If you use Tumblr, you might recognize some of the poems from “The Universe of Us” by Lang Leav. The international best-selling author has pieces in this book that will either make your heart ache, or you may have a slight distaste for it if free-verse is not your style.

The name of the collection gives away the inspiration, however, as the universe and our constellations feeds into some of her poems. In the introduction, Leav describes each book she writes, in a way, as “a tiny universe.”

I was given this book by a loved one who knows I love poetry. This was my first time reading one of Leav’s books, and I was afraid I would not like her work entirely because she was new to me. Something I did like about this author was how her poems made you feel connected to her. It kind of felt like a friend was reading to me, sharing with me all her secrets.

There were many moments while reading Leav’s work where I stopped and was in awe. It was like she was grabbing memories from my life and selecting them for her book. That was impressionable, I must admit.

We have all experienced love and loss. Leav expresses these feelings in a way where it is projected on you, and you ache with her. At least it was that way for me. There were some poems that I felt were more complex in order to sound “creative” and those were the pieces I found hard to connect with. I think the simpler pieces she had were stronger in meaning to me, mostly because she made me feel more when she got to the point, even with less words.

When I said she felt like a friend reading to me, I truly meant that. There were some poems that were hopeful and empowering. She is like that friend you confide in, and she tells you everything will be alright, and that you got this. Leav leaves you hopeful.

Overall, she might have let us into a universe of vulnerability, sadness, heartbreak, and hurt, but nonetheless, she provided hope. It was noticeable that she carefully crafted her words with time and care for her readers.

This was her fourth book in her collection of poetry, and it was released in October of 2016. It was her final book of the collection, and this year she published the novel “Sad Girls,” where we see another side of Leav and her writing. All her books are available in book stores worldwide and online.

I definitely will be reading the other three books in her poetry collection. If an author provides a connection with their reader, I am always impressed. Leav left an impression on me. I hope she does the same for you.

4.5 Stars