This is a gorgeous poetry collection, which explores the struggles of immigrantion and discrimination in a really beautiful and touching way. The poems, manage to both give an insight into the situation of an arab-muslim living in the US in the current political climate, while also being very emotionally touching and invoking a lot of feelings in the reader.

Thanks to netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for an ARC of this collection!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of The Pomegranate is a Grenade and I had to slow myself down reading it so that I could savour it and fully appreciate it when I just wanted to consume it as quickly as possible.

The title is well chosen as the poem The Pomegranate was one of the poems that spoke to me the most. It was clever and beautiful but heartbreaking as well. The poems on Palestine and Lebanon were particularly powerful within the collection but they also worked incredibly well with the other poems about life more generally. Hashwi's experience of being Muslim, Lebanese, and America are not things I can personally relate to but her poems beautifully highlight the good and the bad but they tie into much wider themes of identity and belonging which are universal human experiences.

I enjoyed the book a great deal and thought the order and pacing of the poems was well done. On an individual level, I particularly loved The Mango Pit and Dancing with Ancestors and was incredibly moved by Body Bags and Faux Patriotism.

I'd recommend this book to any poetry lover, interested in Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider region, and to anyone who's ever struggled with home not feeling like home.

I'd definitely give it a strong 4.5/5⭐

What an important piece of literature to read, especially in today's times.

I love how the author plays around with the form of the poetry. It makes for a very interesting read. The writing is eloquent but easy to digest and accessible to both new and old readers of poetry. Quite a few of these poems I read over-and-over and each time felt or thought something different.

I can understand why this collection is called 'The Pomegranate is a Grenade' as this was a standout poem for me. The contrast between the 'confetti' and 'celebration' against the 'grenade' sent shivers down my spine. It's a gut-wrenching read but necessary read.

I think, given the divisive political climate, everyone should read it. I really appreciate this opportunity to hear from the perspective of a Muslim author. It gives authentic insight on family, ongoing conflicts, immigration and being a Muslim in America.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC.

What a powerful collection of poetry, varying in form, theme, and emotion. My favorite poems are “My Therapist Says” for its symbolism and analysis points (I can’t wait to buy a copy once it’s published to use it in my classroom!) and The Pomegranate gives haunting imagery that contrasts such a symbolic fruit with the traumas of war. Definitely a must-read collection for anyone who wants to hear an authentic poetic voice on faith, love, war, immigrants in the United States, and metaphors that carry through the collection.

The Pomegranate is a Grenade is a breathtaking debut that captures the "white-hot" beauty and tension of the Arab Muslim experience in America. Through intimate, accessible verse, Maha Hashwi explores the textures of an immigrant household from the fragrance of shared meals to the heavy silence of displacement. It is a stunning examination of what it means to carry a home in your bones when you belong to more than one world.

What I Loved:
• The Imagery: Maha’s use of sensory details—food, rituals, and the "rooms" of her upbringing is exquisite. The title itself perfectly captures the explosive nature of identity: something sweet, segmented, and full of life, yet shaped by conflict and resistance.
• The Emotional Arc: The collection moves beautifully between the tenderness of family love and the sharp reality of cultural contradictions. It doesn't just ask where we belong; it asks what we are willing to carry in order to survive.