazing. Her style is so colloquial and relatable to the average reader, but makes you think long after you've stopped reading. Part two of the book was all redactive poetry, which is not necessarily my favorite, but the way Cook weaved story within each redaction was interesting, and something I could definitely appreciate. However, part one stole my heart and made me a fan of Cook's poetry. So excited to read more from her!

Alicia's third book of poetry is a beautiful collection and great end to this trilogy. Some of the poems are heartbreaking. Others are funny. Some are both! This will be a relatable read to so many.

Another incredible collection from Alicia Cook! I love her work, the emotions is brings out in me, and the new music it inevitably invites me to explore.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
First off, I love the cassette tape layout of this book. Having a side A and side B along with each poem being a track is a super unique idea. I enjoy blackout poems in general and how these ones were made I thought was even better than normal. I enjoyed that each “track” had a song to go with it. Wonderfully done I would for sure recommend this collection.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. These poems were very straightforward, with minimal use of symbolism or metaphors, which made the writing feel somewhat juvenile. However there were some good, profound lines sprinkled in there that I enjoyed and I just applaud anyone in general who is brave enough to publish their poetry, which often feels like publishing a diary.