Small Ghost is a wonderful poetry book, and it showcases the beauty and terror of navigating mental illness. I personally found much of the poems relatable throughout my read. Both the poems and gorgeous artwork ranged from bleak tragedy to hopeful despair.

A heartfelt collection of poetry that I could really relate to and appreciate. The artwork goes really well with the words and I loved the direction the latter part took.

I'd recommend this to those recovering from mental illness as a message of hope and inspiration.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ

"𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌, 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆."

𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 is a heart-breaking, honest and raw collection of poems where Trista Mateer is completely vulnerable and transparent within its pages.

In 2015, Mateer published a brief collection of poems under the same title, and this new book serves as a beautiful expansion of that original work. The previous cover is woven into this book's artwork, which I thought was a nice touch.

This collection explores heavy themes and comes with a 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 at the beginning. Some of these themes are mental health issues, desperation, the overwhelm of consumerism and struggles with finding purpose in life.

As someone who lives with mental health troubles, I found Mateer’s words deeply resonant and validating. While these poems might be triggering for some, which is completely understandable, I found them to be therapeutic.

I love the use of the ghost and to me this represented feeling stuck or left behind when battling mental illness. Mateer highlights how there is still a stigma surrounding mental health issues, despite us being told otherwise, and how doctors don’t seem to understand continuous disorders that cannot be alleviated by going for a walk.

Despite its heavy content, there are also endearing and nostalgic moments and the author's note to the readers at the end is very sweet.

There is so much more to this book but I don’t want to spoil the reading experience and recommend you go and read it for yourselves.

Release date: 24th September 2024

As a self-proclaimed fan of Trista Mateer's works, I must say that that this is one of her more mediocre works. Don't get me wrong,I liked it. All her poems are deeply emotional and touches my heart. Yet this did not quite hit that soft spot which many of her other works, like Persephone Made Me Do It and Honeybee did. I was certainly expecting a lot more and was a bit let down.

I got really into Trista Mateer's poetry during COVID, I think? Either way, it really spoke to me back then and so I was very excited to see this release. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the same is it did a few years ago. :(

🌟🌟🌟🌟½

"Small Ghost" by Trista Mateer is a tender exploration of mental health that feels like reading someone's heartfelt diary entries. 📖✨ Mateer’s lyrical prose resonates deeply, capturing both vulnerability and strength with grace. The addition of Lauren Zaknoun’s evocative photography and Mateer’s own illustrations bring the book’s themes to life, creating a stunning visual and emotional experience. 📸🎨 If you’re looking for a book that blends poignant reflections with beautiful artistry, this one’s a gem. 🌟💖


Thank you NetGalley, Central Avenue Publishing, & the author for my ARC!

I read this originally in Sept of 2022, but was recently sent an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Trista Mateer is one of my favorite poets of all time, however, I just think this collection is not as good as her other works. Honeybee is my favorite poetry collection of right now, and I still recommend that everyone check out her other works.

I thought this collection did not have as many punchy, gut-wrenching lines as her other collections. It was starting to get a little repetitive with "small ghost does this, small ghost does that".

I will still auto-buy every collection that Mateer puts out, and I think for the right person this could be a really good poetry book to read.

I don't think I've ever read a poetry book that I related to so much before. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression most of their life, I felt represented in this book. Yes this is what depression is, it feels as if a ghost has taken over, like you aren't yourself. I feel seen and it's like my feelings and experiences have been validated. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book.

Nihilistic ghosties just trying to get through the day - can relate

Loved the mixed media and bite sized poems

i have been a huge fan of @tristamateer for ages and small ghost is so so special. Trista so perfectly captures feeling so low and clawing your way out of the darkness. this is especially poignant for anyone that has dealt with depression and anxiety (and i loved Trista’s shoutout to zoloft in the acknowledgments).

WOW. This spoke to me and my depression like whoa. The way Mateer so clearly exposed the feelings/actions of those facing the disease, it felt like someone had a camera into my home and soul at some points in my life. The art was an amazing addition to the crafted poetry. So grateful to NetGalley for the arc. Now to go buy myself a copy!

This is an expanded version of Trista Mateer's 2015 short collection of poems. I didn't relate to a lot of the poems, but this was a sad read. The illustrations and photographs were interesting.

I absolutely love everything Trista Mateer has written, and this is no exception. I love her style of writing, and the way it's so readable and relatable while always feeling new and creative. I felt so much while reading this collection and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone interested.

Thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the chance to read and review this ARC.

**Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-arc In exchange for my honest opinion.

This was beautiful. It helps that the author is one of my favorite poets. It was very easy to read. The only problem I had was with the photos that had words on them. I couldn't read those very well. And it felt like I was lacking something, Because I couldn't read those.
Everything else about the collection was beautiful though.

Thoughtful, immersive and powerful. This is the first collection of Trista Mateer that I've read and now... I'll be seeking out more.

Love poetry books so much! Small Ghost is such a good book. I rated it 4 stars. I really liked this book and the context of this story.

This book read like a Tumblr post, and not in a positive way. It was a little clunky and I didn't connect with the writing as it felt so much like an edgy social media post.

Thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

Based on a passion project by the same name, Small Ghost is an expansion on the illustrated chapbook from 2015. It is a full-length collection of poems interspersed with artwork and photography in the style of Mater’s other collections.

I favour the Myths and Magic collections, but found this to be thoughtful and sympathetic. Touches on the trials of girlhood and the burden of living.

A heavy little book with some wonderfully uncomfortable poems that sit with you, or a version of you, that needed to know you're not alone in feeling that way.

I adored the photos and visuals, even if the style of poetry doesn't personally resonate with me. I'm glad I read this!

"You will not always be the ghost haunting your own life. I believe in you."

I will read anything that Trista writes. I adore her poetry.

And this was no exception. It was amazing, and so raw, and so real. It was also incredibly relatable. I loved the art that was shown throughout as well. I one hundred percent recommend this poetry book, especially if the description resonates with you.