Neon Soul

I didn't know my heart needed this book until I read it. Glad I found an e-copy on Netgalley. It is a necessary addition to any bookshelf. I benefited most from the self-care bits in the book, though the whole collection is empowering too.

Alex Elle does not disappoint on her message of self-love and healing. The poems are a bit short but they are relatable, inspiring, and empowering. If you loved "Love in my Language" (I read the 2nd edition), you will love Elle's third collection "Neon Soul". I also enjoyed the poetry writing prompts at the conclusion of the book. I love how interactive she in with her books. This book is definitely on my to buy list.

I really enjoyed this poetry collection and its focus on healing, self love, and self care. It was easy to read, definitely not poetry to chew on and ponder but that made it enjoyable. I read this cover to cover in one sitting and would definitely re-read it. This is one to pass on to others who you care about. I will be recommending it to a group I am a part of that focuses on self care.

Neon Soul is a collection by Alexandra Elle that includes writings with a focus on the self: self-care, self-love and healing from emotional moments in life. A majority of the poems are focused on a second-person POV, pulling you into each page and making you think about each poetic line on a personal level. The poems are short, which means even for non-poetry readers, this can be an enjoyable experience.

The collection also includes a few pages of poetry prompts for readers so that you can begin your own process discovering your emotions with poetry. Although I find this addition unnecessary to the book itself, for those that want to get started on writing poetry with just a little push will love it.

absolutely loved this collection of poetry, there were so many poems I screenshotted to read again later & will definitely be picking up more of her work in the future. many of these poems might look simple but they speak to many larger issues - Alexandra Elle is praised for "her triumph over adverse & promoting resilience & self-care - & this collection definitely delivers
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This year, 2017, is the year of diverse reading. I'm crawling out of my rom-com box and into the great wide world of all kinds of things.

This piqued my interest solely based on the title alone. How awesome is the title. It's poetry, I thought. What could go wrong? In the case of this book? Nothing. It did nothing but go completely right.

Late last year, I happened upon Milk and Honey, which I really didn't enjoy. At the time, I thought it might have been the style of the poetry. Having read Neon Soul, I now know it wasn't the style, but perhaps the content of the poems.

What's presented here is a gorgeous set of poetry based around love, self-respect, healing, and blooming into a beautiful human being. I found I could relate to the majority of poems presented here, but particularly autumn and some is not all.

I loved this collection so much that I'd love a paperback for my shelf.

Loved it! So easy to read but so complex at the same time.
Favorite quote:
"finding yourself never looks the same"

This collection of poems really touched upon my emotions and evoked feelings that I'd kept buried for a long time. There really is a poem in this book for everyone and I found myself going back and re-reading several poems throughout the day. The poems in this book are about letting go of pain, loving yourself, learning how to heal, and preparing yourself for happiness. One of my favorite things about this book is the 10 writing prompts at the end which allow the reader to write their own poems and turn their feelings and emotions into words. I will definitely be purchasing a hard copy of this book to keep on my nightstand when it is published.

Truly a celebration of wholeness and the good health that is gained by wisdom, knowledge and contentment. “Neon Soul: A Collection of Poetry and Prose” is the third book written by Alexandra Elle. Elle’s books: “Love In My Language” (2014) and “Words From A Wanderer” (2013) were well received, she lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and daughter.

Although Elle’s husband and daughter are mentioned slightly in passing, she fondly recalls her Nana in “hands”. Nana, who combed her “thick cottony hair”with gentle loving kindness, framing a “mountain of hair”—part. grease. brush. braid. Otherwise, a dark incident that likely occurred in her childhood is only hinted, and not detailed. Elle writes in her introduction, that the dark windows and doors related to pain and suffering, and traumatic experience, weren't allowed to find a “resting place” within her spirit. It is true that excessively thinking about negative life experiences may be linked to depression. Elle certainly rise’s with strength and firm resolve above all negativity. The focus of this magnificent volume is about enrichment and nourishment of the female spirit.

With titled poems: “boundaries” is the voice of wisdom and self-acceptance. - “self-forgiveness” asks if “you” can forgive yourself for what you didn’t do? -“all” some will love your art, others will not. Both dynamics represent the balance of light and dark. So many of the poems express the importance of keeping an open mind and heart, the value of self-love, self-discovery and the necessity of self-care. None of these works are about the selfishness that leads to self-absorption.

