Today I’m closing the blog tour for Homemade Shrine. My review is written with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the tour and to the author for my copy of the book.

Blurb:

HOMEMADE SHRINE is derangement, romance, addiction & an ode to that very special & dark part of your life which was romanticised & mired in melancholy & self-destruction, but was also something you secretly miss about yourself. . . Cultish & cathartic, what sets this compelling collection of evocative poems & journal/scrapbook pages apart is its interactive nature, as it prompts readers to embark on a short journey of self-reflection. By encouraging active engagement through responding to prompts, readers can create their own ‘word shrine,’ fostering a unique and personal connection to the related verses. The collection’s raw and beautifully crafted poetry facilitates a process of introspection & personal storytelling, inviting readers to find solace in shared experiences.

Described as “dense with image” & “alive, like fresh soil infused with an occult glow,” the poems breathe life into the exploration of complex emotions & human vulnerability as a whole.

This is the debut release of Australian poet/writer Danii Jasmine. Deep inside, the 23 poems are accompanied by original illustrations and scrapbook art by Brooklyn Whitney.

Review:

I loved the idea of reading Homemade Shrine as it is so very different from anything I usually read. It’s laid out in the form of a scrap book and filled with poems, photographs, notes, flower pressings and lists. It was fascinating to see how Danii Jasmine explored the themes that were important to her.

Danii Jasmine’s writing is absolutely beautiful. She uses really vivid imagery to make her feelings tangible to the reader and I felt really emotional reading it. She explores themes such as depression, self harm, addiction and toxic relationships, so her work is not always easy to read but it really struck a chord with me, as she managed to put things into words that I have struggled to express.

Homemade Shrine is a really creative way of exploring mental health and I think and hope that this journal will be able to comfort and support someone in a similar situation.

Homemade Shrine is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: