CHAMELEON AURA - BY BILLY CHAPATA


darling, you've got magic in your bones, and gold in your soul. don't let anyone treat you like you're ordinary.

As usual, your girl doesn’t know how to write a review for a poetry collection. We’ve been there already, remember? (read here and here)
What I always say is that I really can’t figure out how to write a review of a poetry book because it always feels so personal and you really don’t want to judge people’s feelings or lives, right?
Well, this book was a bit different in that department.
It wasn’t really a poetry collection about personal life, I mean, yes, obviously the author was writing about his personal life or, better, was inspired by personal stuff but I feel like I can review it without coming across as a dickhead without any feelings. #relief

Now, the book was wonderful, lemme just start by saying that. I highlighted the shit out of it, dog-eared the pages – I know, I KNOW. I’m a sinner, what can we do? – and used what was left of my sticky tabs so I know which page to go to if I need to read something specific. I’m a maniac, guys, it’s old story.

I feel like this is a book everyone struggling with finding that love for themselves should read; men, women, ladies, boys - that old woman around the block always spying kids kissing from behind her curtains - everyone. It’s just more than poetry, it’s that note written on your mirror that you look at every morning before going to work or school, the one that says to love yourself more, to live your life to the fullest, to breath in and out with calm and comfort. It’s a pat on the shoulder. A hand in the middle of a lonely street. A glass of refined wine in a loud, crowded bar.
When I was reading this collection, I felt empowered, suddenly strong and fierce and ready to give myself the respect I deserve, to let my body heal in peace without pushing too much, too often. Without asking it things it cannot provide just yet. I felt like I was living, breathing magic even if I’m not always nice, I’m not always taking care of me the way I should. Even if I’m rough around the edges and I give people little credit and I don’t trust them too much and I’m hurting, still.

sometimes you only meet your full self later in life. sometimes you dance with the little parts, until the rest comes out to hear the music.

The author’s voice is prominent and enchanting; it’s like he’s singing you to life. He’s begging you to love yourself, a little more, and a little more often.
The writing style is simple and filled with loving magic. There are words that I felt deep inside my bones and I felt the need to take them and make them mine, and you will too.
It also made me want to keep writing my own story, keep sharing my own wounds and kiss them goodbye or give them a little more love than I already have and the time for them to heal properly.

The author gives you that little push you need to accept that not all people deserve to be with you, to hold you, to keep you. That you need what you need and what you’re settling for maybe, is not enough. He makes you feel aware of what you have and what you could give and what no one can take away from you.

It’s very easy for me to say that I absolutely loved this book. It was what I needed and what I always grab if I need that extra loving, that extra push or hand to know that I’m not alone and that I deserve to be loved in a way only loving people do and that if my wounds need a little more time to heal, then I should provide them that time.
And that I deserved that little extra loving too, rough edges and all.

Chameleon Aura is already out if you want to get a copy yourself and I suggest you do, you won’t regret it, I promise!


Find it on Goodreads - Book Depository

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*a copy of this book was kindly sent to me by Andrews McMeel.