These poems are often like receiving soothing support and encouraging advice from a dear friend. Most of the poems are shorter free verse, a few lines of observation. - “linger” is simply about the impossibility of unloving someone. - “past life” is of the creation of future poetry, “they give hope to the hopeless/and warmth to frigid hearts/too scared to love again/past lives remind us that what/we don’t want is behind us/and what we do is within reach.” – “roar” is another poem of strength: “unhappiness is loud/and it can shatter every/bit of silence that gets/in the way/if you let it.” – “mosaic” very short, but equally powerful: “make art with/the mess from your heart/on the floor.” Elle has included several writing prompts to inspire creativity; the line drawings and illustrations are also an added bonus of this wonderful book! ~ With appreciation and a huge thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the DRC for the purpose of review.

While not many of the poems resonated with me perhaps quite as much as I might have hoped, Neon Lights was quite something, with a wonderful concept: the focus on self-love and healing. The simple words of the poems conveyed a lot of meaning, and felt very reassuring and hopeful (my favourites were Passage, Boundaries and Homage) — even if the words themselves did not linger in my mind. The subtle yet bold illustrations scattered throughout were a nice touch too, emphasizing the themes of growth and hope as well as bringing a little extra to the words.

All in all, this is a very touching and warming collection.

I enjoyed reading this poetry collection. I loved the message of this book (self-love, self-care, healing and more), but I did find some poems very repetitive. Overall, it was a good read.

I absolutely, positively adore this book. It is a book about healing. I have had limited exposure to books that focus on healing, so this book is almost a God send. I am able to personally connect with the books as well. I tried to soak up every word. I have been a fan of Alex Elle for quite some time and follow her on Instagram, so I was ecstatic about the release of Neon Soul. I would agree that some poems aren't as potent as others, but all still beautifully and thoughtfully written.

There is something about lines that are unpretentious and devoid of heavy words. They are so easy to relate to , so deep nevertheless. I feel so honored to live in a time when there is so much talent out there that has been tapped without it being lost to oblivion.
Neon souls talks about love, heartache and ofcourse self love. The poems ( and the occasional sketches) are wonderfully written. There were times when I was so close to tears because the writing is so brutally honest , so simple - it just opens every wound you are trying hard to cover up. The poems on self love are so essential in these times when the world is convincing us that the lives of others are better than ours , when people we give our hearts to - crush it without a second thought... i really wish more of us read poetry- poetry as simple and as impactful as this. Poetry that reminds us that its okay to be broken , lines that teach us self love... poetry that touches your heart and soul...
Overall : pick this book up, it will surely leave you with a bitter sweet after taste , making you question life and your actions.. loved this one ❤
( the book also has a few prompts encouraging you to write - how lovely is that !)

Wonderfully written poetry. Absolutely loved reading this one. Recommend this to everyone with a beating heart and a craving to live and not to merely survive.

This collection is a celebration of resilience and self love in the face of negative experiences. The poetry is simple and readable, easy to read in one sitting but not the type to be analyzed. It’s wonderful to read poetry that is so uplifting and centered on self love. Some poems are definitely worth rereading, and the collection is worth the time to read, but it is not life-changing.

If you enjoyed the poems about healing in Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey, you will enjoy this collection, which is very similar. There are even similar little illustrations sprinkled throughout. If you don’t usually read poetry, this collection will still be a quick and easy read.

I loved this book! Alexandra uses poetry to show her feelings. She writes how she felt during her heartbreak, self-celebration and shows how she is working through her pain. He heart is poured out in every poem; we see into her very soul. At the end of the book are pages to encourage the reader to write their own story. Neon Soul is a beautiful book and I highly recommend it.

I always enjoy Alexandra Elle's poetry. Her writings are beautiful and I would definitely recommend them.

This poetry collection was absolutely beautiful, and although I was able to quickly finish it in one sitting, it has many poems within in it that have resonated with me deeply. I found myself bookmarking many of the poems so that I could go back and read them over and over again. This poetry collection is heartwarming and inspiring and is all about letting go of past pain and finding happiness again. I love poetry books that focus on healing and self love, and this one does just that. I would recommend this collection to anyone who needs a reminder that no matter what you may going through, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.