The poems in this collection started with a strong potential in that it started about Covid - something that I was sure to get me. But no, even those first poems seemed to fall flat for me.

It's not that they were bad or something. They just were not good either. There was nothing special about them, no beautiful language, no ideas that are not already cliché. If they were music they'd be those popular pop songs that obviously do something right because they are popular, but it's a bit awkward to admit you listen to them. Just like that the clichés in those poems are that for a reason, but ... it's not what I read poems for.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

The best compilation of poems I've read recently.

I really like how the content is laid up! That shocked me, though I'm not entirely sure why.

But when I first read the book, the expression and writing were the most crucial elements I was looking for. I was also impressed. I read every line of every poem as if I had written it, from the very start to the very last. The information is relevant, indeed.

You will find a great deal of solace in the spaces between these poems because you will feel as though these lines, which recall both happy and unhappy events that we all experience nearly daily, were written specifically for you.

An extremely relatable book.

This collection of poems is full of memorable imagery and one-liners. The poems and the chapbook are short but well worth reading. Thank you to the publisher and poet for an advanced copy.

This collection of poetry was at time deep and riveting, but in other moments felt a bit superficial. With so many glowing and positive reviews, I think I expected more of the author's writing to resonate with me. But it was still pretty poetry, well written with solid imagery. I'm not sure that I would recommend this collection of poetry, but I also wouldn't dissuade anyone who was interested in picking up a copy and checking it out.

A sweet and profound collection of poems. This book was beautiful in its own rights. Totally loved reading the poems and I'm glad I picked the book up.

This is very beautiful poetry. Very well written and...did I mention beautiful?? It's a very short book with a few beautiful poems. I loved it!! I really cannot wait to read more poetry from this beautiful author.


I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

This poetry chapbook description: "This pandemic has not been easy on anyone. We have all had our share of grief and loss. However, with things moving so fast, we haven’t been able to take a moment to sit down with our emotions. But you don’t have to face those emotions alone." made me expect more poems about the pandemic than there actually were. However, I liked Phuong Huynh's poems nonetheless.

I was not as much of a fan of this as I expected to be.

Huynh uses poetry to talk about several different topics from grief and loss to healing and friendship. While poetry is a deeply personal thing, I think I just expected more from something that had such great reviews. Reviews of this talk about the gorgeous imagery which I did see but not to the degree I was expecting or wanted. The poems seemed a little cliche and I didn't personally feel connected to any of them.

I did love the range of topics that Huynh touched on though. I thought that each poem brought an overview through emotions relating to each of the topics but aside from that, I didn't get too much from it. It just seemed like an oversight and I didn't get that deep and personal connection that I was craving.

I personally liked the last section titled Elysium the most, I think that was just the section that resonated with me the most but it was also my favourite. I had high hopes for this but I think I'm unlikely to recommend this collection.

Utterly beautiful, I See A Garden In My Head is a poetry book that feels more like whispers and confessions from a close friend. It translates how the global pandemic and quarantine affected us all as individuals, not only on the obvious macro levels, but inthe tiny deep changes in our daily lives that bled to our souls.

A Poetry Chapbook

It is a chapbook with soulful poems.

The poems are assigned to different topics such as
-Daytime silence, nighttime sirens
-There is an end in Friends
-We Dyed the roses
-Between worlds
-Elysian

Poetry from Saigon is rarely available to me as a German reader. However, typical Vietnamese references are largely avoided. Instead, you learn about the feelings of a young woman in different emotional states.

Not everything reaches me completely, but some good moments stick.



I see a garden in my head - Phuong Huynh

Kurzbeschreibung:
"I See a Garden in My Head" is a collection of poems by a highly-skilled and passionate poetry writer, Phuong Huynh, who expertly twists and tangles raw emotions with beautiful lyric poetry.

Über die Autorin:
Phuong Huynh is a Saigonese poetess, creative writer, and ESL Teacher who is infinitely passionate about poetry’s innate power to heal and instill hope. While her poems cover poignant topics like loss and grief, she makes sure to infuse her free-spirited energy into everything she writes.
Ever since she was a child growing up in Ho Chi Minh city, Phuong has been deeply passionate about the art of writing and all it entails. Ultimately, that passion led her to obtain two degrees (a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and a Master of Education in TESOL), starting a creative writing career in multiple fields, and releasing her debut poetry book.
When she isn’t pouring her heart onto the page, you can find this avid adventurer hanging out with her best friend in dog form, playing the keyboard, working out, or learning new things. To find out more about Phuong Huynh both personally and poetically, make sure to visit her official website at www.phuynhauthor.com.

Mein Eindruck:
Es handelt sich um chapbook mit gefühlvollen Gedichten.

Die Gedichte sind verschiedenen Topics zugeordnet wie
Daytime silence, Nightime Sirens
There is an end in Friends
We Dyed the roses
Between worlds
Elysian

Lyrik aus Saigon ist für mich als deutscher Leser selten zu bekommen. Auf typisch vietnamesische Bezüge wird aber weitgehend verzichtet. Stattdessen erfährt man von den Gefühlen einer jungen Frau in verschiedenen emotionalen Stadien.

Nicht alles erreicht mich ganz, aber einige gute Momente bleiben hängen.

This was a sweet collection, and I see potential in the author. I was drawn in initially by the cover and the description. It fell short for me vs. the description. It felt very songwriter-ish.

I found too much of the imagery cliche to say anything new or make me reflect differently on the emotions and experiences the poet was trying to explore. The poet also employees many Americanisms in their word choices and the lexicon is basic.

I prefer poetry that paints emotions with more detail and boldness.

A sweet, short compilation centering on friendship. Some overused lines and cliches are my biggest quip, but I ultimately feel with poetry it's the thought that counts. (And the cover is gorgeous!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Books to Hook Publishing for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is nice chapbook that deals with themes ranging from navigating the loss of friendship to coping with the "new normal" of a Covid-19 world. I enjoyed the free-spirit feeling that this chapbook encapsulates; however "nice" is the only word I can really think to give it. The prose reads more like lyrics than poetry to me, which is lovely, but just... nice. I think younger readers (fans of Rupi Kauer, maybe?) would enjoy this.

Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This pandemic became one of the major crises for people, externally and internally within themselves.

This poetry book does speak straight to my distressed soul. I wish I'd read this from the start of the pandemic for it to be my companion. But as of now and onwards, it will be with me evermore.

I See A Garden In My Head: A Poetry Chapbook by Phuong Huynh is such a great read during this pandemic for those who had their friendships severed, challenged in love, and longing for what was. This poetry book portrays accepting a new beginning.

''I could see you struggling to conceal your scar, now I see me leaving not to reveal my scar''

This is a cute little book with poems I think most of us can relate to. I specially liked when the author wrote about friendship. We need more poetry like that.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange of an honest review.

This was a short but emotionally powerful poetry collection. The language and poetry techniques the author used to convey difficult emotions and topics worked so well and took the poems to new levels.

The author used clever rhythm and patterns, and you could feel the raw passion coming through in the words.

I can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author, for the chance to read and review this book.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of I See A Garden In My Head by Phuong Huynh.
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This is probably my first time truly read a poetry book, and I kinda liked it. Reading in riddles and metaphors usually not my cup of tea, but somehow 'I See A Garden In My Head' is an exception after I saw the blurb. Just like any other human beings, dealing with your raw emotions on your own is exhausting, and when I saw the emotions poured from this book, I finally understood why people turn to poetry to express themselves.
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Even though I couldn't comprehend all the poems due to my lack of understanding and this is my first time truly read word by word of a poetry book, I found myself actually relate to some of the hidden messages, the metaphors, and those words knock on my heart, and instantly I was travelled back to my pasts that I buried down deep. It was like someone finally understood what it feels like back then, and to experience it again through reading this poetry, it brings back memories, both good or bad. But somehow it kinda comforts me. This book comforts me in a way I cannot really say...Another strong point is that it has arts and graphics which makes the book so interesting to read and captured my attention.
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A great poetry book as a whole 👍

This chapbook is a fun book filled with lyrical writing. The frequent repetition of lines throughout the poems gives it a melodic, song like feel. The writing is easy to decipher and free of the wordy puzzle like mess that I think some chapbooks fall into.

My favorite poems were Butterfly, Roses and A Power Play. The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful.